Greenwashing — What is it and how transparency can beat it
Today, “sustainability”, “eco-friendly”, “fair-trade”, and “recyclable” are more than just buzzwords, they’re at the forefront of new product designs targeting increasingly eco-conscious consumers while also delivering more equitable and sustainable returns on investments as they spur future growth. Partly due to consumer demand, and partly thanks to the ESG framework laid out by former United Nations…Read More…
Where can I recycle my e-waste in Washington DC?
Despite being regarded as the ‘clean city’, Washington DC generates around 800,000 tons of waste per year, and like many of America’s largest cities, it’s fair to say that effective recycling isn’t thriving in the nation’s capital. As of 2019, the waste diversion rate was 23%, a percentage which the city has been hovering around for the…Read More…
Chicago recycling – The windy city aims to revamp its blown-over recycling program
The City of Chicago has had an up-and-down start to recycling in the last 10 years. In 2008, the failing “blue bag” program – where residents were to separate recyclable material into identified blue bags for removal – was rejuvenated and replaced by a blue cart program. Then, in 2017, the local government went a…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…
How to recycle electronics in Boston: A guide
As the most populous city in New England, and the 21st most populous city in the US, Boston produces a notable amount of trash. Around 1.2 million tons of trash every year, with about 75% of that ending up in landfill or incinerators. However, The City of Boston and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is now seeking to reduce this to 20% with…Read More…
2020: A dumpster fire of a year – What does it really mean
How do dumpster fires start? The photo of the dumpster on fire has become ubiquitous in 2020 and analogous of an unprecedented year coming to a close, but do you know what actually causes a dumpster or waste fire? Fires can begin when hazardous and electronic waste items are discarded in the trash rather than…Read More…
Reducing holiday waste – why it matters
With nearly 1 million extra tons of garbage per week going to landfill between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, consider options to reduce waste and increase waste diversion during this time of year. We’ve compiled a list of the most common holiday items and tips on how to prevent them from ending up in the waste…Read More…
RTS Spotlight – Holiday Collective
Decorations seen around the city often add to the feelings of holiday cheer. We sat down with Michael Gurl from Holiday Collective to discuss how they create magical displays while keeping sustainability in mind. Q: Can you give us some background on Holiday Collective and the work you do? A: Holiday Collective is a holiday design…Read More…
Upcycling cardboard — Get creative with packaging waste
Of the 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in the United States in 2018, almost a quarter was paper and paperboard, making it one of the largest components in our trash cans. Around the holidays, the colorful wrapping paper, decorative cards, and numerous boxes people use at Christmas contribute to the problem….Read More…
Reduce holiday waste and increase holiday cheer
We love the holiday season but we’re not crazy about the waste that comes with it. During the holiday season, Americans will spend nearly $1,000 each on gifts, décor, food, etc. With all those purchases comes waste that can be avoided. Here are some ways you can cut back on waste without comprising holiday cheer. Holiday Decor Most agree, seeing beautiful decorations inside and…Read More…