Field Notes
The Recycling Reset, Step 2: How Better Waste Management Unlocks Circularity
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 Recycling Reset, Step 1: Begin With the End (Markets) in Mind
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 Time for The Recycling Reset has Arrived
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: Celebrating the Innovators
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...
Ready to Become an EPR Expert? We’ve Got You Covered
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...
Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Don Meek of A New Earth Project Shares His Vision for Tackling Plastic Pollution
At the recent TedX Conference in Laguna Beach, California, Don Meek of A New Earth Project posed a thought-provoking question: "What if the global plastic pollution crisis is actually an opportunity?" This question lies at the heart of his passionate call to action, urging us to transform the looming dangers...