WASTE WATCHERS BLOG

Mechanics, car dealers, and collision centers generate various types of hazardous and/or potentially harmful waste materials. When it comes to properly treating and disposing of these materials, businesses must adhere to specific disposal processes and regulations. In this blog post, we’ll take you behind the scenes of what this process looks like for the automotive industry.

  If you are familiar with the automotive industry, you know that mechanics, car dealers, and collision centers generate various types of hazardous and/or potentially harmful waste materials. When it comes to properly treating and disposing of these materials, businesses must adhere to specific disposal processes and regulations. In this blog post, we’ll take you behind the scenes of what this process looks like for the automotive industry, and what can happen when these materials are not handled or disposed of properly. Continue reading to learn more!

Since the 1950s, 9 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced, and today it's completely ingrained into our everyday lives: from the products and packaging that manufacturers use to the serious dependency consumers have for it. The rate at which we consume plastics has become unmanageable. This crisis has many people asking: what can we do to solve a problem of this scale? In this post, we dive into...

  Since the 1950s, 9 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced, and today it's completely ingrained into our everyday lives: from the products and packaging that manufacturers use to the serious dependency consumers have for it. The rate at which we consume plastics has become unmanageable. This crisis has many people asking: what can we do to solve a problem of this scale? In this post, we dive into the complexities of the plastic crisis, the actions being taken to help fight it, and the steps your businesses can take to join the fight.

What is a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)? That's a hard question for most people to answer. Even seasoned veterans of the waste and recycling industry may have a hard time answering it in detail. In this post, we cover everything you need to know about material recovery facilities, including why they exist, how they operate, and how RoadRunner's approach to recycling eliminates the need for them altogether!

  What is a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)? That's a hard question for most people to answer. Even seasoned veterans of the waste and recycling industry may have a hard time answering it in detail. In this post, we cover everything you need to know about material recovery facilities, including why they exist, how they operate, the different kinds of MRFs, the inefficiencies associated with them, and how RoadRunner's approach to recycling eliminates the need for them altogether! Read on to learn more.

 Did you know, a single contaminated material can end up sending an entire batch of recyclables to landfill? Contamination is an issue that significantly reduces the value of recyclable materials and renders them non-recyclable. In our latest blog post, we detail which common contaminates to look out for and the best practices for keeping your recyclables clean. Continue reading to learn more.

   Did you know, a single contaminated material can end up sending an entire batch of recyclables to landfill? Contamination is an issue that significantly reduces the value of recyclable materials and renders them non-recyclable. Recycling is only effective if the collected materials remain clean and free of impurities. Fortunately, understanding the common contaminants will help you keep your recycling streams clean and retain the value of your materials. In this post, we detail which common contaminates to look out for and the best practices for keeping your recyclables clean. Continue reading to learn more, and make sure to grab a copy of our Guide To Avoiding Common Contaminates at the end of this post!

With the wide range of internal waste & recycling receptacles on the market, it can be challenging to figure out which option makes the most sense for your business. In this blog post, we run through the most popular receptacle options on the market, and the factors you should consider, so you can make an informed decision and go with the best option for your organization.

  With the wide range of internal waste & recycling receptacles on the market, it can be challenging to figure out which option makes the most sense for your business. Before you go out and purchase receptacle(s), it's important to consider a number of factors. In this post, we run through the most popular receptacle options on the market, and the factors you should consider, so you can make an informed decision and go with the best option for your organization. Continue reading to learn more. Important Factors To Consider Determining which receptacle option is best for your business can be challenging. Before you get started, consider the following factors: HOW MANY STREAMS WILL YOUR BUSINESS BE COLLECTING? The number of waste streams your business collects will determine the number of containers needed in each receptacle station. For example, if your office collects Paper Products, Commingled Materials, and MSW (landfill waste), then it makes sense to use three receptacles, or containers, to collect each stream separately. If your office collects Paper Products, Commingled Materials, MSW, and Compost, we'd recommend using four containers to collect each stream separately. HOW MANY STATIONS WILL YOU NEED? The appropriate number of receptacle stations will vary based on available space, your budget, and your recycling/diversion goals. Start by identifying the types of waste and associated volumes that your business generates. Determining these factors will help you understand how many stations to purchase and where to locate them throughout your building. If you need some help identifying what types and quantities of waste your business generates, check out our guide to conducting a waste audit.

Two million people in the United States participated in National CleanUp Day. Among the volunteers were RoadRunner employees who spent the day collecting trash near our Headquarters in Pittsburgh. Read on to learn more about National CleanUp Day and what the participating team members from RoadRunner thought of the experience!

Last weekend, two million people in the United States participated in National CleanUp Day. Among the volunteers were RoadRunner employees who spent the day collecting trash near our Headquarters in Pittsburgh and the surrounding neighborhoods. As a group of people who are particularity passionate about the proper management of waste, we always look for opportunities to get involved and help clean up our community. Read on to learn more about National CleanUp Day and what the participating team members from RoadRunner thought of the experience!

From single-use plastic replacements and breaking down cardboard, to reducing waste at healthcare facilities and hotels, we've talked a lot of trash (and recycling) on the Waste Watchers Blog. In our latest blog, we've rounded up our top ten posts all in once place. Read on to view the list and let us know which ones are the most helpful to you and your business!

Have you ever wondered what the numbered recycling symbol on a plastic product stands for? Most people assume it means "recyclable", but that is not always the case. Understanding the plastic recycling symbols will help your business recycle smarter! Check our our post to learn how, and share our infographic with your colleagues who may be interested in learning more about this.

  Have you ever wondered what the numbered symbol on plastic products is for? People often assume it means the plastic item is recyclable, but that's not always the case. In 1988, The Society of the Plastic Industry implemented the Resin Identification Coding System to stipulate the type of plastic a particular product is made with, but the symbols do not necessarilyindicate whether the item is recyclable or not. We realize this may be confusing, but gaining an understanding of the coding system will help your business recycle smarter. Continue reading to learn about each plastic code, whether that particular type of plastic is recyclable, and be sure to check out the infographic at the bottom of the post!  

Do you ever feel like you are out of ideas when it comes to enhancing your recycling program? We often find that many businesses we engage with are making efforts to improve their recycling efforts, but they are missing important elements of a successful program. Read on for seven important elements that any successful recycling program should have.

  Do you ever feel like you are out of ideas when it comes to enhancing your recycling program? We often find that many businesses we engage with are making efforts to improve their recycling efforts, but they are missing important elements of a successful program. If this sounds familiar and you are not receiving the results you would like, read on to learn about seven important elements that any successful recycling program should have.