What is sustainable waste management?
Sustainable waste management aims to keep materials in use for as long as possible and minimize the amount of solid waste that is disposed of in landfill or through incineration. However, in our existing linear economy, waste begins even before products are manufactured, and a more in-depth approach to sustainable waste management must focus on…Read More…
The Circular Economy of A Christmas Tree
According to the American Christmas Tree Association, 80% of trees displayed in the Christmas season are artificial. Artificial trees are generally preferred because they don’t need watering, don’t leave a mess, and don’t have to be picked out and transported home. Evidence has showed that although artificial Christmas trees can be reused, a regular Christmas…Read More…
How to recycle
e-waste in Philadelphia:
A guide
The sixth-largest city in the US, Philadelphia is home to over 1.5 million people. Every year, the city generates an incredible two million tons of waste. The vast majority of this waste goes straight to landfill or incinerators. However, things in Philadelphia are starting to change. The city recently announced it plans to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and…Read More…
Furniture waste – The forgotten waste stream
One of the outcomes of the past months is that Americans have been spending a lot more time at home than usual. Faced with extra hours living and often working in the same space, many have been channeling their energy into transforming their homes—creating more comfortable living and working conditions to accommodate the “new normal”….Read More…
Do meal kit services really save waste?
Meal kits have found success in a busy but food-conscious world, growing into a $1.5 billion industry in the United States last year after entering the market less than a decade ago. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled their growth further, reporting increases in revenue of at least 20% between April and June 2020. Beyond…Read More…
How to donate your leftover Halloween candy
With nearly $2.6 billion being spent on Halloween candy in 2019, there is bound to be an abundance of leftover treats. Once sorting is complete by your trick-or-treaters this year, consider donating candy that remains rather than throwing it in the trash. Here are three options for your leftover Halloween candy this year: To learn more…Read More…
Halloween plastic waste — Unwrap an alternative
Halloween is nearly here, which means it’s time to get the decorations up, carve a Jack-o’-lantern or two, and stock up on candy. However, as with most festive periods in the US, a dramatic increase in waste is expected over Halloween—waste that can and should be avoided. This waste occurs in multiple areas, from those decorative…Read More…
Ready for these? 10 recycling facts you need to know.
Most people don’t give much thought to what happens after they place items in the recycling bin, or where their waste goes after they throw it in the trash. But the logistics and operations of waste management and recycling are a lot more than placing waste in the appropriate waste bin. We’ve put together a…Read More…
A Conversation with Sims Municipal Recycling
We sat down with Kara Ann Napolitano, Outreach + Education Coordinator of Sims Municipal Recycling to learn how recycling materials are processed at one of the largest municipal recycling facilities (MRF) in the US. We discussed what they are doing (and what we can do to help) to ensure waste gets recycled. Take a look…Read More…
The Recycled Garden — Turning waste into wildflowers
With remote working more prevalent than before, venturing into residents’ own personal wildernesses to reclaim those tired looking patios and yards has become increasingly popular. However, turning a backyard or a patch of concrete into a dreamy oasis or even a well-stocked vegetable patch can take some creativity. The good news is using that creativity…Read More…