In case you missed it: Thoughtful, newsworthy comments from industry professionals, consumers and policymakers.
"It was just about helping people. There was no, 'This is my title, this is what I do.' It was just helping in whatever way we can, that's it."
— Jessica Yance, a crane operator at Sims Municipal Recycling in New York. Yance recently traveled to Puerto Rico with Teamsters from around the country to help emergency response on the island.
"Introducing new products without proper vetting could only further increase levels of contamination which is why ISRI is grateful for the work and involvement of all those in attendance."
— Robin Wiener, president of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, after the organization hosted a meeting of its MRF Council in Washington, D.C. The council deferred a decision on the recyclability of K-Cups, EnergyBags and foodservice packaging.
"Honestly, I would have stayed longer if they would have allowed us to. It did feel good coming home, of course, I wanted to see my wife, see my family. But like I said, I'd go back in a heartbeat."
— Frank Caraballo, a sanitation worker with the City of New York Department of Sanitation, who traveled with a group of department workers to Puerto Rico.
"While [the standards are] less strict, it's still a very tight specification to meet. There's not much relief there."
— National Waste & Recycling Association CEO Darrell Smith on China's proposed contamination specifications for scrap imports.
"On America Recycles Day, we recognize the importance of minimizing waste by reusing and recycling. Recycling supports American manufacturing and conserves valuable resources, protecting our Nation’s economic and environmental health."
— President Donald Trump, in a proclamation released from the White House on America Recycles Day.
"Most New Yorkers intuitively know what to recycle. It's not so much of an education problem as it as a logistics challenge."
— Monika Wysocki, special assistant to the commissioner at DSNY. NYC is offering funding for solutions and ideas for multi-unit recycling ideas in the city.
