News

It may be summer break time, but the solid waste and recycling news cycle has been anything but on a break. Here are just a few of the latest headlines over the last two months we'd like to share. 

➡ MRN and MDE Join Industry Discussion on Emerging Healthcare Waste Challenges (MRN) - On June 11, MRN Board Member and past president Kitty McIlroy and Shannon McDonald, Director of the Waste Diversion Division at the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), joined regional and national experts as panelists at the joint Healthcare Waste Institute (HWI)/National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) Summer Summit in Washington, D.C.

➡ The Battery Network and National Waste & Recycling Association/Foundation Partner to Advance Battery (NWRA) - The Battery Network along with the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) and the National Waste & Recycling Foundation (NWRF) today announced a strategic partnership to strengthen battery safety education, expand responsible recovery efforts and provide additional resources for the waste and recycling industry.

➡ Maryland battery commission to continue work on fire safety efforts (WasteDive) – The Maryland Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety (established in 2024) has been reauthorized to continue its work in combating the growing risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. Features an interview with MRN BOD Member and Battery Commission member Kitty McIlroy.

➡ Bicameral Truth in Labeling Act introduced in Congress (Resource Recycling) - A bicameral bill introduced Aug. 7 would set national criteria for when packaging, food service products and beverage containers can be labeled recyclable, compostable, reusable or refillable.

➡ New federal rule restricts black mass, tungsten scrap exports (Resource Recycling) - The US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has moved to lock down the domestic supply of battery and tungsten scrap, issuing a rule that could reroute where US e-waste processors and battery recyclers sell their material. This could potentially cut off an export channel some have relied on to move black mass overseas for processing.

➡ The Circular File: Summer Recycling Markets Solid for Paper and Metal, Plastics Falling  (WasteDive) - Recycling markets halfway through 2026 are a mix of good and not so good. Metal cans and paper are in good shape. National average prices are up this year for both paper grades and metals. Plastics, however, are bouncing around with PET utterly out of air. Written by MRN BOD member and legislative chair Chaz Miller. 

*Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash