Field Notes

The U.S. recycling system is at a breaking point—and we are all  losing faith. In the Netflix documentary, Buy Now:The Shopping Conspiracy, a searing indictment of global consumerism, a brief segment on recycling hits like a gut punch: the chasing-arrows symbol that has appeared on plastic packaging for decades doesn’t actually...

As states like California, Oregon, Colorado, Maine, and Minnesota roll out ambitious new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies for packaging, stakeholders are busy grappling with the major hurdles to achieving the bold targets now mandated. The goal of EPR is to hold producers and distributors accountable for the proper end-of-life...

The Critical Role of Viable End Markets in Recycling In our previous post, we provided a concise overview of the 5 Essentials of a Highly Functional Recycling System, summarizing The Recycling Partnership’s latest comprehensive report on the gap between the current state of our recycling system and where it needs...

The Recycling Reset: Fixing a Failing System Recycling in the U.S. has long been seen as a simple solution to our waste problem. But in recent years, it has come under scrutiny—and for good reason. While developed economies like the United States have waste management systems that keep the problem...

Coast Summit ’24 was a true celebration of the innovators, leaders, and changemakers driving us toward a sustainable future. This year’s gathering united a dynamic blend of experts, activists, and visionaries, each bringing compelling stories, transformative solutions, and an unwavering commitment to inspiring meaningful change. The day-long summit, featuring compelling...

Your journey to sustainable packaging starts here In response to the escalating plastic pollution crisis, a wave of new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are being introduced across the United States. States like California, Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota, and Maine are leading the charge, with more expected to join soon. If...