Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA), Stamford, Connecticut, has committed to using 25 percent recycled plastic across its U.S. domestic portfolio by 2021 and 50 percent by 2025. The company also has committed to making 100 percent of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. But before NWNA can reach these goals, representatives from the company say increasing recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) supply will be necessary. NWNA is doing its part to help.

One of the Electronic Reusing Association’s (ERA) prime missions is to help other immigrants and charities needing technology. ERA focuses on reusing and refurbishing laptops, computers, monitors, servers, printers, cell phones and many other electronic devices. As a non-profit, they strongly believe in tackling the growing problem of e-waste. In a short time, they have become industry leaders in data destruction and securely repurposing hundreds of tons of equipment.

Gomi speakers produced by hand in Brighton, in the U.K., are made out of unrecyclable plastic that gets rejected by most recycling facilities.

Each speaker is made of 100 plastic bags that are melted and squished together to create a high-tech, artisan product, instead of ending up in oceans or landfills.

Currency fluctuations, international political uncertainties and now tariffs that are hitting recycling businesses and consumers hard. A WPI engineering professor said the tariffs could turn out to be good for the recycling industry, if they are seen as a wake-up call.

As of March 1, Southbridge Massachusetts recycling bins with contents that are more than 15 percent non-recyclable materials won’t be emptied during their scheduled pickup every other week, interim recycling coordinator Anna Smith said. Letters notifying residents and property owners of the plan went out this week. Inspectors also put stickers on offending residents’ bins.

An ongoing challenge in the food industry is keeping your food costs down without diminishing food quality. One of the keys to success is food waste prevention.

Join national experts from the food industry Dr. Steve Schein and Ned Barker to learn more about how to reduce food waste in your business, empower your employees, reduce your environmental impact, and improve your bottom line.

The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) recently sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom calling for the establishment of a statewide commission on recycling market development and is asking all counties to follow suit.

According to a Washington Post report, Amazon’s new, non-recyclable plastic mailers are “gumming up” some U.S. recycling facilities, with consumers throwing them in the recycling bin along with other plastics.

READ MORE AT LIFEHACKER.

Please welcome AOR's newest student member - an 8th grader from Oak Hill School!  

Name: Brennen Matherly

In what University/College are you currently enrolled, or if an Americorps Volunteer, where are you working/volunteering? I’m an 8th graders at Oak Hill School

Lunch at Garfield Elementary School in Corvallis was unsurprisingly chaotic Friday, with dozens of kids picking up hot lunches, eating and talking.

But in the center of the room was an island of order as a small team of students and an adult volunteer helped kids sort their compostable items and trash into the appropriate bins. The composting program, which was started in 2015, has significantly reduced the amount of trash the school produces during lunch.