WHAT'S GOING ON?
Check out what's happening with RAA and the recycling industry today. Follow us on social media for more up to date stories:
Why Recycling Properly Is Important and How It Can Create Significant Cost Savings
May 19, 2022
Network Magazine interviews RAA Executive Director, Mitch Hedlund about the recycling crisis and why we should fix it.
Talking Trash with Bill Maher
November 22, 2019
Check out this exclusive interview with Bill Maher where we talk trash and why he feels that it is so important to discuss it.
Women Leaders in Waste: Mitch Hedlund of Recycle Across America
September 17, 2019
After hearing numerous clients express their struggles around recycling, Mitch Hedlund decided to take action.
25 Years and 150 Million Pounds Later: Battery Recycling Through the Years
June 17, 2019
Rep. Betty McCollum, chair of the interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee has directed the EPA to develop an initiative tied to national standardization of recycling labels, spearheaded by Recycle Across America. And the Department of Energy recently announced a launch of a lithium-ion battery recycling prize. While a step in the right direction, these programs alone are not enough.
How you're recycling plastic wrong, from coffee cups to toothpaste
June 17, 2019
We tend to throw it in the recycling bin anyway, in the hope that some unknown person, somewhere else, will sort it out. Recyclers call this aspirational recycling, or wish-cycling.
Historic U.S. Bill To Clean Up Recycling At The Bin And Save Billions
May 23, 2019
In a landmark move, a national recycling strategy is to be launched across the U.S., aiming to streamline recycling bin labels and, in so doing, give the market a desperately needed overhaul.
Breaking through barriers to boost recycling rates
May 13, 2019
Four unique perspectives on how to address challenges with sustainability goals and recycling education.
RAA Receives Bank of America Grant to Create Standardized Recycling Labels
April 03, 2019
The $250,000 grant will support Recycle Across America’s standardized label solution for community recycling bins.
Mountains of unwanted recycling pose growing threat to US cities
April 02, 2019
“It’s worse than any other country in the world — people don’t want to hear that, but it’s true — because we generate more waste than any other country in the world,” Ms Hedlund said. “That generates an obligation to be better at recycling.”
Why recycling efforts are getting trashed: "This is a total no-no"
April 01, 2019
On a recent day in Orlando, three brave souls agreed to haul out their recycling bins to let correspondent Tony Dokoupil take a peek inside and (with the help of Mitch Hedlund, from Recycle Across America) do a little audit.
Recycle Across America receives Bank of America grant
March 29, 2019
Bank of America has given the nonprofit $250,000 to support its standardized recycling bin labels.
As Costs Skyrocket, More U.S. Cities Stop Recycling
March 16, 2019
With China no longer accepting used plastic and paper, communities are facing steep collection bills, forcing them to end their programs or burn or bury more waste.
The U.S. Sucks at Recycling, and This 9-Year-Old Is Trying to Fix It
March 12, 2019
If you've ever used a recycling bin in the U.S., you'll probably recognize Recycle Across America's standardized labels, which clearly indicate which recycling bins are for which items. The nonprofit is on a mission to get more people to recycle by standardizing recycling labels across the country.
The future of re-use: Recycling is costly, but it shouldn’t be curtailed
January 14, 2019
Mitch Hedlund, executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Recycle Across America says that recycling can be made profitable if it is done right. Her organization advocates for standardized labeling of recycling bins — visual cues that would be clearly understood by the public. She likens them to traffic signs that are consistent from town to town, state to state. The theory has been tested and proven as workable.
Under China's New Rules, U.S. Recycling Suffers
November 28, 2018
Some cities are closing recycling plants. Others are ending curbside pickup. For recycling to be sustainable, consumers must learn to sort their trash better.
Recycle Across America Labels Help Simplify, Increase Recycling
November 09, 2018
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Nine years ago, when she founded Recycle Across America, Mitch Hedlund’s idea to increase U.S. recycling rates seemed too simple to work.
Outreach effort nets major donations
October 30, 2018
Recycle Across America announced last week that its “Let’s recycle right” promotion effort has received donated advertising from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Lamar Advertising, Meredith Publications and more. The campaign, which features celebrities and other public figures, is now the largest recycling campaign in U.S. history, according to Recycle Across America.
Environmental activist sees glimmers of light in dark news about recycling
October 18, 2018
The Associated Press reported Oct. 10 that the global market for recycled consumer waste has collapsed, shuttering hundreds of processing facilities and leaving many municipalities paying to dispose of paper, plastic and other household recyclables that they used to sell at a modest profit.
Tons and tons of Chicago recycling isn’t getting recycled. And a private company is paid for it — twice.
October 18, 2018
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration has allowed a private city recycling hauler to divert tons of residential plastics and paper into landfills the company owns, costing taxpayers twice and aggravating Chicago’s worst-in-the-nation recycling rate, a Better Government Association investigation has found.
In Response To U.S. Recycling Crisis Including The Shutdown Of 1,000 California Recycling Centers, Nonprofit Organization Recycle Across America Launches Largest Recycling Campaign In U.S. History
September 10, 2018
Actors, Olympic Gold Medalists, Grammy-Award winning musicians, Emmy-Award-Winning Comedians, CEOs, Global Sustainability Executives, Athletes, Government Officials and others featured in National "Let's recycle right!" TV/Billboard/Print/Social Media Campaign
RAA launches recycling education campaign
September 17, 2018
“Let’s recycle right!” campaign features tips for proper recycling and introduces the group’s standardized labeling solution for recycling bins.
RAA Launches Nation’s Largest Recycling Campaign
September 13, 2018
Celebrities, CEOs, global sustainability executives, athletes and government officials are featured in this national “Let’s recycle right!” multimedia campaign.
At SFO, zero waste means zero confusion
August 30, 2018
Consistency is key. Visitors traveling between terminals see the same colors and signs. The airport’s sustainability team is also collaborating with businesses to streamline the types of disposable products offered, while promoting reusable materials. If all cups, forks and straws are compostable, for example, it’s easier for visitors to pick a bin.
Six ways to build a killer waste reduction program at your conscious company
August 30, 2018
Get back to basics with a waste reduction program that shrinks your company's impact and builds a culture around mindful, sustainable choices.
Americans are terrible at recycling - this is what happens when you put something wrong in the bin
August 30, 2018
We’re all guilty of mistakenly throwing away trash in a recycling bin or tossing a paper cup in a disposal meant for plastic.
The Conflict of Interest That Is Killing Recycling
August 23, 2018
Some of the biggest recycling operations are owned by landfill companies whose profits improve when recycling doesn’t work well.
Resource Recovery Wins Prestigious Industry Award for Let’s recycle RIght!® Campaign
June 14, 2018
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has named Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (Resource Recovery) winner of the 2018 Gold Excellence Award in the Awareness Campaign category. This is the highest award given for an awareness campaign by the industry association.
RAA Mentioned: NRC: China's import ban exposed poor US recycling practices
May 17, 2018
Recycle Across America Executive Director Mitch Hedlund addressed this problem in an interview with Waste Dive in which she said that education cannot fix this challenge.
Could Standardized Recycling Labels Be the Solution to Overcoming the Industry’s China Ban Woes?
April 16, 2018
Standardization could help the waste and recycling industry overcome issues like contamination and confusion at the bin.
Recycle Across America: Standardization, not education, can fix contamination
February 28, 2018
Waste Dive recently spoke with Hedlund to further understand why she places such an emphasis on standardizing recycling labels — and how she says those moves could help the recycling industry
NFL, PepsiCo, U.S. Bank Stadium, Set Goal for Zero Waste Super Bowl
February 02, 2018
“We are focusing on practical solutions that help drive behavior change,” says Barbieri. “For example, we know that clear and consistent signage is key, so we’ve worked with U.S. Bank Stadium and Recycle Across America to relabel hundreds of bins in the stadium so fans know where to put their waste materials. The waste-to-energy section of the bins inside the stadium has been made smaller to encourage fans to place material in the larger recycling and composting bins. And the opening of the waste receptacle was redesigned to help fans get the right materials in the right bins. Simple changes like that can make a big difference.”
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Saving Money by Teaching Kids to Recycle
December 04, 2017
Atlanta Public Schools have adopted the standardized labels to help the students at their K-12 schools recycle right thanks to a donation from Bank of America and Recycle Across America.
Ahead of Super Bowl, U.S. Bank Stadium Aims to Win Recycling
November 15, 2017
U.S. Bank Stadium is teaming up with Recycle Across America, a nonprofit organization that created the first and only society-wide standardized labels for bins in an effort to help recycling and closed-loop manufacturing thrive.
High-tech 'BigBelly' recycling bins installed in downtown Orlando
November 07, 2017
According to Downtown Orlando's release on the new recycling units, "The labels on our new containers come from Recycle Across America, and bring Orlando into the nationwide movement of standardizing recycling labels to help users better understand what to put in the bin."
Minnesota State Fair's green movement adds up in many ways
August 28, 2017
"...[standardized signage] resulted in an estimated increased collection of nearly 400,000 bottles and plastic cups over the course of the fair, increasing plastic and glass recycling by 22 percent."
Resource Recovery launches Let's recycle right! campaign
August 17, 2017
Together with an all-star cast of Rhode Islanders, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (Resource Recovery) recently unveiled a campaign aimed to clean up the Ocean State’s mixed recycling. Created in partnership with Recycle Across America (RAA),
Who is today's environmental activist?
July 14, 2017
Kerri Miller discusses what it means to be an environmental activist (a.k.a. engaged citizen) in today's political climate with Mitch Hedlund, Terry Tempest Williams, and Nicole Rom.
Applying Subaru's factory lessons to national parks
July 07, 2017
The automaker also provided grants to the three pilot parks to provide infrastructure, such as composting equipment, bear-resistant recycling containers and standardized labels, as well as educational support for park visitors, employees and the gateway communities.
What would happen if everyone recycled?
June 22, 2017
The world would look a lot different if everyone recycled. Most likely, it would be cleaner and make more use of available resources. Landfills would shrink tremendously. Recycling plants would be an epicenter of activity.
What Is Your Event Doing to Help the Recycling Crisis?
May 11, 2017
While the outlook for the industry is bleak, Recycle Across America, a nonprofit organization, is finding that the simple solution of creating consistent labels and messaging on recycling bins can help the problem.
Listen to our interview on Green Guy Radio
April 01, 2017
Check out our Executive Director Mitch Hedlund talk about the recycling industry and the standardized label solution.
Reforming Recycling: How one symbol has led to truckloads of trash and confusion
November 02, 2016
This NPR interview explains how Recycle Across America’s standardized label solution is evolving recycling symbolism to overcome the public’s confusion that has been trashing recycling in the U.S.
Recycle Across America's Site is #1 in Google's Search Engines
April 05, 2017
Recycle Across America is on a mission. The goal: standardize recycling labels in America. But in order to do it, they needed SEO to get the message out there.
Subaru of America and Recycle Across America Join Forces to Support the Zero Landfill Initiative Piloted at Three National Parks
December 15, 2016
Subaru of America (Subaru) and Recycle Across America (RAA) today announce a donation of RAA's standardized recycling label system to support the automaker's zero landfill initiative currently being piloted at three national parks.
How one symbol has led to truckloads of trash and confusion
January 01, 2020
A non-profit called Recycle Across America is trying to bring that success back to the U.S.:
"Introduce a standardized labeling system for recycling bins," says Mitch Hedlund, executive director of the non-profit.
St. Anthony: Making it easier to recycle at the State Fair
September 03, 2016
The State Fair generates a lot of waste over its 12-day run — upward of 84 tons. But groups are trying to make the fair more of a reduce-reuse-recycle expo, adding 260 recycling bins this year on top of more than 500 already on site.
Jeremy Piven joins the band at charity event
August 26, 2016
Wine brand Santa Margherita’s She Shed Event featured a silent auction benefitting Recycle Across America, a nonprofit that Piven supports.
Santa Margherita Kicks Off Summer With ''She Shed'' Campaign
August 25, 2016
Santa Margherita has partnered with Recycle Across America (RAA), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to simplifying the act of recycling for the general public, to increase awareness surrounding various sustainability and environmental issues. The partnership includes on-site educational awareness and a silent auction at the unveiling event with proceeds benefitting RAA's educational programs.
Study Reveals Lack of Awareness of Waste Challenges Facing U.S. National Parks
August 18, 2016
All three pilot parks have committed to adopting the standardized recycling labels from Recycle Across America that have been proven to increase recycling levels, reduce confusion at the bin and make it easier for park visitors to recycle correctly.
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation enters into first-of-its-kind agreement with Recycle Across America
August 17, 2016
As summer heats up, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) announces a hot new agreement with Recycle Across America (RAA). On Earth Day (April 22) Rhode Island became the first state in the nation to adopt RAA’s standardized label solution for recycling bins, making 36,000 free labels available to all of RI’s public schools.
Consumer options exist for difficult-to-recycle plastics
July 21, 2016
EPA’s most recent report places the plastics recovery rate at 9%. Why does so little plastic find its way back into the system? Recycle Across America's standardized labels help people recycle plastics properly ...
'Human Resources' is Back
July 18, 2016
Check out RAA's partner Pivot TV's Season 3 of Human Resources. Human Resources is an unconventional, comedic, behind-the-scenes look at TerraCycle, an innovative recycling company whose mission is to eliminate the idea of waste.
NPR: R.I. Joins Standardized Label Movement - Expected To Improve Recycling Across The State
June 21, 2016
Rhode Island is the first state in the nation to join the national movement with Recycle Across America aimed at using a standardized recycling label. Major corporations, such as Whole Foods and Disneyland, have already joined the mission as well...
Packaging World: A simple recycling ‘fix’ with big potential for packaging
June 13, 2016
Referred to by The New York Times as ‘one of the most important environmental fixes taking root today,’ Recycle Across America’s standardized recycling label goes viral.
Naples Herald: Whole Foods, Recycle Across America Want ‘Leaders For Progress’
April 24, 2016
Whole Food Market has just partnered with Recycle Across America (RAA) for its “Leaders for Progress” initiative and its “Let’s recycle right!” campaign. As of April, the initiative has been launched in all 26 Florida stores to help further educate and enhance the public’s recycling habits. The stores recycling bins are now all labeled with easy-to- understand single-stream recycling and all team members have been trained fully to help assist in recycling.
Sustainable Brands: World’s First ‘Live Stream’ Billboard PSA Campaign Will Promote Recycling Across the U.S.
April 20, 2016
Celebrities such as Alanis Morissette, Bill Maher, Angie Harmon, Anthony Mackie, Johnny Galecki, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeremy Piven, Olivia Stuck, AnnaSophia Robb, Kristen Bell, Stana Katic, Gabby Reece, Kendrick Sampson, and many others will be featured on Lamar Advertising’s digital billboards in promotion of Recycle Across America’s “Let’s recycle right!” campaign for Earth Week. World reknowned celebrity photographer Timothy White donated his talent with each of the celebrities to begin to make recycling shine!
Providence Journal: Green Living: R.I. first state to adopt recycling labels
April 14, 2016
We are so proud of the tiny but mighty state of Rhode Island for being the VERY FIRST STATE in the U.S. to adopt the society-wide standardized labeling system to make it easier for people to begin to recycle right, wherever they are in the state. They are starting to roll-out the standardized labels in their K-12 schools and government buildings first.
Forester Network: Recycle Across America and Participant Media’s Pivot Announce Two Landmark Events for Earth Week 2016
April 07, 2016
At 2016 Brand Leaders Solution Summit, strategy is introduced to address: mass closures of U.S. recycling plants; challenges with sustainable packaging; and waste in oceans. Followed by world’s first live-streamed celebrity PSA campaign.
First Coast News: St. Johns County joins nationwide effort to standardize recycling bins
March 30, 2016
St. Johns County is joining the nationwide movement to implement standardized labels on recycling bins to make it easier for the public to recycling properly. Along with Recycle Across America, St. Johns County's goal is to do something really simple: to standardize the labels for recycling bins across the country.
Waste Dive: Double trouble: Twice as much trash is sent to U.S. landfills than EPA estimate
September 22, 2015
A study published by researchers at Yale University in the journal Nature Climate Change determined that 289 million tons of waste was sent to landfills in 2012, more than twice the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's figure of 135 million tons.
Coco Eco Magazine: Talking Trash with Bill Maher
October 01, 2014
Bill is the perfect person to talk about trash and our ever- growing global problem of it. If I had to distill it down to one thing, what I appreciate most about him is his ability to make people feel uncomfortable.
MSNBC: Tony Doupokil Interviews Mitch Hedlund
September 01, 2015
MSNBC Tony Doupokil interviews Mitch Hedlund about standardized labels and how unnecessarily confusing recycling is in the U.S.
Waste 360: Celebrities Pitching In on Recycling Labeling Awareness Campaign
August 27, 2015
Angie Harmon, Kristen Bell, Mark Ruffalo and dozens of other celebrities are lending their superstar status to help Recycle Across America spread its “recycle right” message to the nation.
Tree Hugger: Can a social action campaign help us finally 'Recycle Right'?
August 21, 2015
As most of us have recently been hearing across the media spectrum, recycling today is in trouble. Recyclers can’t secure the margins that make recycling profitable, recovery rates are stagnant, and waste management companies are looking at the future of the U.S.’s recycling infrastructure with a skeptical eye.
Recycling Today: Double trouble: Twice as much trash is sent to U.S. landfills than EPA estimate
August 19, 2015
Televised public service announcements created by Recycle Across America (RAA) have been scheduled for increased airplay in August 2015, according to the not-for-profit organization that describes itself as “dedicated to simplifying the act of recycling for the general public to help them recycle more and help them recycle right.”
USA Today: New ad campaign helps consumers sort out recycling confusion
August 19, 2015
If you're confused about the nuances of recycling — Does the greasy pizza box get recycled or trashed? Do glass and aluminum get separated? — join the club.
Recycle Across America Teams with Kiehl’s for Earth Day, Donating 65,000 Standardized Recycling Labels to Schools
April 21, 2015
In honor of Earth Day, nonprofit organization Recycle Across America (RAA) is partnering with Kiehl’s Since 1851 (Kiehl’s), to donate 65,000 of the new society-wide standardized labels for recycling bins to 650 K-12 schools across the United States.
Green is Good Radio: Standardizing Recycling Labels with Recycle Across America's Mitch Hedlund
September 12, 2014
Today on GreenIsGood: Recycle Across America's plan is simple: Provide standardized recycling labels throughout the country to help recycling rates rise.
Waste Management World: Combined U.S. Recycling & Composting Rate Drops to 34.5% for 2012
May 13, 2014
The latest figures from the U.S. EPA show that the combined recycling and composting rate for MSW in the has fallen from 34.7% in 2011 to 34.5% in 2012.
The Opinionator: The Recycling Reflex
July 25, 2012
What if there were something that could create 1.5 million new jobs, reduce carbon emissions equal to taking 50 million cars off the road, cut dependence on foreign oil, increase exports, save water, improve air quality and reduce toxic waste?
Forbes: Never Underestimate The Impact Of A Simple Solution
June 21, 2012
Statistics tell us that people want to do “the right thing” environmentally, but let’s be honest…doing the right thing is often confusing or too much work.
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