The search for compostable plastics that truly decompose is one hurdle many facilities face when establishing composting programs. This article posted in Waste & Recycling News introduces a new database, developed by the Biodegradable Products Institute, that lists 3,300 items certified to disintegrate in commercial facilities.
The Closed Loop Foundation (CL Foundation) has released a “Food Waste Solution Search Request for Proposal.” The CL Foundation supports solutions that improve the waste and recycling industry and recently launched a Food Waste Initiative. This initiative supports the ReFED report, A Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste by 20 Percent. This Food Waste Solution…
Single stream recycling (or “mixed” recycling) is a system in which recyclable materials such as cardboard, paper, and plastic, metal, and glass containers are collected together for processing. Single stream recycling now accounts for the majority of commercial and residential recycling due to the efficiency and cost savings it offers. Most Massachusetts material recovery facilities…
Cardboard, also referred to as old corrugated cardboard (OCC), is a readily recyclable material with well-established local markets for processing and manufacturing. Make sure cardboard is kept clean and dry as it is collected in your facility. Cardboard with a small amount of contamination, such as liquid or grease, can be recycled. Waxed cardboard should…
Many hotels, colleges and universities, healthcare facilities, and multifamily properties end up with used mattresses that need to be removed. There is a growing infrastructure for mattress recycling in Massachusetts and mattresses contain many recyclable materials with established markets. Because of their bulky size, mattresses can be challenging for haulers and disposal sites to manage.…
Property managers oversee a wide variety of facilities in Massachusetts, include residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties. Waste streams vary depending on whether your tenants are residents or businesses, but all of these property types generate some combination of waste ban materials such as cardboard, bottles and cans, and construction and demolition materials. As a property…
A green demolition project at Simmons University in Boston recovered over a dozen tons (24,000 pounds) of material including furniture, fixtures, and glassware items. This massive reuse undertaking emerged from the remodeling of the University’s Park Science Center. The project entailed one year’s worth of planning and coordination among Simmons University staff, Elkus Manfredi Architects…
Businesses such as hotels, healthcare facilities, colleges & universities, and retail operations often have textiles they no longer need. The majority of textiles, including apparel, linens, and other fabrics, can be reused or converted into new products rather than thrown away. It is important to collect and recover textiles separately, as they do not belong…
A new video from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) addresses common misconceptions about food donation and highlights the expanded federal liability protections for businesses that donate food. Produced in partnership with Top Chef Tom Colicchio, the video illustrates how businesses can donate surplus food safely, preventing unnecessary waste. Common scenarios shown in the video…
Health care businesses, such as hospitals, assisted living facilities, and skilled nursing centers, vary widely in terms of size and services, but share many common needs for diverting waste. While these facilities generate medical waste, which requires specific handling and tight control to minimize health concerns, they also typically generate a large volume of materials…
