Although it’s often called the strawberry capital of the world, Watsonville, Calif. has some recycling initiatives that set it apart as well.
Although it’s often called the strawberry capital of the world, Watsonville, Calif. has some recycling initiatives that set it apart as well.
In the Portland, Ore. metropolitan area, no municipal recycling program is an island. Each works with its neighboring communities as part of a regional “wasteshed,” sharing diversion goals, tactics and resources.
It’s hard to argue with data, and in one Northeast community, the numbers don’t lie: Natick, Mass. has increased diversion by 14 percentage points since implementing a system to add financial incentives to recycling.
In the city of St. Louis, a relatively young recycling program has gone all-in on outreach and education efforts. And local residents have responded with enthusiasm for the city’s diversion initiatives.
In the greater Greenville, S.C. area, transitioning from bins to rollcarts was about more than capturing higher volumes of recyclables. The change ushered in a more efficient collection system while reducing litter and generating higher quality material in some cases.
As the need for a cleaner stream becomes clear, haulers and local programs are taking steps to reduce contamination. Some enforcement tactics are proving unpopular among the public.
Oregon and Colorado have very different recycling landscapes but are seeing a similar trend: stagnating recycling numbers.
A major brand owner will help provide funding for carts, MRF upgrades, collection vehicles and other core projects to expand materials recovery in the Southeast.
As a board member for the Maryland Recycling Network and a state representative, Andrew Cassilly sits in a unique position when it comes to crafting legislation.
