Commentary Traces History of Modern U.S. Recycling and the Potential for Zero Waste

In this recently published commentary, ILSR says cities and counties need sources of renewable capital for the generation of investment in recycling, composting and reuse infrastructure. They also need guidelines for proper investment strategies… Read More

Commentary: Cities and Counties Need Recycling Infrastructure Investment, But Is The “Breaking Free From Plastic” Bill The Answer?

Date: 10 May 2021 | posted in: waste - recycling, waste - zero waste | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The goal of needed infrastructure investment in recycling can be accomplished without undermining local control. “Municipal Stewardship EPR” is a clear option for making progress toward Zero Waste.… Read More

Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act Is A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing

Date: 9 Apr 2021 | posted in: waste - recycling, Waste to Wealth | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The Break Free from Plastic Bill seeks to address the problems of air, water and soil pollution from plastic waste.  But to do this, it includes Extended Producer Responsibility provisions that would force communities to cede control over their local recycling industries to the same large corporations that are responsible for designing and promoting the waste-generating products and packages.

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York University’s Studies of Extended Producer Responsibility Reveal Evidence of Failures

Date: 8 Feb 2021 | posted in: waste - recycling, Waste to Wealth | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Advocates for corporate control over the US recycling sector through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) point to British Columbia as their model for the United States. Yet analysis of this system raises fundamental questions of fairness, transparency and cost effectiveness. Professor Cal Lakhan, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University, Toronto, contributed additional research on the British Columbia EPR system. Dan Knapp, Urban Ore, Berkeley, CA summarizes and comments on Lakhan’s findings.… Read More

New Federal Legislation Presents the Opportunity to Break Free from Plastic Pollution

Date: 8 Dec 2020 | posted in: Waste to Wealth | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Though it contains some harmful provisions, the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act is the most important piece of federal legislation impacting America’s waste and recycling systems in many years. It has the potential to impose profound changes and rein in plastic waste’s negative impact on our air, land and water.… Read More

Biggest Challenge to U.S. Recycling Isn’t China

Date: 24 Sep 2018 | posted in: Waste to Wealth | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Proponents of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Paper, Products, and Packaging (PPP) are jumping on the “China Crisis” bandwagon by attempting to revive efforts to shift control over recycling from local government and existing recycling companies to statewide non-profit agencies under the control of Big Soda companies and their allies.… Read More

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