Episode 54: The State of Plastics Recycling

Episode 58: Litter, Legislation, and the Path to a Cleaner Commonwealth

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) [https://keepmassbeautiful.org/], 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 [https://keepmassbeautiful.org/take-action/leaders-against-litter.html] before the legislative session ends on July 31. Thank you to Reworld [https://www.reworldwaste.com/] for sponsoring this episode. The post Episode 58: Litter, Legislation, and the Path to a Cleaner Commonwealth [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-58-litter-legislation-and-the-path-to-a-cleaner-commonwealth/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

Episode 57: The Changing Face of Recycling: Insights from Recycling Today’s Brian Taylor

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  [https://www.recyclingtoday.com/]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 [https://www.reworldwaste.com/] for sponsoring this episode. The post Episode 57: The Changing Face of Recycling: Insights from Recycling Today’s Brian Taylor [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-57-the-changing-face-of-recycling-insights-from-recycling-todays-brian-taylor/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

Episode 56: Don’t Call It a Dump!: Inside a Modern Landfill

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 [https://www.reworldwaste.com/] for sponsoring this episode. The post Episode 56: Don’t Call It a Dump!: Inside a Modern Landfill [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-56-dont-call-it-a-dump-inside-a-modern-landfill/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

Episode 55: Designing for Zero Waste: How Space Shapes Behavior

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 [https://www.reworldwaste.com/] and The Association of Plastic Recyclers [https://plasticsrecycling.org/] for sponsoring this episode. The post Episode 55: Designing for Zero Waste: How Space Shapes Behavior [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-55-designing-for-zero-waste-how-space-shapes-behavior/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

Episode 54: The State of Plastics Recycling

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) [https://plasticsrecycling.org/], 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 [https://www.reworldwaste.com/] and Cell Phones for Soldiers [https://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/] for sponsoring this episode. The post Episode 54: The State of Plastics Recycling [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/the-state-of-plastics-recycling/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].