Express ProductsEPA Announces $375M Funding for New Recycling Initiatives; Amazon Shareholders Agree to Reduce Plastic; WasteExpo 2022; and the Federal Governments Plan to Phase Out Plastic.
In this month’s roundup, we pull together our pick of the latest environmental news and innovations from the last month.
EPA Announce $375M Funding for Recycling and Waste Prevention
eponline. (06/13/2022)
The Biden administration and the Environmental Protection Agency has announced funding for new recycling and waste prevention initiatives.
The $375 million will fund a solid waste infrastructure for recycling grant program, a recycling education and outreach grant program, and a model recycling program toolkit.
It will also provide funding to compile best practices for battery collection and labelling guidelines.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan says. “This unprecedented investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will transform recycling and solid waste management across the nation, create good-paying jobs and advance our bold environmental agenda as we work to build a better America.”
Amazon Shareholders Vote to Reduce Plastic Use
invw. (06/22/2022)
Investors who own nearly 50 percent of Amazon’s shares, worth roughly $387 billion, voted in favor of a resolution to reduce its plastic packaging.
It follows a 2020 report claiming that the company used nearly 600 million pounds of plastic to package its products that year.
Advocates say the vote reveals a growing desire from investors around the world for companies to take responsibility for plastic pollution.
WasteExpo 2022 Kicks Off in Las Vegas
Waste 360. (06/13/2022)
Held this year in Las Vegas from May 9-12, WasteExpo is North America’s largest solid waste, recycling, and organics industry tradeshow.
More than 12,000 industry professionals and over 500 exhibitors come together to learn, network, and explore the new innovations within the world of recycling.
Demonstrating anything from vehicles, robotics, to advanced recycling equipment technology, the expo has delivered the latest and greatest for decades.
“The conference sessions were packed with attendees learning about the latest trends and the Exhibit Hall was buzzing with excitement. Attendees, exhibitors, partners, and sponsors were all excited to be back together doing business,” said Marc Acampora, Vice President, Waste360.
Federal Governments Plastic Phase Out
NPR. (06/09/2022)
The U.S. Department of Interior has announced plans to reduce the procurement, sale, and distribution of single-use plastic products and packaging on public lands and in facilities by the year 2032.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland issue the news in honor of World Ocean Day. It follows President Biden’s executive order which called for deferral agencies to minimize waste and support markets for recycled products.
The agency will be tasked with finding an alternative to items such as cutlery, bags, bottles, straws, and food containers.
Today’s order will ensure that the Department’s sustainability plans include bold action on phasing out single-use plastic products as we seek to protect our natural environment and the communities around them”, said Secretary Haaland.
