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.
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.
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.
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
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.
RRS hosted an evening social at the 2026 Resource Recycling Conference, bringing together leaders across recycling and materials management for conversation, collaboration, and connection.
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.
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.
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.
Learn why sector leadership and collaboration are critical to advancing building materials reuse, featuring Jackie Kirouac-Fram’s election to the Build Reuse Board.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Poly Coated Paper Alliance (PCPA), managed by Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), is rolling out a comprehensive national plan to close data gaps, grow end markets, and align poly coated paper recovery with expanding extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs across the U.S. From design for recyclability guidance to consumer education toolkits, the alliance is working to make products like paper cups and ice cream tubs a standard part of curbside recycling by 2028.
Closed Loop Partners, American Beverage, and Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) have joined forces to publish a comprehensive MRF Best Practices Guide designed to help recycling facilities optimize operations and meet growing EPR compliance demands. The guide offers actionable tools and downloadable templates to help MRF operators across the U.S. improve material recovery, reduce contamination, and build more resilient recycling infrastructure.
Michigan's NextCycle program, facilitated by Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), is accelerating circular economy solutions across the state by connecting innovators, municipalities, and investors to close recycling infrastructure gaps and build a more sustainable materials management system. From EV battery recovery to food waste composting, the program's 2025 cohort showcases how circular design and producer responsibility are reshaping Michigan's economic and environmental future.
RRS announces its next chapter as Resa Dimino and Catherine Goodall are to become co-CEOs in 2026, continuing the company’s legacy of collaboration and innovation. Co-founder and current CEO Jim Frey will step into a strategic advisor role working with clients and business development strategy.
RRS partnered with Public Thread to transform retired conference banners into functional, upcycled swag. This project reflects our commitment to real-world circularity and highlights the power of reuse, local collaboration, and creative material recovery.
Colorado Springs is expanding recycling access with support from the state’s producer responsibility law and a waste study led by RRS and Colorado Circular Communities, revealing only 17% of recyclables are currently diverted.
A report from Suppliers Partnership for the Environment, developed with RRS and Fisher Packaging, offers strategies and a playbook to improve recycling of automotive plastic packaging and advance a circular economy.
Two RRS consultants, Isabelle Borkowski and Keira Higgins, have been named to Recycling Today and ReMA’s 2025 30 Under 30 awards, recognizing young leaders shaping the future of recycling and the circular economy.
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.