The Best Takeback Programs from Big Businesses
As sustainability becomes an ever-greater concern for consumers and policymakers, businesses have been compelled to find ways of addressing their wider impact on the environment. This shift in behavior is encapsulated in the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR aims to place increased responsibility on the original manufacturer of products in relation to environmental…Read More…
Terrifying Trash – Halloween Costume Waste in the US
As American’s get ready to celebrate the year’s most frightening festivities, the scariest thing about Halloween is not the ghosts, ghouls, and goblins, but the terrifying amounts of trash generated in the space of a few short hours on October 31st. From rotting jack-o-lanterns through non-biodegradable candy wrappers to single-use decorations, Halloween has recently built…Read More…
What is SWEEP Certification and Why is it Important?
The US generated 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2018 alone, which equates to around 4.9 pounds per person per day. This, at a time when there are increasing calls for waste-reduction strategies and a more sustainable economy. Left unchecked, this level of waste production will continue to have negative environmental, social,…Read More…
Spotlight: Q&A with Beth Birnbaum
Can you give us a brief overview of your career journey leading up to your position as an RTS Board Member? I went to work at Expedia as a product manager right after getting my MBA. Product management is a great way to understand the key drivers of a business and what motivates customers to…Read More…
How landfills work and why they must be phased out
Landfills are still a major component of waste disposal systems in the United States, with half of all municipal solid waste (trash from homes and businesses) ending up there. That’s about 146 million tons of garbage being buried in the ground or piled in open sites every single year. Landfills can cause serious environmental and…Read More…
What is universal waste and how can my business deal with it?
While many businesses and individuals may not realize it, there are a lot of everyday materials and goods that can’t be tossed in the garbage. From used light bulbs to half-finished cans of air freshener, there are many seemingly innocuous items that if trashed, could land your business in trouble. These materials are called universal…Read More…
What is extended producer responsibility?
Today, we design both products and packaging to be “disposable”, with little consideration of the true environmental impact or influence on human health. By rethinking the way we consume, and by shifting the responsibility of product management back to the manufacturer, we can begin to address these issues—designing out waste rather than generating it. For…Read More…
Recycling Challenge – Is bubble wrap recyclable?
Plastic bubble wrap has been the go-to solution for packaging and mailing fragile goods since it was invented in the 1950s. And with the rise of online shopping in the last two decades, the market for bubble wrap has continued to grow rapidly. In 2020 the bubble wrap market was worth $7.4 billion and is…Read More…
What is urban mining?
Mining is dirty, destructive, and environmentally damaging, but has long been the only way to extract the metals and minerals we consume daily. These materials are used in everything from smartphones to drywall, and as global populations grow, their use grows in tandem. Our continued reliance on non-renewable resources has been a hot button issue…Read More…
Spotlight: Rethink
When diverting food from landfill, most think about the option to compost, but in reality, perfectly edible food is ending up in landfill. Federal legislation, such as the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, encourages businesses to donate food to nonprofit organizations by minimizing liability. We sat down with Rethink’s CEO, Matt Jozwik, to discuss…Read More…