Keeping Municipalities Whole

In "Keeping Municipalities Whole," Resa Dimino examines the critical role of state-level policies in enhancing recycling efforts across the U.S., particularly in the face of evolving market pressures and global challenges. The article discusses how bottle bills and extended producer responsibility (EPR) can complement local curbside programs, potentially reducing the financial burden on municipalities while improving the quality and quantity of recyclables. Through detailed analysis, including a study conducted by Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), Dimino highlights the balance between maintaining municipal recycling systems and leveraging policy to drive higher recycling rates and efficiency, ultimately suggesting that well-crafted policies can ensure municipalities are not financially disadvantaged in the push for more sustainable recycling practices.

“The highest performing recycling programs combine beverage container deposits with extended producer responsibility, offering the convenience of curbside recycling alongside the financial incentives of a redemption network.”

Written by:

Resa Dimino, Managing Principal at RRS & Managing Partner at Signalfire Group