A fridge too far? Living sustainably in NYC by unplugging
January 26, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — There are those for whom recycling and composting are not nearly enough, who have reduced their annual waste to almost zero, ditched their clothes dryer or given up flying, and are ready to take the next step in exploring the frontiers of sustainable living.
Designers look to nature, landfills for new decor materials
January 10, 2023 GMTAt first glance, Nina Edwards Anker's sconces and chandeliers look like ancient scrolls of parchment, or sheets of buttery toffee, wrapped around LED bulbs.
Come closer — or just ask the New York-based designer/architect — and you'll find they're actually made of algae.
Christmas tree recycling is a good alternative to landfills
December 29, 2022 GMTTaking down the Christmas tree is only one task after the holiday season. For those with a real tree, figuring out what to do with it can be as easy as placing it by the curb.
In most states, it can be the gift that keeps on giving.
Africa forum hails ‘circular economy’ solutions for climate
December 7, 2022 GMTMOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — Reducing waste while boosting recycling and reuse, known as the ‘circular economy,’ will be vital for halting the loss of nature by meeting growing demand with fewer resources and will make communities more resilient to climate change by encouraging more sustainable practices on the African continent, organizers of the World Circular Economy Forum said Wednesday.
Nevada approves $105M in tax incentives for battery plant
December 2, 2022 GMTRENO, Nev. (AP) — A massive lithium battery recycling plant has been awarded more than $105 million in tax incentives for expanding operations in northern Nevada.
The state Office of Economic Development approved incentives for Carson City-based Redwood Materials this week.
Nigerian teens create fashion from trash to fight pollution
November 20, 2022 GMTLAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Teenage climate activists in Nigeria's largest city are recycling trash into runway outfits for a “Trashion Show.”
Chinedu Mogbo, founder of Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative, a conservation group working with the activists, said the show was designed to raise awareness about environmental pollution.
Energy Department awards $74M for battery recycling, reuse
November 16, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Energy Department on Wednesday awarded nearly $74 million from the bipartisan infrastructure law for 10 projects to advance recycling and reuse of batteries for electric vehicles and other purposes.
Trick or trash: Candy makers grapple with plastic waste
October 29, 2022 GMTHalloween treats have a tricky problem: plastic packaging that’s difficult to recycle.
As America loads up on an estimated 600 million pounds of candy for Halloween, a handful of companies are trying to make it easier to recycle all those wrappers.
California to add wine, liquor bottles to recycling program
September 28, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California will add wine and liquor bottles to its recycling rebate program under a law taking effect in July 2024.
“California’s bottle bill recycling program has needed fixing for 40 years,” Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins said Wednesday.
California may add wine, liquor bottles to recycling program
September 1, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California would add wine and distilled spirits containers to its struggling recycling program, while giving beverage dealers another option to collect empty bottles and cans, under a measure lawmakers approved Wednesday.
North Korea dismisses Seoul’s aid offer as ‘foolish’ repeat
August 19, 2022 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said her country will never accept South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's “foolish” offer of economic benefits in exchange for denuclearization steps, accusing Seoul of recycling proposals Pyongyang already rejected.
Newsom: California must boost water recycling, desalination
August 12, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California should invest tens of billions of dollars in water recycling, storage and desalination over the next two decades to shore up its supply as the state gets drier and hotter, Gov.
Coroner: Missing S. Carolina man fell into plastic shredder
July 7, 2022 GMTSPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Dried blood found at a recycling plant is that of a 20-year-old who was reported missing there two months ago, a South Carolina coroner said.
Duncan Alexander Burrell Gordon, of Greer, was reported missing in early May from the recycling plant where his father is a supervisor.
California sets nation’s toughest plastics reduction rules
July 1, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Companies selling shampoo, food and other products wrapped in plastic have a decade to cut down on their use of the polluting material if they want their wares on California store shelves.
Bonnaroo, a leader in green fests, faces climate change risk
June 28, 2022 GMTMANCHESTER, Tenn. (AP) — Since its debut on a rural Tennessee farm two decades ago, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival strived to be one of the country’s greenest music festivals, investing in recycling, composting, solar energy and other improvements.
California bill would reduce single-use plastic products 25%
June 17, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — An ambitious California proposal aims to reduce plastic production for single-use products like shampoo bottles and food wrappers by 25% starting next decade, part of an effort to rein in pollution from the ubiquitous material.
Sheriff’s office: Man likely suffocated in recycling truck
June 17, 2022 GMTMARYSVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A man found dead at a Northern California cardboard recycling center likely suffocated in a recycling truck, authorities said.
The body of Ron Lamp of Magalia was found on April 26 at a facility in Marysville, the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.
Connecticut sues over trash bags marketed for recycling
June 14, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut has filed a lawsuit accusing Reynolds Consumer Products of illegally marketing trash bags as recycling bags, even though the bags themselves cannot be recycled.
The Hefty brand bags are advertised by the company as “perfect for all your recycling needs” and "designed to handle all types of recyclables.”
Tennessee unveils trail made out of tires
June 6, 2022 GMTMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee officials say one of the longest rubber-bearing trails in the U.S. have opened at T.O. Fuller State Park.
According to a news release, Tennessee State Parks, the Department of Transportation and local leader cut the ribbon on the on the new 2.5 miles hard-surface walking biking trail.
4-alarm fire at a Phoenix recycling plant now under control
May 22, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Crews battled a four-alarm fire at a Phoenix recycling plant for several Sunday before it was brought under control.
Phoenix Fire Department officials said they were called to the scene around 5:45 a.m.
Man killed after recycling bin he sheltered in was picked up
May 15, 2022 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — A man who apparently sought shelter in a cardboard recycling bin in Montana's capitol city was killed after the container was picked up by a garbage truck, the Helena Police Department said.
Ballerina statue cut down in Tulsa, sold for scrap metal
May 2, 2022 GMTTULSA, Okla. (AP) — A bronze statue depicting one of Oklahoma's most famous Native American ballerinas was cut from its base outside a Tulsa museum and sold for scrap to a recycling company, authorities said Monday.
West Virginia students’ sustainability efforts take root
April 24, 2022 GMTHUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — A student-led grassroots effort to make Marshall University more sustainable in 2009 has grown into an entire Sustainability Department with bicycle sharing, a thrift store, and the first commercial compost facility in West Virginia.
Report: Michigan increases recycling by 35.4% in 3 years
April 19, 2022 GMTMichigan has reached a 19.3% recycling rate, an increase of 35.4% from prior to 2019, according to an analysis the state of Michigan released Monday ahead of Earth Day on Friday.
Before 2019, the state estimated Michigan's recycling rate, the rate at which recyclable materials are recycled from waste, was 14.25%.
Youngkin rolls back Northam’s limits on single-use plastics
April 7, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday ended what his office called a “burdensome” restriction on single-use plastics at state agencies, colleges and universities.
4 hurt in Southern California recycling yard explosions
April 1, 2022 GMTMONTCLAIR, Calif. (AP) — A fire and a series of explosions at a Southern California metal recycling yard Thursday injured four people and spewed shrapnel from compressed gas canisters into the surrounding neighborhood, authorities and witnesses said.
Made green upgrades in 2021? Don’t miss these tax credits
March 3, 2022 GMTMany Americans have woven green practices into their everyday lives — from recycling to going paperless and even cutting back on meat consumption.
Switching to clean energy or purchasing an electric vehicle are additional ways to go green, but large-scale upgrades also often come with major price tags.
Ridwell sues Oregon county for banning recycling service
January 24, 2022 GMTHILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) — A county in the Portland area is facing a federal lawsuit from a recycling company that wants to operate in unincorporated rural areas.
Ridwell filed the lawsuit against Washington County Friday, saying the county is going against state law by prohibiting the company to operate, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.
South Carolina governor considering plastic recycling bill
January 23, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is considering whether to sign into law a bill that would make it easier for businesses that recycle plastic by melting it to open in the state.
Garbage and recyclables pile up as omicron takes its toll
January 14, 2022 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The omicron variant is sickening so many sanitation workers around the U.S. that some cities have had to delay or suspend garbage or recycling pickup, angering residents shocked that governments can’t perform this most basic of functions.
Macon mayor pulls support from plastics recycling plant
January 10, 2022 GMTMACON, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia mayor is urging an industrial development board to refuse to help a plastics recycling plant borrow money, saying he's worried about the safety of the proposed plant.
$43M battery recycling plant set for Georgia, hiring 150
January 5, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — A company that aims to recycle lithium ion batteries from vehicles and other uses will build its first large plant in suburban Atlanta, investing $43 million and hiring 150 people.
Battery Resourcers, based in Worcester, Massachusetts, made the announcement Wednesday, saying it would take over an existing building in Covington and ramp up to full operation by August.
Christmas trees to enhance fish habitat in Kentucky
January 3, 2022 GMTLEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky residents can donate their natural Christmas trees for use as fish habitat.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is accepting Christmas trees through Jan.
Macon hopes new garbage contractor can end pickup woes
January 1, 2022 GMTMACON, Ga. (AP) — More than 49,000 residents in middle Georgia's largest county will have a new company picking up their garbage starting Monday, after a previous contractor was terminated over complaints about service.
Old Christmas trees in Georgia county, city to become mulch
December 26, 2021 GMTVALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) — Residents in a south Georgia city and county looking to dispose of their old Christmas trees can do so at a recycling event that runs Sunday through Jan. 7.
The “Bring One for the Chipper” event is sponsored by the City of Valdosta and Lowndes County.
Stolen goose statute reappears at recycling center
December 21, 2021 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A bronze goose statue stolen from a St. Paul park has reappeared — at a recycling center.
The statue was reported stolen from its pedestal in a fountain in Cochran Park on Sunday, according to the St.
Consumer group slams delay in San Francisco recycling effort
December 21, 2021 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A prominent advocacy group has labeled San Francisco “the poster child” of California’s troubled bottle and can recycling program, saying not a single grocery store in the city is required to refund nickel-or-dime deposits.
Seattle sues county over trash cash from recycling centers
December 11, 2021 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — The city of Seattle is suing the county government in a dispute over $3 million worth of trash fees that stem from the recycling system.
California pushes composting to lower food waste emissions
December 10, 2021 GMTDAVIS, Calif. (AP) — Banana peels, chicken bones and leftover veggies won't have a place in California trashcans under the nation's largest mandatory residential food waste recycling program that's set to take effect in January.
Fire at recycling facility sends plume of smoke over Boston
December 8, 2021 GMTEVERETT, Mass. (AP) — A fire at a metal recycling facility in a Boston suburb sent a plume of dark gray smoke that could be seen for miles over the city on Wednesday morning and prompted a hazardous materials team to respond.
Dover, metal recycler reach settlement over water pollution
December 8, 2021 GMTDOVER, N.H. (AP) — The city of Dover says it reached a settlement with the metal recycler that was fined for polluting a key city aquifer, in which the company will pay more than $13 million to build and operate a new water treatment facility.
Science report: US should make less plastic to save oceans
December 1, 2021 GMTAmerica needs to rethink and reduce the way it generates plastics because so much of the material is littering the oceans and other waters, the National Academy of Sciences says in a new report.
The United States, the world’s top plastics waste producer, generates more than 46 million tons (42 million metric tons) a year, and about 2.2 billion pounds (1 million metric tons) ends up in the world’s oceans, according to the academy's report.
Bins let New Orleans oyster lovers give shells for reefs
November 28, 2021 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — An environmental group that makes oyster reefs from shells collected at New Orleans area restaurants now has a new partner so anyone can contribute.
As cities grow, wastewater recycling gets another look
November 10, 2021 GMTDENVER (AP) — Around the U.S., cities are increasingly warming to an idea that once induced gags: Sterilize wastewater from toilets, sinks and factories, and eventually pipe it back into homes and businesses as tap water.
Nonprofit plans Mississippi oyster shell recycling program
November 6, 2021 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — An environmental group is using fines from the 2010 BP oil spill to plan Mississippi’s first oyster shell recycling program.
“It’s very straight forward — take the actual oyster shell and reuse it to help restore the very resource it’s providing.
Waste Management commits $300K for research, scholarships
November 3, 2021 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Environmental services company Waste Management has announced a three-year commitment of $300,000 for environmental sustainability research at Tennessee State University and scholarships and internships for the school's students.
PepsiCo Beverages North America partners with Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in Oklahoma on Closed-Loop Recycling Program
November 1, 2021 GMTGlass recycler reaches deal with Oregon to curb pollution
October 24, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A glass recycling plant in northeast Portland has consented to either shut down or install pollution control technology, according to an agreement announced between the plant’s operators and the state of Oregon.
Award-winning Recycling Project, NEXTLOOPP, Hits Bullseye in Plastics Recycling Ahead of COP26
October 20, 2021 GMTWorker killed at paper recycling facility in Minneapolis
October 16, 2021 GMTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A worker has died at a paper recycling facility in Minneapolis after suffering injuries involving heavy machinery, authorities said.
Simon Barrera Merino, 42, of Richfield, was injured about 1:40 a.m.
California sets nation’s strictest rules on recycling labels
October 5, 2021 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Californians will have a better idea of what's headed for landfills instead of recycling centers under one of several related bills that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Tuesday.
Some Florida cities cut recycling, citing worker shortages
October 5, 2021 GMTJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Residents across Jacksonville found overflowing bins at recycling drop-off sites after the city suspended its curbside recycling program due to a shortage of workers.
The city opened 14 drop-off sites for recycling in an effort to allow waste haulers to focus on picking up regulary trash and yard wast, Mayor Lenny Curry announced last week.
Art contest winners to help promote recycling in Maine
October 3, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The winners of an art contest intended to promote recycling in Maine include a design about reducing, reusing and recycling in outer space.
That design, by Opportunity Alliance's MaineStay Program, was one of five winners of ecomaine's “Recycling is a Work of Art” contest.
California recycling firm to pay $34M in bottle and can scam
September 27, 2021 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A California recycling company will pay $34 million for a long-running fraud scheme in which the firm illegally submitted bogus weight tickets and processed out-of-state bottles and cans to get inflated refunds for used beverage containers, authorities said Monday.
Savannah may have new recycling solution for glass
September 25, 2021 GMTSAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — The largest city in coastal Georgia is in talks about a new way to recycle glass that it's currently burying in a landfill, even though it still accepts glass in recycling bins.
Director retiring after 39 years with Beauregard Arc
September 25, 2021 GMTDERIDDER, La. (AP) — The man in charge of a southwest Louisiana nonprofit for developmentally disabled people is retiring after decades.
The Beauregard Arc is looking for a new director to replace Jackie Hickman, who is retiring at the end of the year, The American Press reports.
Ford invests in electric vehicle battery recycling company
September 22, 2021 GMTDEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford Motor Co. is investing $50 million in an upstart electric vehicle battery recycling company as the automaker moves to shore up its U.S. battery supply chain.
The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker will invest in Redwood Materials, a Nevada-based company founded by former Tesla executive JB Straubel.
Canadian battery recycling firm to build plant in Alabama
September 15, 2021 GMTVANCE, Ala. (AP) — A Canadian company that recycles lithium-ion batteries is building a plant in west Alabama near the factory where Mercedes will build electric vehicles, officials said.
Li-Cycle announced the move recently, WBRC-TV reported.