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Bridge to Circularity FAQ
Bridge to Circularity
It’s time to develop a circular economy for packaging in the U.S.
We’re launching several new initiatives to start building the Bridge to Circularity, including Recycling 2.0 – an opportunity for all stakeholders to collaborate to develop the recycling system of the future.
Filling the Gap: Unique Industry Council Aligns on First Milestone for Unlocking the Pathway to Circularity for Packaging
Falls Church, Va. (May 13, 2021) – The public is calling for more things to be recyclable but the path to cement that future remains unclear. That is why The Recycling Partnership has convened the Pathway to Circularity Industry Council (the Circularity Council) to assess what actions must take [...]
Circular Packaging- Material Coalitions
The Recycling Partnership Announces First-Ever U.S. Circular Economy Roadmap
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New “Bridge to Circularity” Report Calls for $500 Million by 2025 to Transform the U.S. Recycling System
Report Emphasizes Need for Creating New Pathways to Recyclability, Unlocking Post-Consumer Material Supply, and Crafting Bold, Transformative Policies Supported by Cut[...]
Circular Economy
New Recycling Coalition to Improve Recovery of Plastic Packaging and Enhance the Circularity of PET Packaging
Leading companies from across the value chain take action to unlock the environmental and economic benefits of PET recycling.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 8, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership is pleased to announce the launch of its PET Recycling Coalition, an initiative informed by industry knowledge[...]
Circular Economy and Circular Packaging
Industry Leaders Help Establish Groundbreaking Framework to Evolve Packaging Recyclability
The Recycling Partnership opens its Recyclability Framework for public comment
Falls Church, Va. (August 11, 2021) – The Recycling Partnership announced today that it will open its Pathway to Circularity Recyclability Framework for public comment, a first of its kind opportunity for the ent[...]
The Recycling Partnership Responds to Comments on Recyclability Framework
Widespread feedback signals importance of Framework and need for transparent, cohesive guidelines
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Dec. 14, 2021) – The Recycling Partnership today published responses to public comments on its Pathway to Circularity Recyclability Framework. A-first-of-its-kind opportunity for [...]
BLOG: Key Takeaways from Public Comments on our Pathway to Circularity Recyclability Framework and What’s Coming Next
What did we learn from the feedback we received?
As a mission-driven organization focused on both system change and partnership, there isn’t much we enjoy more than a good bit of stakeholder feedback. So, when we launched the 30-day public comment period for the Pathway to Circularity’s Rec[...]
Creating Clarity on the Pathway to Circularity
Navigating the recycling system has historically been challenging, in part because there are no widely accepted recyclability standards. Our Pathway to Circularity for Packaging, another example of collaboration to solve a complex challenge, was created to wash away the gray and bring necessary clar[...]
Recyclability Framework
Navigating the Pathway to Circularity for Product Protection
An exploration of circular solutions for foam packaging
Packaging plays a critical role in protecting products — including everything from food to household goods – from being harmed during their journey from conveyor belts to household shelves. But to reach a truly circular economy in the U[...]
Circular Packaging Assessment Tool
The Recycling Partnership’s Impact Report 2022
Pathway – Terms & Conditions
Circularity Council Members
Get Involved – Pathway to Circularity
Expediting Circularity through U.S. Plastics Pact
Plastic pollution is a global crisis. To confront this emergency in the U.S., industry leaders recognized that individual action would not be enough; transformative, systemwide change is required to establish a path toward a circular economy for plastic. Founded as a solutions-driven consortium by T[...]
Polypropylene Curbside Recycling to Improve for Millions of Americans with Seven New Grants Awarded
The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition has awarded more than $6 million in grants since inception, positively impacting nearly 18 million people nationwide
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (April 6, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership today announced its fourth round of grant funding throu[...]
Center for Sustainable Behavior & Impact to Drive Improvement in Recycling Behavior and Boost Confidence in U.S. Recycling
Six Experts Serving as Launch Advisors
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 3, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership announced today that it has launched The Center for Sustainable Behavior & Impact (“The Center”) to drive measurable improvement in residential recycling behavior and mobilize household par[...]
First Film Packaging Capture Grant Awarded by Film and Flexibles Recycling Coalition
Grant Unlocks New Material, Enables Solutions Testing, and Improves MRF Processing
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 19, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership’s Film and Flexibles Recycling Coalition (Coalition) announced its first film packaging capture grant to EFS-plastics, a North America-based recycling[...]
Press Release: The Partnership Announces First Investment in Pathway to Recyclability Initiative
Colgate-Palmolive becomes first company to fund navigation of five‑step gated recyclability process
BENTONVILLE, ARK. (Nov. 6, 2019) – The Recycling Partnership officially launched its new Pathway to Recyclability initiative to help packaging suppliers outline, address, and successfully navigate[...]
National Non-Profit Unveils Strategy to Help U.S. Recycling System Achieve its Full Potential
The ultimate fate of recycling rests in the hands of a broad set of stakeholders who must all take action to support the transition to a circular economy
FALLS CHURCH, Va., (Feb. 13, 2020) – For curbside recycling in the United States to deliver its enormous potential economic and environmental be[...]
Nashville Receives Investment to Support Increased Recycling Collection
The Recycling Partnership, American Beverage, and the Beverage Association of Tennessee invest in education for enhanced recycling collection, expected to generate millions of new pounds of recyclable material
WASHINGTON D.C. – The City of Nashville on January 11 announced the launch of enhanc[...]
Texas Recycling Facility Fifth Recipient of Aluminum Beverage Can Capture Grant Program Funded by Ardagh Metal Packaging and Crown Holdings
Grant Awarded by The Recycling Partnership in Partnership with Can Manufacturers Institute Enables Can Capture Equipment that will Result in 4 Million More Aluminum Beverage Cans Recycled Annually
WASHINGTON, DC (December 14, 2021) – A recycling facility in Kilgore, TX, received a critical upgrade[...]
Ypsilanti Township Selected for Recycling Investment Through Beverage Industry’s Every Bottle Back Initiative
Recycling upgrades made possible through partnerships spearheaded by The Recycling Partnership, America’s leading beverage companies, and the Michigan Soft Drink Association
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich., October 25, 2022 – The Recycling Partnership announced Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, has been s[...]
Ali Blandina
Two Massachusetts Communities Receive Grants to Enhance Local Recycling Programs from The Recycling Partnership and the Beverage Industry’s ‘Every Bottle Back’ Initiative
The program will provide the Town of Falmouth and City of Methuen with funding to upgrade curbside recycling cart programs
Washington, D.C. September 6, 2022 – The Recycling Partnership has selected two Massachusetts communities to receive a grant-funded investment to support the Every Bottle Back[...]
The Recycling Partnership Announces First Grants to Improve Capture of PET
PET Recycling Coalition
The Recycling Partnership Honors Atlanta Multifamily Communities for Improving Recycling
The winning communities participated in the inaugural Do You Recycle? Challenge aimed at increasing recycling access, eliminating contamination, and improving the city’s recycling system
Washington, D.C. August 4, 2022 – Three Atlanta area multifamily communities received recognition fo[...]
Sarah Dearman
Stephanie Kersten-Johnston
Unlocking System Change through PET Recycling
By: Adam Gendell, Circular Ventures Director
Plastic packaging circularity may seem like a daunting endeavor, but it’s possible. Just take an in-depth look at PET packaging, which is an example of how we can build on successes to support an effective plastic recycling system.
Polyethylene[...]
National Database Provides Real-Time Comprehensive Source for U.S. Recycling Information
Digital tools will offer individuals, companies, and government access to localized recycling program details
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (March 2, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership announced today that it has developed a National Recycling Database, offering a comprehensive source for local recycling inf[...]
About
New, Free Tool Enables U.S. Companies to Set Ambitious Packaging Strategies to Reduce Plastic Waste
Created by The Recycling Partnership and SYSTEMIQ, with support from Walmart, Plastic IQ leverages industry best practices and data so companies can build action plans and achieve circularity goals
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (May 5, 2021) – The Recycling Partnership and SYSTEMIQ today launched Plastic IQ,[...]
Seven Top Sustainability Leaders Join The Recycling Partnership’s Board of Directors
Strong industry representation critical to The Partnership’s mission in advancing a circular economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 25, 2022) – Top leaders in sustainability, industry, and the circular economy were elected to The Recycling Partnership’s Board of Directors, supporting The Partnership[...]
The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition Celebrates “Widely Recyclable” Upgrade
Coalition celebrates two years of catalytic grantmaking that has positively affected recycling access throughout the U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 28, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition is celebrating the How2Recycle upgrade of polypropylene (PP) rigid contain[...]
Overcoming Recycling Challenges through Coalitions
When a package or material does not meet the criteria for recyclability (see page 23, Pathway to Circularity), companies are encouraged to take action. Coalitions can address the recycling challenges of today and consider solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.
The Partnership currently leads thre[...]
Polypropylene Recycling Coalition
The Recycling Partnership Surpasses $240 Million in Environmental and Economic Value Creation
Since 2014 the nation’s leading recycling nonprofit has reached over 100 million households diverting 770 million incremental pounds of recyclables from landfills
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 15, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership has released its Impact Report 2022: Complex Problems Require [...]
Small Town Access Fund Launches to Support Unique Recycling Challenges in Small and Rural Communities Across the U.S.
Fund provides grants to deliver new or improved access and education for the approximately 18,000 small and rural municipalities with populations of less than 50,000
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 20, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership recently marked the official launch of the Small Town Access Fund, a[...]
New Grant Program Launched to Provide Recycling Education Assistance to Michigan Small Communities
Grantees can now send customized education materials directly to their residents to improve recycling programs at no cost to them
Small communities in Michigan have a new resource to help them educate households about how and what to recycle. The Michigan Small Community Education Grant Program, an [...]
The Recycling Partnership Releases Strategy for Improving U.S. Recycling
On America Recycles Day the nation’s leading recycling NGO issues 5-Point Plan to give Americans a better recycling system.
Washington, D.C., Nov. 15, 2022 – The Recycling Partnership, a mission-driven NGO committed to advancing a circular economy by building a better recycling system, is a[...]
Plastic IQ
Recycling Inclusion Fund Launches to Close Equity Gap within U.S. Recycling System
Fund aims to provide access, education, and career advancement opportunities to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color populations
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Feb. 24, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership recently marked the official launch of the Recycling Inclusion Fund, a unique funding stream to address[...]
Ohio EPA and The Recycling Partnership Announce Community Grants to Support Residential Recycling Programs
The program will help reduce recycling contamination and improve participation at drop-off sites throughout Ohio
Washington, D.C. August 17, 2022 – The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) and The Recycling Partnership today announced a $300,000 grant for Ohio communities to dramati[...]
A Call to Corporate Leadership – Join Together for Bold, Smart, Swift Action to Improve the US Recycling System
By Keefe Harrison
(first published on LinkedIn)
As I head into the 2020 Plastics Recycling Conference, the pressing need to protect our environment from plastic waste by activating a truly circular economy is top of mind. This is an important point in time to pivot our society’s current make-to-[...]
The Recycling Partnership’s Statement on the Consumer Brand Association-led Recycling Leadership Council Blueprint Document
“The Recycling Partnership believes that producers should play a prominent role in bringing the critically needed capital necessary to level up a struggling U.S. residential recycling system through a shared producer responsibility model.
As the Blueprint points out, we’re at a critical poin[...]
Marcquel Pickett
The Recycling Partnership Insists and Assists Companies in Upholding Sustainability Pledges
By Keefe Harrison
When the world moves through this terrible coronavirus pandemic, the economy is going to need help. That’s why The Recycling Partnership is working hard, every day, to ensure that the economy that rebounds is a circular one that serves people and the planet.
I grew up in a fami[...]
Press Release: What are We Wasting for? Changing the Way America Recycles through Partnerships, Access and Education
America Recycles Week release of free Social Media Kit v.3 and DIYSigns to empower communities to educate residents on how to recycle more, better
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Nov. 12, 2019) – Residents putting trash in the recycling costs the U.S. recycling system more than $300 million each year. While s[...]
Rachel Kipar
The Recycling Partnership is Transforming for Good
2020 Impact Report Tells Story of the National Nonprofit Catalyzing Change to Move the U.S. Toward a Circular Economy
Keefe Harrison
Dylan de Thomas
Scott Mouw
Katherine Huded
Take Action to Navigate and Advance Today’s Recycling System with Circular Packaging Assessment Tool
After more than two years of input from a variety of participants, today the Pathway to Circularity for Residential Recycling Framework (Framework) is available for brands, retailers, packaging manufacturers, MRFs, communities, policymakers and others to use through the Circular Packaging Assessment[...]
Furthering Equity in Recycling through Partnership and Practice
Recycling unlocks our potential to improve the planet and creates economic opportunity, but it only works when we can all make a difference. Here’s the thing: Depending on where you live, access to recycling is not equitable. For example, it’s more difficult to recycle if you live in a multifami[...]
DeNeile Cooper
Press Release: The Recycling Partnership Launches Polypropylene Recycling Coalition to Improve and Increase America’s Recovery of Plastic Packaging and Strengthen the Circular Economy
Leading companies from across the value chain take action to
enhance polypropylene circularity with first Request for Proposals
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (July 8, 2020) – The Recycling Partnership is pleased to announce today the launch of its Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, an industry collaboration t[...]
Addressing the Challenge of Film and Flexible Packaging Data
Film and flexible packaging is unlike other packaging when it comes to recycling. For starters, it’s not a single packaging type – the term encompasses a wide range of packaging, from polyethylene (PE) air pillows protecting e-commerce goods to heavy-duty dog food bags, to salty snack bags with [...]
New Circular Packaging Spotlight for a Few Familiar Formats
Solutions for recyclable packaging are not one-size-fits-all. From aluminum beverage cans to glass bottles, each specific packaging material and format has its own unique recycling benefits and challenges, like design features or sorting technology. But addressing complex problems in siloes won’t [...]
What the California Commission’s Recommendations to CalRecycle Could Mean for Polypropylene
By Dylan de Thomas, Vice President of External Affairs
The California Statewide Commission on Curbside Recycling and Market Development recently published a report to CalRecycle with recommendations regarding a Statewide Standardized Acceptance List of Recyclable Materials (CA Statewide Recyclable L[...]
Blog: Plastic IQ – Advancing Company Decision-Making on Plastics
By Ben Dixon, Partner, SYSTEMIQ & Keefe Harrison, CEO, The Recycling Partnership
The challenge of plastic waste is too big to ignore and too difficult to solve alone. Good work to collectively reduce the use of virgin plastic and build recycling solutions for more types of plastics is underway. [...]
On-the-ground Engagement at the Upcoming Plastic Pollution Treaty INC-1
On November 26, hundreds of stakeholders from across the globe will travel to Uruguay, to kick off the first of five sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
This marks the beginning of formal U.N. memb[...]
Press Release: The Recycling Partnership Announces First Grants to Improve Polypropylene Curbside Recycling for Millions of Americans
Polypropylene Recycling Coalition awards nearly $2 million in grants that will impact four million people nationally
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (December 8, 2020) – The Recycling Partnership today announced nearly $2 million in catalytic grants to advance polypropylene recycling in the U.S. through its Po[...]
News Release: $4.2M in Grants Awarded to Improve Polypropylene Curbside Recycling for Nearly 15 Million Americans
In less than one year, The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition awarded grants to 13 recycling facilities to increase recycling access by nearly 6%.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Aug.24, 2021) – The Recycling Partnership today announced a third round of grant funding through its Polypr[...]
PRESS RELEASE: America’s Beverage Industry and Environmental Leaders Mark First Year of Every Bottle Back Initiative
Actions underway in cities to invest nearly a half-billion dollars on modernized recycling infrastructure and consumer education that will reduce the plastic footprint of America’s beverage companies by increasing the amount of plastic bottles that are collected and remade into new ones
WASHINGTON[...]
Slide test
The Recycling Partnership Named Company of the Year by WasteDive
The following article was originally published by online industry mag WasteDive as part of their annual DIVE AWARDS series. Read the full article and other DIVE awardee briefs here.
Biggest assets:
31 funding partners that include some of the largest corporations and trade associations in the recycl[...]
Blog: Accelerate Recycling through Policy and Partnership
By Keefe Harrison, CEO
Partnership is part of our name for a reason. From the start, The Recycling Partnership has believed that public-private partnerships are critical to our mission—and to our mutual success in building a resilient and responsive recycling system. This approach is at the hear[...]
Statement on Passage of California SB 54
This statement can be attributed to Dylan de Thomas, Vice President of External Affairs, The Recycling Partnership:
“The Recycling Partnership applauds the passage of California’s SB 54, a transformational piece of legislation which will help drive circularity for California’s pack[...]
Blog: The EPA Needs to Take Action Now on Recycling
By Dylan de Thomas
Vice President of External Affairs
The Recycling Partnership
For many Americans, recycling is second nature. It’s something that we can’t imagine living without. The ethos of “waste not, want not” runs deep in our collective conscience. We feel bad when we throw something [...]
It’s Time to Come to our System Senses
I just hopped off the stage at Circularity ’22 and a few things stand out to me about this national drive to improve recycling and launch a circular economy. Clearly people are frustrated that recycling hasn’t fixed the waste problem yet. But before we jump to recycling’s failings, let’[...]
Feet on the Street Begins September 13 in Norcross
The City of Norcross and The Recycling Partnership launch citywide cart-tagging campaign to dramatically improve curbside residential recycling, part of a $15,000 grant
NORCROSS (GWINNETT COUNTY), GA (SEPTEMBER 10, 2021) – On Monday, September 13, 2021, the City of Norcross will begin checkin[...]
Press Release: The Recycling Partnership Launches Film and Flexibles Task Force
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dow, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and PepsiCo among funding partners supporting recycling solutions for growing category
FALL CHURCH, VA, September 30, 2019 – The Recycling Partnership announced today the launch of a Film and Flexibles Task Force to define, pilot and scale recyclin[...]
Trina Matta
Press Release: Talking Rain Joins The Recycling Partnership to Transform the U.S. Recycling System for Good
PRESTON, Wash. (March 6, 2020) – Talking Rain Beverage Company, the makers of Sparkling Ice, Sparkling Ice Plus Caffeine, and Talking Rain Waters, announced that it has joined The Recycling Partnership, the leading environmental non-profit improving how America recycles and catalyzing a system ch[...]
The State of Curbside Recycling in 2020
Joint Industry Statement: We Stand by Polypropylene
The following is a joint statement attributed to Steve Alexander, President, and CEO, The Association of Plastic Recyclers; Ron Gonen, CEO, Closed Loop Partners; Nina Goodrich, Executive Director, GreenBlue; And Keefe Harrison, CEO, The Recycling Partnership:
(February 28, 2020) — With the [...]
Funding Partners
Empowering People to Recycle Right
If every home in the U.S. had convenient access to recycling, more than half of recyclable material would still be lost. Why? Because most Americans are confused about what and how to recycle. No recycling system performs at a high level without winning the hearts and minds of consumers to use it pr[...]
Make 2021 the Year You Resolve to Recycle More, Better
2020 may have become the year many Americans “resolved” to stayed home, but it taught us the value of recycling as a valuable and essential public service and allowed us to confront the daily reality of how valuable recycling is to critical supply chains providing cardboard for online order ship[...]
Driving Packaging Strategies with Plastic IQ
As U.S. companies seek to reduce waste, meet sustainability goals, and stay competitive, many are committing to ambitious packaging strategies designed to end plastic waste. But not all companies have data-driven resources to define these strategies. Plastic IQ is a free, digital strategy-building t[...]
The Recycling Partnership Announces Three Grants to Improve Polypropylene Curbside Recycling for Millions of Americans
Polypropylene Recycling Coalition brings total awards to nearly $3 million in grants, impacting 7.2 million people nationally.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (March 31, 2021) – The Recycling Partnership today announced a second round of grant funding through its Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, distributing [...]
Behavior Change
Homepage
Public and Private Investment Will Significantly Improve US Residential Recycling and Catalyze a Circular Economy, says New Report
The report finds investment to improve the residential recycling system in the U.S. over the next five years would deliver significant environmental and financial benefits, including:
Save 710 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent;
Reduce the average water usage of 30 million people;
Save the equiv[...]
Industry Statement: Response to California Commission Omission of Polypropylene from CA Statewide Recyclable List Recommendation to CalRecycle
The following is a joint statement attributable to Steve Alexander, President, and CEO, The Association of Plastic Recyclers; Ron Gonen, CEO, Closed Loop Partners; and Keefe Harrison, CEO, The Recycling Partnership:
(July 1, 2021) — “The recent recommendations made by the California Statewide Co[...]
PET Recycling Grants for MRFs and Processors
The Recycling Partnership’s PET Recycling Coalition, which brings together a robust group of stakeholders to drive improvements that transform the PET recycling landscape, provides grants to materials recovery facilities (MRFs), PET reclaimers, and other entities that sort, sell, and/or reclaim PE[...]
Adam Gendell
By The Numbers Webinar: Unpacking the Data Behind Plastics Recycling
In October 2022, The Recycling Partnership kicked off By the Numbers, a new webinar series for industry stakeholders focused on current trends in the U.S. recycling system and a circular economy.
The first webinar in this series was held on October 26 and unpacked the data behind plastics recycling[...]
State of Curbside Report 2020
The 2020 State of Curbside Recycling report calls for these clear, integrated strategies:
Substantially greater support of community recycling programs with capital funding, technical assistance, and efforts to strengthen and grow local political commitment to recycling services.
New and enhanced s[...]
Press Release: U.S. Plastics Pact Launches to Ignite Change Toward Circular Economy for Plastic
60+ Brands, Retailers, Government Agencies, and NGOs Collaborate to Advance All Plastic Packaging
to become Reusable, Recyclable, or Compostable by 2025
Falls Church, Va., (August 25, 2020) – Today, the U.S. Plastics Pact, a collaborative led by The Recycling Partnership and World Wildlife Fund (W[...]
Bridge to Circularity
It’s time to develop a circular economy for packaging in the U.S.
We’re launching several new initiatives to start building the Bridge to Circularity, including Recycling 2.0 – an opportunity for all stakeholders to collaborate to develop the recycling system of the future.
Filling the Gap: Unique Industry Council Aligns on First Milestone for Unlocking the Pathway to Circularity for Packaging
Falls Church, Va. (May 13, 2021) – The public is calling for more things to be recyclable but the path to cement that future remains unclear. That is why The Recycling Partnership has convened the Pathway to Circularity Industry Council (the Circularity Council) to assess what actions must take [...]
Circular Packaging- Material Coalitions
The Recycling Partnership Announces First-Ever U.S. Circular Economy Roadmap
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New “Bridge to Circularity” Report Calls for $500 Million by 2025 to Transform the U.S. Recycling System
Report Emphasizes Need for Creating New Pathways to Recyclability, Unlocking Post-Consumer Material Supply, and Crafting Bold, Transformative Policies Supported by Cut[...]
New Recycling Coalition to Improve Recovery of Plastic Packaging and Enhance the Circularity of PET Packaging
Leading companies from across the value chain take action to unlock the environmental and economic benefits of PET recycling.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 8, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership is pleased to announce the launch of its PET Recycling Coalition, an initiative informed by industry knowledge[...]
Circular Economy and Circular Packaging
Industry Leaders Help Establish Groundbreaking Framework to Evolve Packaging Recyclability
The Recycling Partnership opens its Recyclability Framework for public comment
Falls Church, Va. (August 11, 2021) – The Recycling Partnership announced today that it will open its Pathway to Circularity Recyclability Framework for public comment, a first of its kind opportunity for the ent[...]
The Recycling Partnership Responds to Comments on Recyclability Framework
Widespread feedback signals importance of Framework and need for transparent, cohesive guidelines
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Dec. 14, 2021) – The Recycling Partnership today published responses to public comments on its Pathway to Circularity Recyclability Framework. A-first-of-its-kind opportunity for [...]
Circular Packaging Assessment Tool
Polypropylene Curbside Recycling to Improve for Millions of Americans with Seven New Grants Awarded
The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition has awarded more than $6 million in grants since inception, positively impacting nearly 18 million people nationwide
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (April 6, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership today announced its fourth round of grant funding throu[...]
Center for Sustainable Behavior & Impact to Drive Improvement in Recycling Behavior and Boost Confidence in U.S. Recycling
Six Experts Serving as Launch Advisors
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 3, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership announced today that it has launched The Center for Sustainable Behavior & Impact (“The Center”) to drive measurable improvement in residential recycling behavior and mobilize household par[...]
First Film Packaging Capture Grant Awarded by Film and Flexibles Recycling Coalition
Grant Unlocks New Material, Enables Solutions Testing, and Improves MRF Processing
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 19, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership’s Film and Flexibles Recycling Coalition (Coalition) announced its first film packaging capture grant to EFS-plastics, a North America-based recycling[...]
Press Release: The Partnership Announces First Investment in Pathway to Recyclability Initiative
Colgate-Palmolive becomes first company to fund navigation of five‑step gated recyclability process
BENTONVILLE, ARK. (Nov. 6, 2019) – The Recycling Partnership officially launched its new Pathway to Recyclability initiative to help packaging suppliers outline, address, and successfully navigate[...]
National Non-Profit Unveils Strategy to Help U.S. Recycling System Achieve its Full Potential
The ultimate fate of recycling rests in the hands of a broad set of stakeholders who must all take action to support the transition to a circular economy
FALLS CHURCH, Va., (Feb. 13, 2020) – For curbside recycling in the United States to deliver its enormous potential economic and environmental be[...]
Nashville Receives Investment to Support Increased Recycling Collection
The Recycling Partnership, American Beverage, and the Beverage Association of Tennessee invest in education for enhanced recycling collection, expected to generate millions of new pounds of recyclable material
WASHINGTON D.C. – The City of Nashville on January 11 announced the launch of enhanc[...]
Texas Recycling Facility Fifth Recipient of Aluminum Beverage Can Capture Grant Program Funded by Ardagh Metal Packaging and Crown Holdings
Grant Awarded by The Recycling Partnership in Partnership with Can Manufacturers Institute Enables Can Capture Equipment that will Result in 4 Million More Aluminum Beverage Cans Recycled Annually
WASHINGTON, DC (December 14, 2021) – A recycling facility in Kilgore, TX, received a critical upgrade[...]
Ypsilanti Township Selected for Recycling Investment Through Beverage Industry’s Every Bottle Back Initiative
Recycling upgrades made possible through partnerships spearheaded by The Recycling Partnership, America’s leading beverage companies, and the Michigan Soft Drink Association
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich., October 25, 2022 – The Recycling Partnership announced Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, has been s[...]
Two Massachusetts Communities Receive Grants to Enhance Local Recycling Programs from The Recycling Partnership and the Beverage Industry’s ‘Every Bottle Back’ Initiative
The program will provide the Town of Falmouth and City of Methuen with funding to upgrade curbside recycling cart programs
Washington, D.C. September 6, 2022 – The Recycling Partnership has selected two Massachusetts communities to receive a grant-funded investment to support the Every Bottle Back[...]
The Recycling Partnership Announces First Grants to Improve Capture of PET
PET Recycling Coalition
The Recycling Partnership Honors Atlanta Multifamily Communities for Improving Recycling
The winning communities participated in the inaugural Do You Recycle? Challenge aimed at increasing recycling access, eliminating contamination, and improving the city’s recycling system
Washington, D.C. August 4, 2022 – Three Atlanta area multifamily communities received recognition fo[...]
Unlocking System Change through PET Recycling
By: Adam Gendell, Circular Ventures Director
Plastic packaging circularity may seem like a daunting endeavor, but it’s possible. Just take an in-depth look at PET packaging, which is an example of how we can build on successes to support an effective plastic recycling system.
Polyethylene[...]
National Database Provides Real-Time Comprehensive Source for U.S. Recycling Information
Digital tools will offer individuals, companies, and government access to localized recycling program details
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (March 2, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership announced today that it has developed a National Recycling Database, offering a comprehensive source for local recycling inf[...]
New, Free Tool Enables U.S. Companies to Set Ambitious Packaging Strategies to Reduce Plastic Waste
Created by The Recycling Partnership and SYSTEMIQ, with support from Walmart, Plastic IQ leverages industry best practices and data so companies can build action plans and achieve circularity goals
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (May 5, 2021) – The Recycling Partnership and SYSTEMIQ today launched Plastic IQ,[...]
Seven Top Sustainability Leaders Join The Recycling Partnership’s Board of Directors
Strong industry representation critical to The Partnership’s mission in advancing a circular economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 25, 2022) – Top leaders in sustainability, industry, and the circular economy were elected to The Recycling Partnership’s Board of Directors, supporting The Partnership[...]
The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition Celebrates “Widely Recyclable” Upgrade
Coalition celebrates two years of catalytic grantmaking that has positively affected recycling access throughout the U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 28, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition is celebrating the How2Recycle upgrade of polypropylene (PP) rigid contain[...]
The Recycling Partnership Surpasses $240 Million in Environmental and Economic Value Creation
Since 2014 the nation’s leading recycling nonprofit has reached over 100 million households diverting 770 million incremental pounds of recyclables from landfills
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 15, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership has released its Impact Report 2022: Complex Problems Require [...]
Small Town Access Fund Launches to Support Unique Recycling Challenges in Small and Rural Communities Across the U.S.
Fund provides grants to deliver new or improved access and education for the approximately 18,000 small and rural municipalities with populations of less than 50,000
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 20, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership recently marked the official launch of the Small Town Access Fund, a[...]
New Grant Program Launched to Provide Recycling Education Assistance to Michigan Small Communities
Grantees can now send customized education materials directly to their residents to improve recycling programs at no cost to them
Small communities in Michigan have a new resource to help them educate households about how and what to recycle. The Michigan Small Community Education Grant Program, an [...]
The Recycling Partnership Releases Strategy for Improving U.S. Recycling
On America Recycles Day the nation’s leading recycling NGO issues 5-Point Plan to give Americans a better recycling system.
Washington, D.C., Nov. 15, 2022 – The Recycling Partnership, a mission-driven NGO committed to advancing a circular economy by building a better recycling system, is a[...]
Recycling Inclusion Fund Launches to Close Equity Gap within U.S. Recycling System
Fund aims to provide access, education, and career advancement opportunities to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color populations
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Feb. 24, 2022) – The Recycling Partnership recently marked the official launch of the Recycling Inclusion Fund, a unique funding stream to address[...]
Ohio EPA and The Recycling Partnership Announce Community Grants to Support Residential Recycling Programs
The program will help reduce recycling contamination and improve participation at drop-off sites throughout Ohio
Washington, D.C. August 17, 2022 – The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) and The Recycling Partnership today announced a $300,000 grant for Ohio communities to dramati[...]
A Call to Corporate Leadership – Join Together for Bold, Smart, Swift Action to Improve the US Recycling System
By Keefe Harrison
(first published on LinkedIn)
As I head into the 2020 Plastics Recycling Conference, the pressing need to protect our environment from plastic waste by activating a truly circular economy is top of mind. This is an important point in time to pivot our society’s current make-to-[...]
The Recycling Partnership’s Statement on the Consumer Brand Association-led Recycling Leadership Council Blueprint Document
“The Recycling Partnership believes that producers should play a prominent role in bringing the critically needed capital necessary to level up a struggling U.S. residential recycling system through a shared producer responsibility model.
As the Blueprint points out, we’re at a critical poin[...]
The Recycling Partnership Insists and Assists Companies in Upholding Sustainability Pledges
By Keefe Harrison
When the world moves through this terrible coronavirus pandemic, the economy is going to need help. That’s why The Recycling Partnership is working hard, every day, to ensure that the economy that rebounds is a circular one that serves people and the planet.
I grew up in a fami[...]
Press Release: What are We Wasting for? Changing the Way America Recycles through Partnerships, Access and Education
America Recycles Week release of free Social Media Kit v.3 and DIYSigns to empower communities to educate residents on how to recycle more, better
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Nov. 12, 2019) – Residents putting trash in the recycling costs the U.S. recycling system more than $300 million each year. While s[...]
The Recycling Partnership is Transforming for Good
2020 Impact Report Tells Story of the National Nonprofit Catalyzing Change to Move the U.S. Toward a Circular Economy
Take Action to Navigate and Advance Today’s Recycling System with Circular Packaging Assessment Tool
After more than two years of input from a variety of participants, today the Pathway to Circularity for Residential Recycling Framework (Framework) is available for brands, retailers, packaging manufacturers, MRFs, communities, policymakers and others to use through the Circular Packaging Assessment[...]
Press Release: The Recycling Partnership Launches Polypropylene Recycling Coalition to Improve and Increase America’s Recovery of Plastic Packaging and Strengthen the Circular Economy
Leading companies from across the value chain take action to
enhance polypropylene circularity with first Request for Proposals
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (July 8, 2020) – The Recycling Partnership is pleased to announce today the launch of its Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, an industry collaboration t[...]
What the California Commission’s Recommendations to CalRecycle Could Mean for Polypropylene
By Dylan de Thomas, Vice President of External Affairs
The California Statewide Commission on Curbside Recycling and Market Development recently published a report to CalRecycle with recommendations regarding a Statewide Standardized Acceptance List of Recyclable Materials (CA Statewide Recyclable L[...]
Blog: Plastic IQ – Advancing Company Decision-Making on Plastics
By Ben Dixon, Partner, SYSTEMIQ & Keefe Harrison, CEO, The Recycling Partnership
The challenge of plastic waste is too big to ignore and too difficult to solve alone. Good work to collectively reduce the use of virgin plastic and build recycling solutions for more types of plastics is underway. [...]
Press Release: The Recycling Partnership Announces First Grants to Improve Polypropylene Curbside Recycling for Millions of Americans
Polypropylene Recycling Coalition awards nearly $2 million in grants that will impact four million people nationally
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (December 8, 2020) – The Recycling Partnership today announced nearly $2 million in catalytic grants to advance polypropylene recycling in the U.S. through its Po[...]
News Release: $4.2M in Grants Awarded to Improve Polypropylene Curbside Recycling for Nearly 15 Million Americans
In less than one year, The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition awarded grants to 13 recycling facilities to increase recycling access by nearly 6%.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Aug.24, 2021) – The Recycling Partnership today announced a third round of grant funding through its Polypr[...]
PRESS RELEASE: America’s Beverage Industry and Environmental Leaders Mark First Year of Every Bottle Back Initiative
Actions underway in cities to invest nearly a half-billion dollars on modernized recycling infrastructure and consumer education that will reduce the plastic footprint of America’s beverage companies by increasing the amount of plastic bottles that are collected and remade into new ones
WASHINGTON[...]
The Recycling Partnership Named Company of the Year by WasteDive
The following article was originally published by online industry mag WasteDive as part of their annual DIVE AWARDS series. Read the full article and other DIVE awardee briefs here.
Biggest assets:
31 funding partners that include some of the largest corporations and trade associations in the recycl[...]
Blog: Accelerate Recycling through Policy and Partnership
By Keefe Harrison, CEO
Partnership is part of our name for a reason. From the start, The Recycling Partnership has believed that public-private partnerships are critical to our mission—and to our mutual success in building a resilient and responsive recycling system. This approach is at the hear[...]
Statement on Passage of California SB 54
This statement can be attributed to Dylan de Thomas, Vice President of External Affairs, The Recycling Partnership:
“The Recycling Partnership applauds the passage of California’s SB 54, a transformational piece of legislation which will help drive circularity for California’s pack[...]
Feet on the Street Begins September 13 in Norcross
The City of Norcross and The Recycling Partnership launch citywide cart-tagging campaign to dramatically improve curbside residential recycling, part of a $15,000 grant
NORCROSS (GWINNETT COUNTY), GA (SEPTEMBER 10, 2021) – On Monday, September 13, 2021, the City of Norcross will begin checkin[...]
Press Release: The Recycling Partnership Launches Film and Flexibles Task Force
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dow, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and PepsiCo among funding partners supporting recycling solutions for growing category
FALL CHURCH, VA, September 30, 2019 – The Recycling Partnership announced today the launch of a Film and Flexibles Task Force to define, pilot and scale recyclin[...]
Press Release: Talking Rain Joins The Recycling Partnership to Transform the U.S. Recycling System for Good
PRESTON, Wash. (March 6, 2020) – Talking Rain Beverage Company, the makers of Sparkling Ice, Sparkling Ice Plus Caffeine, and Talking Rain Waters, announced that it has joined The Recycling Partnership, the leading environmental non-profit improving how America recycles and catalyzing a system ch[...]
Joint Industry Statement: We Stand by Polypropylene
The following is a joint statement attributed to Steve Alexander, President, and CEO, The Association of Plastic Recyclers; Ron Gonen, CEO, Closed Loop Partners; Nina Goodrich, Executive Director, GreenBlue; And Keefe Harrison, CEO, The Recycling Partnership:
(February 28, 2020) — With the [...]
The Recycling Partnership Announces Three Grants to Improve Polypropylene Curbside Recycling for Millions of Americans
Polypropylene Recycling Coalition brings total awards to nearly $3 million in grants, impacting 7.2 million people nationally.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (March 31, 2021) – The Recycling Partnership today announced a second round of grant funding through its Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, distributing [...]
Public and Private Investment Will Significantly Improve US Residential Recycling and Catalyze a Circular Economy, says New Report
The report finds investment to improve the residential recycling system in the U.S. over the next five years would deliver significant environmental and financial benefits, including:
Save 710 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent;
Reduce the average water usage of 30 million people;
Save the equiv[...]
Industry Statement: Response to California Commission Omission of Polypropylene from CA Statewide Recyclable List Recommendation to CalRecycle
The following is a joint statement attributable to Steve Alexander, President, and CEO, The Association of Plastic Recyclers; Ron Gonen, CEO, Closed Loop Partners; and Keefe Harrison, CEO, The Recycling Partnership:
(July 1, 2021) — “The recent recommendations made by the California Statewide Co[...]
By The Numbers Webinar: Unpacking the Data Behind Plastics Recycling
In October 2022, The Recycling Partnership kicked off By the Numbers, a new webinar series for industry stakeholders focused on current trends in the U.S. recycling system and a circular economy.
The first webinar in this series was held on October 26 and unpacked the data behind plastics recycling[...]
State of Curbside Report 2020
The 2020 State of Curbside Recycling report calls for these clear, integrated strategies:
Substantially greater support of community recycling programs with capital funding, technical assistance, and efforts to strengthen and grow local political commitment to recycling services.
New and enhanced s[...]
Press Release: U.S. Plastics Pact Launches to Ignite Change Toward Circular Economy for Plastic
60+ Brands, Retailers, Government Agencies, and NGOs Collaborate to Advance All Plastic Packaging
to become Reusable, Recyclable, or Compostable by 2025
Falls Church, Va., (August 25, 2020) – Today, the U.S. Plastics Pact, a collaborative led by The Recycling Partnership and World Wildlife Fund (W[...]
BLOG: Key Takeaways from Public Comments on our Pathway to Circularity Recyclability Framework and What’s Coming Next
What did we learn from the feedback we received?
As a mission-driven organization focused on both system change and partnership, there isn’t much we enjoy more than a good bit of stakeholder feedback. So, when we launched the 30-day public comment period for the Pathway to Circularity’s Rec[...]
Creating Clarity on the Pathway to Circularity
Navigating the recycling system has historically been challenging, in part because there are no widely accepted recyclability standards. Our Pathway to Circularity for Packaging, another example of collaboration to solve a complex challenge, was created to wash away the gray and bring necessary clar[...]
Navigating the Pathway to Circularity for Product Protection
An exploration of circular solutions for foam packaging
Packaging plays a critical role in protecting products — including everything from food to household goods – from being harmed during their journey from conveyor belts to household shelves. But to reach a truly circular economy in the U[...]
Expediting Circularity through U.S. Plastics Pact
Plastic pollution is a global crisis. To confront this emergency in the U.S., industry leaders recognized that individual action would not be enough; transformative, systemwide change is required to establish a path toward a circular economy for plastic. Founded as a solutions-driven consortium by T[...]
Overcoming Recycling Challenges through Coalitions
When a package or material does not meet the criteria for recyclability (see page 23, Pathway to Circularity), companies are encouraged to take action. Coalitions can address the recycling challenges of today and consider solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.
The Partnership currently leads thre[...]
The Recycling Partnership Insists and Assists Companies in Upholding Sustainability Pledges
By Keefe Harrison
When the world moves through this terrible coronavirus pandemic, the economy is going to need help. That’s why The Recycling Partnership is working hard, every day, to ensure that the economy that rebounds is a circular one that serves people and the planet.
I grew up in a fami[...]
Take Action to Navigate and Advance Today’s Recycling System with Circular Packaging Assessment Tool
After more than two years of input from a variety of participants, today the Pathway to Circularity for Residential Recycling Framework (Framework) is available for brands, retailers, packaging manufacturers, MRFs, communities, policymakers and others to use through the Circular Packaging Assessment[...]
Furthering Equity in Recycling through Partnership and Practice
Recycling unlocks our potential to improve the planet and creates economic opportunity, but it only works when we can all make a difference. Here’s the thing: Depending on where you live, access to recycling is not equitable. For example, it’s more difficult to recycle if you live in a multifami[...]
Addressing the Challenge of Film and Flexible Packaging Data
Film and flexible packaging is unlike other packaging when it comes to recycling. For starters, it’s not a single packaging type – the term encompasses a wide range of packaging, from polyethylene (PE) air pillows protecting e-commerce goods to heavy-duty dog food bags, to salty snack bags with [...]
Blog: The EPA Needs to Take Action Now on Recycling
By Dylan de Thomas
Vice President of External Affairs
The Recycling Partnership
For many Americans, recycling is second nature. It’s something that we can’t imagine living without. The ethos of “waste not, want not” runs deep in our collective conscience. We feel bad when we throw something [...]
It’s Time to Come to our System Senses
I just hopped off the stage at Circularity ’22 and a few things stand out to me about this national drive to improve recycling and launch a circular economy. Clearly people are frustrated that recycling hasn’t fixed the waste problem yet. But before we jump to recycling’s failings, let’[...]
Empowering People to Recycle Right
If every home in the U.S. had convenient access to recycling, more than half of recyclable material would still be lost. Why? Because most Americans are confused about what and how to recycle. No recycling system performs at a high level without winning the hearts and minds of consumers to use it pr[...]
Make 2021 the Year You Resolve to Recycle More, Better
2020 may have become the year many Americans “resolved” to stayed home, but it taught us the value of recycling as a valuable and essential public service and allowed us to confront the daily reality of how valuable recycling is to critical supply chains providing cardboard for online order ship[...]
Driving Packaging Strategies with Plastic IQ
As U.S. companies seek to reduce waste, meet sustainability goals, and stay competitive, many are committing to ambitious packaging strategies designed to end plastic waste. But not all companies have data-driven resources to define these strategies. Plastic IQ is a free, digital strategy-building t[...]