Too much of a good thing? The environmental downside of the “Stanley cup” craze.
Disposable cups are an environmental problem. But what about overconsumption of the reusable containers that are supposed to replace them?
Recycling & compost
Nearly all of America’s trash could be composted and recycled. But we’ve got a lot of work to do to get there.
Most of us put our recyclables out for collection. But it’s going to take more than individual action to deal with our trash problem. Only 24% of our trash actually gets recycled, and only 9% gets composted. We can do better. Together we can share information, resources and push our leaders to build a better recycling and composting system.
The Latest on Recycling & compost
A look back at what our unique network accomplished in 2023
Featured Resources
Truth in recycling
Products without packaging: How refill stores can help solve the plastics crisis
Reducing plastic waste in the states
Trash in America 2021
The Latest
Lawmakers and public push Whole Foods to put “Planet Over Plastic” at upcoming annual meeting
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland -- Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center, Maryland PIRG Foundation, along with their national affiliates sent 59,000 petitions and a letter signed by more than 40 state lawmakers Thursday to Whole Foods urging the company to commit to a comprehensive plan for phasing out single-use plastic packaging from its stores. This follows a March 2021 letter signed by more than 130 advocacy and community groups calling on the national supermarket chain to adopt a bold response to the plastic pollution crisis.
Lawmakers and public push Whole Foods to put “Planet Over Plastic” at upcoming annual meeting
AUSTIN, Texas -- Environment America Research & Policy Center, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Student PIRG sent 59,000 petitions and a letter signed by more than 40 state lawmakers Thursday to Whole Foods urging them to put planet over plastic.
New study: Maryland recycling programs experiencing mixed results
BALTIMORE — Maryland is doing relatively well in its recycling and composting efforts, but it is still underperforming in some areas and is overly dependent on burning trash, according to a new study from Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center. State of Recycling in Maryland highlights how structural challenges, the rise of plastic, effects of failing to recycle, the impact of trash burning, and trends in the state’s waste system.