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The problem is systemic, they say: the rise in consumption is even more rapid than the growth in global population, and although some companies are increasing the amount of recycled material they use, the majority ignore the issue with no apparent penalties. This means that societies generate more waste than recycling systems can handle. Even if all recyclable goods were recycled, which is unlikely as many goods are simply too difficult or costly to recycle, global recycling rates would only reach 25%, meaning that consumption must be slashed in order to tackle a growing global waste crisis. Ivonne Bojoh, chief executive of Circle Economy, said: ‘‘Our analysis is clear: even in the ideal world, we cannot solve the triple planetary crisis by mere recycling. The much-needed systemic change requires fundamental change. “This means unlocking circular potential in stocks like buildings and infrastructure, managing biomass sustainably and stopping sending perfectly renewable materials to landfills. “This change doesn’t happen outside ourselves. We all need to make different choices, be bold, and invest to implement circular solutions across value chains.”As many consumers can attest, recycling levels have been increasing in recent years. From 2018 to 2021, the use of recycled materials used in manufacturing has also increased by 200m tonnes, thanks to increasing awareness.

But this increase has been outpaced by the growth in use of virgin materials, the researchers found.They cited figures showing that global extraction of raw materials has more than tripled in the past half century, recently reaching 100bn tonnes a year – a figure expected to rise by a further 60% by 2060, unless action is taken.....read on    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/16/global-recycling-rates-have-fallen-for-eighth-year-running-report-finds

The Business Takeaway:  Keep up with local policy. As regulations change, companies and individuals will need to adapt their waste and disposal methods.

2. The recycling industry is still adapting to China’s ‘National Sword’ policy. In early 2018, China banned the import of some plastics and other materials headed for that nation’s recycling processors – creating a backlog of recyclable goods across the globe¹ , and leading to countries landfilling recyclables. Though there has been a rise in technology and other tactics to increase cleaner recycling streams, it remains to be seen if the US will rise to the occasion and adapt. The Business Takeaway: The Business Takeaway: Residential recycling service costs hit $6.85 per month per household due to repercussions from National Sword – up 11% over 2018 costs² . Commercial and residential recycling costs will continue to rise as countries figure out new ways to handle additional recycling processes.

3. The United States is doing better at recycling… but there’s room to improve.Back in 1960, only 7% of US waste was recycled or diverted – today, that number is almost 35%³ , a 5x increase! Education is still a necessity as recyclables in the waste stream are highly contaminated. Yet, each American still generates 4.9 pounds³ of waste a day on average– and it’s growing each year. The US has a long way to go towards achieving a net zero impact.The Business Takeaway: Overconsumption in the US is a problem. Reduction of waste starts with taking a look at the supply chain and using less.                                                                                                                                                              4. When it comes to recycling, not all products are created equal.Reusing or donating a car can save 8,811 lbs. of CO2 greenhouse emissions4 (compared to building a new one). Correctly reusing a refrigerator can eliminate 566 lbs. of CO2 greenhouse gases – and both are notoriously hard to recycle. Yet, recycling a ton of plastic bottles can save 3,380 lbs. of C02 emissions⁴ – and are tricky to traditionally reuse. Correctly understanding environmental impacts and methods for recycling products vs. reusing is critically important.The Business Takeaway: Based on the product, reuse or donation should be considered before traditional recycling or disposal                                                                      5. People want sustainability – and they’re willing to make changes to get it.Consumers are shifting to eco-friendly and virtue-based brands – evident by the likes of sustainably sourced goods, plant based foods, and repurposed products. Method soaps, Rothy’s shoes, and Beyond Meat are all perfect examples. Additionally, employees want to work with companies that are environmentally conscious, and companies are responding5. Today, nearly 3,500 Certified B Corporations exist in the world6, double the volume from three years ago.The Business Takeaway: The trade-off between sustainability and profitability no longer exists, sustainable business practices are emerging as market leaders adopt criteria, such as ESG.......read on, a huge website-  there's much, much more   https://www.rts.com/resources/guides/the-state-of-recycling-today/

Fulton said many people and businesses do the right thing by having compost bins and systems in place to have the materials diverted and composted, but the latest Metro Vancouver waste composition shows that 22 per cent of regional waste was compostable organics, the most common single item, ahead of plastic, which comprises 19 percent of regional waste. In 2024, an average of 70 kilograms of compostable organic materials per person ended up in the garbage.That's down from the 87 kilograms per capita of compostable organics in the garbage in 2021, when they made up 28 percent of regional waste. Conversely, if organics are properly diverted, it's a straightforward process to turn them into a soil amendment. "Which is a valuable product that actually helps build healthy soils." Officials like Fulton are commending residents and businesses for their efforts to slowly reduce the amount of organic waste showing up in landfills.

AND........But there's still work to be done," said Fulton. "We see some sectors where there's more challenges than others." One of the biggest areas for improvement is multi-family buildings. A separate waste composition study in 2024 by Metro Vancouver showed that 32 percent of waste coming from the buildings was compostable organics. Smaller spaces, smell, and ickiness are all reasons why residents in these buildings have a higher rate of organic waste in their garbage compared to the regional average. Cristy Houston, the City of Richmond's waste reduction and recycling co-ordinator, says a big part of her job is providing tools and information to residents in multi-family buildings to divert more organic waste. "I think of a lack of convenience … the distance between where you may be sorting your materials and where they're actually ending up within your building can contribute to why it might be easier to do things incorrectly," she said. "But the opportunity to sort and create that space within your multifamily building to make sure you're sorting things is something that's readily available to all residents." There are buildings overcoming these hurdles and doing a great job, according to both Houston and Fulton......read on  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/organic-waste-diversion-metro-vancouver-1.7618427.

AND........ Best Practices for Organics Diversion in Multi-Residential Buildings: A Literature Review January 15, 2024  Posted by: Katrina McGuire   Introduction The diversion of organic waste from the traditional end-of-life scenario of landfill disposal is a rapidly evolving and important aspect of modern waste management. Organic materials, such as food scraps, yard waste, and soiled paper products, constitute a significant fraction of the municipal solid waste stream. When these materials are landfilled, they decompose anaerobically, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential many times greater than carbon dioxide (EPA, 2021). The diversion of organics to composting or anaerobic digestion facilities can thus mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, extend the lifespan of existing landfills, and recycle nutrients back into the soil, promoting soil health and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Multi-residential buildings, such as apartment complexes and condominiums, pose unique challenges for the diversion of organic waste. These challenges stem from a high density of residents, diverse resident populations with varying levels of environmental awareness and commitment, limited space for waste sorting and storage, and the complexities of coordinating waste management practices across numerous households. Despite these challenges, the successful diversion of organics in such settings is crucial because of the significant volume of waste generated and the potential for large-scale impact on waste reduction goals. The success of organics diversion in multi-residential buildings is contingent upon a combination of factors. Education and regular communication are vital to ensure that residents are aware of the reasons for organics diversion, understand how to participate correctly, and are motivated to engage in the program. The provision of convenient and well-designed collection systems is equally important to facilitate the easy separation and storage of organic materials. Policy measures from municipal or building management can support and enforce organics diversion, while financial incentives can encourage participation and reduce contamination rates. Furthermore, fostering a community ethos that values sustainability can be particularly effective in multi-residential settings, where peer influence and shared spaces are inherent aspects of daily life. By addressing these factors in an integrated manner, multi-residential buildings can overcome the barriers to effective organics diversion and make a significant contribution to environmental sustainability and the circular economy. In the broader literature, various strategies and programs have been documented that address these challenges with varying degrees of success. This report will delve into these strategies, supported by examples from the literature, to articulate a comprehensive approach to organics diversion in multi residential buildings. This report is broken down into the following sections: 1) Best practices in Education and Engagement 2) Best practices in Infrastructure and Collection for Organic Waste Management in MultiResidential Buildings 3) Best practices in Space Optimization 4) Best practices in Collection Methods and Processing 5) Best practices in Maintenance and Hygiene 6) Best practices in Building Codes and Standards for Waste Management 7) Best practices in Policies and Incentives.......read the report https://cdn.ymaws.com/municipalwaste.ca/resource/resmgr/news_items/best_practices_in_organics_d.pdf