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Recycling was an important practical and psychological weapon on the US home front during World War II, 1941-45. Recycling practices died out by the late 1950s. Mayor Yorty in Los Angeles campaigned in 1960 on a platform that called for the end of curbside recycling. This phase of US recycling lasted for less than 10 years … Read More
The City of Reading, PA, and Greys Paper Recycling Industries of Edmonton, Canada, have agreed that Reading will be the first city in the U.S. to host the company’s small scale, 40-ton-per-day paper mill. The facility will use 36 tons of high-grade paper per day, plus 4 tons of old cotton per day to make new … Read More
This webinar explores biobased products procurement. Learn from experts how US federal laws and regulations create demand for biobased products. View existing purchasing specs for compostable food service ware and hear from a government procurer about the variety of biobased products they purchase.… Read More
The ReUse People of America, Inc. (TRP), announced its Fourth Annual and First National Reuse Contest for projects built out of primarily used materials that have been completed within the last 12 months. TRP’s national ReUse Contest is open from May 1 to August 31, 2012. … Read More
Amy Westervelt has written two recent articles on why recycling is failing and how corporate America can save recycling. (“Can Recycling Be Bad for the Environment?” and “How Corporate America Might Just Save Recycling”) The articles present anecdotes as facts and facts without proper analysis. Much like the recent book Recycling Reconsidered by Samantha MacBride, Westervelt calls … Read More
Plastics Today, April 27, 2012 A new study published by the Journal of Cleaner Production has attempted to evaluate the sustainability of availability of bioplastics based on criteria from 12 principles compiled by the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative. The study, “Sustainability of bio-based plastics: general comparative analysis and recommendations for improvement,” used criteria including the pesticide use, use … Read More
Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative co-chair, Jim Kleinshmit, will keynote the Biopolymer World Congress in Italy Monday, April 23, 2012. His talk will be on sustainable sourcing and the concerns about and opportunities for biopolymer feedstocks.… Read More
Zero Waste Zone, April 14, 2012 In perfect timing with Earth month, The City of Chattanooga is exploring how to bring zero waste practices to the residential and corporate community. The main ingredients for success are in place: 1) solid local government support, 2) corporate community enthusiasm, and 3) strong local markets for recyclable material. Chattanooga Director of Sustainability David … Read More
In the 1980’s Cleveland considered garbage incineration. It was rejected, but no positive action was taken. For thirty years Cleveland’s valuable materials flowed to low-cost area landfills. This left the city vulnerable to the next push for incineration. The push came three years ago; this plan fell to pieces a few days ago. What will the City do now? … Read More
