TerraCycle and their mission to eliminate waste
As consumers in today’s world, we generate an enormous amount of waste, most likely without realizing it. Think about your day from start to finish. What are you buying, eating, drinking, and cleaning with? How familiar is this scenario? You toss an empty tube of toothpaste after brushing your teeth. You make yourself a cup…Read More…
Construction + Demolition: From Rubble to Riches
Did you know nearly 570 million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) waste is produced every year? That is double the amount of municipal solid waste produced each year. 90% of that waste is produced from demolition, while 10% is from construction. What are the benefits of C&D recycling? …Read More…
Saving the planet — The best (and cheapest) plastic alternatives
In the early 1950s, plastic was a wonder material set to usher in a wave of modern living. Cheap, lightweight, easily produced, flexible, and strong, it had a million uses, and its invention was celebrated as the paradigm of progress. Unfortunately, very little thought was given to its impact on the planet. Its longevity, of…Read More…
The importance of sustainability education programs for businesses
Education is the backbone of sustainability for businesses. Whether it’s increasing awareness of environmental impact or providing updates on recycling programs, sustainability education is among the key drivers of achieving environmental goals. In fact, from the biggest conceptual framework to the smallest everyday action, sustainability and recycling education in businesses illuminates not only why we…Read More…
Plastic Recycling Facts — The truth about recycling plastic bags
As businesses across the US commit to a greener future, it seems the days of free plastic bags in every grocery store are numbered. In fact, recent bans designed to discourage their use have been sweeping the nation, with California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon, and Vermont imposing state-wide legislation on single-use plastic…Read More…
What is ESG and how can my business benefit?
As environmental concerns further infiltrate the business world, and as both consumers and investors demand more socially progressive and eco-conscious business practices, there is a growing interest in the ethical status of individual companies and their responsible green operations. In fact, recent research has suggested that almost half of Americans would stop supporting companies who refuse to…Read More…
A Conversation with Sims Municipal Recycling
We sat down with Kara Ann Napolitano, Outreach + Education Coordinator of Sims Municipal Recycling to learn how recycling materials are processed at one of the largest municipal recycling facilities (MRF) in the US. We discussed what they are doing (and what we can do to help) to ensure waste gets recycled. Take a look…Read More…
Celebrating Pride Month
June 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of annual LGBTQ+ Pride traditions. We took a moment to sit down with colleagues to reflect on Pride and discuss what it means to them. Calvin Liu, Sustainability and Research Analyst, New York What does Pride mean to you? Despite growing up in NYC, I spent part of…Read More…
The Recycled Garden — Turning waste into wildflowers
With remote working more prevalent than before, venturing into residents’ own personal wildernesses to reclaim those tired looking patios and yards has become increasingly popular. However, turning a backyard or a patch of concrete into a dreamy oasis or even a well-stocked vegetable patch can take some creativity. The good news is using that creativity…Read More…
What is Recycling Contamination and How Can You Help?
Curbside recycling in the U.S. is relatively straightforward for both residents and businesses. That’s because most recycling programs in the country still adhere to a single-stream recycling system. This means that you don’t need to put individual recyclable materials (paper, plastic, glass, etc.) into separate recycling containers; instead, you merely separate the recyclable materials from…Read More…