This Week in Waste: Top Stories April 11-15

1. Career Hauling: How Waste Leaders Navigate Industry Challenges - Michael O'Connor
Stefanie Valentic

A second chance could mean the world to those who need it. Michael O' Connor is the former owner and managing partner of Premier Waste Services, which was acquired by Waste Connections in April 2021. From trouble to trash, he has worked the ranks from the back of a sanitation truck to operations. A second chance gave him the opportunity to join an industry in which his talents shine. 

Here is his story.

2. Coast to Coast: Sea Bags Sails Away with Sustainable Handbags and Home Decor
Stefanie Valentic

When Waste360 editors travel, what do they observe about the waste and recycling infrastructure of the respective destinations they visit? In a new series from Waste360, readers will learn about the people and businesses that are working to change the way we view the world of waste.

Read the story here.

3. Is Recycling a Fraud?
Chaz Miller

Over the last few years, recycling has been subject to a barrage of bad press. First it was the bad markets caused largely by the Chinese decision to ban the imports of recyclables. Then came the stories claiming that our recyclables get tossed into landfills or are sent overseas to be dumped. That was followed by easily quotable and highly misleading statistics such as only nine percent of plastics are recycled. No wonder many people are suspicious about recycling.

Read the story here.

4. Digging into Compostable Packaging With Kate Flynn of Sun & Swell Foods
Liz Bothwell

In this episode of the NothingWasted! podcast, we chat with Kate Flynn, co-founder and CEO of Sun & Swell Foods. Her company offers organic, plant-based health foods in compostable packaging, shipped directly to customers. We spoke with Flynn about gaps in the composting infrastructure, consumer attitudes about compostable packaging, and more.

Listen to the podcast here.

5. Exploring the Global Food Loss and Waste Accounting and Reporting Standard
Liz Bothwell

Waste360 attended a recent webinar called, “Measuring Food Waste: The Global FLW Standard.” featuring Brian Lipinski, head researcher and manager of food loss and waste at the World Resources Institute (WRI), in conversation with Gijs Langeveld, managing director at Polymer Science Park and principal consultant at Project Gijs BV. The discussion hosted by Be Waste Wise explored quantifying and reporting on food loss and waste and more.

Read the story here.