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…
What does the New York plastic bag ban mean for you?
Start spreading the news – New York is leaving its plastic bags behind for good Update: October 19, 2020 New York will enforce the plastic bag ban following months of delay. On March 1, 2020, New York rolls out its comprehensive plastic bag ban that will attempt to reduce the 23 million bags consumed by…Read More…
The Complete Plastics Recycling Process
Plastics have only been around for a little over a century, yet they’ve become part of almost every aspect of our lives. From children’s toys to food packaging, plastic materials are a ubiquitous part of 21st-century life. In fact, in roughly 70 years, there has been 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic produced, with around 6.3…Read More…
Compostable Cups: It’s not as simple as you think
What really happens to a PLA cup once you’re done with it? While you may think you are doing the right thing, the waste may not end up in the right place. Why? Steps you can take to make sure your efforts are met with success: *If…Read More…
The life cycle of a plastic water bottle
The concept of the circular economy isn’t anything new, but the same approach doesn’t apply to all types of materials. For example, the life of aluminum differs a great deal from the life of plastic as aluminum is infinitely recyclable while plastic is not. Here we explore how a plastic #1 bottle moves through both the…Read More…
PPE waste – The new waste stream
There’s an overlooked result of the effects of COVID-19 that’s becoming very visible – a rise in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) waste. Masks, gloves, gowns, face shields, goggles, hand sanitizer bottles, and wipes plus all of the packaging and manufacturing waste associated with these essential items is showing up in our landscapes and oceans, contaminating recycling…Read More…
How to recycle electronics in New York: A guide
As the largest city in the US, New York’s waste generation is huge. Some reports put the figure at more than 14 million tons per year, with much of that waste still going to landfill or being incinerated. However, things are changing, and as the city’s recent sustainability initiatives begin to take hold, less waste…Read More…
How to recycle electronics in Chicago: A guide
As the third most populous city in the US, Chicago produces a significant amount of trash. In fact, the State of Illinois generates 19 million tons of garbage a year, with the city of Chicago and “Chicagoland” responsible for a large proportion of that figure. Today, the reduction of that waste and an increase in effective recycling is a priority for municipalities across…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…
Construction + Demolition: From Rubble to Riches
Did you know nearly 570 million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) waste is produced every year? That is double the amount of municipal solid waste produced each year. 90% of that waste is produced from demolition, while 10% is from construction. What are the benefits of C&D recycling? …Read More…