Recycled Content: We Need More Than Commitments and Legislation

Chaz Miller • October 31, 2024

Recycled Content: We Need More Than Commitments and Legislation

Many companies that pledged to increase recycled content in their packaging are now scaling back, citing outdated recycling infrastructure and limited supply. Without realistic assessments of recycling technology and material availability, ambitious goals are proving difficult to meet.


Recycled content is hot again. Over the last few years, numerous companies committed to use more recycled content in their packages. Whether they were for beverage, detergent, candy, or whatever, they set ambitious goals. This year, we have seen many of those companies retreating from their goals. They are blaming a “lagging recycling infrastructure” that is creating an undersupply of recycled materials.


It's easy enough to blame the recycling infrastructure. As long as processing technology improves, MRFs will always be out of date. The last MRF I visited before COVID was in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in December 2019. Yes, it was cold. Winnipeg never got above zero Fahrenheit while I was there and MRFs are hard to heat. Nonetheless the MRF was impressive, replete with all of the latest, best sorting technology. As he was pointing out the new equipment, the MRF’s manager made a prescient observation. He predicted that five years later, the MRF would have a great deal of new, more technologically advanced processing equipment.


View full article on Waste360.


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Black History Month

February 28, 2025
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RecycleMe

February 20, 2025
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.

Drop in Commodity Values and Expansion of Participating States and Material Recovery Facilities

By Megan Fontes • February 11, 2025
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 .
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