From Antonia Bruno from no-burn.org: Sweden is frequently touted as a model for the U.S. to follow, with its low landfilling rates, high “recycling” rates, and “waste-to-energy.” However, there are some major problems with these claims. Sweden burns more than 50% of its waste and calls it recycling. Furthermore, they count the toxic ash produced by … Read More
The Waste to Wealth Initiative of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance is looking to fill a full time, associate-level position. The job involves developing recycling, composting and reuse enterprises throughout the US. The associate will be responsible for assisting local governments, small businesses and community develop organizations develop viable value added enterprises and policies that nurture … Read More
After 10 years of battling against a proposed garbage/plasma arc facility by the citizens in Ottawa, Ontario, the plant was approved. The political battle was lost. However the market has dictated that the plant would not be built anyway. It was too risky for investors. The effect of the demise of the Ottawa plant will ripple … Read More
Public municipal solid waste services are fundamental to the quality of life in our communities. How we collect and dispose of our garbage and recycling is essential to our health, our environmental future and the appearance of our cities and towns. Landfills are reaching the end of their lifespan, and carry a high financial and environmental price. … Read More
Do citizens and businesses have a right to repair their computers and related products? ILSR asked Sophia MacDonald to describe the efforts of Digital Right to Repair Coalition (DRTR) to secure these rights for consumers. See ILSR’s story, Repair & re-sell: Do you have the right to fix your own gadgets? New York State’s pro-repair legislation … Read More
Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE) and the Zero Waste Houston coalition have been organizing for two years against a misguided proposal to replace an increasingly successful single-stream recycling program with a dirty MRF, referred to as a ‘one-bin’ system. A stream of support from many groups has aided our efforts across the country that have … Read More
There are two highly successful non-profit, community based e scrap enterprises operating in Oregon. They have stellar records of efficiency and integrity. They are rivers of wealth for the two cities in which they thrive. The NextStep in Eugene, OR is a repair and distribution center founded in Lorraine Kerwood’s garage as MacRenewal. By 2002 NextStep … Read More
There is no one best way for communities to recycle. San Francisco has a highly successful program under an exclusive franchise system. Across the Bay, Berkeley has an equally successful program under a highly decentralized system based on for-profit, non-profit and government agency operations. One of the main reason why recycling grew so fast from the … Read More
The Reuse People of America (TRP) has concluded its 7th annual and 2nd National Reuse Contest. Over 100 entries were received in two categories; Art & Furniture, and Remodeling & Construction. “The contest gets to be more fun each year as we are hearing from an expanding deconstruction and reuse sector”, said Ted Reiff, TRP co-founder … Read More
