This Week in Waste: Top Stories April 18 - 22

Waste comes in all shapes and sizes, and there are different ways of building management of that material into a circular system. This week on Waste360.com, readers found out what circularity models could work and how companies are adjusting their logistics to become more sustainable. Here are this week's top stories.

1. What To Do When a Lithium-ion Battery Fire Starts at the Bottom of a Waste Pile
Ryan Fogelman

The waste and recycling industry continues to ride the rollercoaster wave of lithium-ion batteries, and the problem isn’t going away any time soon. We find these batteries at the top of waste piles, at the bottom of piles, in auto shredder residue piles, in equipment and more.  So, what can we do to continue to fight these challenges? 

Read more here.

2. Former Coca-Cola Veteran Discusses What Circularity Models Work and Why
Arlene Karidis

In his 30 years working with several high-profile brands and corporations, including 19 years with Coca-Cola, Venkatesh Kini has seen firsthand the environmental impact of waste consumer products, mainly packaging. Kini who went on to launch Ubuntoo to help these very types of companies achieve sustainability, spoke to Waste360 about how to transition to a circular economy; what models work and why; and what’s in it for corporations that do it right.

Read the article here.

3. Just Salad's Sustainability Report Highlights Waste-Free Dining Movement
Stefanie Valentic

New York-based Just Salad, known for its fast-casual restaurant concept that utilizes reusable containers, has just released its 2021 Sustainability Report. In an introductory letter, Nick Kenner, founder and CEO, and Sandra Noonan, chief sustainability officer, placed emphasis on the company's commitment to "every health and sustainability."

Read the article here.

4. Waste-based Cement Alternative Provides Functional Benefits While Capturing and Trapping Carbon
Arlene Karidis 

Concrete is the most manufactured material in the world, with Portland cement, which binds it, accounting for about 8% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. For perspective, cement makers in China alone (highest producer by country) spewed out 858 million metric tons of CO2 in 2020, according to market data company Statista. As governments set carbon reduction goals, and as the green building industry booms, the hunt is on for sustainable technologies to clean up the roughly .65 to .95 tons of CO2 emitted per ton of cement.

Read more here.

5. Episode 150: Let’s Talk Plastic
Liz Bothwell

In our latest episode of NothingWasted! Podcast, we cover all things plastic. From what to do with plastic caps and bottles with different types of labels, to clamshell packaging, HDPE and more, Charlotte breaks it all down.

Read the entire article here.