Foam is Not a Four-Letter Word
March 17, 2017Foam is Not a Four-Letter Word In the 1830s, German pharmacist Eduard Simon discovered polystyrene. Today, we see foam polystyrene everywhere – cups to hold hot coffee, to-go containers to take home leftovers from the restaurant, and plates for summertime picnic outings. Foam polystyrene has great insulating and cushioning properties due to the fact it […]
Read MoreMind the Gap
March 13, 2017Mind the Gap One of the things that makes America great is the diversity across our communities. On this topic, think about recycling for a second. How do you recycle where you live? Now think about your neighboring community, or a city you’ve visited on vacation. How does recycling work there? Chances are your programs […]
Read MoreTextile Waste
February 23, 2017Let’s Talk: Textile Waste February 23, 2017 Last month in Resource Recycling magazine RRS highlighted data on textile waste in the monthly Data Corner feature. With the Data Corner starting the conversation, we wanted to continue it and get your opinions too. Below, RRS VP Anne Johnson and Sr. Consultant Marisa Adler dive a little […]
Read MoreAct Local to Close the Loop
February 8, 2017Act Local to Close the Loop According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), $80 billion – $120 billion of plastic packaging material value is lost annually. And if business continues as usual, WEF estimates by 2050 oceans could contain more plastics than fish (by weight). Got your attention, right? There are several angles to look […]
Read MoreOrganics: Compost vs. Landfill
January 20, 2017Organics: Compost vs. Landfill January 2017 It is a question that comes up time and again – why is composting better than landfilling organics? I went to RRS President and organics team member JD Lindeberg to find out the answer. M: If we landfill food/yard waste, it decomposes and generates greenhouse gases – that’s […]
Read MoreProduct Service Systems – Sustainable Future?
November 4, 2016Are Product Service Systems Our Sustainable Future? Some companies are engaging the customer throughout the product’s lifecycle by not selling the product, but by selling its utility. Extending the relationship between a company and its customer, beyond point of sale, opens up new opportunities for brands to interact with customers to understand customer demographics, gather […]
Read MoreProduct Stewardship as a Competitive Edge
November 4, 2016Product Stewardship as a Competitive Edge Product stewardship, or the idea that companies foster responsibility of their products cradle to cradle, can help create the internal feedback loops needed to make a product, and company, truly more sustainable. Internalizing each stage of a product’s lifecycle allows companies the ultimate power to influence how that product […]
Read MoreLooking Through Circularity Binoculars
November 4, 2016Looking Through Circularity Binoculars The circular economy offers a multitude of benefits for companies including resource efficiency, reduced supply chain risk, reliable feedstocks, improved corporate reputation, cost savings, product innovation, and more. But starting off can be tricky and confusing. Where do you begin? How do you shift your company to circularity? One of the […]
Read MoreEvent Food Waste Recovery
October 10, 2016Event Food Waste Recovery Jamie Zawila is an RRS consultant and SWANA Ohio Buckeye Chapter board member operating out of the Dayton/Cincinnati Ohio area. Jamie also served as the co-chair of the Recycling Committee for the 2016 SWANA Wastecon conference held in Indianapolis August 22-25. We talked with Jamie about her experience coordinating the recycling […]
Read More5 Ways Government Drives Circular Economy
August 2, 2016Five Ways Government Drives the Circular Economy: A NYC Case Study Alongside firms, product designers, and manufacturers, government plays an important role in advancing the circular economy. By setting legislative agendas, developing strategic programs and public services, and making smart decisions regarding internal agency operations, government can drive the demand for circular products and influence […]
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