Recoverable Materials: the Benefits and Potential Pitfalls on the Path to Circularity
Description Why do we recycle or recover materials? What are some specific reasons we should recycle and how to we quantify those efforts? It’s surprising how many corporate and personal goals are set around increased recycling, but the explicit benefits aren’t that well understood. In many cases, the justification for recycling never actually makes it into established policies.
This session will include results from a number of studies and analyses that explore the critical nuances in aiding in decision-making when considering where recoverable materials should go upon discard. Insights provided in this discussion will highlight:
Current circular economy and policy frameworks (e.g. EPR) and the intersection of waste
What is possible and not possible when it comes to recycling and organics diversion
How to measure sustainability and environmental benefits (or burdens)
Challenges to the material recovery efforts, such as: PFAS, MRF Fires, packaging/labeling, and contamination