Monthly news & updates
December 2021
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Recycling Authority of the Southeast |
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SERDC works to unite industry, government, and non-government organizations to promote sustainable recycling in the Southeast (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, and VA) |
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Upcoming Webinars
Wednesday, January 5 at 1 pm ET
Thursday, January 6 at 12:30 pm ET
Wednesday January 12 at 12:00 pm ET
Tuesday January 18 at 1:00 pm ET
Wednesday, January 19 at 3 pm ET
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Annual Meeting Highlights Recycling Successes, Initiatives and National Strategy |
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This year's two-day meeting focused on the actions, innovations and advancements that are taking place today so that tomorrow's recycling market is strong. Keynotes on Tuesday, November 30 were from NC DEQ Secretary, Elizabeth Biser on Strengthening Recycling's Role and from Deputy Administrator of Land and Emergency Management for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Carlton Waterhouse on the EPA's National Strategy for Recycling. President of ISRI, Robin Weiner gave the keynote on Wednesday, December 1 on recycling news at the federal level, current market conditions and the factors driving demand.
In addition, SERDC gave an update about the work done this year and what's planned for 2022. During Wednesday's Member meeting, the proposed 2022 Board of Directors was elected. A warm welcome goes out to Jasmeet Kaur, Senior Sustainability Manager in North America Operating Unit of The Coca-Cola Company; Billy Jefcoat, Director of Procurement for KW Plastics and Jes Still, Senior National Accounts Manager at WestRock.
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Recycling Day at the SC Statehouse Feb. 9 |
Recycling day at the legislature is an opportunity to meet with South Carolina law makers. Businesses, industry players, non-profits, and individuals interested in getting to know their representatives and ensuring a healthy recycling industry in South Carolina are encouraged to attend and sponsor. Sponsoring Recycling Day at the Legislature is a fantastic way to show support and get your name in front of key decision makers.
An instructional webinar will be provided for registrants to help get the most out of legislative day and meeting with legislators. Join us on January 5th, 2022 at 1pm for the SC Recycling Day How-To Participate Webinar. Learn details of the event, tools you need to invite your representatives to the reception, and the best approach to discuss recycling with your representatives in person. All Recycling Day registrants will receive a webinar invitation.
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SWEEP Seeks Southeast Pilot Programs |
Rob Watson of SWEEP recently presented an informative session Tuesday morning during the SERDC Annual Meeting. As the standard takes shape, 4-5 more pilot locations are being sought to get more representation from the southern and mid-western parts of the United States.
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Paper Mills & End Markets Sign Commitment to Increase Paper Cup Recycling |
A group of prominent paper mills and end markets across North America signed a declaration of acceptance and a commitment to increasing recycling of paper cups, including Essity, GP PRO, Graphic Packaging International, Great Lakes Tissue Company, ND Paper, Pratt Industries, Sustana Fiber and WestRock. Both Pratt Industries and WestRock are SERDC Sponsor Members.
Organizations representing 75% of mixed paper demand (by quantity consumed) in the U.S. and Canada are accepting paper cups. Seven companies with 25 paper mills actively accept residential mixed paper bales (ISRI grade 54) with paper cups included, while three companies with five facilities currently accept paper cups when included with aseptic and gable top cartons in carton bales (ISRI grade 52).
Paper cups have a coating on the inside (for hot drink cups) or on both sides (for cold drink cups) that provides a liquid barrier to the fiber. Although the coating has long been seen as a reason not to recycle paper cups, several companies have conducted tests and determined that the coating does not present an obstacle to recycling the cups in their facilities. The mills use pulping systems that separate the coatings from the fiber, recovering the fiber with a 70% to 90% yield.
Not all mills are readily equipped to separate the plastic coating found on paper cups. Communities and MRFs are encouraged to connect directly with their end markets and local mills to check if they will accept bales containing paper cups.
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Switching your recycling program from bags to carts? SERDC can help
SERDC has grant funds made possible by the Coca-Cola Foundation to help offset recycling infrastructure costs. Matching funds are required. Read More
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2022 NC DEACS Recycling Business Development and Glass Equipment Grants
Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021 for viable, well-planned and effective proposals from recycling businesses in North Carolina wanting to start up or expand recovery efforts.
The Glass Equipment and Infrastructure Grant. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022 for organizations seeking to purchase glass recycling equipment at single stream material recovery facilities (MRFs) or equipment for community drop-off glass collection.
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2022 NC DEACS Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grants
Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant (CWRAR) Program. This recurring annual grant program provides funding to public recycling programs for projects that help communities build lasting capacity to divert materials from the waste stream and / or increase public awareness of recycling. This grant cycle is timed to correspond with local government budget cycles. Applications are due by 5:00 pm on Thursday, February 17, 2022.
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LDPE recycling firm Circulus plans ambitious rollout |
Posted December 15, 2021 on resource-recycling.com/plastics
A film recycling company that recently opened its first facility in California aims to launch two additional plants in the U.S. next year, with more on the way in the future. The company wants to help build up film collection infrastructure in the U.S. The second plant is located in Alabama and will come on-line in the fourth quarter of 2022 Read More
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P&G and Herbal Essences' PET Bottles Move to 50% Chemically Recycled PCR
Herbal Essences will be the first P&G brand to use Eastman Renew molecular-recycled plastic
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Posted December 7, 2021 on packworld.com
Five Herbal Essences bio:renew sulfate-free collections, including the Aloe Vera lineup, were recently upgraded to Eastman Renew materials. These will be followed by two new collections coming to market in January 2022. These new packages will also include standardized How2Recycle® labels to clarify recycling instructions and encourage recycling behavior, even in the bathroom. Read More
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REMADE Announces $33 Million in New Technology Research to Accelerate the U.S.’s Transition to a Circular Economy |
Posted December 9, 2021 on wasteadvantagemag.com
This latest round of investment, the Institute’s fifth, is cost-shared between DOE’s investment in REMADE and the funding recipients. REMADE Chief Technology Officer Magdi Azer said the Institute’s research seeks to increase circularity for four energy-intensive material classes: metals, plastics/polymers, fibers, and electronic waste. Read More
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AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchase to SERDC.
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