Though recycling businesses often have large numbers of people of color at lower levels of the workforce, racial disparities are wide at the upper ranks.

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Cleanup Program in Portland, OR Neighborhood Means WCleanup Program in PortlanThe Cigarette Waste Recycling Program, an initiative by the Pearl District Neighborhood Association, was started by Dave Mitchell. “The program is designed to collect as many cigarette butts as we can, using 65 receptacles that are attached to parking poles,” explained Mitchell. He put up cigarette disposal boxes around the neighborhood in 2019 where smokers can safely discard the waste.

The Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners recently released a report detailing ways forward for durable reusable packaging systems that reduce the need for single-use packaging. In the report, Bringing Reusable Packaging Systems to Life, Closed Loop Partners draw on insights from multiple reusable cup pilots conducted in partnership with the NextGen Consortium and IDEO, outlining key lessons learned and sharing a blueprint and open-source resource to encourage collaboration and the growth of reuse models.

Some changes for the better are coming to the recycling center in Enterprise, courtesy of the new Wallowa County Recycling Task Force.

On Monday, July 13, the volunteer group posted new, informative signs to help “customers” sort recyclables into the correct bins. The group has developed an informative brochure. They will have volunteer “recycling coaches” at the center during July to answer questions and provide assistance. And best of all, there will be prizes and prize drawings for recyclers.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan and Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio have introduced the Plastic Waste Reduction and Recycling Act as bipartisan legislation to reduce plastic waste and improve the global competitiveness of the U.S. plastics recycling industry. 

The Plastic Waste Reduction and Recycling Act directs the establishment of a plastic waste reduction and recycling research and development program, calls on the federal government to develop a strategic plan for plastic waste reduction and calls for the development of standards for plastics recycling technologies.

Press Release from the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure

Taking action to support the recycling industry is essential - especially these days.  A new national program geared towards the public sector, the NERC-APR Government Recycling Demand Champion Program, provides a simple strategy for closing the loop by buying products with post-consumer plastic recycled content.   This is a national program and all are welcome to join the free webinar.  For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Governm

Closed Loop Partners announced that some of the world’s largest consumer brands and corporate foundations are extending more than $54 million in capital commitments with the Closed Loop Infrastructure Fund (CLIF). This extension is a testament to the progress CLIF has made over the last five years toward building a more circular economy and the sense of urgency from these brands to accelerate their circular economy goals and support the transformation of the recycling system.

Continuing its focus on creating strong community recycling, The Recycling Partnership, Falls Church, Virginia, has created a Circularity Council to address the gaps in the system.

Ali Blandina, director of circular ventures at The Recycling Partnership, says the discussion started after The Recycling Partnership launched The Bridge to Circularity in fall 2019.

“There were many steps identified to move the U.S. toward a circular economy and through looking at that, it was clear that transitioning to a circular economy requires systems change,” she says.

Nike started selling sneakers from its new Space Hippie collection. The footwear is constructed from factory and post-consumer waste that the sportswear company calls “space junk.” Space Hippie consists of four different silhouettes: 01, 02, 03, and 04. Nike’s manufacturing process for the footwear uses around 85–90% recycled polyester yarn, recycled foam, and a blended “Crater foam.” The result is a design that has a low carbon footprint, the company said.