The power of 'strange bedfellows' for solving plastic pollution

The recently launched Plant Based Plastics Council makes its case for why alternative products are needed to meet corporate goals, government sustainability targets and consumer demands.

By Mary Solecki • April 9, 2019

Tips for sustainable recycling contracts from private, local and state perspectives

As recycling costs rise in many parts of the country, the contract negotiation process has gotten even more complex than usual. Recently, three stakeholders offered their advice at MassRecycle 2019.

By Cole Rosengren • April 9, 2019

FCC Environmental officially kicks off Houston recycling contract

The opening of the new MRF marks a major shift in local recycling — including the return of glass — after a protracted bidding process. Meanwhile, another company that was passed over continues its court case against the city.

By Cole Rosengren • April 8, 2019

Phoenix awards contract to Renewlogy for chemical recycling project

Set to operate on the city's Resource Innovation Campus, this joint venture is expected to create a new market for mixed plastics in the Valley region.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 5, 2019

Scrap Collector: Does WTE have a role in NYC's 'zero waste' goal?

Plus: Entrepreneurs pitch sustainable floating city concept at UN, and Detroit lawmakers pushing for statewide incineration ban.

By Rina Li • April 5, 2019

Study: Up to $2.5T lost to marine plastics each year

According to a Plymouth Marine Laboratory-led research team, ocean plastics add up to an annual cost of $500 billion to $2.5 trillion in damaged or lost resources.

By Rina Li • April 4, 2019

What does ‘recycling’ actually mean?

We've collected technical definitions, reader submissions, academic excerpts and more that seek to untangle this widely-used term.

By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • Updated April 17, 2019

Massachusetts, Vermont could be next to ban single-use plastic bags

What's next after New York's new ban? Multiple states are seriously considering bag bans, with at least two close to finalizing preemption laws.

By Cody Ellis • April 3, 2019

New regional campaign looks to boost recycling in 10 Texas cities

A recent study by Burns & McDonnell found that $122 million worth of recyclables are being sent to area landfills each year. A regional campaign led by The Recycling Partnership aims to address this gap.

By Catelyn Scholwinski • April 2, 2019

Is right to repair finally having a national moment?

Policy proposals from Sen. Elizabeth Warren and new internal documents from Apple suggest a policy to reduce e-waste could be gaining steam.

By Cody Ellis • Updated April 2, 2019

New York passes statewide organics mandate, plastic bag ban

Legislated as part of the new FY20 state budget, both policies have been years in the making. An industry-opposed proposal to expand the state's container deposit program did not make the cut.

By Cole Rosengren • April 1, 2019

European Parliament approves 2021 single-use plastics ban

The measure also strengthens extended producer responsibility requirements for certain products and establishes multiple plastic bottle recycling targets.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 29, 2019

Prince William County, Virginia eliminates glass, some plastics from curbside recycling

The county is among several in the Washington metro area suffering from lack of a regional glass processor.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 27, 2019

The realities of rethinking plastic packaging

Sonoco and Walmart discuss their considerations around plastic packaging and the potential consequences of using alternative materials.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • March 26, 2019

Recycling in the US will survive — despite the media narrative

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Center for a Competitive Waste Industry outline why they believe national media outlets are misleading the public on recycling's future.

By Neil Seldman & Peter Anderson • March 26, 2019

Plastics conference acknowledges need for pollution solutions — to a point.

A panel on "anti-plastics sentiment" at the 2019 Plastics Recycling Conference emphasized free-market innovation over greater industry oversight.

By Rina Li • March 25, 2019

Denver could see pay-as-you-throw program happen 'within a year'

Mayor Michael Hancock and all of his election opponents committed to the waste metering system during a recent candidate forum. 

By Cole Rosengren • March 25, 2019

Starbucks announces trials for recyclable cups, lids

The recyclable lids, which will arrive in select cities this summer, will be available in all U.S. stores next year.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 22, 2019

Scrap Collector: Dead whale 'full of plastic — nothing but nonstop plastic'

Plus: Mr. Trash Wheel goes West, and models get down in a New York MRF.

By Rina Li • March 22, 2019

Maryland passes statewide EPS foam ban bill

The legislation will ban foam containers in restaurants and other food service establishments starting next summer.

By Katie Pyzyk , Rina Li • Updated May 28, 2019

'Life After National Sword': domestic market pivot, growing plastics backlash

Last week's Plastics Recycling Conference and Trade Show dedicated a session to exploring the repercussions — and unexpected benefits — of China's scrap import policies.

By Rina Li • March 20, 2019

10 insights from public waste company 10-Ks

We took a deep dive into the annual reports of the five vertically-integrated service providers to assess operational scale, unionization rates, landfill lifespans and more.

By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • March 18, 2019

UN report: Rising consumption rates and 'extract-make-use-dispose' model unsustainable

The new GEO-6 report warns of "potentially irreversible" environmental degradation in the event of continued failure to meet sustainability targets, highlighting waste management improvement as an area of focus.

By Rina Li • March 18, 2019

Scrap Collector: Global brands produce at least 8M metric tons of plastic per year, report reveals

Plus: The perils of space debris, a mammoth discovery in a Mexican landfill and news from the right-to-repair movement.

By Rina Li • March 15, 2019

Coca-Cola continues voluntary producer responsibility approach with $5.4M in new recycling grants

The bulk of the money will go toward a curbside education program in Atlanta that will be run by The Recycling Partnership. Other target cities include Boston, Houston and Orlando.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 14, 2019