Latest

A collection of our most recent news, research and upcoming events.

Amanda Moore Amanda Moore

Solid Waste Belongs in Your Sustainability Plan

Solid waste is often overlooked in sustainability planning, despite being a major opportunity for emissions reduction and measurable impact. This article highlights how RRS helps communities integrate solid waste expertise early in planning to develop practical, fundable strategies that improve diversion, align with climate goals, and drive long-term sustainability outcomes.

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Brian Sargeant Brian Sargeant

FREE Webinar - Beyond Recycling: EPR Meets Reuse

As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging expands across the United States, attention is shifting beyond recycling to explore how reuse systems can be integrated into circular economy strategies. This webinar brings together U.S. and international perspectives to examine reuse in EPR policy, including opportunities, infrastructure needs, and challenges for scaling reusable packaging systems.

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Amanda Moore Amanda Moore

Watch “From Planning to Action” SWIFR Webinar

Learn how states and communities are moving from planning to implementation using SWIFR funding. Featuring leaders from Alabama, Washington State, and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, the session explored real-world approaches to building infrastructure, launching programs, and improving system performance while navigating challenges like capacity limitations and federal requirements. Designed for communities, states, and tribes, the discussion offered practical insights on execution, including working with grant officers, developing QAPPs, and addressing provisions such as Build America, Buy America.

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Amanda Moore Amanda Moore

SWIFR Grants in Action

EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants are helping states and communities modernize recycling and materials management systems. Explore how SWIFR-funded projects are advancing circular economy strategies across the U.S., from statewide solid waste plans to recycling system optimization

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Ty Bowden Ty Bowden

Polystyrene Recycling Study

The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA), in partnership with Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), released a comprehensive study mapping polystyrene recycling infrastructure across the U.S. and Canada, identifying 126 companies and 169 facilities actively recovering material.

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Amanda Moore Amanda Moore

Connecting the Materials Management Community

RRS hosted an evening social at the 2026 Resource Recycling Conference, bringing together leaders across recycling and materials management for conversation, collaboration, and connection.

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Ty Bowden Ty Bowden

Inside Textile Circularity: What EPR, Secondhand Markets, and RRS's Marisa Adler Say About the Future of Fashion Waste

Change Cycle Podcast host Christine Yeager and RRS Senior Consultant Marisa Adler explore why textile waste continues to overwhelm landfills — and what EPR policy reform, smarter trade practices, and cross-sector collaboration can do to fix it. This expert conversation is a must-listen for sustainability professionals, policymakers, and brands looking to build credible, scalable recycling and reuse programs for textiles.

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Ty Bowden Ty Bowden

Recyclers Are Facing Unprecedented Changes

The interior of a modern MRF facility with conveyor belts carrying mixed recyclables, bright overhead lighting illuminating the sorting floor, and industrial equipment in the background.

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Ty Bowden Ty Bowden

SWIFR Grants Help Local Governments Build Sustainable Organics Recycling Programs

The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program is empowering local governments across North Texas to establish and expand cost-effective organics collection and food waste recycling programs. Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) developed a free suite of procurement guides, contract templates, and ordinance resources to help communities build stronger, more sustainable solid waste infrastructure.

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Amanda Moore Amanda Moore

Why Sector Leadership Matters

Learn why sector leadership and collaboration are critical to advancing building materials reuse, featuring Jackie Kirouac-Fram’s election to the Build Reuse Board.

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Ty Bowden Ty Bowden

WastelessCOS: How Colorado Springs Is Building a Roadmap for Sustainable Waste Diversion

The City of Colorado Springs has launched the WastelessCOS Waste Diversion Study and Action Plan, setting an ambitious goal of achieving a 37% community-wide waste diversion rate by 2045. With technical support from Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) and funding from the Colorado Circular Communities program, the plan outlines concrete strategies across five key areas to help Colorado Springs build a cleaner, more sustainable future.

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Ty Bowden Ty Bowden

California's SB 707 Explained: What Textile Producers Need to Know About EPR Compliance

California's Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707) is reshaping how apparel and textile producers manage end-of-life products, with key registration deadlines approaching in 2026 and full program enforcement beginning in 2030. Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) is already helping shape the program through its work with the Textile Renewal Alliance, making now the critical time for producers to understand their obligations and prepare for compliance.

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Amanda Moore Amanda Moore

Watch “From Planning to Practice” Webinar

Learn how Michigan’s Part 115 MMPs gain structure and enforceability in this webinar featuring legal expertise from Robert Charles Davis and a practical Q&A with RRS Director of Client Services, Anna Lynott.

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Ty Bowden Ty Bowden

New York's Recycling Gap: Key Findings from the CSMM and RRS Statewide Recycling Assessment

A sweeping new statewide recycling needs assessment conducted by the Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM) and Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) reveals major gaps in New York's recycling access, education funding, and material recovery rates. The Phase 2 findings offer local and state leaders a data-driven roadmap to strengthen recycling infrastructure and advance New York's circular economy goals.

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Ty Bowden Ty Bowden

Flexible Film Recycling and California's EPR Law: Why End Markets Will Make or Break the System

California's SB 54 packaging EPR law is pushing brands, recyclers, and industry leaders — including Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) through the U.S. Flexible Film Initiative — to urgently build viable end markets and redesign flexible packaging for real-world recyclability. Without stable buyer demand and simplified packaging structures, experts warn that even the best collection systems will fall short of California's ambitious 2032 recycling targets.

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Amanda Moore Amanda Moore

New York Needs Assessment

CSMM, with support from RRS, released Current Recycling Systems in NYS, a statewide report detailing recycling access, costs, and performance while identifying opportunities to improve equity and strengthen climate outcomes.

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Amanda Moore Amanda Moore

FREE Webinar: From Planning to Practice

Explore the legal foundations of Michigan’s Part 115 MMPs in this RRS webinar featuring expert insights and a live Q&A with attorney Robert Charles Davis and RRS Director of Client Services Anna Lynott.

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Amanda Moore Amanda Moore

Optimizing MRF Operations Nationwide

Closed Loop Partners, with support from RRS, released a best practices guide to help U.S. MRFs optimize recycling operations and prepare for expanding EPR programs.

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Amanda Moore Amanda Moore

Renewed Strategy for Poly Coated Paper Alliance

The Poly Coated Paper Alliance (PCPA) — managed by RRS — has launched a renewed national strategy to make poly-coated paper products like cups and ice cream tubs a routine part of curbside recycling.

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