The Resource Recycling Conference in Orlando 2023 was a great experience for exploring solutions, innovations, and insights into the world of resource recovery and recycling. The overarching theme that resonated throughout the conference was the pressing need for environmental education across all waste sectors to residential, commercial, manufacturing, and especially legislators. Other significant themes included EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) Legislation, AI Robotics, and data and reporting.
The education gap in recycling: unraveling the challenges
One of the most striking takeaways from the conference was the glaring need to boost education and effective marketing strategies to reach diverse audiences on topics of waste recovery and recycling. As a unique Environmental Marketing team with a solid grounding in environmental science, our team witnessed firsthand how challenging it is for marketing professionals to articulate accurate waste management concepts and how to communicate concepts effectively beyond academia. For example, a lack of scientific background in oil and plastics production, processing, and recycling lends itself to one being misled into believing that the solution to the plastic crisis is merely producing and collecting more plastic to increase recycling. However, the primary strategy should be reduction. While managing existing plastic waste is crucial, the emphasis should be on producing less plastic and replacing it with more recyclable materials like aluminum, glass, and cardboard wherever feasible, as highlighted by Dr. Anja Brandon, Associate Director of the U.S. Plastics Policy at Ocean Conservancy. This is one example of the gridlock in specific waste management conversations that need refining, framing, and public engagement. Let’s discuss other challenges in education in marketing waste and waste solutions.
Lack of Specialized Knowledge
Marketing teams often need a foundational understanding of environmental science. They need more expertise to convey accurate, balanced waste management concepts. Instead of being able to craft first-hand, well-informed messages, they find themselves passing on second-hand information, which can sometimes be distorted or misdirected.
Over-reliance on secondary sources
Marketing teams often rely on secondary sources or other team members needing direct information expertise. This dependency can sometimes result in disseminating outdated or inaccurate data, further widening the education gap.
Regulatory variability
Different regions have different regulations and standards regarding waste management and recycling. For entities operating across multiple areas, this variability can pose a challenge in crafting a consistent educational message.
While the challenges are plenty, the need for bridging the education gap in recycling is paramount. Only through informed and concerted efforts can we pave the way for better legislation, improved EPR protocol, and more engaged citizen that are given an easy path for reuse and recycling correctly.
How will the evolution of EPR legislation reshape the future of sustainable manufacturing and consumer behavior?
At the Resource Recycling Conference, EPR was a hot topic of discussion. This is unsurprising given the increasing global emphasis on sustainability and responsible production. Four U.S. states have already enacted differing legislation on EPR, highlighting the growing recognition of its importance. However, this patchwork approach can be challenging for manufacturers who operate across multiple states.
They may find themselves navigating a maze of differing regulations and standards.
The consensus at the conference was clear: there’s an urgent need for a unified approach to EPR. Predictions from industry experts suggest that a growing number of states will adopt EPR policies in the coming years to address escalating waste issues. But for EPR to be truly effective, there needs to be a single, cohesive agreement. A standardized approach across all states would streamline compliance for manufacturers and ensure that the objectives of EPR are met more efficiently.
What is EPR and what you should know about it
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach that places the responsibility for the post-consumer phase of goods on the producers of those goods. In essence, it mandates that manufacturers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, especially when it comes to disposal, recycling, or treatment. EPR can be applied to various products, from packaging and electronics to tires and batteries.
The primary objectives of EPR are to:
Minimize waste
By making producers responsible for their products even after they’ve been sold, EPR encourages the design of products that are easier to recycle or dispose of in a genuinely environmentally friendly manner.
Promote a circular economy
EPR aims to shift from a linear “produce-use-dispose” model to a more circular model where products are reused, recycled, or upcycled in a seamless system.
Reduce public costs
By shifting the responsibility of waste management from municipalities to producers, EPR can lead to significant public cost savings.
As the conversation around sustainability and waste management intensifies, EPR will continue to evolve as one tool in the toolset of solutions. The challenge now is to adopt a unified approach that serves both the environment and the industries involved.
AI in recycling: navigating the new frontier
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recycling has been revolutionizing the industry, bringing with it numerous opportunities and some initial challenges. As Jonathan Levy, Director of Government Relations at AMP Robotics, highlighted, their machines have already identified a staggering 75 billion individual objects across 50+ material categories. The AI session focusing on AI sortings, such as those by AMP Robotics and Prairie Robotics, discussed leading-edge questions about ethics, social responsibility, privacy, and capacity for implementing AI sorting. This underscores the efficiency and accuracy of AI and also brings to light the pressing need for education and awareness in this domain.
The promise of safety
One of the most significant advantages of AI-driven recycling is improving worker safety. Traditional recycling processes often involve manual sorting, exposing workers to potential hazards like needles. With AI, the human sorting component is eliminated, drastically reducing the risk of injuries and exposure to disease.
Precision and efficiency
AI systems, like those developed by AMP Robotics and Prairie Robotics, are designed for accuracy. They can identify and sort materials with a precision that’s hard to achieve manually. This efficiency translates to an improved standard and recycling processes with better waste management outcomes.
Ethical considerations
The rise of AI in recycling also brings forth ethical questions. For instance, as machines take over jobs traditionally done by humans, what happens to the workforce? While AI can handle the sorting, there’s a need for skilled personnel to manage, maintain, and train these systems. Thus, there’s a pressing need for upskilling and training programs to ensure workers can transition to these new roles.
Privacy concerns
AI systems are data-driven. As they sort through waste, they collect vast amounts of data. This raises privacy concerns. What kind of data is being collected? How is it being used? How do cameras collect data about people? Is it being stored securely? These questions need addressing to ensure that the integration of AI doesn’t come at the cost of individual privacy.
The imperative of clean recycling
While AI can sort materials with unparalleled accuracy, the quality of the sorted materials is only as good as the input. Contaminated or dirty items can compromise the efficiency of the system. This underscores the importance of educating the public about the need for clean recycling. Properly cleaned and sorted waste at the source ensures that AI systems can operate optimally.
The integration of AI in recycling is a game-changer. It promises efficiency, safety, and precision. However, with these benefits come challenges that need addressing. Through education, awareness, and proactive measures, the recycling industry can harness the full potential of AI while navigating its complexities.
Enterprises bringing closed-loop, streamlined data, e-waste recycling, and innovations for styrofoam recycling
Replenysh is pioneering closed-loop systems
Our interaction with Circularity specialist Marcela Chamorro from Replenysh was enlightening. She shared details on pilot projects focusing on closed-loop reuse and recycling systems, especially with hotel aluminum beverage containers. Replenysh’s technology and expansive network empower brands to recover and reuse their materials with complete traceability. This ensures rapid and tangible impacts in the realm of sustainable material management. Their platform is not just about recycling; it’s about creating a system where materials are continually reused, reducing the need for new raw materials and minimizing waste.
Replenysh’s impact is evident in their numbers. They have successfully collected and reused over 60 million pounds of material. Their platform also powers data capture at every step, ensuring full traceability and achieving true circularity.
Data-driven recycling with Diversys
Data reporting and tracking recycling trucks are crucial for transparency and efficiency. Customizable software like Diversys, introduced to us by Thomas Jy, offers a glimpse into the future of recycling. With his experience in the renewable energy sector, Jy brings a unique perspective.
Key features of Diversys:
End-to-end tracking
From pickup to drop-off, claims, and reporting, Diversys provides a seamless experience. Their platform replaces traditional paper processes and labor-intensive data entry with e-manifests, granting real-time access to in-field transaction activity.
Visibility for ESG and EPR reporting
Diversys offers a bird’s-eye view of waste recycling operations, ensuring data accuracy across multiple waste sources and streams. This is crucial for meeting Independent or Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements.
Digital transformation
Diversys promotes transitioning from paper and legacy technology to digital e-manifests, claims, and tracking. This digital shift eliminates operational friction for end-users, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency.
Data-driven decision-making
With Diversys, organizations can perform analytics on their recycling collection or waste diversion activities. This real-time, accurate data is pivotal for making informed business decisions.
Transparency across industries
Diversys is versatile, catering to various sectors, from commercial enterprises to government bodies. Their platform brings transparency to waste and recycling operations, regardless of the industry.
Impressive impact and reach
- Over 7,000 active participants trust Diversys.
- They track over 12 million kilograms of materials.
- They’ve monitored over $6.4 million in fees and billable claims.
Diversys is about driving change. Their Knowledge Center offers insights into pressing topics in the waste management industry:
- Harnessing Recycling Software for EPR: The rise of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs globally reshapes product designs and promotes a recycling culture. Diversys plays a pivotal role in this transformation, emphasizing the importance of accurate data tracking for sustainable outcomes.
- Responsible Textile Recovery Act: A proposed law that could revolutionize the US textile industry, emphasizing the role of data and sustainable practices in waste management.
- Understanding Environmental Debt: Exploring the unseen consequences of our actions on the environment and the solutions available.
- Lithium-ion Battery Recycling: A memo from the EPA highlights the challenges and solutions for recycling end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.
Who is Diversys For?
Diversys is designed for a broad spectrum of users, from operators and producers to private organizations, governments, PROs, and stewards. Their platform equips these entities with the tools to track, measure, and report on their waste and recycling operations, ensuring compliance and promoting sustainability.
Spotlight: E-Bridge Metal Recycling
A notable mention is the New Jersey-based waste recycling company, E-Bridge Metal Recycling. Led by the trio – Sean, Edwin, and Rick, the company promises to bring fresh ideas and solutions to the industry.
E-Bridge Metal Recycling Inc. stands at the forefront of e-waste management, embodying the motto, “Transforming E-Waste into Opportunity for a Sustainable Future.” With a seasoned team at the helm, E-Bridge offers a holistic suite of e-waste solutions, encompassing everything from digital data destruction to the physical recycling and disposal of electronic waste.
RUNI: revolutionizing recycling compaction
RUNI’s recycling compaction machines are game-changers, especially their machine designed for styrofoam. This often-landfilled material can now be repurposed for manufacturing insulation, baseboards, pipes, and other construction materials. Kudos to Ross Tuneberg and Daniel Dysager for their innovative approach.
Todd Hess: the material recycling hub
Todd Hess, owner and operator of Alternative Source Recycling, graced the conference with his presence. As a consultant for recycling programs, his insights and expertise were invaluable to attendees. His business ASR specializes in finding a recycling system for every material and sourcing material for every scenario—a great resource and business to meet many recycling needs.
Businesses at the forefront of waste innovation
The conference sessions and our team interactions show that businesses spearhead innovation and education efforts in the recycling sector. The Resource Recycling Conference 2023 was a testament to the strides being made and the journey ahead. As we move forward, the emphasis on environmental education will be the barometer by which we can measure success.