Episode 22: How to recycle plastic bags: The Trex Story

FromMassRecycle Podcast

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Episode 22: How to recycle plastic bags: The Trex Story

FromMassRecycle Podcast

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Length:

36 minutes

Released:

Mar 31, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Released:

Mar 31, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (45)

The MassRecycle Podcast is hosted by Gretchen Carey, MR President (New England Recycling and Organics Coordinator for Republic Services) and Waneta Trabert, MR Vice President (Director of the Sustainable Materials Management Division, City of Newton). Waneta and Gretchen discuss hot topics in recycling, reuse, and organics diversion, as well as interviewing people who are doing great and noteworthy things in the field of sustainability in Massachusetts. MassRecycle is always looking for great topics for our podcasts! If you have a great idea, send it along to Admin@MassRecycle.org!

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Episode 13: Overview: All About Food Waste: Gretchen and Waneta talk about the many food waste systems: how they work, where it goes, what it becomes, and how to successfully set up a system that works for you (and your organization). by MassRecycle Podcast
48 min listen
Episode 10: Recycling in Schools: Join the Green Team!: An in-depth interview with MassDEPs Ann McGovern about the Green Team and recycling in K-12 schools: resources, curricula, and success stories. Check it out at https://thegreenteam.org/ by MassRecycle Podcast
40 min listen
Episode 8: RecycleSmart: One Year Later: In August of 2018, MassDEP worked with Massachusettsrecycling facilities to create a state-wide streamlined recycling message. Gretchen and Waneta discuss the roll-out and ways to encourage further adoption. by MassRecycle Podcast
26 min listen
Episode 3: The Recycling Crisis: Origin Story: Gretchen and Waneta give an in-depth look at how the recycling industry evolved over the decades, leading us to the current crisis. by MassRecycle Podcast
36 min listen
Episode 4: Behind the Scenes: Glass Recycling: We discuss the difficulties of processing glass in the single stream systems, and Mike Durfor, Executive Director of the NRRA (Northeast Resource Recovery Association www.NRRA.net) gives us insight on alternatives for the beneficial use of glass. by MassRecycle Podcast
38 min listen
Episode 6: Litter Clean Up with Keep Massachusetts Beautiful: Gretchen and Waneta interview Keep Massachusetts Beautifuls Executive Director Neil Rhein about the small but mighty volunteer army keeping public spaces beautiful in MA.  Steps to run a successful clean-up day of your own, and the role the state pl by MassRecycle Podcast
43 min listen
Episode 9: Collaborating with the MMA: Gretchen and Waneta interview Ariela Lovett from the Massachusetts Municipal Association and discuss recycling, trash, and extended producer responsibility. by MassRecycle Podcast
38 min listen
Episode 16: Compostable dishware, biodegradable plastic, and avoiding greenwashing: Gretchen and Waneta talk with Board member Deb Darby about compostable dishware, the real  meaning of the term biodegradable, and the most sustainable way to run a Zero Waste event while avoiding greenwashing. Learn more from Biodegradable Products by MassRecycle Podcast
36 min listen
Episode 5: Curbside Organics: Gretchen and Waneta interview Michael Orr, Recycling Director of the City of Cambridge, who spearheaded the effort to launch a citywide organics pickup program after 4 years of pilots. by MassRecycle Podcast
31 min listen
Episode 12: Architectural Reuse: EcoBuilding Bargains: Katherine Butler from the Center for EcoTechnology joins Waneta and Gretchen to talk about the coolest new opportunity for reusing and buying salvaged building materials. https://ecobuildingbargains.org/ by MassRecycle Podcast
28 min listen
Episode 14: Digging Deep into Composting: Gretchen and Waneta invite MassDEPs Ann McGovern back to talk all about home composting. by MassRecycle Podcast
56 min listen
Episode 15: Recycling Bin Rejects: Gretchen and Waneta discuss recent changes for recycling in Massachusetts: what doesnt go in, and what no longer goes in, and why. The conversation is based on www.RecycleSmartMA.org, the statewide guidelines for recycling in MA. by MassRecycle Podcast
32 min listen
Episode 11: All About MassRecycle: Gretchen and Waneta do a deep dive on MassRecycle: the Board, the focus, and recent changes, as well as new offerings and opportunities for members. by MassRecycle Podcast
26 min listen
Episode 23: Maximizing Diversion: The Island of Nantucket: Gretchen and Waneta interview Graeme Durovich, Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator on the Island of Nantucket about the specific challenges of creating waste on an island. They cover special rules, litter issues, seasonal changes, and other topics that by MassRecycle Podcast
42 min listen
Episode 7: Plastics: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Gretchen and Waneta do a deep dive on plastics: what they are, what they get used for, and where they are going. Also, why replacing them may not be as simple as it sounds. by MassRecycle Podcast
41 min listen
Episode 21: A Regional Perspective of COVID on the Recycling Landscape: Gretchen and Waneta are joined by Reagan Bissonnette of the NRRA (Northeast Resource Recovery Association) to talk about the effect of Covid 19 on recyclable material, the recycling industry, and the commodities markets. by MassRecycle Podcast
35 min listen
Episode 18: Things your Waste-To-Energy Facility does Not Want: Gretchen and Waneta get into the weeds with Patti Howard from Covanta, discussing unusual opportunities for reuse and diversion as well as things that really shouldnt go to a waste-to-energy facility. by MassRecycle Podcast
49 min listen
Episode 24: Our Stormwater System: the Catch-all for Waste: Gretchen and Waneta learn all about the stormwater system and its many intersections of waste management from MassDEP pro Laura Schifman.  More info here:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stormwater  by MassRecycle Podcast
52 min listen
Episode 20: CET’s Free Resources for Waste Reduction and Energy Conservation: Gretchen and Waneta interview Khrysti Smyth Barry from the Center for EcoTechnology about their many free resources available to businesses and property managers. Learn about opportunities for guidance and helpful tools to recycle more, lower food waste by MassRecycle Podcast
56 min listen
Episode 25: Sustainability on Campus: Learn about existing programs and new ways to help make colleges and universities become more sustainable. Gretchen and Waneta talk with Alex Freid, founder of the Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN), In 2013 Alex and his fellow college students witnes by MassRecycle Podcast
63 min listen
Episode 22: How to recycle plastic bags: The Trex Story by MassRecycle Podcast
36 min listen
Episode 17: Community Relations from a Municipal Perspective: Gretchen and Waneta talk to former Board Member, Phil Goddard about community relations from a municipal perspective. by MassRecycle Podcast
45 min listen
Episode 31: Urban Exchange: This week Audrey Ng and Mike Orr join Waneta and Gretchen to explore sidewalk exchange, and the growing movement of community “Freedges”, around Boston. Audrey is the Water and Sustainability Project Manager for the Boston Public Schools District and by MassRecycle Podcast
41 min listen
Episode 19: Big Oil and Plastics Recycling: The Rest of the Story: Recently the media has pointed out the connection between Big Oil and recycling, leaving you to believe that recycling is a scam. Guest speakers from Preserve, Rehrig Pacific, and GreenLabs Recycling explain how the industry has come a long way since the by MassRecycle Podcast
69 min listen
Episode 33: Upcycle. Reuse. Divert. Creative Waste Reduction with the Old Stone Mill: This week Leni Fried joins Waneta and Gretchen to talk about the creative projects piloted by the Old Stone Mill Zero Waste Maker Space. Leni and her partner, Mike Augspurger, founded the Old Stone Mill as a community space for creative reuse, to divert by MassRecycle Podcast
38 min listen
Episode 28: Simplify the Holidays & Reduce Waste: Gretchen and Waneta talk with Kelley Dennings of the Center for Biological Diversity about simplifying the holidays and reducing waste. They discuss top holiday waste generators, alternative gift ideas, hosting and decorating, the role of publi by MassRecycle Podcast
37 min listen
Episode 27: Reuse at The Great Exchange in Devens: Gretchen and Waneta talk with Dona Neely of The Great Exchange in Devens, Mass about their amazing reuse program there. Business clean outs and manufacturing extras turn into resources for non-profits, schools, teachers, and daycares. by MassRecycle Podcast
47 min listen
Episode 26: Gleaning: Saving and Sharing Food: Gretchen and Waneta talk with Paul Franceschi of the Boston Area Gleaners about gleaning: the harvesting of surplus farm crops to preventing waste and expand local food access. Paul talks about their work and how they were able to help when the world nee by MassRecycle Podcast
21 min listen
Episode 34: The Mining Act of 1872: still enforced and even worse than you think: Robin Ingethron and Aaron Mintzes join Waneta and Gretchen to discuss the Mining Act of 1872. This historic push to populate the West with white settlers continues to subsidize extraction and while making it nearly impossible to legally limit mining. R by MassRecycle Podcast
53 min listen
Episode 29: Recycling Romance: In this Valentines Day special episode, Gretchen and Waneta, with the help of Board member Rob Gogan, interview three couples who found each other while following their passion for waste diversion. by MassRecycle Podcast
32 min listen

More Episodes from MassRecycle Podcast

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Episode 47: Organics Diversion in K-12 Schools: Waneta and Gretchen are joined by Gail Sowerder Garron, Regional Planner for MassDEP, and Alison Beucler, Sanitation and Hazardous Material Program Manager for the City of Somerville, to discuss food waste diversion in K-12 schools. Food waste contribute by MassRecycle Podcast
39 min listen
Episode 46: Contracting for Zero Waste: 11/16/22 — Boston, Massachusetts Center for Computing & Data Sciences at sundown Nov 16.Photo by Cydney Scott for Boston University Photography   Waneta and Gretchen are joined by Sarah Healey, MassRecycle Board member and Zero Waste Manag by MassRecycle Podcast
47 min listen
Episode 45: Why Can’t I Recycle This?: Waneta and Gretchen answer the perennial question “Why can’t I recycle this?”. Recycling is a commodity, and not only does it need to be collected and sorted, someone needs to want to buy it. To understand what is recyclable and what is not, it is impo by MassRecycle Podcast
50 min listen
Episode 44: Recycling Programming in Multilingual Communities: Waneta and Gretchen are joined by Jessica Camarena, City of New Bedford Recycling Coordinator, and Rosanna Deldosario, City of Lawrence Recycling Coordinator, to discuss their work to make recycling more accessible to residents. Both of their positions e by MassRecycle Podcast
53 min listen
Episode 43: Unveiling the Invisible: PFAS and Compost: Embark on a revealing journey as Gretchen, Waneta, and Andrew Brousseau of Black Earth Compost delve into PFAS. Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances, or PFAS, is a group of human-made chemicals found in countless everyday items that has permeated our dai by MassRecycle Podcast
35 min listen
Episode 42: Demolition vs. Deconstruction: Careful Practices for a Sustainable Future:   Join Waneta and Gretchen as they delve into deconstruction and mercury with Mike Orbank from STO Building Group and Danielle Myers of the Thermostat Recycling Corporation. Ever wondered about the environmental impact of construction waste? Embo by MassRecycle Podcast
39 min listen
Episode 41: Make Paper out of Paper: Johnny Gold: Recycling legend, Johnny Gold, joins Waneta and Gretchen to talk paper recycling - where it all began and how we got here. Have you ever wondered how paper drives earn money? How did paper recycling start? What happens to the paper you throw in your bi by MassRecycle Podcast
59 min listen
Episode 40: Sustainability on Campus: 2023 Edition: In this episode, Waneta and Gretchen are joined by four experts who have dedicated their careers to reducing waste and promoting sustainability on college campuses. Lauri Simmons of UMass Amherst, Sue Higgins of Northeastern University, Sarah Healey of B by MassRecycle Podcast
62 min listen
Episode 39: The Recycling Miracle: MassDEP’s RecycleSmart: In 2018, China National Sword cut off imports of foreign recyclables and brought recycling in the US to a screeching halt. In Massachusetts, MassDEP created RecycleSmart: the one stop resource to turn the Wild Wild West of recycling collections into mat by MassRecycle Podcast
40 min listen
Episode 38: An Insider’s View of Recycling, Solid Waste, and Pollution Prevention.: Pull up a chair and join Gretchen and Waneta in conversation with Terri Goldberg. Terri has had an extensive career in recycling, solid waste, and pollution prevention. She is retiring from her role as Executive Director of the Northeast Waste Manageme by MassRecycle Podcast
40 min listen
Episode 37: Lithium Batteries: Blowing Up!: Lithium batteries are exploding in popularity, and literally exploding. Gretchen and Waneta welcome Stan Walczak, Rob Gogan, and Dave Ditada, to discuss the explosive danger of lithium batteries. Stan Walczak is Facility Manager of ReSource Waste Service by MassRecycle Podcast
59 min listen
Episode 36: Simplify the Holidays & Reduce Waste – a Re-Release for 2022: Gretchen and Waneta talk with Kelley Dennings of the Center for Biological Diversity about simplifying the holidays and reducing waste. They discuss top holiday waste generators, alternative gift ideas, hosting and decorating, the role of public policy, by MassRecycle Podcast
37 min listen
Episode 35: Textile Recycling: The MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans are quickly approaching, and MassRecycle has resources for you. In this episode, Waneta and Gretchen interview four textile vendors that take used items and recycle, upcycle, repurpose, or divert them for reuse. Epilepsy F by MassRecycle Podcast
59 min listen
Episode 34: The Mining Act of 1872: still enforced and even worse than you think: Robin Ingethron and Aaron Mintzes join Waneta and Gretchen to discuss the Mining Act of 1872. This historic push to populate the West with white settlers continues to subsidize extraction and while making it nearly impossible to legally limit mining. R by MassRecycle Podcast
53 min listen
Episode 33: Upcycle. Reuse. Divert. Creative Waste Reduction with the Old Stone Mill: This week Leni Fried joins Waneta and Gretchen to talk about the creative projects piloted by the Old Stone Mill Zero Waste Maker Space. Leni and her partner, Mike Augspurger, founded the Old Stone Mill as a community space for creative reuse, to divert by MassRecycle Podcast
38 min listen
Episode 32: Pet Peeves & Reasons for Hope from the Solid Waste World: This episode is what we all need right now: reasons for hope from the world of solid waste, and also some commiserating with your fellow materials management professionals. MassRecycle board members join Waneta and Gretchen to share their pet peeves, se by MassRecycle Podcast
64 min listen
Episode 31: Urban Exchange: This week Audrey Ng and Mike Orr join Waneta and Gretchen to explore sidewalk exchange, and the growing movement of community “Freedges”, around Boston. Audrey is the Water and Sustainability Project Manager for the Boston Public Schools District and by MassRecycle Podcast
41 min listen
Episode 30: Mattress Recycling: In light of the upcoming 2022 mattress waste ban, Waneta and Gretchen interview MassRecycle member organizations UTEC, HandUp and Green Mattress about their mattress recycling programs. Waneta also discusses the role of Extended Producer Responsibility by MassRecycle Podcast
37 min listen
Episode 29: Recycling Romance: In this Valentines Day special episode, Gretchen and Waneta, with the help of Board member Rob Gogan, interview three couples who found each other while following their passion for waste diversion. by MassRecycle Podcast
32 min listen
Episode 28: Simplify the Holidays & Reduce Waste: Gretchen and Waneta talk with Kelley Dennings of the Center for Biological Diversity about simplifying the holidays and reducing waste. They discuss top holiday waste generators, alternative gift ideas, hosting and decorating, the role of publi by MassRecycle Podcast
37 min listen
Episode 27: Reuse at The Great Exchange in Devens: Gretchen and Waneta talk with Dona Neely of The Great Exchange in Devens, Mass about their amazing reuse program there. Business clean outs and manufacturing extras turn into resources for non-profits, schools, teachers, and daycares. by MassRecycle Podcast
47 min listen
Episode 26: Gleaning: Saving and Sharing Food: Gretchen and Waneta talk with Paul Franceschi of the Boston Area Gleaners about gleaning: the harvesting of surplus farm crops to preventing waste and expand local food access. Paul talks about their work and how they were able to help when the world nee by MassRecycle Podcast
21 min listen
Episode 25: Sustainability on Campus: Learn about existing programs and new ways to help make colleges and universities become more sustainable. Gretchen and Waneta talk with Alex Freid, founder of the Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN), In 2013 Alex and his fellow college students witnes by MassRecycle Podcast
63 min listen
Episode 24: Our Stormwater System: the Catch-all for Waste: Gretchen and Waneta learn all about the stormwater system and its many intersections of waste management from MassDEP pro Laura Schifman.  More info here:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stormwater  by MassRecycle Podcast
52 min listen
Episode 23: Maximizing Diversion: The Island of Nantucket: Gretchen and Waneta interview Graeme Durovich, Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator on the Island of Nantucket about the specific challenges of creating waste on an island. They cover special rules, litter issues, seasonal changes, and other topics that by MassRecycle Podcast
42 min listen
Episode 21: A Regional Perspective of COVID on the Recycling Landscape: Gretchen and Waneta are joined by Reagan Bissonnette of the NRRA (Northeast Resource Recovery Association) to talk about the effect of Covid 19 on recyclable material, the recycling industry, and the commodities markets. by MassRecycle Podcast
35 min listen
Episode 20: CET’s Free Resources for Waste Reduction and Energy Conservation: Gretchen and Waneta interview Khrysti Smyth Barry from the Center for EcoTechnology about their many free resources available to businesses and property managers. Learn about opportunities for guidance and helpful tools to recycle more, lower food waste by MassRecycle Podcast
56 min listen
Episode 19: Big Oil and Plastics Recycling: The Rest of the Story: Recently the media has pointed out the connection between Big Oil and recycling, leaving you to believe that recycling is a scam. Guest speakers from Preserve, Rehrig Pacific, and GreenLabs Recycling explain how the industry has come a long way since the by MassRecycle Podcast
69 min listen
Episode 18: Things your Waste-To-Energy Facility does Not Want: Gretchen and Waneta get into the weeds with Patti Howard from Covanta, discussing unusual opportunities for reuse and diversion as well as things that really shouldnt go to a waste-to-energy facility. by MassRecycle Podcast
49 min listen
Episode 17: Community Relations from a Municipal Perspective: Gretchen and Waneta talk to former Board Member, Phil Goddard about community relations from a municipal perspective. by MassRecycle Podcast
45 min listen

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Episode 22: How to recycle plastic bags: The Trex Story

Episode 22: How to recycle plastic bags: The Trex Story

Titles in the series (45)

More Episodes from MassRecycle Podcast