MassRecycle Podcast: Recent Episodes
MassRecycle
The MassRecycle Podcast is hosted by Gretchen Carey, MR President (New England Recycling and Organics Coordinator for Republic Services) and Waneta Trabert, MR Vice President (Director of the Sustainable Materials Management Division, City of Newton). Waneta and Gretchen discuss hot topics in recycling, reuse, and organics diversion, as well as interviewing people who are doing great and noteworthy things in the field of sustainability in Massachusetts.
MassRecycle is always looking for great topics for our podcasts! If you have a great idea, send it along to Admin@MassRecycle.org!
When a key state grant vanished, one Cape Cod town’s marine debris recycling program nearly sank. Mike Cicale, foreman of the Wellfleet transfer station and former MassRecycle Board member, joins Gretchen and Waneta to share how the town responded, navigating messy reimbursement rules, vendor mix‑ups, transportation snags, and the steep learning curve of grant management to keep the project afloat.With help from neighboring towns, Wellfleet turned informal regional partnerships into real power. They repurposed existing equipment, found revenue in scrap metal, and kept old oyster nets, lobster traps, and other debris out of the water.It’s a story of creativity, collaboration, and keeping a good idea going when the funding dries up.Thank you to Reworld for sponsoring this episode.The post Episode 60: When the Funding Dries Up first appeared on MassRecycle.
The Boston University “Goodwill, Not Landfill” team faced a recurring challenge after student move‑out: thousands of pounds of good-quality bedding left behind that Goodwill couldn’t accept due to sanitary concerns. In response, Maria Gorret Nampiima, a graduate student in the BU School of Theology’s Faith and Ecological Justice program, with support from BU Zero Waste Manager Sarah Healey and a cross-campus team of invested faculty and staff, launched a volunteer-powered effort to launder, sterilize, and redistribute the bedding directly to local people who needed it most.In this episode, Maria and Sarah join Gretchen and Waneta to share how the project began, how it’s expanding, and how the intersection of sustainability and social justice provides the foundation for its success.Thank you to Reworld for sponsoring this episode.The post Episode 59: When Sustainability Meets Social Justice first appeared on MassRecycle.
Do you suffer from “Extreme Litter Awareness”? Neil Rhein does, and he has turned that constant noticing into a statewide mission. As the founder and executive director of Keep Massachusetts Beautiful (KMB), Neil joins Gretchen and Waneta to talk about the litter he cannot help but see in public spaces across the Commonwealth and how KMB is working to address it. Through town‑wide cleanups and youth education programs, KMB is inspiring the kind of behavior change that builds lifelong environmental stewardship.Community action is powerful, but it cannot stand alone. Neil explains why legislative support and partnership between volunteers and local governments are essential to keeping Massachusetts litter‑free without putting extra strain on municipal budgets. He also highlights Senate Resolve 2390, now before the Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means Committee, which would create a statewide Litter Prevention and Cleanup Task Force. Neil shares what this initiative could accomplish and how listeners can help move it forward before the legislative session ends on July 31.Thank you to Reworld for sponsoring this episode.The post Episode 58: Litter, Legislation, and the Path to a Cleaner Commonwealth first appeared on MassRecycle.
Want a bird’s‑eye view of how far recycling has come in the last 30 years, and where it’s headed next? In this episode, Gretchen and Waneta chat with Brian Taylor, senior editor at Recycling Today Media Group. Brian shares how recycling trends have changed since he entered the industry in 1997 and how Recycling Today has grown and diversified its offerings in response.There’s plenty of good news: more types of materials are being pulled from the waste stream and put back to work, from metals to organics and beyond. But the challenges are real, too. Misinformation still clouds public understanding, and policy change continues to lag behind what’s possible.Brian, Gretchen, and Waneta discuss topics such as hurdles in plastics recycling, the growing push for extended producer responsibility, and ultimately why the sustainable materials management sector remains one of the most dynamic, innovative, and future‑focused fields to work in.Thank you to Reworld for sponsoring this episode.The post Episode 57: The Changing Face of Recycling: Insights from Recycling Today’s Brian Taylor first appeared on MassRecycle.
Source: Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District
In this episode, Gretchen and Waneta talk with Anthony Novelli, executive director of the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District, about what it takes to operate a modern landfill. From the initial design, to the construction of the liner, to the choices of materials used for daily and intermediate cover, each decision has to ensure that waste is contained, contamination of groundwater is eliminated, and methane gas is controlled – all while efficiently handling the tons of waste delivered each day. Learn how the Crapo Hill landfill meets those challenges and adapts to novel situations to ensure its longevity and serve its community.Thank you to Reworld for sponsoring this episode.The post Episode 56: Don’t Call It a Dump!: Inside a Modern Landfill first appeared on MassRecycle.
What if spaces were intentionally designed to optimize waste diversion and zero waste practices? In this episode, Gretchen and Waneta talk with Cory Page, landscape designer and alum of the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD). As a student at GSD, Cory noticed that the setup of the waste and recycling system in the main school building was inadequate. Materials such as foam board and aerosol cans, common in the design studios, were not disposed of properly. The placement of trash and recycling bins throughout the building was inefficient. Cory launched a student-led initiative, the GSD Zero Waste Project, to address the issues. Learn how Cory used input from students, educators, and custodial staff, combined with solid design principles, to transform the system into one that effectively handles 15 different waste streams and promotes reuse, recycling, and community stewardship of materials.
Thank you to Reworld and The Association of Plastic Recyclers for sponsoring this episode.
The post Episode 55: Designing for Zero Waste: How Space Shapes Behavior first appeared on MassRecycle.
Few recyclable materials generate as much skepticism as plastics. In this episode, Gretchen and Waneta welcome Steve Alexander, president and CEO of the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR), to paint a clear picture of the current state of plastics recycling. The US recycles 5-7 million pounds of plastic annually, but where does that plastic come from, and what happens to it after it’s recycled? Steve addresses issues such as confusion about what plastics can be recycled, why virgin plastic and imported recycled materials undermine domestic recycled plastic, how designing plastic products for recyclability helps support the circular economy, and much, much more.Thank you to Reworld and Cell Phones for Soldiers for sponsoring this episode.The post Episode 54: The State of Plastics Recycling first appeared on MassRecycle.
Shoes are not just an item of clothing; they are our main form of transportation. In this episode, Gretchen and Waneta welcome Dr. Yuly Fuentes, Project Manager for Fiber Technologies at MIT and Program Director of the MIT Climate Project, to talk about shoes and sustainability. Did you know that over 23 billion pairs of shoes are produced annually across the globe? Or that Massachusetts has long been a nexus for the global shoe industry? Dr. Fuentes takes us through her work addressing the sustainability issues caused by shoe manufacture and disposal. Her initiatives include The Footwear Collective, a group of leading footwear brands that collaborates to develop circular solutions for the footwear industry, and DESCIENCE, a collaboration between fashion designers and scientists. Listen to learn more about how Dr. Fuentes is working to reduce the environmental footprint of the global shoe industry.Thank you to Reworld and Cell Phones for Soldiers for sponsoring this episode.The post Episode 53: Putting Our Best Foot Forward: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Shoes first appeared on MassRecycle.
In this episode, we spotlight Cell Phones for Soldiers, a nonprofit that’s been bridging the digital divide for over 20 years. With 10,000 devices collected monthly from unique sources like MBTA lost and founds, funeral homes, and municipalities, they give forgotten phones a second life – connecting veterans and active-duty military members with vital communication tools. Learn how their R2-certified facility safely refurbishes devices, deletes sensitive data, and supports 1,300 veterans with subsidized phones – aiming to reach 30,000 in the coming years. Discover how you can get involved at cellphonesforsoldiers.com or by emailing Rob@cellphonesforsoldiers.com. Reuse, reconnect, and make a difference!
Sponsored by Cell Phones for Soldiers and Reworld.
The post Episode 52: Cell Phones for Soldiers first appeared on MassRecycle.
In this episode of the MassRecycle Podcast, Waneta and Gretchen are joined by MassRecycle Board member and former NEWMOA Executive Director Terri Goldberg and Dave Allaway a senior policy analyst in the Materials Management Program at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Together, they explore the importance of comprehensive, carbon-based emissions inventories—highlighting why we must account for the carbon impact of goods beyond state lines. The conversation emphasizes the need for thorough accounting and actionable solutions, focusing on reducing emissions through smarter purchasing choices and consuming less. This topic coincides with the release of the MassRecycle White Paper, A Call to Action on Materials Management & Climate Change, which will be unveiled at the MassRecycle Conference in March 2025.
The post Episode 51: The Hidden Carbon Cost: How Our Stuff Fuels Climate Change—And What We Can Do About It first appeared on MassRecycle.
In this episode Waneta and Gretchen are joined by John Fischer, Deputy Division Director for Solid Waste Materials Management at MassDEP, and Delia Camacho, a Vice President at AshBritt. A disaster management plan is something every municipality needs, but is also something that gets pushed to the bottom of the list. Delay no longer: You need a plan. In this episode you will get guidance, resources, and the jump start you need to put together a plan for your municipality.
The post Episode 50: Disaster Debris Management first appeared on MassRecycle.
In this episode, Waneta and Gretchen sit down with Mary Ann Remolador, of the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC), to discuss her decades of experience in waste reduction and recycling. Mary Ann shares her insights on the evolution of recycling programs across the Northeast and the role of NERC in advancing sustainable materials management. Tune in for a deep dive into the intricacies of recycling with one of the field’s most experienced leaders.
The post Episode 49: An Insider’s View with Mary Ann Remolador first appeared on MassRecycle.
Waneta and Gretchen are joined by Jan Ameen, Executive Director of the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District to discuss her research into what to do with vape devices. Complicated regulatory issues surround the components of these devices, from controlled substance concerns to battery disposal issues. We usually talk about recycling, but some vape devices have no end point whatsoever. When there is nowhere to put something, it goes into the waste stream and the inherent dangers are put on the waste workers. What do we do with these devices at the end of life? The answers are not straightforward, but there are some options. Listen and learn more about this complicated, and growing issue.
The post Episode 48: Vaping Device Disposal first appeared on MassRecycle.
Waneta and Gretchen are joined by Gail Sowerder Garron, Regional Planner for MassDEP, and Alison Beucler, Sanitation and Hazardous Material Program Manager for the City of Somerville, to discuss food waste diversion in K-12 schools. Food waste contributes significantly to the overall waste generated by schools. Discover the successes and challenges of existing programs, ranging from administrative initiatives to student-led efforts. There’s no single approach to starting a program, and you will learn from their experiences and access resources for your district.
If you are a volunteer or school employee, reach out to gail.garron@mass.gov for Green SWoRD School Waste Reduction and Diversion resources.
The post Episode 47: Organics Diversion in K-12 Schools first appeared on MassRecycle.
11/16/22 — Boston, Massachusetts Center for Computing & Data Sciences at sundown Nov 16.Photo by Cydney Scott for Boston University Photography
Waneta and Gretchen are joined by Sarah Healey, MassRecycle Board member and Zero Waste Manager at Boston University, to discuss building your Zero Waste goals into your contracts. Sarah has been on both sides of the waste contract, previously working for Casella Waste Systems. To work toward 90% diversion, BU has implemented Resource Management Contracting, a system that incentivizes waste reduction over time. Learn how to build your sustainability goals into your contracts, how to get buy-in from all parties, and look toward the future all in this invaluable episode!
See Sarah’s presentation on Contracting for Zero Waste from the 2024 MassRecycle Conference, and a treasure trove of reference documents here.
The post Episode 46: Contracting for Zero Waste first appeared on MassRecycle.
Waneta and Gretchen answer the perennial question “Why can’t I recycle this?”. Recycling is a commodity, and not only does it need to be collected and sorted, someone needs to want to buy it. To understand what is recyclable and what is not, it is important to understand the system: Who has access to recycling? How are those items sorted? How much of it is collected? What materials have an end market where they are given a second life as a new product? If you have been wondering what happens to your recycling, or you want to answer your friends’ questions about why you bother, this is the episode for you!
The post Episode 45: Why Can’t I Recycle This? first appeared on MassRecycle.
Waneta and Gretchen are joined by Jessica Camarena, City of New Bedford Recycling Coordinator, and Rosanna Deldosario, City of Lawrence Recycling Coordinator, to discuss their work to make recycling more accessible to residents. Both of their positions extend past recycling into waste reduction, education, and outreach. Establishing school programming, informing landlords, and providing materials in multiple languages are just some of the strategies that have contributed to outstanding advances toward sustainability in these two communities. All of this and more in this episode of the MassRecycle Podcast.
The post Episode 44: Recycling Programming in Multilingual Communities first appeared on MassRecycle.
Embark on a revealing journey as Gretchen, Waneta, and Andrew Brousseau of Black Earth Compost delve into PFAS. Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances, or PFAS, is a group of human-made chemicals found in countless everyday items that has permeated our daily lives for decades. Learn about the sources of PFAS, the challenges this group of substances presents to waste disposal, and the broader environmental impacts. Stay tuned for insights into recent advances in regulating PFAS in compostables, including the success story of Black Earth Compost. Get informed, stay engaged, and discover how positive changes are reshaping our relationship with this pervasive substance.
The post Episode 43: Unveiling the Invisible: PFAS and Compost first appeared on MassRecycle.
Join Waneta and Gretchen as they delve into deconstruction and mercury with Mike Orbank from STO Building Group and Danielle Myers of the Thermostat Recycling Corporation. Ever wondered about the environmental impact of construction waste? Embodied carbon vs emissions? Curious about how we can make a difference through strategic choices? Explore the paradigm shift from traditional demolition to the meticulous art of deconstruction. Tune in to discover the power of careful planning, material separation, the ingenious reclamation of off cuts, and how planning can keep mercury out of landfills.
Thank you to Covanta for sponsoring this episode and for their work with Thermostat Recycling Corporation.
Recycling legend, Johnny Gold, joins Waneta and Gretchen to talk paper recycling - where it all began and how we got here. Have you ever wondered how paper drives earn money? How did paper recycling start? What happens to the paper you throw in your bin? There is an entire industry behind that paper in your bin, that hardcover book, that brown paper towel. Find out how it all works and what you can do to help make paper out of paper, on this episode of the MassRecycle podcast.
Thank you to Good Point Recycling for sponsoring this episode! Good Point Recycling is a nationally-recognized electronics recycling company and a respected expert in “Fair Trade Recycling.”
In this episode, Waneta and Gretchen are joined by four experts who have dedicated their careers to reducing waste and promoting sustainability on college campuses. Lauri Simmons of UMass Amherst, Sue Higgins of Northeastern University, Sarah Healey of Boston University, and Rob Gogan, retired from Harvard, share their insights on waste reduction, recycling, and creative reuse programs. Join us as we explore the innovative programs and initiatives that are creating a culture of environmental responsibility that is making a difference on college campuses in Massachusetts.
In 2018, China National Sword cut off imports of foreign recyclables and brought recycling in the US to a screeching halt. In Massachusetts, MassDEP created RecycleSmart: the one stop resource to turn the Wild Wild West of recycling collections into material streams that could be processed domestically. Janice Paré, Municipal Recycling Analyst at MassDEP, talks with Waneta and Gretchen about the endless resource that is RecycleSmart and its Recyclopedia. Is your recycling actually being recycled? Yes, you can even see where it goes by zip code! What gets in the way of recycling, and what poses a danger to the people that hand-sort your recycling? All of this and more, in this episode of the MassRecycle podcast.
Pull up a chair and join Gretchen and Waneta in conversation with Terri Goldberg. Terri has had an extensive career in recycling, solid waste, and pollution prevention. She is retiring from her role as Executive Director of the Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEMOWA). Join us for this unique opportunity to venture into her decades of knowledge. Misinformation about plastics: how did we get here? Eco anxiety. Obstacles to recycling progress. PFAS, toxics, and their role in circularity. We talk about it all, in this episode.
Lithium batteries are exploding in popularity, and literally exploding. Gretchen and Waneta welcome Stan Walczak, Rob Gogan, and Dave Ditata, to discuss the dangers of batteries in the waste stream. Stan Walczak is Facility Manager of ReSource Waste Services, Rob Gogan is retired Recycling and Waste Services Manager for Harvard University, and Dave Ditata is Fuel Superintendent at SEMASS Covanta. Each share their unique experience with these incendiary devices in the waste world.Lithium ion batteries can erupt and burn violently if punctured. This is incredibly dangerous for anyone in the waste industry. Despite the dramatic hazard that rechargeable batteries pose, proper collection is not widely available. Listen for some shocking stories about what happens when lithium batteries enter the waste stream, the role that Extended Producer Responsibility legislation can play, and why it is just as important to recycle alkaline batteries (hint, recyclable and toxic metals that are mined in horrific conditions around the world).
Gretchen and Waneta talk with Kelley Dennings of the Center for Biological Diversity about simplifying the holidays and reducing waste. They discuss top holiday waste generators, alternative gift ideas, hosting and decorating, the role of public policy, and the perceived barriers to celebrating with fewer material items. Should you buy a fake or real Christmas tree? Is wrapping paper recyclable? All this and more, in this lively conversation.
Find Kelley Dennings at kdennings@biologicaldiversity.org
Great ideas, tools, and information can be found at https://simplifytheholidays.org
The MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans are quickly approaching, and MassRecycle has resources for you. In this episode, Waneta and Gretchen interview four textile vendors that take used items and recycle, upcycle, repurpose, or divert them for reuse. Epilepsy Foundation New England, Helpsy, Baystate Textiles, and CMRK, Inc each have a unique operating model that allows them to divert materials from the waste stream while giving back to the communities they serve.
Robin Ingethron and Aaron Mintzes join Waneta and Gretchen to discuss the Mining Act of 1872. This historic push to populate the West with white settlers continues to subsidize extraction and while making it nearly impossible to legally limit mining. Robin Ingethron is CEO of Good Point Recycling and founder of Fair Trade Recycling. Aaron Mintzes Senior Policy Counsel at Earthworks. Both work to educate the public and reform policy that harms people and the environment.
Recycling is in direct opposition to mining; reuse of materials rather than extraction of virgin materials. Yet, misinformation has convinced many that recycling is not a viable source for materials. This needs to change.
Get ready to be outraged.
This week Leni Fried joins Waneta and Gretchen to talk about the creative projects piloted by the Old Stone Mill Zero Waste Maker Space. Leni and her partner, Mike Augspurger, founded the Old Stone Mill as a community space for creative reuse, to divert materials from the waste stream, and make repair projects accessible. Leni talks about their partnerships with local businesses to divert waste through upcycling, creative reuse, and connecting materials that would be discarded with people that have use for them. These projects are just the tip of the Zero Waste Maker Space iceberg; find out about all their good work in this episode.
This episode is what we all need right now: reasons for hope from the world of solid waste, and also some commiserating with your fellow materials management professionals. MassRecycle board members join Waneta and Gretchen to share their pet peeves, serious concerns, and reasons to be hopeful about the future of solid waste. Have you been feeling the need to see that proverbial silver lining? Would you rather have a little commiseration? Do you want some insight into the world of materials that just “go away”? Listen now and get the behind the scenes view, and maybe a little sympathy.
This week Audrey Ng and Mike Orr join Waneta and Gretchen to explore sidewalk exchange, and the growing movement of community “Freedges”, around Boston.
Audrey is the Water and Sustainability Project Manager for the Boston Public Schools District and organizer with the South End Community Fridge. Mike is the Recycling Director for the City of Cambridge. They discuss neighborhood sidewalk exchange as a viable method to divert durable goods from the waste stream, and direct them into the hands of people that can use them. Community “Freedges” are a form of mutual aid increasing in popularity around the country. Sidewalk-based refrigerators allow food sharing within a community, and remove barriers between those giving and those receiving. Listen to this great episode and learn more!
Community fridges, and the volunteers that run them, can be found at Boston Eater’s Community Fridges page.
In light of the upcoming 2022 mattress waste ban, Waneta and Gretchen interview MassRecycle member organizations UTEC, HandUp and Green Mattress about their mattress recycling programs. Waneta also discusses the role of Extended Producer Responsibility in this issue, and the potential for new legislation.
In this Valentine's Day special episode, Gretchen and Waneta, with the help of Board member Rob Gogan, interview three couples who found each other while following their passion for waste diversion.
Gretchen and Waneta talk with Kelley Dennings of the Center for Biological Diversity about simplifying the holidays and reducing waste. They discuss top holiday waste generators, alternative gift ideas, hosting and decorating, the role of public policy, and the perceived barriers to celebrating with fewer material items. Should you buy a fake or real Christmas tree? Is wrapping paper recyclable? All this and more, in this lively conversation.
Find Kelley Dennings at kdennings@biologicaldiversity.org
Great ideas, tools, and information can be found at https://simplifytheholidays.org
Gretchen and Waneta talk with Dona Neely of The Great Exchange in Devens, Mass about their amazing reuse program there. Business clean outs and manufacturing extras turn into resources for non-profits, schools, teachers, and daycares.
Gretchen and Waneta talk with Paul Franceschi of the Boston Area Gleaners about gleaning: the harvesting of surplus farm crops to preventing waste and expand local food access. Paul talks about their work and how they were able to help when the world needed it most in 2020.
Learn about existing programs and new ways to help make colleges and universities become more sustainable. Gretchen and Waneta talk with Alex Freid, founder of the Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN), In 2013 Alex and his fellow college students witnessed a systemic waste problem on their campus and developed the first student-led, financially self-sustaining Zero Waste move-out program of its kind. Other campuses wanted to replicate the program and from there, PLAN was born. Years later, out of PLAN, the ATLAS Zero Waste plan was created. Hear from Williams College student fellows Rika Nakato and Lauren Lynch as they discuss the ongoing ATLAS pilot.
Gretchen and Waneta learn all about the stormwater system and its many intersections of waste management from MassDEP pro Laura Schifman. More info here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stormwater
Gretchen and Waneta interview Graeme Durovich, Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator on the Island of Nantucket about the specific challenges of creating waste on an island. They cover special rules, litter issues, seasonal changes, and other topics that make Nantucket a unique waste environment. Nantucket-ma.gov/242/solid-waste-recycling
Gretchen and Waneta are joined by Reagan Bissonnette of the NRRA (Northeast Resource Recovery Association) to talk about the effect of Covid 19 on recyclable material, the recycling industry, and the commodities markets.
Gretchen and Waneta interview Khrysti Smyth Barry from the Center for EcoTechnology about their many free resources available to businesses and property managers. Learn about opportunities for guidance and helpful tools to recycle more, lower food waste, save energy, and conserve water on this podcast and at www.RecyclingWorksMA.com
Recently the media has pointed out the connection between Big Oil and recycling, leaving you to believe that recycling is a scam. Guest speakers from Preserve, Rehrig Pacific, and GreenLabs Recycling explain how the industry has come a long way since then.
Gretchen and Waneta get into the weeds with Patti Howard from Covanta, discussing unusual opportunities for reuse and diversion as well as things that really shouldn't go to a waste-to-energy facility.
Gretchen and Waneta talk to former Board Member, Phil Goddard about community relations from a municipal perspective.
Gretchen and Waneta talk with Board member Deb Darby about compostable dishware, the real meaning of the term "biodegradable", and the most sustainable way to run a Zero Waste event while avoiding greenwashing. Learn more from Biodegradable Products Institute.
Gretchen and Waneta discuss recent changes for recycling in Massachusetts: what doesn't go in, and what no longer goes in, and why. The conversation is based on www.RecycleSmartMA.org, the statewide guidelines for recycling in MA.
Gretchen and Waneta invite MassDEP's Ann McGovern back to talk all about home composting.
Gretchen and Waneta talk about the many food waste systems: how they work, where it goes, what it becomes, and how to successfully set up a system that works for you (and your organization).
Katherine Butler from the Center for EcoTechnology joins Waneta and Gretchen to talk about the coolest new opportunity for reusing and buying salvaged building materials. https://ecobuildingbargains.org/
Gretchen and Waneta do a deep dive on MassRecycle: the Board, the focus, and recent changes, as well as new offerings and opportunities for members.
An in-depth interview with MassDEP's Ann McGovern about the Green Team and recycling in K-12 schools: resources, curricula, and success stories. Check it out at https://thegreenteam.org/
Gretchen and Waneta interview Ariela Lovett from the Massachusetts Municipal Association and discuss recycling, trash, and extended producer responsibility.
In August of 2018, MassDEP worked with Massachusetts'recycling facilities to create a state-wide streamlined recycling message. Gretchen and Waneta discuss the roll-out and ways to encourage further adoption.
Gretchen and Waneta do a deep dive on plastics: what they are, what they get used for, and where they are going. Also, why replacing them may not be as simple as it sounds.
Gretchen and Waneta interview Keep Massachusetts Beautiful's Executive Director Neil Rhein about the small but mighty volunteer army keeping public spaces beautiful in MA. Steps to run a successful clean-up day of your own, and the role the state plays in controlling litter.
Gretchen and Waneta interview Michael Orr, Recycling Director of the City of Cambridge, who spearheaded the effort to launch a citywide organics pickup program after 4 years of pilots.
We discuss the difficulties of processing glass in the single stream systems, and Mike Durfor, Executive Director of the NRRA (Northeast Resource Recovery Association www.NRRA.net) gives us insight on alternatives for the beneficial use of glass.
Gretchen and Waneta give an in-depth look at how the recycling industry evolved over the decades, leading us to the current crisis.
An interview with Claire Galkowski, the Director of the South Shore Recycling Cooperative, and Former Executive Director Edward Hsieh from MassRecycle. We cover the history of recycling advocacy in MA, and a primer on how to change recycling laws in MA. More information at www.ssrcoop.info.
A look at the 2018 global recycling crisis, caused by the movement known as the China National Sword, and how its impacts have been felt by municipal and commercial stakeholders alike in MA.