Recycling In America
What’s Working, What’s Not, and What We Do About It.
Your go-to learning series for the tools, insights, and collaborations needed to solve the toughest challenges in the U.S. recycling system. Explore past sessions, access recordings and resources, and join us for upcoming events designed to help you drive meaningful recycling outcomes in your community or organization.
Find us at these upcoming events:
Webinars
Recycling in America’s free, online webinars deliver fresh research, powerful tools, real-world case studies, and best practices straight from the front lines of system change. Every session features leading voices from across the recycling ecosystem — all sharing what’s working, what’s next, and how you can drive impact where you live and work.
From behavior change to infrastructure upgrades to policy shifts, these webinars give you the practical know-how to accelerate solutions and stay ahead of industry momentum.
Check Out Our Recent Webinar
PET Packaging: Solving for an Out-of-Sync System
More than 25% of U.S. PET capacity is already shut down, while imports continue to rise. At the same time, new EPR policies are expected to push roughly 20% more recycled PET into a system that’s shrinking instead of growing. Leaders from across the value chain discussed what’s at stake—and the actions needed now to stabilize and strengthen the U.S. PET system.
Keep scrolling to access more information from this webinar!
Previous Webinar Sessions
Part 1 - Community Recycling Programs: How can we take recycling from surviving to thriving?
What is going on with America’s community recycling programs? Is recycling real? Let’s talk about it. Join us for a discussion on what recyclables are really collected and how communities can get people educated and engaged.
Webinar Recording
Part 2 - MRFs: Unpacking the mystery of recycling’s magical “black boxes”
When our recyclables get picked up, where do they go? What happens to them? Let’s talk about it. Join us for a discussion on why some recyclables are difficult to sort and what technologies and best practices are changing the game.
- See Recycling In Action – During the month of May, tour a local MRF to see how recyclables are sorted and processed.
- Resources:
- Part 2 Slide Deck
Webinar Recording
Part 3 - End Markets: If recyclables have nowhere to go, are they really recyclables?
Recycling is all about turning old stuff into new stuff. For that, end markets are essential. What’s the state of end markets today? How do impending tariffs, EPR policies, and wavering corporate commitments affect the future of end markets? Let’s talk about it. Join us for a discussion on end markets and their future.
Webinar Recording
Part 4 - Recycling by Design: Exploring definitions, policies, and the road ahead
What is the definition of recyclability today? How is policy going to change it? Let’s talk about it. Join us for a discussion on designing for recyclability – why it’s challenging but necessary, and how we can continue to improve.
Webinar Recording
Part 5 - Policy: Shaping the future of recycling
Why is policy passing today? What makes for a good recycling policy? Let’s talk about it. Join us for a discussion on the role of policy in building a better recycling system and what we can learn from those who passed policy decades ago.
Webinar Recording
Polypropylene: Building a better system for materials
Let’s talk about polypropylene, the material behind everyday items like yogurt cups and butter tubs. We’ll explore what’s still standing in the way across all five system requirements, including participation and capture, and how behavior change through effective education and outreach can lead to increases in both. Together, we’ll unpack the challenges and build on the wins to move this critical material.
To learn more about The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, click here.
Webinar Recording
Film & Flexible Packaging: Building the Roadmap
Let’s talk film & flexible packaging (FFP) – one of the most challenging materials in the recycling system. FFP makes up 34% of the U.S. plastic packaging market, yet its path to recyclability remains complex. Through The Recycling Partnership’s CalFFlex initiative and peer efforts, leaders across the industry are working together to build a roadmap that can transform the future of FFP recovery. We’ll explore the challenges with this material, and hear from recycling leaders on the current system reality, why EPR policy is driving the urgency for FFP solutions, and how industry organizations are working together to pave the way to move this material forward.
To learn more about The Recycling Partnership’s Film & Flexibles Recycling Coalition, click here.
Webinar Recording
PET Packaging: Solving for an Out-of-Sync System
Let’s talk PET – As of January 2026, more than 25% of U.S. recycled PET capacity is already shut down as imports now supply roughly 25% of the market. Shuttered because domestic demand is too weak. At the same time, new EPR laws are expected to push roughly 20% more recycled PET into a system that is shrinking instead of scaling. If domestic demand isn’t addressed, the outcome for the U.S. PET system is clear. More imports, less economic viability at home, and policies missing the mark they were designed to hit. This webinar is a reality check, delivered directly from recycling leaders in the trenches of this situation.
- Interested in understanding how you can make a difference in addressing this industry challenge? Learn more about the PET Coalition and its work to improve recycling, support demand, and ensure a sustainable future for this valuable material. Contact us to get involved today.
- Webinar Slide Deck
Webinar Recording
In-Person and Virtual Workshops
Recycling in America’s workshops immerse you in the tools, insights, and hands-on strategies that drive real change on the ground. You’ll learn about new resources, funding opportunities, and state-specific implementation approaches — all delivered by experts who are actively shaping recycling systems across the country.
Each workshop goes beyond theory, giving you practical experience with The Recycling Partnership’s Recipe for Change: clear, consistent communication; proven engagement tactics; data-driven targeting; and infrastructure support that makes it easier to strengthen recycling performance in your region.
Coming Up:
Behavior Change Strategies for Washington – In Person
Join us Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Tacoma, WA for Recycling in America: Behavior Change Strategies for Washington, an in-person workshop designed for recycling program managers and local governments across the state. We’ll focus on practical, field-tested strategies to drive lasting behavior change in your community, plus a special emphasis on Washington’s newly passed EPR policy and how it can help optimize local recycling programs. Special thanks to our partners at Niagara for their support!
Unpacking the Packaging Challenge in California – Virtual Webinar
Join us Thursday, March 19, 2026 to explore California’s materials collection challenge through a behavior change lens. We’ll share what the data is telling us about resident recycling behavior and highlight practical strategies communities can use now to improve participation and capture. This webinar is designed to spark new thinking, build a shared understanding of the challenge ahead, and set the stage for deeper, hands-on learning at our in-person California workshop this June. Special thanks to our partners at Ferrara for their support!
Previous Workshops
Palo Alto, California - Unlocking Recycling’s Potential: A Workshop on Behavior Change
The Recycling Partnership’s Center for Sustainable Behavior & Impact hosted “Unlocking Recycling’s Potential: A Workshop on Behavior Change,” an engaging event dedicated to recycling program managers. We focused on imparting evidence-based best practices that are crucial for supporting and motivating residents to recycle correctly. Through our collaboration with Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment (BE. Center), we integrated a comprehensive toolkit designed for environmental practitioners. This event featured the innovative approach of Behavior-Centered Design, which merges behavior science with design thinking principles, providing participants with a dynamic and effective strategy for fostering sustainable recycling behaviors.
This introduction to behavioral insight, with a strong emphasis on equity, equipped attendees with the knowledge and tools to drive sustainable change in local recycling programs. Participants left with an enhanced understanding of program design and implementation, enabling them to address the barriers and core motivations specific to their community.
Grand Prairie, Texas - Driving Recycling Behavior Change
The Recycling Partnership hosted a one-day workshop – Driving Recycling Behavior Change: A Texas Workshop in Grand Prairie, TX. This engaging event was dedicated to recycling program managers, non-profits and recycling partners in Texas. We focused on sharing key learnings from our foundational research. Together, we explored how to build confidence in the recycling system, better target and engage audiences, and account for in-home dynamics and the flow of materials. Each of these elements is crucial to supporting and motivating residents to recycle correctly.
This event featured The Recycling Partnership’s Recipe for Change, which merges behavior science modeling with design thinking principles, providing participants with a dynamic and effective strategy for fostering sustainable recycling behaviors.
This introduction to behavioral insight, with multiple community case study examples, equipped attendees with the knowledge and tools to drive sustainable change in their own local recycling programs. Participants left with an enhanced understanding of program design and implementation, enabling them to address the barriers and core motivations specific to their community.
Portland, Oregon - Behavior Change Strategies
Recycling in America: Behavior Change Strategies for Oregon
The Recycling Partnership convened recycling program managers, nonprofits, and recycling partners from across Oregon for a one-day Recycling in America workshop, held as part of the Association of Oregon Recyclers’ (AOR) Fall Forum. The workshop centered on translating foundational research into practical, on-the-ground strategies to increase recycling participation and reduce contamination.
Together, participants explored how to build confidence in the recycling system, more effectively engage audiences, and account for in-home behaviors and material flow—critical factors in helping residents recycle.
The event featured The Recycling Partnership’s Recipe for Change, which combines behavior science modeling with design-thinking principles to help communities design recycling programs that work in the real world.
Through behavioral insights, interactive activities, and community case studies, attendees gained actionable tools to strengthen program design, overcome barriers, and address the unique motivations within their communities.
Thank you to our funder, Niagara Cares, and our partners at the Association of Oregon Recyclers (AOR) for their collaboration and support.