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.

• Part 1 Slide Deck

Webinar Recording

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:
  • Contamination Toolkit
  • Guide to MRF Contracts
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and eco-modulation
• Part 2 Slide Deck

Webinar Recording

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.

• Part 3 Slide Deck

Webinar Recording

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.

• Part 4 Slide Deck

Webinar Recording

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.

• Part 5 Slide Deck

Webinar Recording

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.

• Part 6 Slide Deck

Webinar Recording

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.

• Part 7 Slide Deck

Webinar Recording

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.

• Download the Presentation Deck
• Access Resources

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.