Arizona Public Service Co. gives second life to state's scrap metal

The company is salvaging historical architectural materials deemed worth "upcycling" and preserving from their facilities.

By Arlene Karidis • March 23, 2016

Chicago invests in 'voting boxes' to combat cigarette butt littering on beaches

Each of the $280 boxes holds 400 to 600 cigarette butts, which The Alliance for the Great Lakes will collect, weigh, and ship to New Jersey-based TerraCycle.

By Arlene Karidis • March 23, 2016

Multiple US states push to block bans on plastic bags and single-use containers

While environmentalists say plastic bags are burdening landfills and littering roads and waterways, the plastic bag industry says bag bans have no environmental benefits.

By Arlene Karidis • March 22, 2016

Meet Apple's newest development in iPhone recycling: Liam, the 29-armed robot

While Liam is still in developmental stages, Apple thinks of it as a new concept in recycling — a more efficient alternative to shredding in order to recycle valuable materials into brand new products.

By Arlene Karidis • March 22, 2016

NYC struggling to reach diversion rates due to scavengers

While there are efforts to divert thieves from stealing recyclables, the city may need to push these initiatives more to ensure recycling rates will rise.

By Kristin Musulin • March 21, 2016

University scientists develop flexible bioplastic blend using eggshells

Made from petroleum polymer, cornstarch-derived polymer, and eggshells, the mixture increases flexibility over other bioplastic blends by 700%. 

By Arlene Karidis • March 21, 2016

EU proposes regulation to level playing field of organic waste-based fertilizer market

The regulation would lay out standard rules on conversion of biowaste to produce fertilizer products, and will also specify safety and quality measures and labeling protocol.

By Arlene Karidis • March 21, 2016

Washington's E-Cycle program reaches record 300M pounds of electronics

Funded solely by manufacturers including Sony, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard, about 330 companies are part of the state-run program.

By Arlene Karidis • March 21, 2016

The global ripple effect of the Circular Economy Package

While the world's richest countries look at the Circular Economy Package as an opportunity for increased waste diversion, the ripple effect will not reach some of the world's poorest countries where diversion is needed most.

By Kristin Musulin • March 21, 2016

NYC will triple food waste collections by extending service to 600K residences in 2017

The city collected 25,000 tons of organic waste from 2013, when the program launched, through the end of 2015.

By Arlene Karidis • March 18, 2016

Keep America Beautiful launches Great American Cleanup, challenging millions to enhance their blocks

This year's theme, "Clean Your Block Party," challenges participants to take control of their streets to ensure cleanup and beautification.

By Arlene Karidis • March 17, 2016

Australia to study and report on escalating plastics marine pollution

The Australian Packaging Covenant, an industry and government group, said only 28% of the nation's plastics are recycled.

By Arlene Karidis • March 17, 2016

Researchers find tomato waste may be powerful source of electricity

Florida alone produces 396,000 tons of tomato waste every year, but lacks a good disposal and treatment process for the produce.  

By Kristin Musulin • March 16, 2016

Dewey Beach, DE to increase fines, enforcement tied to trash violations

"This is a big deal," said Commissioner Mike Dunmyer to CapeGazette.com. "People will get upset, but it’s something we need to go through."

By Arlene Karidis • March 16, 2016

Full Harvest startup aims to fight food waste from the source — farms

The company leverages the platform to collect and deliver ample supplies at low cost to food companies, who view farmers' offerings and order with "the touch of a few buttons."

By Arlene Karidis • March 15, 2016

Massachusetts becomes first state to mandate drug take-back program

About one-third of medications go unused, generating a need to address their safe disposal and reverse the current trend of throwing them in the trash or flushing them.

By Arlene Karidis • March 15, 2016

Two largest US counties consider drug take-back ordinances

About 30% to 40% of the nation's medications are never used, and only 1% of pharmaceutical companies offer a drug take-back program — resulting in hazardous disposal of such medications. 

By Arlene Karidis • March 14, 2016

Philadelphians forced to clean their own city streets due to budget cuts

Some communities have major litter problems, however many residents believe money should be put toward the city's education system instead of trash cleanups.

By Arlene Karidis • March 14, 2016

Researchers discover PET-munching bacteria, but it's a slow eater

With ideonella sakaiensis, "you have the chance to get rid of the PET waste because you can degrade it," said biochemist Uwe T. Bornscheuer to Fast Company.

By Arlene Karidis • March 11, 2016

ReFED report: Tackling food waste could unlock $100B in economic value

About 9.5 million tons of food scraps can be diverted annually from landfills by investing in infrastructure for anaerobic digestion and composting, training, and policy, according to the analysis.

By Arlene Karidis • March 10, 2016

WRAP report: Recycling demand for used UK textile exports steadily dropping

Political and economic pressures on existing markets are driving a decrease in UK collections.

By Arlene Karidis • March 9, 2016

Novus Energy secures $11M loan guarantee for Oregon biorefinery plant

The Novus Bio-Catalytic Conversion System will streamline operations and process hard-to-digest materials in significantly less time than a standard anaerobic digester.

By Arlene Karidis • March 7, 2016

Denmark's new food waste supermarket yields higher-than-expected sales

WeFood is not just aimed at low-income shoppers, but anyone who is concerned about food waste in Denmark.

By Arlene Karidis • March 4, 2016

Connecticut Sen. Kennedy pushes for packaging bill, bag bill to cut waste

The bills could mandate an industry-financed stewardship program and require single-use retail bags to have 80% recyclable material by 2020.

By Arlene Karidis • March 4, 2016

Report: E-waste recycling market to hit $34B by 2022, with Europe leading the way

Around 20 million to 50 million tons of e-waste are produced annually, increasing three times faster than any other municipal waste — and the e-cycling market is expanding with it. 

By Arlene Karidis • March 3, 2016