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Tag Archives: MRFs

Every Bottle Back helps fund Michigan MRF improvements

Published: December 1, 2020
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Signing business documents.

The Coca-Cola Co., Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo back the Every Bottle Back initiative, which seeks to boost recovery of plastic bottles and aluminum cans so they can be recycled into new beverage containers. | fizkes/Shutterstock

The beverage industry will provide $800,000 to help rebuild and re-open a long-quiet MRF in Ann Arbor, Mich.

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Recycling operators sound off on packaging EPR

Published: December 22, 2020
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Sorted household recyclables.

Packaging EPR programs are currently in place in parts of Europe, Canada and elsewhere, but to date, this system hasn’t reached the U.S. | Skylines/Shutterstock

Extended producer responsibility for a wide range of recyclables is gaining steam around the country. Haulers and MRF operators say it’s critical that these proposals are crafted well – both to preserve what already works and allow for much-needed changes.

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How the use of robotics is evolving at MRFs

Published: January 12, 2021
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AMP Robotics tandem gripper.

A leader with AMP Robotics says artificial intelligence has changed how robotics can be incorporated into MRFs. | Courtesy of AMP Robotics.

A recycling facility operator and a robotics company say artificial intelligence is providing materials recovery firms with much-needed data to analyze changes in the recycling stream. That’s in addition to sortation improvements.

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In My Opinion: How ‘Big Waste’ degraded US recycling

Published: February 16, 2021
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Recycling facility

The recycling industry has become increasingly consolidated in recent years following major corporate acquisitions. Fernando Cortes / Shutterstock

It may not receive a lot of media attention, but corporate concentration in America’s waste industry negatively impacts the lives of nearly all Americans and contributes to a range of economic and environmental burdens.

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Republic and MIRA reach contract settlement

Published: February 23, 2021
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Court gavel at desk scene.

The settlement is the latest chapter in a long-running contract dispute between the two entities. | Aerial Mike/Shutterstock

A Connecticut recycling authority will pay Republic Services $1.3 million, and Republic agreed to continue running the authority’s MRF for a couple more months, as part of a legal settlement.

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The details on price spikes for recyclables in two regions

Published: February 23, 2021
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Materials on a conveyor inside a waste and recycling processing plant.

In survey responses, MRFs reported that average value of curbside recyclables went up considerably in the fourth quarter of 2020. | jantsarik/Shutterstock

Recycling processors know that 2020 ended strongly when it comes to commodity values. Two recent surveys quantify the blended-value boost.

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The latest MRF builds and retrofits across the globe

Published: March 2, 2021
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Baled OCC in the recycling facility.

A recycling facility in West Babylon, N.Y. installed a large optical sorter that has increased OCC throughput and quality. | Courtesy of Van Dyk

Several materials recovery facilities across North America and the U.K. recently announced upgrades or other major projects. The initiatives include optical sorter installations targeting fiber and plastic, advanced artificial intelligence plans and more.

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Haulers enjoyed recyclables prices in 2020

Published: March 2, 2021
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Republic Services waste collection truck.

Republic Services and other major North American waste and recycling haulers benefitted from higher commodity prices last year.| RozenskiP/Shutterstock

Higher commodity prices boosted recycling revenues for Waste Management, Republic Services and North America’s other largest haulers last year, according to earnings reports.

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