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Refocus 2020 - Register now! - The MRC is pleased to announce that the 2020 Conference will take place as a virtual event on Monday and Tuesday, October 5 & 6, 2020. We've developed a targeted program with you in mind! Recognizing the challenges we all face, the program will be delivered between 10 am and 3 pm both days. We've added a new platform to the mix to make networking more fun and fruitful. We'll be using this platform to foster interaction with exhibitors and sponsors and also facilitate conversations and networking among MRC regions and the regional network. $125 for members, $175 for non-members! Check out the program and register now...
EGLE hopes to award grants soon - This week, Infrastructure and Market Development grant applications received a Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) communication from Matt Flechter about delayed grant announcements. According to one letter, twenty-five market development grant applications were received, totaling $5,200,000 in requests which were matched by $4,400,000 of investment. For fiscal year 2020, EGLE budgeted funds from the Renew Michigan Fund Act 281 of 1967 to be distributed in FY 2020, but as of today, no grant funding has been committed. Flechter said, "...an announcement on the grant recipients is forthcoming. It is our hope that we will soon be able to begin to advance selected grant contracts."
Increasing recycling opportunities in Van Buren - The Van Buren Conservation District, Broken Arrow Recycling, and Pratt Industries, Inc. have partnered to expand cardboard and paper recycling in Van Buren County. Officials say Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) has designed, coordinated, and implemented this pilot project on behalf of Pratt Industries. The new service is free to both businesses and residents and the quantity that can be recycled is unlimited. Read more...
NERC webinar series - Taking action to support the recycling industry is essential - especially these days. A new national program - NERC-APR Government Recycling Demand Champion Program - provides a simple strategy for closing the lop by buying products with post-consumer plastic recycled content. Learn more...
Engaging middle America in recycling solutions - A recent study bu the Shelton Group sought answers to these questions.Are we less inclined to throw our recyclables in the bin because we feel disempowered or worried about the economy and anxious about keeping our families from catching COVID? And are we aware of the issues in the recycling market - that China won't take our recyclables anymore and that the American recycling system is in turmoil? If Americans are aware, does that impact their willingness to do their part? We worked hard to get people to adopt recycling behaviors and adopt the idea that it's the bare minimum they can do to do their part, and it's sticking. According to Shelton's research, if we want to engage Americans in recycling, here's what we need to do:
- We need to continue communicating about - and demonstrating action on - public waste
- We need to continue our curbside programs and make them really work
- Teach Americans to "look before they toss"
- Teach them what's actually recyclable
- Read more...
SWEEP standard coming to fruition w/pilot cities - A new standard for the solid waste and recycling industry is coming to fruition after years of work, with the potential to advance a broad range of sustainable materials management practices and bring better data to the sector. After launching in 2016, the Solid Waste Environmental Excellence Performance (SWEEP) standard group recently put the last changes in its first offering to a final ballot for approval by members of a National Consensus Committee. Pending majority approval, the SWEEP+ standard will be ready for use by pilot municipalities in the coming months, with a public version targeted for 2021 based on their feedback. Read more...
New focus on residential stream for recycled fiber - OCC generation has shifted away from the commercial realm amid COVID-19, and tonnages might never go back. The pandemic has accelerated society's transition to e-commerce, driving more OCC into the residential stream. For the fiber packaging industry, that means placing a greater emphasis on supporting the residential recycling sector. Recovered fiber end users are anticipating the recent trends will remain even after the pandemic passes. Read more...
Are recyclers prepared for market rebound? - Paper and plastic recyclers hit by the current crises can still bounce back. Mapping the inbound and outbound processes can show where there is room for improvement and how to increase growth and margins. Gerard Kissane, Head of Sales and Business Development for Spain and Portugal, believes that the smartest, most innovative companies will profit from the possibilities that come from a move toward the use of renewable and recovered materials. Read more...
A national strategy to reduce food waste - Approximately 30 percent of the edible food produced in the United States is wasted and a significant portion of this waste occurs at the consumer level. Many factors contribute to this waste - consumers behaviors are shaped not only by individual and interpersonal factors, but also by influences within the food system, such as policies, food marketing, and the media. Some food waste is unavoidable, and there is substantial variation in how food waste and its impacts are defined and measured. According to this report by the National Academy of Science, changing the food system by standardizing date labeling, adopting new marketing practices, and other strategies, can empower consumers, restaurants, and retailers to waste less food. Read more...
Fruit peels for lithium-ion battery recycling? - Scientists led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore have developed a novel method of using fruit peel waste to extract and reuse precious metals from spent lithium-ion batteries in order to create new batteries. The team demonstrated their concept using orange peel, which recovered precious metals from battery waste efficiently. The scientists say that their waste-to-resource approach tackles both food waste and electronics waste, supporting the development of a circular economy with zero waste. Read more...
Waste & Recycling: 3 takeaways from COVID-19 - As we begin acclimating to the 'new normal,' there are several key learnings and best practices businesses and industries at large should take into consideration, according to Waste Advantage:
- Waste and recycling services need to be considered essential.
- Recycling commodity prices have evolved.
- Organizations must have plans in place for reopening and beyond. Read more...
Target's car seat recycling event returns Sept. 13 - Target's popular car seat trade-in event is coming back, but it's moving to a contactless format amid the coronavirus pandemic. For two weeks - from September 13-26 - Target stores will accept and recycle all types of car seats, including infant seats, convertible seats, car seat bases, and harness or booster car seats, the retailer announced on its website. In exchange for the old seat, customers will get a coupon for 20% off "one new seat, stroller, or select baby gear item." Stores will accept expired or damaged car seats, and the materials will be recycled by Waste Management, Target said. Read more...
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Opportunities, Resources, Grants...
$35M available for awards - In an Aug. 17 press release, the REMADE Institute announced it has issued its fourth request for proposals to invest up to $35 million in R&D projects focused on polymers, metals, fibers, and e-scrap. The funding must be matched dollar-for-dollar by project participants. Learn more...
ICAW 2021 poster contest - This international contest runs from September 1 until November 2, and is open to anyone age 9th grade or older who wishes to share their artistic creativity to promote this year's theme. The winning poster will serve as the promotional piece, in the United States, for ICAW 2021, May 2-8, 2021. This year's theme is "Grow, Eat...COMPOST...Repeat." Learn more...
Want more recycling news? - If you're not currently receiving this newsletter on a weekly basis it's because you're not a member of the MRC. Join to receive this newsletter weekly and receive many other benefits of membership. Also, send us your news, jobs postings, and fresh content!
Recycle, MI signs, shirts, recycling bins, compost bins, and more! Check out our Recycle, MI website and Swag Shop to gear up for all of your summer recycling program needs!
Looking for a contact? MRC Member Directory! - Members have access through our member website to the "Member Directory" and "Member Organization Directory" listed under "Quick Links" in the right side of the screen. Join us to get access to these directories and other great benefits.
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