Hand-picked articles with the latest and most important information about the recycling industry.
Hand-picked articles with the latest and most important information about the recycling industry.
In 2020 the Authority contracted with ReCREATE Waste Collaborative to conduct a pilot study with the goal of identifying and reducing contamination in the residential commingled recycling stream. You can read the project overview, key findings, and recommendations in the ReCreate Project Report.
Ambitious plan to phase out single-use plastic opposed by chemicals industry – while green groups say law too timid Source: California’s landmark anti-plastics law sparks
Nine percent. That’s the share of all plastic ever manufactured that has been recycled, according to a landmark 2017 analysis in Science Advances by University
Investments will make beverage container redemption easier, strengthen textile recycling, and provide job training opportunities for young Californians SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is investing $41
A California law aimed at ending decades of consumer confusion over food date labels takes effect July 1, giving food manufacturers distributing packaged products in
Your monthly guide to understanding the recycling system — no jargon, no guilt, just clear answers to the questions everyone Source: Sorted: Why recycling isn’t
A global alliance of businesses, governments, and designers just unveiled a universal mark for reuse—and it could reshape how the world handles waste. Source: A
About one in four items Americans put in recycling bins does not belong there. This good-intentioned mistake leads to equipment damage, higher processing costs, contaminated
Environmental groups filed a lawsuit this week against CalRecycle’s regulations to implement the state’s landmark single-use packaging and foodware law
California’s S.B. 54 requires packaging producers to analyze supply chains, collect accurate data, determine responsibility, pay compliance fees and integrate compliance into ongoing operations.
Open the cabinet under almost any kitchen sink, then check the garage shelf and the basement corner. You will likely find the same inventory: half-used
Source reduction reports outlined steep costs to redesign packaging and invest in new systems. While haulers weren’t part of CalRecycle’s study, Recology and the City
California is making history with the first U.S. law compelling fashion producers to manage their own waste. In this Waste360 Q&A, California Product Stewardship Council’s
The US Plastics Pact (USPP) has named Crystal Bayliss as executive director, after several months as interim director following the departure of CEO and Executive
The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars rose marginally in June, now at 2.86 cents per pound, compared to 2.24 cents
Your monthly guide to understanding the recycling system — no jargon, no guilt, just clear answers to the questions everyone has but rarely asks. From
Circular Action Alliance (CAA) has delivered its California program plan to the Packaging Producer Responsibility Advisory Board, advancing the state’s packaging EPR program toward implementation.
A used aluminum can is worth more, pound for pound, than almost anything else you put at the curb. In late 2024, a ton of
As states continue adopting extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, the recycling industry is facing increasing pressure to meet ambitious recycling targets. The Recycling Participation Fund,
“The ink is just now dried, probably.” That was the first thing Danielle Spalding said when asked about Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signing SB26-003 into
Editor’s note: Electronics recycling will be featured in sessions at the 2026 E-Scrap: The Longevity Conference in New Orleans October 26-28. In a lengthy conversation with me,
The legislation divided major recyclers, organics recyclers and trade groups over mass balance accounting, plastics in compost and more.
A startup copper refining and manufacturing company hopes an eight-figure funding infusion will help the United States catch up in that sector while decreasing dependence
Editor’s Note: Textile recovery implementation will be featured in sessions at the 2027 Textile Recovery Summit, March 1-3 near Washington, DC. Register now! As the
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has tripled its number of Recycling Demand Champions (RDC) and is looking for its next class of companies to
The following are facilities that have achieved, renewed or otherwise regained R2 certification recently: Alta International dba Alta E-Solutions of Mississauga, Ontario & Calgary, Alberta,
Anyone who’s ever checked their work email before their morning coffee or used their phone to set up six streaming services on their smart TV
Editor’s note: Electronics recycling will be featured in sessions at the 2026 E-Scrap: The Longevity Conference in New Orleans October 26-28. ITAD is gradually moving past its
Recovery of PET thermoforms reached a record 264 million pounds in 2024, while use of PCR fell on the year, according to a new industry
Three California bills targeting deceptive environmental labeling and marketing claims cleared a key legislative deadline, advancing to their respective chambers ahead of the state’s Aug.
Michigan’s bottle deposit law, which was once among the most effective container recovery programs in the country, has been slipping. The state’s redemption rate fell
A new House bill would put a federal lens on where US aluminum scrap is going and what it is costing the domestic manufacturing base
Data on publicly reported fire incidents indicate a new, more dangerous standard for North American waste and recycling facility operators. The June fire report from
As the brokerage arm of the well-known packaging company, Georgia-Pacific Recycling is leveraging its buying power behind a virtual trading platform, to provide an on-ramp
24. That is the average number of electronic devices sitting in a typical American home right now. Phones in drawers, tablets behind the TV, chargers
A bill before Gov. Kathy Hochul would make New York the first state in the nation with an electronic device repairability labeling requirement law. The
American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) has successfully appealed the termination of a US Department of Energy (DOE) grant supporting its $115 million commercial-scale lithium refinery,
New York’s Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA) has not reached the finish line. The state legislature adjourned without voting on SB 1464A /
Australian rare earth recycling company Ionic Rare Earths (IonicRE) has signed agreements with Florida-based Advanced Magnet Lab (AML) to supply recycled rare earth oxides for
Inside the Circle is a monthly column on circular economy trends transforming source reduction and recycling. As producers rushed to submit reports by the May
US paper and paperboard production declined 3.7% in 2025, though packaging and tissue products remained relatively stable. The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released
Three environmental organizations have filed suit against CalRecycle over the finalized regulations implementing California’s SB 54 single-use packaging law, arguing the rules create unlawful loopholes
Editor’s note: Electronics recycling will be featured in sessions at the 2026 E-Scrap: The Longevity Conference in New Orleans October 26-28. Electronics manufacturers are once again warning
In the race to scale post-consumer recycled content—particularly in plastics—“mass balance” has quickly become one of the most debated concepts in the circular economy. While it may
Maine is now the first state in the nation to require vape and e-cigarette manufacturers to fund end-of-life management for their products. Gov. Janet Mills
New York City’s sanitation department (DSNY) and its Sanitation Foundation nonprofit partner celebrated the debut of five hand-painted Mack LR refuse trucks as part of
Following a competitive selection process, Circular Materials chose PlasCred for a tolling arrangement to process post-consumer flexible plastics collected in Alberta under the province’s new
The Colorado General Assembly passed Senate Bill 26-003 on May 14, which would create a extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework setting specific recovery rate targets
A warm welcome back to “Women in Circularity”, where we shine a light on women moving us toward a circular economy. This month, I was
The following are facilities that have achieved, renewed or otherwise regained R2 certification recently: American Union Ventures DBA American Recycling of Lincoln, Nebraska Cinco Electronics
BASF and Texas-based Encina are deepening their relationship with a strategic collaboration that supports development of Encina’s planned chemical recycling plant and positions the chemicals
Three of the world’s largest PC and server manufacturers are signaling a concentrated wave of future IT retirements that will reshape ITAD, electronics recycling and
With the war in Iran in its fourth month, pricing for virgin plastics has skyrocketed, but in the longer term, weak overall demand will outweigh
A metal recycling plant in Camden, New Jersey, has paused operations after experiencing a significant fire last week, and local officials are calling for the
DMD Systems Recovery has detailed an aggressive, multi-phase acquisition strategy in the IT asset disposition (ITAD) space and confirmed that the first deal under that
Across the United States, policymakers are increasingly focused on packaging policy as they work to reduce waste, improve recycling, and advance sustainability goals. These are
Jump to announcements from:Resource Recycling | Plastics Recycling Update | E-Scrap News | Grants and RFPs From Resource Recycling June 1 The American Forest & Paper Association
The question used to be whether brands would commit to recycled polypropylene at scale. Now, according to the world’s largest plastic-to-plastic polypropylene recycler, the question
For the brands Sara Lowe works with, SB 54 has stopped being a future problem. As senior executive administrator at Bay Cities Packaging & Design,
Rare earth elements are increasingly critical to modern electronics, but their unstable supply channels present sourcing challenges. Toyoshima has developed a process that recovers these
Source reduction reports outlined steep costs to redesign packaging and invest in new systems. While haulers weren’t part of CalRecycle’s study, Recology and the City
The rules require all plastic packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032. Nobody — not the advocates, not the producers — thinks that’s going
Environmental groups Natural Resources Defense Council and Californians Against Waste believe the bill’s recently approved regulations create loopholes for certain types of plastic packaging and
Your potato chip bag is seven layers deep. Together, these layers are a package no U.S. recycling system can recover for future use. Source: The
Office of Public Affairs For Immediate Release: May 4, 2026 Media Contact: Lance Klug | [email protected] SACRAMENTO — California is marking International Compost Awareness Week
Producers now responsible for cutting waste and controlling costs Office of Public Affairs For Immediate Release: News Release # 2026-05 Media Contact: Lance Klug |
The selection of the first Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for textiles in California marks a turning point for the U.S. textile recovery Source: After the
Google has launched a pilot effort with refurbished electronics marketplace Back Market and Closing the Loop to extend the life of aging computers while linking
You’ve probably done it. You open the fridge, spot the “sell by” date on a perfectly good carton of milk, Source: Before the Bin: Breaking
Corrugated cardboard makes its way from warehouse to mill in about two weeks. In contrast, plastic packaging can take centuries to break down, and even
Americans throw out 81.5 pounds of clothing a year; two-thirds of it ends up in landfills. That’s no accident—it’s a fast fashion design principle that
The Flexible Packaging Association and the American Forest & Paper Association are among the plaintiffs seeking a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of SB 343
Anaergia Inc. reports that the California Public Utilities Commission has conditionally approved a long-term biomethane procurement contract between Source: California Public Utilities Commission Conditionally Approves
At Earth911, people often ask us, “Is shredded paper recyclable?” The answer is still “yes, but”—and how and where you can recycle it has changed
Most of us feel a small sense of satisfaction when we take out the recycling. Whether you set materials on the curb, bring electronics to
There are many reasons to grow your own food. Avoiding pesticides. Reducing the environmental impact of transporting produce. Improving the nutritional value of the produce
As the spring flowers start to appear and the days get longer, the urge to dig in the dirt returns. But you don’t have to
Here’s a number that should make you uncomfortable: the global economy is only 7.2% circular. That means that for every 100 pounds of steel, plastic,
The Flexible Packaging Association and the American Forest & Paper Association are among the plaintiffs seeking a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of SB 343
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” is a great slogan but has contributed to consumer confusion. Source: Recycled content has a messaging problem
When your phone screen cracks or your laptop battery dies, what do you do? For years, most people just bought a new one. Companies made
Do you have a box of old electrical wires and cables lying in a corner of your house? You’re not alone. According to the UN’s
Office of Public Affairs For Immediate Release: February 26, 2026 Media Contact: Lance Klug | [email protected] SACRAMENTO – Documenting ongoing failures to provide safe, convenient
For years, Gary Anderson’s friends even didn’t know he designed the three iconic arrows. Source: What The Man Who Invented the Recycling Symbol Thinks Today
State and local plastic bans are gradually changing how Americans shop, eat, and handle waste. Twelve states now ban single-use plastic bags, and seven have
It’s seed-ordering season. As you browse this year’s catalog, plan to help butterflies, bees, and birds keep our food system running. Plan your garden to
Find thrift stores and donation centers near you in Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear, Hesperia, Victorville, Yucca Valley, and more. Shop used, reduce waste, and support your local community.
State leaders, environmental regulators, industry partners, and local officials gathered at the California State Capitol to celebrate the 10-year Source: Mattress Recycling Council Celebrates 10
Editor’s Note: We received this intriguing question from a Scouting leader, how do you recycle a flag while respecting it appropriately. When an American flag
Martha Stewart’s wish to be composted reflects growing cultural acceptance of human composting as more U.S. states legalize natural organic reduction. Source: Martha Stewart Wants
Black plastic gets its color from carbon black pigment and is commonly used in food… The post Recycling Mystery: Black-Colored Plastic appeared first on Earth911.
This past year has seen a frenetic push to enact federal environmental laws, fueled by a looming national target: 50% recycling by 2030; meanwhile, the
The Worst in Show winners prove that just because you can add tech doesn’t mean you should. Source: Worst in Show 2025: – iFixit
Story has been updated to clarify beverage container recycling rates. California has published its first estimates of recycling rates for Source: California posts initial recycling
In the latest speed bump for implementing SB 54, CalRecycle withdrew proposed regulations from the Office of Administrative Law’s review. It plans revisions related to packaging
For the first time, CalRecycle published estimated recycling rates for materials that will be covered under packaging EPR law SB 54. Source: How much plastic, paper,
“Paper or plastic?” You won’t be hearing that common question at California grocery stores any more starting Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. That’s when a new
Lithium-ion batteries are the driving force behind products that have redefined life over the past… The post Recycling Mystery: Bulging Lithium-Ion Batteries appeared first on
Right-to-repair rules are moving from fringe cause to market force, and electronics recyclers will feel the effects along the entire lifecycle, speakers told attendees at
Waste and recycling operators are heading into another year of elevated fire risk as lithium-ion batteries from electronics and disposable vapes continue to slip into
Right-to-repair rules are pushing longevity and reuse deeper into product design, but thin hardware, device locks and weak data are still holding back progress, several
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