Tag Archives: local programs

How Phoenix fits into Balcones’ growth plans

Published: November 28, 2022
Updated: November 29, 2022
by Jared Paben

Inside the city of Phoenix North Gateway MRF.

After winning a contract previously held by Republic Systems, Balcones Resources will operate Phoenix’s North Gateway MRF (pictured above and below), as well as the city’s 27th Avenue MRF, which will be rebuilt with Machinex equipment. | Courtesy of city of Phoenix

Balcones Resources’ recently signed MRF operations contract with the city of Phoenix is exactly the type of “huge step” toward growth envisioned when Closed Loop Partners bought a majority stake in the company, a Balcones executive explained.

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged local programs, MRFs |

Oregon redemption center brings AI counting to consumers

Published: November 28, 2022
Updated: November 28, 2022
by Marissa Heffernan

Behind the scenes at BottleDrop's collection location.

The latest drop-off center from the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative uses AI to rapidly count and identify bottles and other containers. | Marissa Heffernan/Resource Recycling, Inc.

The busiest container redemption center in Oregon recently got an upgrade, delivering the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative’s neural network technology to a consumer-facing location for the first time.

Posted in News | Tagged container deposits, local programs, MRFs |

Power in posting

Published: November 15, 2022
Updated: November 15, 2022
by Andrea Folsom

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged local programs, Oct. 2022 |

City of Austin works toward equity in every department

Published: October 10, 2022
Updated: October 10, 2022
by Marissa Heffernan

Speakers on stage at the 2022 Resource Recycling Conference

In a session moderated by Dan Leif (left), speakers Brion Oaks (middle) and Ken Snipes (right) spoke about how the city of Austin has taken specific steps to combat historical racial disparities. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling, Inc.

Most Americans see racism as a collection of individual actions, but it’s really an institutional problem that needs to be addressed at every level, speakers on a recent equity panel advised.

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged local programs |

Keep recycling local

Published: September 14, 2022
Updated: September 14, 2022
by Neil Seldman

Posted in Resource Recycling Magazine | Tagged Aug. 2022, local programs, MRFs |

How cities are strengthening programs for long-term success

Published: September 13, 2022
Updated: September 13, 2022
by Marissa Heffernan

The “Resiliency at the Local Level” session at the 2022 Resource Recycling Conference featured (l to r): Eduardo Rodriguez, Alexis Yaple, Kanika Greenlee and Zach Woodruff. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling, Inc.

Resilience in recycling requires a number of elements: upgrading technology, extending contracts or even buying carts for residents.

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged collection, local programs, MRFs |

How a county-processor contract addresses equity

Published: September 13, 2022
Updated: September 13, 2022
by Jared Paben

TechDump employee at work tearing down a device.

Repowered, formerly known as Tech Dump, has secured an electronics recycling and repair contract with Ramsey County, Minn., which includes the city of St. Paul. | Courtesy of Repowered

A Twin Cities-area nonprofit won an electronics recycling and repair contract with the second largest county in Minnesota, a deal that comes as the company undergoes a rebrand.

Posted in News | Tagged local programs |

Recycle BC reports jump in recovery rates

Published: August 1, 2022
Updated: August 30, 2022
by Marissa Heffernan

Blue recycling bins lined up against a brick background.

For the second year in a row, Recycle BC observed “significant growth” in collected metric tons, with a 17% increase over the past two years. | Lightspring/Shutterstock

British Columbia’s paper and plastic packaging collection rates have rebounded after pandemic-related challenges, reaching a record-high recovery rate of just over 94%.

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged Canada, collection, EPR/Stewardship, local programs, plastics |

Tetra Pak launches carton recycling initiative in Vietnam

Published: August 29, 2022
Updated: August 29, 2022
by Marissa Heffernan

A pilot project will bring carton recycling to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. | Ho Su A Bi/Shutterstock

Circular Action, Tetra Pak and Packaging Recycling Organisation Vietnam teamed up to create a carton recycling initiative in Vietnam they hope will increase recycling rates and provide income to freelance waste pickers.

Posted in News | Tagged Asia, collection, fiber, local programs |

Collaboration sits at heart of the best MRF contracts

Published: August 23, 2022
Updated: August 23, 2022
by Marissa Heffernan

The “Rethinking MRF Contracts” session at this year’s Resource Recycling Conference featured (l to r) moderator Keysha Burton of The Recycling Partnership and speakers Natalie Betts of Balcones Resources and Stephanie Sidler of GFL. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling Inc.

Volatile markets, changing material compositions and aging infrastructure can all be addressed with the right municipal MRF contract. Industry experts discussed how to achieve such arrangements at the Resource Recycling Conference.

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged local programs, markets, MRFs |