NERC News:
All Posts
In recent years, the recycling industry has seen negative media coverage that has not only perpetuated myths but also contributed to public mistrust of collection and recycling – and ultimately could be contributing to lower collection rates. To help counteract the misinformation, the Maryland Recycling Network presented a March 27 webinar featuring Gretchen Carey, president at MassRecycle, and Chaz Miller of Miller Recycling Associates. Misinformation about recycling was merely “background noise” to Carey until October 2022, when Greenpeace published a scathing report about the failings of plastic recycling. Soon NPR and The Boston Globe picked up the story and compounded the issue with statements like “not even plastic water bottles are recyclable,” Carey said, calling this “a patent lie.” Carey and her colleagues were “crushed,” but after overcoming her initial anger, she reached out to NPR and the Globe to rebut the story. She also tried to get other local publications to publish her written response to the negative coverage but was rebuffed. Seeing that these efforts weren’t going far, MassRecycle invited members of the media and the general public on MRF tours at several sites in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Providing real-time evidence of recycling infrastructure helped industry outsiders step out of the echo chamber and hear a contrasting perspective, Carey said in the webinar. “You can talk the game, but them seeing for themselves is the important part,” she explained. During the tours, the public attendees learned that throwing away recyclables deprives the community of valuable commodities, she said, and that state guidelines restrict what can be put in the landfill. Carey added that the tours brought home the message by explaining that recycled materials need a consistent end market to justify collection and processing. For example, Ardagh closed its glass bottling facility in Massachusetts in 2018. The closure eliminated a key end market for recycled glass and caused collector Strategic Materials to stop taking local recovered glass. Local MRFs subsequently lost that revenue stream. When residents don’t trust recycling infrastructure, they put fewer items in their curbside bins, and ultimately paper, metals and glass wind up as collateral damage, Miller said. So it’s vital to make sure the public knows where their recyclables and that end markets exist to use these materials. Read the full article.
The City of Laurel, Maryland, established in 1870, has a deep and rich history within the state. Its long-standing independence and stability have fostered a strong sense of community, providing residents with valuable resources and support. Laurel is deeply committed to sustainability, embedding green initiatives into its core values, creating a Sustainability Division and completing the City’s first Sustainability Plan as one of many ways to support a sustainable Laurel community. The city’s mission is guided by four foundational pillars: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. Laurel defines sustainability as “meeting the environmental, social, and economic needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” Residents can engage with their community in numerous ways, including joining local clubs, participating in municipal committees, and taking part in community surveys. The city also hosts in-person events such as parades, farmers markets, and sustainability initiatives, further strengthening community bonds. To make waste management, recycling and organics recycling more accessible, Laurel provides detailed information on its dedicated Green Living Resource page found on the City’s website and partners with Recycle Coach, an app that helps residents easily access tailored information on residential collections, recycling and organics recycling. The Recycle Coach app also notifies residents of changes to their service days and special sustainability events. The City of Laurel continues to lead by example in sustainability and community engagement. As environmentalist Wendell Berry once said, “The Earth is what we all have in common.” Laurel’s dedication to green living ensures that future generations will inherit a thriving, sustainable community. NERC is thrilled to welcome the City of Laurel to our growing list of municipality members. We look forward to working with them to help advance our collective missions in safeguarding the planet. For more information on the City of Laurel visit.
A Time to Learn, Reflect, and Celebrate
Posts Sorted by Categories
In The News
Waste Advantage During the last week of October, the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) held their annual Fall Conference in partnership with State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s (SUNY ESF) Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM), and in collaboration with Syracuse University’s Institute for Sustainability Engagement in Syracuse New York. The conference featured three days of great discussion about the complex challenges that come with waste and recycling, circularity, packaging, sustainability, and other important topics around the industry. View the Full Article Here
Syracuse, N.Y. – Oct. 25, 2024 – Experts in sustainability and resource management will gather at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) for the Rethinking Resource Use conference. Hosted by ESF’s Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM), the event will run from Oct. 28-30 at ESF’s Gateway Center in collaboration with Syracuse University’s Institute for Sustainability Engagement and the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC). Focused on the goal of achieving a circular economy, the conference will explore ways to reduce waste by keeping products, materials, and resources in use through cycles of reuse, recycling, and repurposing. Key topics will include industry research advancements, policy updates, and funding strategies to foster sustainable material management. Conference Highlights: The three-day event will begin with opening remarks from ESF President Joanie Mahoney and will feature insights from several ESF experts, including: Kathryn Walker, CSMM Executive Director Mark Lichtenstein, Executive Operating and Chief Sustainability Officer Sue Fassler, Director of Sustainability Delaney Demro, CSMM Program Manager Doug Daley, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Resources Engineering Bandaru V. Ramarao, Professor and Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering Keynote speaker Dr. Garry Cooper, founder of Rheaply, will discuss his company’s work in promoting the sharing economy. Rheaply’s technology, now utilized by ESF, connects those with excess resources to those in need, expanding the sharing economy within New York state. The conference offers presentations, panel discussions, and workshops designed to spark collaboration and ignite fresh ideas, allowing participants to gain insights into cutting-edge research, emerging trends, and practical applications in sustainable materials management. Access the full conference schedule here . Industry and Government Perspectives: “This conference is a unique opportunity to bring together industry leaders, foster new ideas, and drive innovation for a more sustainable future,” said CSMM Executive Director Kathryn Walker. “We are excited to gather and share our collective story of dedicated efforts to reduce consumption, foster collaboration, and inspire effective solutions that benefit all,” said Melissa Young, director of the Institute for Sustainability Engagement at Syracuse University. The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) brings an invaluable resource to the conference, working to bridge public and private sector informational gaps, develop educational resources, and lead discussions on critical sustainable materials issues. “We are thrilled to partner with ESF and Syracuse University to bring together industry leaders from across the Northeast,” said Megan Schulz-Fontes, NERC executive director. Press Attendance and Registration: Members of the media are invited to cover this important event. To attend, please contact Kathryn Walker, kjwalker@esf.edu About SUNY ESF: The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state. About the Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM) : The CSMM was established at ESF in the spring of 2020 through a NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) grant administered by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The Center places ESF, DEC, and their partners in a leadership role regarding materials (waste) reduction, reuse, and recycling in New York and the US. The Center’s mission is to inspire, lead, and connect a diverse group of people and organizations that will collectively challenge the concept of “waste,” through redefining and reimagining how we procure, produce, consume, manage, and market materials.
Resource Recycling The medical and research fields hold great potential for closed-loop plastic recycling as long as logistics can be solved, some in the industry recently said – and several companies are working to do just that. The panelists discussed their work in an Oct. 3 Northeast Recycling Council webinar, “Reducing and Diverting Plastic Waste in Bio-Medical Laboratories and Facilities, Part 2: Diverse Solutions to Meet the Supply of Bio-Med Plastic Waste.” Sam White, CEO of GreenLabs Recycling, noted that 30,000 tons of biopharma single-use plastic is disposed of every year globally, much of it recyclable. GreenLabs recycled 200,000 pounds in 2023, he added, but “you can see the huge gap that we have to fill” collectively. James O’Brien, co-founder and CEO of Polycarbin, added that not only is much of the plastic disposed of by research labs recyclable, but it’s an ideal stream due to the “incredible homogeneity of plastic types,” the way that lab workflows are designed, and the interest of scientists in not only recycling but recycling accurately. He noted that there is a “unique opportunity in labs” as well as hospitals, but hospitals have more plastic types and those working in them are under more time pressure, making it more difficult. On the hospital side of the equation, Katherine Hofmann, sustainability manager at Eastman, said the company not only makes a significant amount of specialty plastics for the medical industry but is working in partnership with the Healthcare Plastic Recycling Council and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste on a hospital plastic recycling pilot in Houston. The pilot is largely handling pre-patient material, which doesn’t come into contact with patients. She said 85% of the plastic that comes out of a hospital is clean and not contaminated, but the trick is finding space to store it in a hospital space and creating a system that works for nurses, who are short on time and highly focused on patient care. “There’s a significant volume here of really clean, high-quality materials that are really well-suited to recycling, given the high performance requirements for plastics in the space,” Hofmann said. “They really have a high purity, there’s very few additives, very few colorants. They really are ideal.” The goal of the pilot project is a medical recycling system that is economically viable at scale, she said. “We’re really looking to establish recycling in a way that does not require subsidies and continues to run in the area after we set it up,” Hofmann said, adding that the groups are also compiling a playbook for setting up these systems. Back in the lab, O’Brien emphasized the demand from scientists for more circular options. Polycarbin runs a closed-loop, brand-agnostic system, so it takes in lab plastics and remanufactures the resin into new, similar lab products. Over 1,000 labs are now participating, he said, and Polycarbin just launched PPE and nitrile glove recycling this year. It plans to expand from its current markets in New England and California, growing into Atlanta in 2025, and recently announced a partnership with Labcon North America. GreenLabs’ White said that the company decided to expand by partnering with hazardous waste disposal company Veolia, which allows them to collect, sterilize and recycle used pipette tips as well as the empty pipette tip boxes. GreenLabs takes the flake it creates and manufactures a small benchtop holding bin for the recyclable materials they seek to collect, so scientists can see what their materials are being recycled into, White said. “We can barely keep up with demand for this product,” White added, noting that scientists are often eager to participate. “They do such powerful work for human health, and they all want to provide a healthy environment as well.” View the Full Article Here
Press Releases
NERC’s Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) Commodity Values Survey Report for the period October - December 2024 showed a drop in the average commodity price for Q4. The average value of all commodities decreased by 23% without residuals and 26% with residuals compared to last quarter. Single stream decreased by 28% without residuals and 32% with residuals, while dual stream / source separated decreased by 15% without residuals and 17% with residuals compared to last quarter. This is the 23rd quarterly report in NERC’s series of reports on the market value of commodities from MRFs in the Northeast. This report includes information from twelve (12) states with the addition of Connecticut: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. The number of participating MRFs increased from 15 to 19 as compared to last quarter. These survey results reflect the differing laws and collection options in the participating states. Five of the states included in this report have beverage container deposit laws. As a result, fewer glass bottles, PET bottles and aluminum cans are processed in MRFs in those states. Those MRFs are also likely to have less revenue from those recyclables. In addition, the report reflects a mix of single stream, dual stream, and source separation to collect recyclables with single stream being the most common approach. The type of collection used will have an impact on MRF design and operation. Thus, the data from this report reflects the unique blend of facilities and statewide laws in the reporting states. Residual refers to the incoming material that cannot be marketed and goes to disposal. The value without residuals reflects the value of a perfect ton of marketed material, while the value with residuals reflects the value of each ton processed with the costs associated of disposing unmarketable material. Note: In many cases, recovered glass goes to market but at a negative value. This data is not intended to be used as a price guide for MRF contracts. NERC’s database represents single and dual stream MRFs, states with and without beverage container deposits, a wide variety in markets and geographic access to markets, and variety of materials collected for processing at the participating facilities. As a result, it represents the diversity of operating conditions in these locations and should not be used as a price guideline for a specific program. For more information, contact Megan Schulz-Fontes, Executive Director, at megan@nerc.org .
NERC’s MRF Values Survey Report for the period July - September 2024 showed a continued increase in the average commodity price for Q3. The average value of all commodities increased by 3% for both with and without residuals from Q2 2024 to Q3 2024. Single stream increased by 2% while dual stream / source separated decreased by 5% for both with and without residuals as compared to last quarter. This is the 22nd quarterly report in NERC’s series of reports on the market value of commodities from MRFs in the Northeast. This report includes information from eleven states: Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. These survey results reflect the differing laws and collection options in the participating states. Four of the states included in this report have beverage container deposit laws. As a result, fewer glass bottles, PET bottles and aluminum cans are processed in MRFs in those states. Those MRFs are also likely to have less revenue from those recyclables. In addition, the report reflects a mix of single stream, dual stream, and source separation to collect recyclables with single stream being the most common approach. The type of collection used will have an impact on MRF design and operation. Thus, the data from this report reflects the unique blend of facilities and statewide laws in the reporting states. Residuals refers to the incoming material that cannot be marketed and goes to disposal. The value without residuals reflects the value of a perfect ton of marketed material, while the value with residuals reflects the value of each ton processed with the costs associated of disposing unmarketable material. Note: In many cases, recovered glass goes to market but at a negative value. This data is not intended to be used as a price guide for MRF contracts. NERC’s database represents single and dual stream MRFs, states with and without beverage container deposits, a wide variety in markets and geographic access to markets, and variety of materials collected for processing at the participating facilities. As a result, it represents the diversity of operating conditions in these locations and should not be used as a price guideline for a specific program. For more information, contact Megan Schulz-Fontes, Executive Director, at megan@nerc.org .
NERC’s MRF Values Survey Report for the period April – June 2024 showed a slight increase in the average commodity price for Q2. The average value of all commodities increased by 6% with residuals and 5% without from Q1 2024 to Q2 2024. Single stream increased by 11% while dual stream / source separated decreased by 14% for both with and without residuals as compared to last quarter. The average reported processing costs decreased by 6.46% to $ 89.73/ton. This is the 21st quarterly report in NERC’s series of reports on the market value of commodities from MRFs in the Northeast, marking five years of data collection for this project. With new participating MRFs, this report includes information from eleven states: Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. These survey results reflect the differing laws and collection options in the participating states. Four of the states included in this report have beverage container deposit laws. As a result, fewer glass bottles, PET bottles and aluminum cans are processed in MRFs in those states. Those MRFs are also likely to have less revenue from those recyclables. In addition, the report reflects a mix of single stream, dual stream, and source separation to collect recyclables with single stream being the most common approach. The type of collection used will have an impact on MRF design and operation. Thus, the data from this report reflects the unique blend of facilities and statewide laws in the reporting states. Residuals refers to the incoming material that cannot be marketed and goes to disposal. The value without residuals reflects the value of a perfect ton of marketed material, while the value with residuals reflects the value of each ton processed with the costs associated of disposing unmarketable material. Note: In many cases, recovered glass goes to market but at a negative value. For more information, contact Megan Schulz-Fontes, Executive Director, at megan@nerc.org .
Thought Leadership
A Time to Learn, Reflect, and Celebrate
Despite claims that recycling is a "lie," the reality is that recyclables are valuable raw materials, not just waste shipped overseas, and strict industry standards help ensure their quality. While fraudulent practices exist, the U.S. is actually a net importer of recycled plastics, and more advocacy is needed to combat misinformation and highlight recycling’s success. Once again, recycling is under attack. Once again, we are being told that recycling is a lie. That the recyclables we sort and place on the curbside are just mixed with garbage and shipped overseas. That we are sending our trash to unsuspecting countries. Once again, this is not true. The most recent attack came in a Valentine’s Day The New York Times opinion piece The Story You Have Been Told About Recycling Is A Lie . We are told that we stopped sending our trash to the nearest landfill and instead chose to send it across the oceans. This, of course, is utter nonsense. Why would anyone send garbage overseas when the transportation cost to the nearest landfill and its tipping fee is so much less than the cost of sending it further? What is particularly egregious is the lack of data. We aren’t told what “trash” is or how many tons we ship to other countries. Is “trash” our run of the mill garbage or is it bales of mixed plastics sold by unscrupulous dealers as recyclable plastics in spite of diapers and bags in the bales? Nor are we told about the hundreds of millions of tons of metals, paper, glass, plastics and electronics that are routinely recycled throughout the world. Why mess up a good story with facts. The reality that con artists sell bales of contaminated “recyclables” is nothing new. That’s why the Recycled Materials Association developed specifications defining hundreds of grades of metal, paper, glass, plastic and electronic recyclables. Those specs include strict limits on “contaminants” and “prohibitives” so that buyers get raw materials, not trash. ReMA’s specs helped make metals, paper and glass recycling the success they are throughout the world. They have the potential to do the same for plastics and electronics. Oddly, the Times piece makes no mention of that success. Read the full article.
Recycled Content: We Need More Than Commitments and Legislation
Member Spotlights
The City of Laurel, Maryland, established in 1870, has a deep and rich history within the state. Its long-standing independence and stability have fostered a strong sense of community, providing residents with valuable resources and support. Laurel is deeply committed to sustainability, embedding green initiatives into its core values, creating a Sustainability Division and completing the City’s first Sustainability Plan as one of many ways to support a sustainable Laurel community. The city’s mission is guided by four foundational pillars: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. Laurel defines sustainability as “meeting the environmental, social, and economic needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” Residents can engage with their community in numerous ways, including joining local clubs, participating in municipal committees, and taking part in community surveys. The city also hosts in-person events such as parades, farmers markets, and sustainability initiatives, further strengthening community bonds. To make waste management, recycling and organics recycling more accessible, Laurel provides detailed information on its dedicated Green Living Resource page found on the City’s website and partners with Recycle Coach, an app that helps residents easily access tailored information on residential collections, recycling and organics recycling. The Recycle Coach app also notifies residents of changes to their service days and special sustainability events. The City of Laurel continues to lead by example in sustainability and community engagement. As environmentalist Wendell Berry once said, “The Earth is what we all have in common.” Laurel’s dedication to green living ensures that future generations will inherit a thriving, sustainable community. NERC is thrilled to welcome the City of Laurel to our growing list of municipality members. We look forward to working with them to help advance our collective missions in safeguarding the planet. For more information on the City of Laurel visit.
As a leader in sustainability, RecycleMe has become an expert in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Globally, they are relied upon by leading brands to help them achieve sustainable product packaging with top-tier EPR consulting. This expertise is fueled by their four guiding principles: Innovation, Sustainability, Global Best Practices, and Teamwork. As an innovator, RecycleMe ensures its team of experts remains ahead of the curve, using the latest solutions when working with their clients to meet their needs at the highest level. Conserving resources and closing loops is a longstanding leading commitment of theirs. By keeping those commitments at the forefront, sustainability is always at the foundation of their work. Recycle ME has locations in 10 countries worldwide, allowing them to build a strong global community network. NERC is excited to welcome RecycleMe to its team of Advisory Members. We look forward to working with them and supporting their extensive engagement and dedication to sustainable practices. For more information on RecycleMe click here.
When first introduced to Eunomia Research and Consulting, depending on your knowledge of Greek mythology, you may not know where their name comes from. The Greek goddess Eunomia is the goddess of law and legislation, and the goddess of green pastures. In 2001 when this organization was founded, their goal and mission was to combine in-depth understanding of environmental policy and strategy with pragmatic experience of real-world implementation, to build harmony between people and the environment while working to protect the planet. Given her role, Eunomia felt like the right leader, and namesake, to build from. Now, they’ve been in operation for over 20 years and have grown to a staff of over 150 people across 5 offices from Aukland New Zealand to New York. Over the past two decades, Eunomia has been working with both the public and private sectors providing unbiased data-driven advice to support business and organizational decision making. With these organizations, Eunomia has been incredibly successful in advancing positive environmental impact through policy, strategy, and implementation. Eunomia has leading experts in the low carbon, circular, and natural economies, and is world renowned for its policy, strategy and implementation advice on sustainable material use and reuse, recycling, and waste management strategies, assisting businesses, governments and NGOs from policy evaluation to product responsibility. Aiming for a net-zero future, Eunomia measures and reduces carbon footprints, guides through carbon offset markets, and ensures alignment with global sustainability standards to tackle greenwashing and ensure verifiable progress. Eunomia also offers solutions for biodiversity enhancement, sustainable land use, and nature-based investment strategies, focusing on ecological balance and economic viability. Sarah Edwards, President of Eunomia North America said: “Eunomia has followed the great work that NERC has done over the past 8 years, and we are now happy to be part of the NERC family. For more than 20 years Eunomia has been delivering waste and resource management solutions to state and municipal governments, nonprofit and private companies. We specialize in designing, modeling, and implementing systems that drive waste reduction, improve recycling, and promote sustainability. “We look forward to engaging with other forward-thinking organizations and companies in order to bring meaningful and impactful change.” NERC is thrilled to have Eunomia Research and Consulting join our team of Sustaining Advisory Members. We look forward to working with them to help further their mission of protecting the planet. For more information about Eunomia, click here.
