Zero Waste: Page 4


  • Large metal globe sculpture behind a group of people standing at a press conference
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    Michael Appleton. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    New York City Council passes major zero waste package, including mandatory organics program

    The five-bill package passed with high levels of support and is expected to become law. The bills also include requirements around recycling drop-off centers and waste diversion reporting.

    By June 9, 2023
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    Matt Rourke/AP

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    Candidate who pledged to restore Philadelphia’s Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet wins mayoral primary

    Cherelle Parker, a former city council member and state representative, is considered the likely favorite to become the city’s 100th mayor. Her campaign included a focus on street cleanliness and litter issues.

    By May 17, 2023
  • City landscape with government building in background, alongside U.S. flag and traffic light
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    Mark Makela via Getty Images
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    How a pivotal Philadelphia election could shape the city’s future waste policy

    Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary features a tight race among multiple candidates. The Waste Free Philly coalition has asked them to go big and rethink local services.

    By Will Peischel • May 16, 2023
  • Workers sort packages at the Amazon AGS5 facility on October 27, 2022 in Appling, Georgia.
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    Sean Rayford via Getty Images
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    Amazon, Yum Brands, Kroger face upcoming shareholder votes on circular packaging

    Shareholder advocacy nonprofit As You Sow, which negotiated a recent agreement with McDonald’s, has filed numerous proposals seeking to curb plastic usage and prompt major brands to consider reusable packaging.

    By May 10, 2023
  • Industrial facility with WM logo and semi-truck
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    Permission granted by WM
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    Q&A

    WM CEO Jim Fish discusses the economy, labor automation and sustainability investments

    The industry’s most high-profile executive weighed in about what will and won’t be changing when it comes to WM’s strategy on temporary labor, secondary processing for recyclables, anaerobic digestion and more.

    By May 10, 2023
  • Pingree stands in front of a podium holding a canned food item in front of the produce section of a store.
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    (2015). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Office of Rep. Chellie Pingree.
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    Q&A

    Rep. Chellie Pingree discusses federal food waste proposals ahead of farm bill debate

    The co-founder of the Bipartisan Food Recovery Caucus, who has been one of the more active members of Congress on this issue, hopes that funding increases for the U.S. EPA and USDA could grow momentum.

    By May 9, 2023
  • People wait in line for food donations in Oakland, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    The next frontier in California organics recycling: edible food recovery

    Even Bay Area cities with organics programs are new to working with food donation organizations. Now, local waste professionals are learning additional skills to help meet a 20% edible food waste reduction goal by 2030.

    By Mary Catherine O'Connor • May 8, 2023
  • Buildings in downtown Boston at sunset.
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    Elijah-Lovkoff via Getty Images
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    Boston plans to triple the size of its curbside organics program this summer

    The city had already planned to reach 20,000 households this year but will now scale that even more. In the meantime, a USDA grant will help fund efforts to assess the potential for a new organics recycling site within the city.

    By April 25, 2023
  • Rotting bananas in a blue plastic bin
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    Permission granted by Cingari ShopRite
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    Have we reached peak food waste? New data shows changing patterns

    New data from ReFED and the U.S. EPA show that wasted food per person increased before the pandemic but may be beginning to decline.

    By April 24, 2023
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Competing EPR bills are stalled in Hawai’i this year, but proponents are playing the long game

    A bill got close to passing last year, but two proposals are stuck in committee amid opposition from packaging groups. Stakeholders say the legislation symbolizes the state’s willingness to make major waste management changes.

    By April 20, 2023
  • Local government meeting, including elected officials and city staff
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Boston ‘reconsidering everything’ for its next residential collection contract

    Boston’s Public Works Department aims to rethink setout times, containerization, competition and more before awarding a 2024 contract. Meanwhile, the city’s recycling and disposal contracts could be extended.

    By April 12, 2023
  • Speaker standing at podium in conference room stage, person seated to the left at table
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    Permission granted by Charles Tyler
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    MassRecycle pushes back on narrative of recycling as ‘a hoax,’ touts education efforts

    In the wake of critical reports from advocacy groups and media outlets, the state’s public and private recyclers are updating their messaging. Brooke Nash, a retiring MassDEP official, shared her unfiltered view at a recent event.

    By April 5, 2023
  • A tanker truck with Circon Environmental branding
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    Circon Environmental

    https://www.facebook.com/CirconEnviro/photos/pb.100069691204124.-2207520000./799437920890895/?type=3

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    Covanta enters deal with Kinderhook to acquire Circon, its largest acquisition in decades

    The private equity-backed firm is adding more than 20 facilities to its portfolio, expanding its geographic reach as well as its environmental services business.

    By April 3, 2023
  • Man standing at podium in front of blue backdrop on stage
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    UN secretary general says waste is ‘a killer’ of the planet on first International Zero Waste Day

    Spearheaded by Turkey last year, the event brought high-level attention to efforts to build a circular economy.

    By March 31, 2023
  • Four panelists on a stage at a sustainability in packaging conference.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Waste Dive
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    Refill and reuse sectors strive for scale to upend single-use packaging’s stronghold

    Changing consumer perceptions about convenience and value will be important to achieve greater market dominance, according to speakers from Loop, Clorox and other companies at the Sustainability in Packaging US event.

    By March 17, 2023
  • New York City, USA midtown Manhattan skyline at dusk.
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    Sean Pavone/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Q&A // Environmental justice conversations

    How environmental justice efforts could bolster New York City’s organics program expansion

    Lonnie Portis, an environmental policy and advocacy coordinator with WE ACT for Environmental Justice, discusses what it will take for the city’s zero waste efforts to reach their full potential in all types of neighborhoods.

    By March 14, 2023
  • A sign on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency building in Washington, D.C.
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    Gromit702/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    EPA announces $250M for curbing climate pollution, advancing environmental justice

    Each of the 67 most-populated U.S. metropolitan areas is eligible for $1 million in planning grants, which the agency will follow with $4.6 billion to help cities and states implement their plans later this year.

    By Michael Brady • March 2, 2023
  • Conveyor belt of plastic water bottles
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    yanik88 via Getty Images
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    US Plastics Pact makes varied progress on circular packaging; 2025 targets may be out of reach

    Executive Director Emily Tipaldo praised data collection that’s occurred since 2020, even as maximizing reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging has run into barriers.

    By Feb. 27, 2023
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    Waste Dive/Waste Dive
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    What’s in store for state recycling policy in 2023?

    Recycling policy experts from Colorado, Connecticut, Michigan and Washington predicted the legislative season’s biggest trends in a live panel discussion with Waste Dive.

    By Feb. 15, 2023
  • Plastic bottles
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Lawmakers call for EPA to more tightly regulate plastic production and cut ties with chemical recycling

    In a letter, lawmakers urged Administrator Michael Regan to carry out provisions first outlined in last year’s Protecting Communities from Plastic Act, saying the agency can do more to curb plastic pollution.

    By Feb. 14, 2023
  • Modified collection vehicle for Boston's food scrap program
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    Permission granted by Save That Stuff/Garbage to Gardens
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    Boston touts initial success of composting program as it plans expansion to 20K households

    The city has about 98% participation and has collected over 500 tons since last summer's launch. Save That Stuff and Garbage to Garden share how they’re collecting with custom-built vans and eyeing further route density.

    By Feb. 9, 2023
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Federal lawmakers reintroduce bills calling for billions in food waste recycling and prevention grants

    Sponsors of the COMPOST Act and Zero Food Waste Act say an injection of federal funding over 10 years will help scale up local projects. These bills failed to pass last session.

    By Feb. 3, 2023
  • Aerial view of downtown Long Beach, California, with ocean in the background
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    trekandshoot via Getty Images
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    WTE facility in Long Beach, California, will remain open into 2024 following Covanta contract update

    The city’s Southeast Resource Recovery Facility has seen steep tonnage and revenue declines following the passage of a recent state law. Covanta is now assuming financial risks and revenues to avoid its imminent closure.

    By Feb. 3, 2023
  • Workers sort recyclables on a conveyor.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    2023 outlook

    EPR still top recycling issue for state policymakers, but plastics and repair laws also on the horizon

    While federal action is uncertain, multiple state governors and policy advocates aim to build on the momentum of producer responsibility laws for packaging this year. Numerous other bills are also expected to get consideration.

    By Jan. 30, 2023
  • A person scrapes kitchen waste into a bin.
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    Pixavril via Getty Images
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    Analysis of local climate action plans and solid waste planning shows overlapping opportunities

    Environmental services firm HDR examined hundreds of solid waste-related actions across city and county climate action plans, noting a common interest around action on organics, among a range of other ideas.

    By Jan. 26, 2023