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Tag Archives: research

Report finds generally stagnant bottle return rates

Published: September 5, 2023
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Of the nine states for which data is available, only two showed meaningful increases in their container redemption rates. | Poring Studio/Shutterstock

Most states with deposit return systems saw static or reduced bottle redemption rates in 2022, according to a deposit advocacy organization. Continue Reading

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Study explores cleanliness of food packaging in bins

Published: July 31, 2023
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Researchers found that molded fiber food service packaging showed the highest levels of food residue among the items studied. | J.chizhe/Shutterstock

In a follow-up to previous research, the Foodservice Packaging Institute performed an audit of food residue on residential recyclables, finding little difference between food service and food contact items.  Continue Reading

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Study: Urban circularity requires tailored solutions

Published: August 28, 2023
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Plastic waste pile

Researchers at The Circulate Initiative identified several common challenges that cities face when dealing with plastic waste. | Mohamed Abdulraheem/Shutterstock

Research recently undertaken by several groups dug into how individual cities in ocean plastic hot spots are approaching materials management. Continue Reading

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Group calls for PCR quality standards

Published: August 7, 2023
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The Alliance to End Plastic Waste argues that consistent specifications for quality material will help drive investment in sorting and collection technology. | Fabrika Simf/Shutterstock

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste suggested the recycling industry in the European Union develop target specifications for processed plastics to ease the transition to a circular economy. Continue Reading

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The evolution of eco-modulation to drive eco-design

Published: August 2, 2023
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Researcher Reid Lifset sees a lack of good data as a major barrier to eco-modulation achieving its full potential. | Marko Rupena/Shutterstock

Reid Lifset, a longtime member of the faculty at the Yale School of the Environment, wrote the first peer-reviewed academic article on extended producer responsibility in 1993. He’s “been intrigued by it and studying it ever since.” In an interview with Resource Recycling, he talked about his latest research article on eco-modulation and his thoughts on best practices for using eco-modulation to drive eco-design in packaging. 

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Study suggests glass widely used as ADC in Northeast

Published: July 17, 2023
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Three-quarters of states and provinces surveyed by the Northeast Recycling Council reported the use of recovered glass as alternative daily cover at landfills. | One Photo/Shutterstock

This story has been updated.

There may not be solid data available on the amount of MRF glass used as alternative daily cover at Northeast landfills, but a recent survey suggests the low-value end use is fairly common. Continue Reading

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US landfilling costs jumped sharply last year

Published: June 12, 2023
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Not only did the price per ton for landfilling go up in 2022, it showed a significantly higher year-over-year increase. | StockStudio Aerials/Shutterstock

Recently published data shows landfilling was considerably more expensive last year than in 2021. Continue Reading

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REMADE eyes $20 million in R&D projects

Published: February 27, 2023
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The REMADE Institute has funded $98 million worth of projects in the past five years. | NicoElNino/Shutterstock

A federally funded institute is offering up another $10 million in public funds to support recycling, reuse and remanufacturing R&D projects.

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