The date debate: Senator pushes reform for 'sell by' standards to tackle food waste

Connecticut Senator Blumenthal's proposed national standard on 'sell by' dates aims to eliminate confusion over labels and cut food waste.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 19, 2016

Call2Recycle, Battery Solutions partner on collection and sorting initiative

Call2Recycle's collection containers are beginning to be sorted by Battery Solutions' locations in Howell, MI and Mesa, AZ.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 18, 2016

Apple official: 'There's an e-waste problem in the world'

The tech giant said it collected 40,000 tons of e-waste in 2014 from recycled devices, including enough steel to lay 100 miles of railway track.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 18, 2016

TerraCycle announces 'zero waste boxes' for collection of hard-to-recycle materials

The containers are priced from $80, including return postage for the filled boxes, which are shipped to a TerraCycle facility for processing.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 17, 2016

Report: South Australia considers accepting 13% of world's nuclear waste

The proposed nuclear waste facility would deliver $257 billion in revenue for the Australian state over the course of its lifetime.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 16, 2016

Chicago suburbs boost food scrap recycling, composting efforts

"We're going to be trend setters, I like to think ... We know this is going to be a big test," said Adrian Marquez, assistant to the Highwood, IL city manager.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 16, 2016

Covanta's 'dirty MRF' project suspended in Indianapolis

Proponents of the "dirty MRF" say processing mixed waste is the only way Indiana can reach its 50% recycling goal, but opponents don't agree with the contract terms.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 11, 2016

Meet Trashbot: The robotic trash can that will automatically separate waste

While educational programs and new MRF technologies are being developed to combat contamination issues, the industry may need a new hero — and it may be in the form of a robot.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 10, 2016

NY/NJ Baykeeper study: 165M plastic particles are contaminating state waters

"Coupled with consumer education, legislation should be a priority, especially in the ‘to-go’ city," said Sandra Meola, communications and outreach associate at NY/NJ Baykeeper.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 10, 2016

Maryland legislature to review several solid waste-focused bills

Proposed bills, such as the Maryland Redeemable Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Act, aim to promote proper waste management across the state.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 10, 2016

SRI releases Environmental Product Declaration to assess materials' life cycle impact

"Environmental impacts of materials are critical decision factors for architects, engineers, and builders," said Lawrence W. Kavanagh, president of the Steel Market Development Institute.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 10, 2016

EREF to allocate $1M annually in solid waste research grants, scholarships

Such an investment is important as the viability of the industry relies on having an influx of young, talented people showing interest in its future. 

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 9, 2016

San Jose tackles illegal dumping with the help of geospatial technology

The dumping of bulky items is a problem through much of California, costing local governments tens of millions of dollars annually and coming with a price for private property owners, too.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 9, 2016

New York City invests nearly $7M on CleaNYC program for all five boroughs

The effort includes a concentration on ridding private and public structures of graffiti, Sunday and holiday litter basket collections, and high shoulder/ramp cleanups. 

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 8, 2016

3 Super Bowl waste stats TV announcers may have missed

Those dedicated to the NFL's environmental program will not concern themselves with yards per carry and tackles, but will focus on one large cleanup.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 5, 2016

Researchers find faster, cleaner way to extract gold from electronics

The technology could be beneficial to e-cyclers and other scrap metal recyclers.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 4, 2016

Plastics Recycling 2016: How on-message communication educates consumers

An attorney with the FTC said the more often customers are exposed to "green claims", their understanding deepens of what biodegradable and other terms really mean.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 3, 2016

Plastics Recycling 2016: 'Recycling is a business … It's not a charity'

For a conference exploring the upsides and consequences of the niche recycling market, one theme has echoed: plastics recycling, no matter the material or method, is an industry that needs work.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 3, 2016

Ohio county considers "waste mall' to receive, process, and sell salvageable materials

So far six "stores" plan to participate, joining under one roof and sharing equipment and facilities. 

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 3, 2016

San Mateo, CA launches pilot recycling, composting program while reducing trash collections

SBWMA residential and commercial customers divert about 50%, but the goal is to reach 75% diversion by 2020. The 3-month program is a way to help reach that mark.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 3, 2016

CBC report: New York organics collection plan will pose steep logistical, financial challenges

Key recommendations were expanding curbside collections and the installation of in-sink disposers in neighborhoods with sufficient wastewater treatment plant infrastructure.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 3, 2016

Plastics recyclers hit hard by low energy prices

One company owner said this has been a wake up call into the connection of commodities around the world and the dependency of the US economy on oil and gas.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 2, 2016

Is that plastic really compostable?

As the industry looks to develop more compostable plastics, manufacturers must correctly engineer products to reach industry standards.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 1, 2016

Republic's possible coal ash expansion generates protest, plans on hold

The commissioners said they will pass a resolution opposing the landfill expansion and possible ash deal.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 1, 2016

Albany considers pay-as-you-throw to generate funds as landfill nears capacity

"We have a culture here that you can put anything on the curb. I'm sorry, party's over," said Albany Chief Auditor Leif Engstrom.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 1, 2016