Zero Waste: Page 11
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Q&A
Ron Gonen on 'waste profiteers,' transforming the recycling industry and getting serious about ESG
The Closed Loop Partners CEO and author of new book "The Waste-Free World" shares his views on how CPG companies, service providers, local governments and consumers must adapt to build a more circular economy.
By Cole Rosengren • April 8, 2021 -
NERC conference explores EPR, refillable bottle and circular economy possibilities
Panelists at the Northeast Recycling Council's spring conference covered how lessons learned from Canada and Europe could help improve U.S. recycling systems while also debating the merits of chemical recycling.
By Megan Quinn • April 7, 2021 -
Washington, DC, zero waste bill is now law, though funding remains uncertain
The legislation – with big organics diversion implications for businesses, among other categories – was adjusted to take into account ongoing recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
By Maria Rachal • April 5, 2021 -
Roundup: Biden infrastructure plan light on waste details, report highlights recycling data gap
The sector reacts to the president's $2 trillion proposal, Eunomia digs into state recycling performance, organics pilots are on the rise, New York City is tackling litter and more local stories from around the country
By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 1, 2021 -
Opinion
Go big or go home on national recycling policy
The recently reintroduced RECYCLE Act is a distraction from the systemic changes offered by the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, writes the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers' Kate Bailey.
By Kate Bailey • March 31, 2021 -
Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act reintroduced, plastics industry ramps up opposition
The bill would ban some single-use plastic products, set recycled content requirements and enact a national EPR program. Opponents criticize the bill's efforts to suspend permitting for plastic production facilities.
By Megan Quinn • March 25, 2021 -
Contested California packaging bills stalled, other recycling bills survive
SB 54, a bill requiring single-use packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032, has stalled for the third year in a row. Meanwhile, bills on labeling, recycled content, exporting and container deposits are still in play.
By Megan Quinn • Updated June 9, 2021 -
CLEAN Future Act leads possible string of bills linking recycling issues to climate efforts
One of several bills expected to tackle waste issues this year drew mixed reactions from industry leaders. Highlights include zero waste grants, a proposed national bottle bill, and a call to pause permitting for plastics manufacturing facilities.
By Megan Quinn • March 8, 2021 -
Recology SF corruption investigation
Recology agrees to San Francisco rate settlement worth more than $107M, as competitors circle
The city attorney's office reached the deal while pursuing a broader public corruption investigation. Now, Waste Management, Republic Services and others see a window to revisit the company's local monopoly.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 5, 2021 -
Virginia governor signs advanced recycling bill into law
It is the tenth state to classify advanced recycling, sometimes called chemical recycling, as a manufacturing process instead of a waste management technique. This follows approval of a ban on foam foodservice containers.
By Megan Quinn • Updated March 31, 2021 -
Deep Dive
2021 could be year for packaging EPR, nearly a dozen state bills in play
Lawmakers throughout the U.S. are increasingly interested in shifting more of recycling's financial implications to packaging manufacturers, with many taking a coordinated approach.
By Megan Quinn • Updated Feb. 12, 2021 -
Waste Management debuts recycled plastic uniforms, downplays landfills at annual ESG event
The national uniform rollout, and plans to invest $100 million in recycling infrastructure, were touted at a climate-focused sustainability forum. The industry's largest landfill company also described disposal as "a last resort."
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 10, 2021 -
Austin, Texas, pitches customer cost savings as curbside composting reaches over 200K homes
The final phase of Austin Resource Recovery's expansion comes as some other cities pull back on similar programs during the pandemic. Meanwhile, new data shows residential food waste remains a pressing issue.
By Maria Rachal • Feb. 4, 2021 -
EVs, turbines, solar panels pose circular economy dilemma: NIST workshop
Representatives from throughout the supply chain reflected on how batteries and electronics can find their place as greener solutions in the circular economy at a recent National Institute of Standards and Technology workshop.
By Megan Quinn • Feb. 3, 2021 -
WASTECON: Coronavirus underscores shared challenges and adaptations for city leaders
Officials from New York, Toronto, Miami-Dade County, Philadelphia and Baltimore highlighted ongoing budget and staffing challenges nearly a year into the pandemic. Now, they're seizing the moment for long-term changes.
By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • Feb. 1, 2021 -
California recycling commission report urges major changes, with many policy implications
To get California back on track toward its environmental goals, a commission of industry experts recently recommended 19 actions around infrastructure, contamination, producer responsibility and more.
By Megan Quinn • Jan. 29, 2021 -
Biden's waste and recycling priorities
WASTECON: EPA's 50% recycling goal possible, but only with a lot more funding and focus
Panelists from Waste Management, The Recycling Partnership, CalRecycle and New York's Department of Sanitation previewed what it may take to hit the new 2030 target.
By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 28, 2021 -
Deep Dive // Biden's waste and recycling priorities
Environmental efforts key for Biden, but industry expects limited recycling policy movement in 2021
While existing initiatives such as a national recycling goal are likely to make headway, and Democratic majorities in Congress could affect legislation, trade groups don't anticipate major changes due to a crowded agenda.
By Megan Quinn • Jan. 20, 2021 -
Deep Dive
9 questions about the future of waste and recycling in 2021
As we gear up for another eventful year, Waste Dive will be focusing on trends around ESG, M&A, recycling policy, market development, PFAS, local budgets, collection technology, safety, diversity and much more.
By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2021 -
How COVID-19 is changing packaging
The pandemic-accelerated shift to e-commerce has driven changes in automation, packaging size, consumer perception of packaging and waste, and design for more return-friendly packaging.
By Jen A. Miller • Jan. 6, 2021 -
Rise in takeout waste presents new opportunity for reusable containers
With office and indoor dining activity greatly diminished during the pandemic, takeout boxes and other containers are increasingly common in the residential stream. California company Dispatch Goods aims to change that.
By Karine Vann • Jan. 6, 2021 -
Recology SF corruption investigation
Recology names new CEO Coniglio, following retirement of longtime leader
Sal Coniglio's elevation to the top job comes six months after he became chief operating officer. This move caps off former CEO Mike Sangiacomo's 37-year stint at the major California-based private company.
By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2021 -
Deep Dive
How local waste and recycling leaders are grappling with coronavirus-driven budget pressures
Lost revenues, rising operating expenses and limited federal aid have left local leaders looking for creative solutions. In some cases, the pandemic has also created opportunities to update their practices.
By Leslie Nemo • Dec. 22, 2020 -
5 takeaways on emerging trends from the National Zero Waste Conference
Recycled content, plastics policy, climate connections and racial justice are among top priorities heading into 2021. The event also marked the latest sign of a revived National Recycling Coalition.
By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 16, 2020 -
Environmental groups urge Biden to take action on plastics, prioritize market development
The Presidential Plastics Action Plan calls for eight types of action by the president-elect, including support for the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act.
By Maria Rachal • Dec. 9, 2020