вЂњOne jurisdiction may have technology to economically recycle a material that other jurisdictions donвЂ™t. He cites as an example that it has potential to add to recyclersвЂ™ challenges. He anticipates there may be details to work out to mitigate unintended consequences. But he believes it may be easier said than can be done, even with this proposed legislation. The goal is straightforward and makes common sense in his eyes. Like Keller, Habib Kharrat, head, Solid Waste Operations and Engineering, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, says itвЂ™s about reducing contamination and empowering customers to make more informed purchasing choices. The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD) support the goals of SB 343. Batteries are also problematic, especially lithium-ion batteries, which are extremely flammable if punctured or crushed,вЂќ Keller says.Д«atteries are making their way to RepublicвЂ™s MRFs because they display the chasing arrows symbol, believed by consumers to mean they can put them in their blue bins, when in this scenario the label simply means they can be received at take-back programs.

вЂњMuch of that volume consists of flexible plastics and films, which not only arenвЂ™t recyclable curbside, but cause problems with sorting machinery. Nationally, about 22% of the materials Republic now processes at its MRFs are not recyclable. In turn this will help minimize contamination at our recycling facilities,вЂќ Keller, says. вЂњEliminating the use of a recycling symbol from products that are not truly recyclable will reduce consumer confusion. Pete Keller, Republic Services vice president of Recycling and Sustainability, sees a potential twofold benefit of the legislation should it pass. A Greenpeace USA survey mirrors their claims, finding hundreds of plastic products use misleading recyclable labels, based on what was actually recycled as of 2020. They all see a problem in the loose use of an iconic symbol that they say can be confusing, if not deceptive. They are joined by environmental NGOs and local governments. While plastic, battery, and other product manufacturers oppose SB 343, the solid waste industry came on in support, with Republic and Recology among the first to lobby for it. And it would publish a list of products and packaging that are actually being recycled in California. Another big rule is that manufacturers cannot add materials that would render an item nonrecyclable.Д¬alRecycle would do a survey of recycling programs to determine what is collected and what has markets. The chasing arrows symbol would otherwise be off limits. They answer questions like: How do you see the law impacting your operations as well as the state of recycling throughout California? And do you foresee both benefits and possible barriers associated with SB 343?ДЄuthored by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), the proposed legislation lays out a list of criteria, such as that if 60% of materials recovery facilities (MRFs) are recycling a product or package, it can carry the universally recognized label.

In this last week prior to the final decision, local governments, nonprofits, and one of the countryвЂ™s largest waste and recycling corporations shared more with Waste360 on what they think the legislation, dubbed by some as the вЂњTruth in RecyclingвЂќ bill, will mean. This is the collective comment from Waste Management, Athens Services, Waste Connections, California Waste and Recycling Association, among other trash and recycling companies and industry groups, who issued the statement in support of SB 343, which would tighten the reigns on use of the iconic вЂњchasing arrowsвЂќ recycling label. But those dollars are wasted if the packaging or materials include markings that falsely claim they are recyclable.вЂќ вЂњLocal jurisdictions and their haulers spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually educating our customers on what is recyclable in an effort to improve recycling rates and reduce contamination and recycling costs.

Recycle sign