2021-2025 Recycling Works Archives

New Staff Announcements 

The Recycling and Materials Management Section (RMMS) of NCDEQ is growing to better serve North Carolina’s recycling businesses with the addition of some key positions. Wendy Worley was recently promoted to Deputy Director of the Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service and will continue to stay active in growing the circular economy and supporting recycling businesses in North Carolina.

Heather Cashwell has returned to the division to serve as RMMS Section Chief and brings over twenty years of recycling industry experience managing recycling and waste reduction programs and will provide strategic planning and oversight for the Recycling and Materials Management Section. Heather can be reached at heather.cashwell@deq.nc.gov.

Eric MacDonald joined RMMS in June 2024 as the Recycling Business Development Team Lead for the Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC). Before joining the team, he was a Zero Waste Analyst for the City of Phoenix, Arizona. Eric can be reached at eric.macdonald@deq.nc.gov

Laura McCoy joined RBAC as a Recycling Business Development Specialist in July 2024, after serving as a Community Recycling Specialist within RMMS. You can reach her at laura.mccoy@deq.nc.gov.

Eric and Laura will be joining RBAC Business Development Specialist Marc Boettger in providing technical assistance to North Carolina recycling companies and managing grant programs for recycling businesses. The team is excited to be building out its ranks and encourages all recycling businesses to reach out and get to know the team and how they can help.  

We have some bittersweet news to share. After 12 years with RBAC, Mike Greene has accepted a position outside of NCDEQ. Mike's contributions to improving recycling markets and supporting businesses across North Carolina have been outstanding. We wish him the best in his new role.

The Carolina Plastics Recycling Council is Gearing Up for the 3rd Your Plastic Means Products Roadshow Event

Join us for the third of a four-part educational series to re-engage the recycled plastics supply chain across the Carolinas.

Join us in Kings Mountain NC at Southeastern Container on September 25th for the third of a four-part educational series to re-engage the recycled plastics supply chain across the Carolinas.

The Your Plastic Means Products roadshow series consist of four events to reengage the recycled plastics supply chain across the Carolinas and find pathways to increase clean, recycled plastic materials.

If you’re interested in attending, purchase your tickets today! Registration is free and includes educational session, lunch, B2B networking, and tour. This is an event you don't want to miss!

See the EventBrite page for more information and to sign up. 

Now Accepting Proposals for the 2025 Recycling Business Development Grants

We are pleased to announce that proposals are now being accepted for the 2025 Recycling Business Development Grants. This opportunity is open to North Carolina recycling businesses looking to undertake projects that enhance the collection, processing, or end-use of recyclable materials, contributing to a more circular economy in the state.

Eligible projects may apply for any amount up to $75,000 in funding with a 50% match of the award required. Priority areas for funding include private MRF upgrades and recycling of solar panels, electric vehicle batteries, or lithium-ion batteries. Applications will be accepted until Thursday, November 14, 2024.

We're Hiring

The Recycling and Materials Management Section (RMMS) of NCDEQ has two positions open now and is seeking candidates interested in playing a key role in expanding waste reduction and recycling on a statewide level in North Carolina.  

The Recycling Economic Development Specialist will help grow NC’s circular economy through the support and development of new and existing recycling businesses in the state. The Community Recycling Specialist will help the expansion and development of public material diversion and recycling programs by providing technical, policy, and planning assistance to counties, municipalities, state agencies, and organizations.  

Both positions are open until Friday, September 20, 2024. 

Now Accepting Proposals for the 2025 Food Waste Reduction Grant

We are currently accepting proposals for the 2025 Food Waste Reduction Grant. It is open to local governments, non-profits, and businesses and supports the recovery of organic materials through the expansion of food donation networks and organics recycling operations, including collection and hauling.

Projects are eligible to apply for up to $40,000. Projects that involve edible food recovery and new in-state organics recycling infrastructure are eligible for Priority Level funding of up to $60,000. Applications will be accepted until Friday, October 25, 2024.  

ESI Annual Conference Opportunity 

The Environmental Stewardship Initiative at DEQ recognizes and supports companies and facilities that go above and beyond to reduce their impact on the environment. The 2024 Environmental Stewardship Initiative conference at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh on October 28^th- 29^th will explore how organizations can “Reach Beyond Your Footprint” to advance environmental improvements. It is designed to share successes, provide opportunities for networking, and recognize achievements. A draft agenda is available and tickets to the event can be purchased here. support and amplify your impactful ideas.

Circular Economy Council Infrastructure Tours

To recognize the strength of North Carolina’s recycling industry, the NC Circular Economy Council organized a tour of three leading and innovative recycling facilities last fall for state and local decision makers. Tours of the facilities listed below provided an in-depth look at the operations behind one step of the recycling process, with an explanation and understanding of how it fits into the larger circular economy.

• Nov. 1, 2023 Southeastern Container | Kings Mountain, NC
• Nov. 2, 2023 Unifi | Yadkinville, NC
• Nov. 15, 2023 Powerhouse Recycling | Salisbury, NC

NCDEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser has convened the North Carolina Circular Economy Council to identify ways to expand and accelerate beneficial impacts of recycling in the state. Members of the Council include leading recycling companies, non-profit organizations, industry associations, and product manufacturers, many of which have a national or global reach.

Learn more about the council here: Circular Economy Council

CPRC Tour Kicked off at Atlantic Packaging!

The Carolinas Plastics Recycling Council (CPRC) stands as a collaborative effort between the SC Department of Commerce Recycling Market Development Program and NC Department of Environmental Quality's Recycling and Materials Management Section. This public/private joint initiative is dedicated to advancing plastic container recovery and recycling in North and South Carolina. With a focus on outreach, recycling program development, and fostering connections between generators and plastics recyclers, CPRC aims to enhance plastic recovery across the region.

In partnership with key stakeholders, including agencies and members of the plastics reclamation industry, CPRC is actively exploring strategies to amplify plastic recovery in the Carolinas. The ripple effect of increased plastic recovery extends beyond environmental benefits, offering the potential to create jobs, conserve energy for end-use markets, and attract capital investment from companies contributing to the recycling industry's growth in the Carolinas.

Highlighting this commitment, the Carolina Plastics Recycling Council launched the "Your Plastic Means Products" roadshow series at Atlantic Packaging in Charlotte, NC. The first of four in the series, the Charlotte event kicked off with more than 40 industry partner participants. These gatherings aim to reignite engagement within the recycled plastics supply chain across the Carolinas, fostering collaboration and identifying pathways to boost the utilization of clean, recycled plastic materials. As we embark on these initiatives, CPRC is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable and economically vibrant future for the region. The next stop is at Milliken in Spartanburg, SC on May 29, 2024. Visit the Your Bottle Means Jobs webpage to find out more.

Carolina Recycling Association Conference

The Carolina Recycling Association is hosting its 34^th annual conference and trade show in Cherokee North Carolina from April 8^th-11^th. The event offers a diverse program including workshops, tours, and breakout sessions focusing on recycling and sustainability. Highlights include a golf classic, workshops on battery safety, diversity and inclusion, as well as breakout sessions covering topics such as circular economy storytelling, textile circularity, waste and recycling studies, and more. Find out more and register at the CRA Conference website.

Envision Upgrade

Envision Plastics announced a multi-million dollar facility expansion last fall. Khosrow Hallaji, Project Engineer with Envision Plastics said the company “is increasing production capacity of the company’s EcoPrime brand of post-consumer fit-for-food contact high density polyethylene by 50 percent through this major expansion.” Read more at Resource Recycling.

Statewide 10-year Solid Waste and Materials Management Survey

NCDEQ continues work to update the state’s 10-year Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan. The feedback survey has concluded, and we're busy analyzing the wealth of input you've offered. Your valuable insights will shape the future of waste management in our community. Stay tuned for the forthcoming announcements, as we unveil the collective impact of your contributions. It’s not too late to provide feedback to NCDEQ. Contact Wendy Worley, Recycling and Materials Management Program Manager at wendy.worley@deq.nc.gov or 919-707-8136.

Together, we're paving the way for a more sustainable circular economy!

2024 Food Waste Reduction Grant Winners!

Thank you to all participants who submitted a proposal, your dedication and passion did not go unnoticed. The diversity and creativity in the submissions underscore our shared commitment to creating a more sustainable future. After careful consideration, we are excited to unveil the twelve recipients of this year's grant:

• Asheville Poverty Initiative
• Buncombe County
• City of Belmont
• Crown Town Compost
• Dirtcraft Organics
• F.A.R.M. Café
• Food Connection
• Mecklenburg County
• NewSoil Vermiculture
• ReCollective
• Scrap Daddy Composting
• Terra Bella

Congratulations to these deserving initiatives for their innovative approaches to reducing food waste. Their efforts showcase the incredible potential for positive change within our community.

For those whose projects were not selected this time, or if you did not apply, we encourage you to keep the momentum going. We will be launching the Food Waste Reduction Grant again next year, providing another opportunity to support and amplify your impactful ideas.

Final Call for Recycling Business Development Grants!

Attention North Carolina recycling businesses: If you're looking to expand your recycling capacity, now’s the time! RBAC invites you to apply for a 2025 Recycling Business Development Grant. 

Funding limits have increased, allowing applicants to apply for up to $75,000 per project.

Deadline Extended: Submit your application by November 26, 2024. Send all proposals to Marc Bottger at marc.boettger@deq.nc.gov.

Don't miss out—download the RFP today!

Grants Page

Local Grant Opportunities For Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Helene

Multiple grants are now available through several organizations to support small businesses in Western North Carolina recovering from Hurricane Helene. These programs aim to provide critical funding for rebuilding businesses in impacted areas. 

Eligible businesses may apply for grants to assist with recovery efforts, with deadlines approaching soon. Learn more about these opportunities and how to apply by visiting the Mountain BizWorks Grant Page.

Piedmont Disposal Utilizes RBAC Grant to Expand Market Reach

Through a 2024 Recycling Business Development Grant, Piedmont Disposal made major advances to improve its operational efficiency and expand its recycling capacity. With funding for a new forklift and rotating clamp to feed their shredder conveyor, Piedmont Disposal is now able to run continuous shredder operations five days a week, allowing them to process a higher volume and broader range of materials—including challenging items like paper cores and tubing. Exceeding initial expectations, this project also allowed Piedmont Disposal to add one new full-time position and increase projected material diversion by an estimated 1,000 tons of paper products annually. According to owner Mack Long, “the Recycling Business Development Grant has played an essential role in supporting Piedmont Disposal’s growth and helping advance sustainability in the region.”

Hurricane Helene Impacts and Response

Impacts from Hurricane Helene were widespread throughout western North Carolina, including numerous damage reports at recycling businesses and community-based recycling infrastructure. Damage ranged from destruction of facilities to supply chain and staffing disruptions to temporary closures due to power outages and road conditions.

In the face of such challenges, many NC recycling businesses contributed critical resources, including warehouse space, transportation, and on-the-ground assistance to aid recovery efforts. Companies like Simply Green Recycling delivered relief supplies and provided recycling services in areas where other businesses couldn’t. Curbside Management provided emergency trash collection for the community while their recycling facility was without power, quickly resumed recycling operations once power was restored, and set up additional recycling drop-offs for residents. Powerhouse Recycling donated solar modules, collected and delivered needed supplies, and put equipment and staff to work to access and repair roadways in Yancey County. Hartsell Scrap Metal, despite experiencing communication blackouts, prepared themselves to resume serving their community at the earliest possible moment.

With cleanup efforts underway, North Carolina recycling businesses are playing an essential role in decreasing the amount of material sent to landfills for disposal. Debris contractors are relying on local recyclers to divert scrap metal, white goods, vegetative debris,  electronics, and household hazardous wastes. Local efforts have also sprung up to recycle cardboard boxes and water bottles from relief supply distribution sites. 

Working tirelessly to ensure that recycling operations continue throughout the recovery, NC recycling businesses are demonstrating the resilience and commitment of the industry to environmental sustainability and community support.

CPRC Roadshow Visits Southeastern Container

The Carolina Plastics Recycling Council (CPRC) concluded the 2024 segment of the Your Plastic Means Products Roadshow with Session 3: The Role of Manufacturing in Advancing Plastic Recycling on September 25 at Southeastern Container in Kings Mountain, NC. The session tackled key challenges in plastics recycling—such as consumer education, recycled PET (rPET) supply, and recycling-friendly packaging design. It also explored innovative solutions like on-package recycling messaging, buy-back programs, and improved material recapture processes.

A central theme throughout was the industry's commitment to consumer education, product design for recyclability, and corporate responsibility in creating circular systems. Attendees also toured Southeastern Container's drink bottle production space and participated in a networking lunch. The CPRC looks forward to the final roadshow session, scheduled for early spring 2025, to continue advancing plastics circularity. We hope you will join us! Find our more at Your Plastics Means Products  

APR Members Gathered in Charlotte

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) Fall Member Meeting was held from October 22-24 at the Omni Hotel in Charlotte. This gathering provided an invaluable opportunity to network and exchange knowledge with industry professionals from across North America. With a focus on partnerships, technical advancements in plastics, circularity, and innovative tools, the event highlighted key developments in recycling and sustainability. Wendy Worley, NC DEACS Deputy Director, presented to APR members and attendees on NC’s recycling business development incentives and the Carolina Plastics Recycling Council’s (CPRC) efforts to champion circularity, emphasizing the collaborative work underway to drive impactful change in the plastics industry across the Carolinas and the Southeast. 

NC Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan 10-Year Update

In September 2024, NCDEQ released the 2024-2034 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan. Recognizing the need to extend the state’s existing landfill capacity, the plan focuses on strategies to maximize diversion and grow the circular economy through investments in private and public materials management infrastructure. Five topic areas are identified for advancement and improvement in the coming decade, with specific objectives and key actions to:

• Advance waste reduction;
• Grow the circular economy;
• Develop infrastructure and optimize material recovery;
• Manage special waste streams; and
• Educate and engage with the public

The development of the plan was a collaborative process that reflects the inputs and efforts of many parties, including: the public, waste and recycling industry associations, community and environmental advocacy groups, local and state government agencies, facility owners/operators, and the NCDEQ’s Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) and Division of Waste Management (DWM).

2024 Recycling Business Development Grant is now open! 

Proposals are now being accepted for 2024 Recycling Business Development Grants. This grant opportunity is open to North Carolina recycling businesses for projects that will increase or improve the collection, processing, or end use of recyclable materials. Standard projects are eligible to apply to apply for up to $40,000 while priority projects can apply for $60,000. Priority areas for 2024 include MRF upgrades, paper recycling, textile recycling, or recycling of solar panels, electric vehicle batteries, or lithium-ion batteries.

Proposals are due Thursday, November 16, 2023, by 5:00 PM. For more information or assistance please contact Mike Greene at 919-707-8137.

2024 Food Waste Reduction Grant is now open! 

The Food Waste Reduction Grant is a special grant program offering funding to help local governments, non-profits, and businesses reduce the amount of wasted food being disposed of in landfills.  With the release of this Request for Proposals (RFP), DEACS is seeking proposals that support food waste reduction through the expansion of food donation networks or compost operations, including collection and hauling.

DEACS has prioritized Edible Food Recovery and New In-State Compost Infrastructure projects. Applicants that qualify for priority projects are eligible to apply for up to $60,000. Standard Project Grants are eligible for $40,000 and include any projects that increase the tons of wasted food diverted from landfill disposal but fall outside of the 2024 priorities. The cash match requirement for all projects is 20% of the grant award.

Applications are due Wednesday, October 25, 2023, by 5:00 PM. For more information or assistance please contact Christine Wittmeier at 919-707-8121.

Multifamily Recycling Grant!

The Multifamily Recycling Grant Program offers funding to initiate or expand multifamily recycling programs within the state and is open to local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners or management companies, public housing authorities, and colleges and universities for off-campus housing. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information or assistance please contact Elise Traywick at 919-707-8135.

PVC Recycling Grants 

The Vinyl Institute's VIABILITY Grant program is a first of its kind industry-wide recycling grant program aimed at accelerating post-consumer PVC recycling across the country. The grant program will make available up to $3 million in funds over the next three years from VI’s four PVC resin manufacturers -- Formosa, Oxy, Shintech, and Westlake. Individual grants issued through VIABILITY are available to qualifying industry collaborations such as trade associations, material recovery facilities, construction and demolition waste facilities, recyclers, or colleges and universities in amounts up to $500,000.  The funds may be used for the purchase of equipment, process investments, research and development, educational programs, and program management that supports long-lasting and sustainable recycling of vinyl products. To learn more about VIABILITY, visit the Vinyl Institute's webpage.

New Solar Panel Legislation 

Session Law 2023-58, passed in June of 2023, establishes decommissioning requirements for utility-scale solar projects. The new legislation requires the owner of a utility-scale solar project capable of generating two or more megawatts of alternating current that is directly connected to the electrical grid to:

• Properly decommission the project upon cessation of operations and restore the property.
• Register with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and pay a fee.

• Submit a decommissioning plan and establish financial assurance for new and rebuilt/expanded utility-scale solar projects

  Additional information is provided on NCDEQ’s Division of Waste Management Utility-Scale Solar Management Program webpage.

Work of the NC Circular Economy Council continues  

NCDEQ Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser has convened the North Carolina Circular Economy Council to identify ways to expand and accelerate the beneficial impacts of recycling in the state. Members of the Council include leading recycling companies, non-profit organizations, industry associations, and product manufacturers, many of which have a national or global reach.

The Council will continue to meet through 2023. Planned activities include conducting tours at innovative recycling facilities and helping to identify strategies that can help make recycling a stronger economic engine for the state.

The next Council meeting will take place in conjunction with the 2023 SERDC Symposium in Asheville on Wed., Oct. 18-19, 2023.

Southeast Recycling Development Council (SERDC) Symposium

October 18-19, 2023

Asheville, NC

The SERDC Symposium is a meeting of recycling industry professionals that aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange within the recycling community.

The Symposium’s theme “Restoring Confidence in Recycling” is well aligned with the work of the NC Circular Economy Council.  NCDEQ Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser will provide the keynote address and recognize the work of the Council.  In addition, this year SERDC will announce the 2023 Champions of the Southeast award winners, recognizing leaders in the Southeast that are making significant impacts in the recycling industry. 

Carolina Plastics Recycling Council – Booth at SERDC Symposium

Makers of the Your Bottle Means Jobs campaign, the Carolinas Plastics Recycling Council (CPRC), invites you to join us at the 2023 SERDC Symposium.

CPRC is a two-state organization supporting the plastic recycling industry in North and South Carolina. The goal is to increase plastic bottle recycling collection and communicate with decision-makers about the current and potential impacts of plastic bottle recovery in the Carolinas.

Come see us at the Your Bottle Means Jobs Booth, so we can discuss plastic recycling in the Carolinas!

New Staff Announcement

RBAC is pleased to announce that Marc Boettger has joined the state's recycling office in April 2023 as a Recycling Business Development Specialist.  Marc provides assistance to North Carolina recycling companies and manages grant programs for recycling businesses.  Before joining RBAC Marc was an Economic Development Specialist with Triangle J Council of Governments.  Marc can be reached at marc.boettger@deq.nc.gov. 

Updated Emails for All RBAC Staff 

DEQ has updated our emails to end in @deq.nc.gov!

For the next few years, emails sent to our old email address ending in @ncdenr.gov will be forwarded to the new addresses ending in @deq.nc.gov, but we encourage you to go ahead and update our email addresses in your contact lists now to avoid any issues down the road. 

New NC WasteTrader Site

Visit the new NC WasteTrader website at wastetrader.deq.nc.gov. NC WasteTrader is a free online exchange service to market reusable or recyclable commodities. Businesses, industries, recycling companies, waste haulers, local governments, institutions and other commercial generators of waste commodities can visit NC WasteTrader to list available and wanted materials, and search for potential new feedstocks.

2023 Grant Awards

Recycling Business Development Grants

RBAC is awarding $442,500 to ten North Carolina recycling companies through the 2023 Recycling Business Development Grant program. The grants are projected to create 135 jobs and generate an investment of more than $1.66 million in recycling infrastructure improvements. For more information and a list of grantees, read the press release.

Food Waste Reduction Grants

The Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) is awarding funding to 11 organizations through the first Food Waste Reduction grant opportunity to develop North Carolina’s food waste diversion infrastructure. Seven businesses and four local governments received a total of $393,264 and are projected to divert 20,292 tons of food waste from landfills. For more information and a list of grantees, read the press release.

PET Grants to NC Companies

The Recycling Partnership's PET Recycling Coalition has awarded $950,000 in grants to improve PET recycling and circularity. Five grants were given to various businesses, including Republic Services and Direct Pack Recycling in North Carolina. Republic Services plans to use the grant to install an optical sorter in their Conover, NC facility, enabling the capture of an additional 300,000 pounds of PET bottles and thermoforms annually. California-based Direct Pack Recycling, who is also a recipient of a 2023 RBAC grant award aims to build a reclamation facility in Rockingham, NC, designed to recycle higher volumes of PET thermoforms. These grants will contribute to increasing PET capture and enhancing recycling infrastructure in North Carolina.

Circular Economy Council

Leaders of the recycling and materials management industry gathered in Raleigh on April 27^th and June 6^th for the first and second meetings of North Carolina’s Circular Economy Council. The mission of the group convened by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is to provide guidance on how North Carolina can create a more resilient materials management system, strengthen the economy and protect the environment. Members of the Council include leaders from across the industry who will collaborate on innovative solutions, such as business and infrastructure development.

Powerhouse Recycling Announces North Carolina's First Dedicated Solar Recycling Line

This fall, Powerhouse Recycling plans to open the state’s first dedicated solar panel recycling line in Salisbury, NC. Investments in the specialized machinery will allow for 98-100% pure recovery of solar panel commodities; recovering the silicon, metals, glass, plastics, and aluminum.  The company plans to have multiple locations around the country by the end of 2024, with facilities in North Carolina and Georgia operational this year.

EPA Offers Clarification on Lithium-Ion Battery Waste and Disposal

The EPA’s Lithium Battery Recycling Regulatory Status and Frequently Asked Questions memorandum clarifies that most lithium-ion batteries are considered hazardous waste at the end of their life. These batteries can be managed under streamlined hazardous waste management standards for universal waste until they are recycled or disposed of. The EPA emphasizes the importance of recycling lithium-ion batteries to protect the environment and communities. The clarification aims to provide regulatory certainty, ensuring safe and compliant battery recycling in the circular economy.

CRA 2023

The Carolina Recycling Association will return to North Carolina this year, holding the 33rd CRA conference in Wilmington March 27 through 30. The conference is geared toward recycling professionals from North and South Carolina and throughout the southeast. The conference program features tours, workshops, and sessions in addition to the exhibition hall, which features vendors representing various recycling companies and equipment manufacturers.

For more information or to register, visit the Carolina Recycling Association website.

Overview of the NC Tax Certification Program and How Composters May Benefit

Did you know that North Carolina provides local property tax benefits on equipment and facilities used exclusively for recycling and resource recovery of or from solid waste? Join the Division of Waste Management’s Solid Waste Section to learn about this tax certification program and how composters may be able to benefit from it. The webinar will cover the applicable statutes and rules, what qualifies, and how to apply. Register for this FREE webinar, hosted in partnership by DEACS and the NC Composting Council.  

Direct Pack, Inc. Expands in Rockingham County

Direct Pack, Inc., a California-based food packaging manufacturer, plans to expand operations in Rockingham County by adding a PET wash line across the street from the existing extrusion and thermoform plant. The company will build a new 200,000 square-foot building and expects to add 100 new jobs with custom training at Richmond Community College.

The new facility will allow Direct Pack to source PET bottles from regional MRFs in the Carolinas and Georgia, producing clean washed PET flake to send across the street and make food packaging for customers like Driscolls and NatureSweet. With two PET wash lines already operating in Mexico, this will be the company’s third wash line and serves as Direct Pack’s recycling and manufacturing hub on the East Coast.

Workforce Webinar

The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) Spring Conference will convene individuals across the material management supply chain to discuss paths to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion into operations with a focus on strategy and sustainability. The Conference will feature sessions exploring expanded recruitment strategies, bias-free interview processes, and other critical programs to retain talent. NERC’s Conferences offer a unique space for constructive dialogue between public and private entities. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in small group discussions, network, and interact with presenters and colleagues. 

Grant Funding for PET Recycling

The Recycling Partnership’s PET Recycling Coalition is offering grant funding to material recovery facilities, secondary sortation facilities, or PET reclaimers for projects that will establish long-term, sustainable increased PET capture, strengthened recycling viability for pigmented/opaque PET, broadened acceptance of PET non-bottle rigids in community recycling collection programs, and/or improved alignment of rPET with end-market needs. Three grants have already been awarded and applications are still being accepted.

Grant Funding for PET Recycling

The Recycling Partnership’s PET Recycling Coalition is offering grant funding to material recovery facilities, secondary sortation facilities, or PET reclaimers for projects that will establish long-term, sustainable increased PET capture, strengthened recycling viability for pigmented/opaque PET, broadened acceptance of PET non-bottle rigids in community recycling collection programs, and/or improved alignment of rPET with end-market needs. Find more information and to apply, download the Recycling Partnership's application.

Financing for Aluminum Can Recovery Equipment

Three US organizations are providing financing to allow recyclers to lease aluminum can recovery equipment, which enables them to implement sorting best practices. Learn more at Recycling International.

Relaunch of Recycling Markets Directory

The Division of Environmental Assistance’s (DEACS) Recycling Program has launched an updated version of the interactive North Carolina Recycling Markets Directory. The directory, which now features a mapping function, complements the work of DEACS by connecting generators with nearby recyclers to keep materials out of the landfill and advance the state’s circular economy. Access the Recycling Markets Directory to learn more.

New Aluminum Recycling Facility Coming to the Southeast

Novelis announced plans for a new aluminum recycling and rolling facility in Alabama with an initial production capacity of 600,000 tons of finished aluminum goods per year. Learn more at Resource Recycling.

The Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC) is a program of the N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) that provides technical, business and financial assistance to recycling companies.

CRA Conference

The Carolina Recycling Association (CRA) celebrated its 32nd year at its annual trade show and conference, held March 21-24, 2022, in Myrtle Beach. More than 400 recycling professionals from North and South Carolina as well as different parts of the southeast attended CRA’s first in-person conference since 2019. 

Topics covered included: multi-family recycling, employee retention for front-line positions, and recycling education. This year’s conference also included Waste Wise Wednesday to cover hard-to-recycle items like foam, solar panels, textiles and batteries.

The keynote address was given by N.C Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser. The keynote session included a presentation on product circularity by JT Marbuger, founder of Circular Solutions Advisors, and Todd Marty, Coca Cola Consolidated’s senior director of public affairs.

Next year the conference returns to Wilmington, NC, and will be held March 27-30, 2023.

State of the State Recycling Report

Each year, DEQ’s Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) receives annual recycling reports from every county and municipality in North Carolina. The data shows that of North Carolina’s 652 local governments, all 100 counties and 58 percent of municipalities operated or contracted for a recycling program in FY 2020-21.

North Carolinians recycled 301 pounds of material (comprised of glass, plastic, metals, fiber, electronics, specialty wastes, construction-and-demolition materials, tires, and organics) per person in local government programs in FY 2020-21 – down from the statewide high of 340 pounds per person in FY 2018-19. This decrease can be attributed to the fact that traditional recyclables have become lighter as manufacturers create lighter and thinner containers using fewer raw materials, a decrease in glass collection by some local government programs, and a change in methodology in recycling tonnage calculations to account for contamination.

Read the full report on the DEQ website.

Food Waste Compost Capacity Report

In early 2021, DEACS surveyed the state's food waste composters to determine their operational capacity to accept additional food waste. DEACS compared that total of 350,000 tons per year with the estimated 2.5 million tons of food waste generated per year in the agricultural, commercial, and residential sectors. Read more: 2022 Compost Capacity Report. 

Multifamily Recycling Grant

The Multifamily Recycling Grant Program is a special grant program offering funding to begin or expand multifamily recycling programs within North Carolina. Eligible applicants include local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners, or multifamily property management companies. Grant funds may be used to purchase needed equipment to start or expand the collection of traditional household recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers) from multifamily residences. Examples of eligible purchases include carts, dumpsters, collection vehicles, concrete pads, recycling corrals and educational materials. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with no due date. Approved grant applications will be funded in the order in which they are received until funding is exhausted.

Available Funding:

• The minimum amount of grant funding available per Multifamily Recycling Grant project:  $25,000.
• The maximum amount of grant funding available per Multifamily Recycling Grant project:  $250,000.

The 2022 Multifamily Recycling Grant request for proposals is available for download on the DEQ website. Please contact Carol Abken at 919-707-8145 or carol.abken@ncdenr.gov or Sandy Skolochenko at 919-707-8147 or sandy.skolochenko@ncdenr.gov if you have any questions.

MRF Survey

The state Recycling Program is conducting a survey of all the MRFs that serve North Carolina communities. To better direct these efforts to provide technical assistance and grant funding, please take a short survey about MRF capacity, material quality and equipment. Individual responses will be kept anonymous. Data will be aggregated to understand market trends. Take the survey.

New Organics Recycling Specialist

NC DEACS is pleased to announce that Christine Wittmeier will be taking over the role of Organics Recycling Specialist beginning May 16, 2022. Wittmeier is a graduate of Auburn University and was previously the Environmental Programs Supervisor for Henderson County, NC. You can reach Christine by email at christine.wittmeier@ncdenr.gov.

DEACS Job Opening

DEACS is hiring a Program Coordinator. This position will provide recycling technical assistance to counties, municipalities, state agencies and other waste generators throughout North Carolina and administers the NC Green Travel Initiative that recognizes and encourages the growth of sustainable environmental practices by the state’s travel industry. The opening closes on May 18. Apply at Government Jobs.

The Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC) is a program of the N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) that provides technical, business and financial assistance to recycling companies.

CRA Conference

The Carolina Recycling Association Conference will return to an in-person format this year, holding its 32nd conference in Myrtle Beach from March 21 through 24. The conference is geared toward recycling professionals from North and South Carolina as well as different parts of the southeast. It will feature tours, workshops and sessions plus the exhibition hall, which will host vendors representing various recycling companies and equipment manufacturers. Conference sessions will cover recycling markets, policy updates, new technologies, composting, navigating the labor market, and so much more.

For more information, visit the Carolina Recycling Association website.

Glass Equipment and Infrastructure Grant

The deadline for the Glass Equipment and Infrastructure Grant is January 31, 2022. The grant provides $80,000 for glass cleaning equipment to eligible Material Recovery Facilities that recycle residential, commingled material. Grantees will be required to match at least 20 percent of the grant award. Competitive proposals will demonstrate how glass equipment will improve the quantity and quality of residential glass cullet. To find the Request for Proposal, visit the DEQ website.

Please contact Matt James at 919-707-8133 or matt.james@ncdenr.gov with any questions.

EPA Report on Food Waste

The EPA has released a new report on food waste, “From Farm to Kitchen: The Environmental Impacts of U.S. Food Waste (Part 1),” that reveals the climate and environmental impacts of producing, processing, distributing and retailing food that is ultimately wasted. The EPA found that food waste comprised almost a quarter of all the municipal solid waste landfilled in the United States. This uneaten food represents lost water, energy, land, pesticides and fertilizers that are required for food production. However, the report finds that meeting the national goal to prevent 50 percent of food waste by 2030 would create several environmental benefits, including greenhouse gas reduction and decreased water use.

A companion report, “The Environmental Impacts of U.S. Food Waste: Part 2,” will examine and compare the environmental impacts of a range of management pathways for food waste, such as landfilling, composting and anaerobic digestion. Part 2 is expected in Spring 2022, and combined with Part 1, the two reports will describe the net environmental footprint of the United States’ food waste.

U.S. Plastics Pact Creates Problematic Materials List

In late January, the U.S. Plastics Pact identified a list of 11 materials that are not currently recyclable or compostable on a wide scale. The U.S. Plastics Pact signatories intend to reduce or eliminate these materials in packaging by 2025. The list includes:

• Non-reusable, non-compostable cutlery
• Intentionally added PFAS
• Non-detectable pigments
• Opaque or pigmented PET
• Oxo-degradable additives
• PETG
• Problematic label constructions
• Polystyrene
• PVC
• Non-reusable, non-compostable stirrers
• Non-reusable, non-compostable straws

Carolina Plastics Recycling Council Webinar Recording

The Carolina Plastics Recycling Council (CPRC) held its annual meeting on November 10 through a virtual webinar. Speakers discussed current recycling markets, new plastic recovery technologies, brand commitments to using recycled content, and policies aimed to increase recovery. Watch the recording on YouTube.

DEACS Hiring Organics Recycling Specialist

The Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service at DEQ is hiring an Organics Recycling Specialist to help composting efforts in North Carolina. This position will assess the state’s composting capacity and provide technical assistance for businesses and local governments. If interested, find the application on the DEQ website.

Recycling Business Development Grant Reminder

The 2022 Recycling Business Development is open and accepting proposals. Standard projects will have a maximum award of $40,000 while priority projects can apply for $60,000. Priority areas for 2022 will include MRF equipment, non-bottle plastics, mixed paper, food waste, and manufacturing using recycled content. To find the Request for Proposal visit the DEQ website.

Submit finished proposals electronically to Mike Greene at mike.greene@ncdenr.gov.

MRF Glass Grant

Material Recovery Facilities that recycle residential, commingled material are eligible for $80,000 to fund glass cleaning equipment. Grantees will be required to match at least 20 percent of the grant award. Competitive proposals will demonstrate how glass equipment will improve the quantity and quality of residential glass cullet. Proposals are due by January 31, 2021. To find the Request for Proposal, visit the DEQ website.

Carolina Plastics Recycling Council Webinar 

The Carolina Plastics Recycling Coalition (CPRC) will host a half-day virtual conference on November 10, beginning at 9 a.m., to discuss updates in the plastic industry throughout the past two years. This will be the first CPRC meeting in two years! Below is the link to register for the event.

Register for the webinar.

SERDC Annual Meeting

The Southeast Recycling Development Council Conference will be held virtually November 30 through December 1. Registration details will be forthcoming.

Brand Commitments on Recycled Content

• US Plastics Pact – recycled content and recycling goals set for 2025
• PepsiCo – 100 percent recyclable or compostable bottles by 2025
• Coca-Cola – 50 percent recycled content by 2030, 100 percent recyclable by 2025
• American Beverage Association – Every Bottle Back Initiative
• Keurig Dr. Pepper – 30 percent recycled content and 100 percent recyclable or compostable by 2025

Agricultural Plastics Innovation Challenge

Driscoll's Berries, in partnership with Think Beyond Plastic's Innovation Center and other entities, has organized an Ag Plastics Innovation Challenge for the advancement of agricultural plastics recycling or the replacement of agricultural plastics with other more sustainable technologies. The application deadline is November 30, 2021.  The innovations will be assessed according to their commercial viability and sustainability. The challenge has four tracks:

• New materials: a completely new material, a new formulation or variant of existing materials, or existing materials used in a new way;
• New design: a design modification of films that ensures longevity or recyclability;
• New or improved collection and / or recycling methodologies must have documented environmental, economic and performance value and benefits. Of special interest are recycling innovations for field plastics with soil contact (bed mulch, weed mat, and fumigation film) due to their tendency to retain soil and moisture after removal; and
• Waste-to-energy innovation: Only innovations with proven environmental benefit.

For more information, please visit YouNoodle.

The Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC) is a program of the N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) that provides technical, business and financial assistance to recycling companies.

Recycling Business Development Grant September RFP

The 2022 Recycling Business Development grant round will open with release of the RFP on September 3, 2021. Standard projects will have a maximum award of $40,000 while priority projects can apply for $60,000. Priority areas for 2022 will include MRF equipment, non-bottle plastics, mixed paper, food waste, and manufacturing using recycled content. To find the RFP when it is released as well as a complete list of priority projects visit the DEQ website.

Elizabeth Biser Announced as DEQ Secretary

Elizabeth Biser has been confirmed as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Governor Cooper announced Biser’s appointment as DEQ Secretary, citing her strong leadership, experience with the environmental agency, and knowledge of DEQ’s critical work in North Carolina.

Secretary Biser has recently worked as Senior Policy Advisor of the Recycling Partnership and as the President of Biser Strategies LLC. Press release on the DEQ website.

NC Business Leaders Use Recycled Content 

North Carolina is fortunate to have numerous manufacturers that use recycled content in the products they produce.  Not only do these manufacturers bring jobs and capital investment into local communities, but they also add value to the recyclables that North Carolinians recycle at the curb, at drop off centers, and at their workplace.  This is what completes the cycle in recycling.  The NC Recycling Business Assistance Center and Waste Reduction Partners developed profiles of these businesses to highlight their stories and their contributions to our local economy as an end market for recyclables.

Follow this link to see more about the NC Business Leaders Using Recycled Content. If you are a manufacturer that uses recycled content that we have not yet been in contact with, please reach out to us so that we can learn about your business and share your story. Contact Jan at Jhardin@wrpnc.org. 

Save the Date for the CPRC Conference

The Carolina Plastics Recycling Coalition will host a ½ day webinar on November 10th from 9am – 1pm. Topics discussed will include The State of Plastic Recycling, Emerging Plastic Recycling Markets, and Policy Drivers for Plastics Recycling. Registration will open soon.

Governor Cooper Announces Polywood Expansion

Polywood, a manufacturer of outdoor furniture made from recycled plastics, will expand its operations in Person County to create 300 jobs over five years, Governor Roy Cooper announced on July 27, 2021. The company will invest $61.6 million to build additional capacity at its manufacturing and distribution center in Roxboro.

Polywood manufactures low-maintenance outdoor furniture, built with lumber created from recycled plastics. The company developed state-of-the-art technology and lean manufacturing processes that minimize waste and ensure products are built to order with next day shipping. Polywood was founded by Doug Rassi in 1990 with the idea of taking milk jugs and recycling them into plastic lumber furniture.

Announced Facility Expansions:

• Pratt Announces Kentucky Paper Mill Using 100% Recycled OCC and Mixed Paper
• PureCycle to Build Plant in Georgia to Recycle Polypropylene
• Ardagh Expands Aluminum Can Manufacturing in Winston-Salem
• Polykemi Announces Gastonia facility to use Recycled Plastic
• Sonoco’s Hartsville, SC Mill will Expand Capacity of OCC and Mixed Paper
• Total Fiber Recovery Mill to Recycle Paper in Pulp in Chesapeake, VA
• Brightmark to Build Georgia Facility to Recycled Mixed Plastics

2021 Recycling Business Development Grants

State recycling business grants awarded this spring are expected to generate approximately 108 jobs, more than $1.3 million in new, private business investments and a reduction in the state’s dependence on landfill disposal.

Sixteen companies that collect, process and manufacture new products with recycled materials will receive a total of more than $490,000 in funds from N.C. DEQ’s Recycling Business Assistance Center in 2021. Grants will support increases in plastic processing capacity, upgrades to material recovery facilities, and improved markets for a variety of other recyclables. 

Read the press release.

Carolina Recycling Association Conference

The Carolina Recycling Association (CRA) will hold its virtual conference May 3-6. The first day, May 3, will include workshops and council meetings. Virtual networking events, plenary sessions, and breakout sessions are scheduled for the rest of the week. 

Register on the CRA website.

CRA Grant Opportunity 

CRA announced it will be offering grants for the printing and distribution of recycling outreach materials in rural and small communities. Applicants can request up to $11,200 in grant funding per community. Resource Recycling System Consultants Matt Todd and Sherry Yarkosky will manage the grant program roll-out for the CRA. The program's goal is to reduce contamination and increase recycling participation in rural communities.

Private or nonprofit haulers that provide recycling collection services to rural communities with populations less than 10,000 are eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 14, 2021.

Apply online at the CRA Recycle website.

Biocycle Features North Carolina State of Organics

The North Carolina Organics Recycling Study 2020 was featured in a recent article published by Biocycle, a national authority on organics recycling. The article provides a summary of data from the study and highlights opportunities to increase the diversion of organic material thanks to available permitting capacity and growing interest in food waste diversion from the public and private sector. 

Read the Biocycle article. 

Recent MRF Upgrades

North Carolina’s infrastructure of material recovery facilities (MRFs) is continually improving with a number of recent facility upgrades:

• Waste Management completed construction of a new MRF in Morrisville in late 2020. The $10-million-plus investment to build the state-of-the-art facility will double the company’s processing capacity in the Triangle region and create 35 new jobs. Waste Management received RBAC grant funding to help purchase its PET optical sorter.
• Republic Greensboro completed a significant facility upgrade in April 2020, increasing recovery rates and improving productivity with a new 30 ton per hour system. 
• Republic Conover received RBAC grant funding to purchase an optical sorter for removing contaminants from the fiber stream. Installed in 2020, the optical sorter has increased processing speed and reduced contamination in residential mixed paper to produce a higher quality and more marketable product.
• Sonoco Recycling - Onslow also received RBAC grant funding to purchase an optical sorter for removing contaminants from the fiber stream. Installed in March 2021, the optical sorter has reduced contamination in the mixed paper stream to less than 2 percent. In addition to increasing overall material throughput, the equipment is projected to recover an additional 400 tons annually of non-fiber that was previously lost to mixed paper or trash streams.
• Curbside Management in Asheville is a recent recipient of an aluminum beverage can capture grant provided by the Can Manufacturer Institute. Grant funding will help replace the existing eddy current with a state-of-the-art eddy current that can more effectively sort aluminum packaging at the volume flowing through the facility. Grant funding is still available, with an application deadline of May 11.  
• American Recycling in Candler has completed and continues to pursue a series of facility upgrades, including:
  • Installed a new baler in 2020 with the help of RBAC grant funding to keep up with current volumes and allow for expansion to process an additional 1500 tons of single stream recycling and mixed plastics annually.
  • Constructing a new dock and drop-off location with RBAC grant funding to launch the Western N.C. Brewery Recycling Co-operative. More than 80 breweries will be able to drop-off brewery-specific recyclable materials including polypropylene bags and supersacks, plastic film and strapping as well as cardboard and recyclable beverage containers. 
  • Purchasing an optical sorter to capture polypropylene plastic containers for recycling with grant support from RBAC and The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition.  
• East Carolina Vocational Center in Greenville installed a larger conveyor belt to increase baling capacity in January 2021. RBAC grant funds helped support the purchase, which allowed the facility to catch up on a backlog from additional recycling tonnage during COVID-19 and will improve efficiency of operations moving forward.

Sonoco Recycling is also investing in a related facility upgrade to increase the use of recycled fiber at its Hartsville, S.C. paper plant. The company is investing $83 million to convert an existing machine to produce uncoated recycled paperboard. The new machine will use 180,000 tons of recycled mixed paper and cardboard each year. 

Information about RBAC grant funding to support recycling investments can be found on the DEQ website.

Save the Date – Fall Events

As the nation works to determine best practices for conferences and public gatherings going forward, RBAC is planning events for the fall. In addition to a Carolina Plastics Recycling Coalition (CPRC) conference, the CRA is exploring best options for another Recycling Business Collections event. Stay tuned for news related to each event! 

The Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC) is a program of the N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) that provides technical, business and financial assistance to recycling companies.

NC Recycling Jobs Study

NCDEQ completed the 2020 Recycling Employment Trends in N.C.'s Recycling Industry with assistance from Sherry Yarkosky, Materials Management and Recycling Consultants LLC. The full report can be found on DEQ’s website. 

The study showed that North Carolina has 15,712 direct private sector recycling-related jobs. Despite market disruptions due to international trade restrictions, recycling employment in North Carolina declined by only 3.4 percent from 2015 to 2020. In fact, 54 percent of recycling businesses surveyed plan on investing a total of $27.2 million in equipment, facilities or land in North Carolina the over next two years. Diversity of materials recycled and existing infrastructure contributed to the industry’s resiliency in the state. 

Thank you to the businesses that completed the survey. The results proved crucial in determining an accurate count of the recycling industry’s employment and investment. 

NC Organics Recycling Study

NCDEQ completed the North Carolina Organics Recycling Study 2020: Materials Managed 2011 – 2020 and Food Recovered 2019. The full report can be found on DEQ’s website.

This study analyzes the materials received and products created at permitted composting facilities over the past decade. Further, the study highlights food recovery efforts through four strategies: food rescue, animal feeding operations, commercial composting and anaerobic digestion. 

The Recycling Partnership Grants - Aluminum Cans and Polypropylene 

The Can Manufacturing Institute and The Recycling Partnership have released a grant opportunity to fund equipment for material recovery facilities (MRFs). The grant will fund eddy currents, robots or process improvement activities to capture used beverage cans at MRFs. The first round of applications close on February 19, and the second round will close on March 31. Apply online at the Recycling Partnership website.

The Recycling Partnership has also opened a grant program for recovering polypropylene. The funding targets equipment or process investments that establish permanent and sustainable MRF acceptance and recycling of polypropylene packaging. See full application.

COVID-19 Check-In

The Recycling Business Assistance Center wants to know how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your business. Have operations been affected? What is your company’s 2021 outlook?

Please send your response to Mike Greene or Matt James. 

Suggested Reading

Van Dyke Recycling Solutions – VDRS provides five tips for existing and start-up MRF operators. They stress the importance of contamination reduction and continual equipment maintenance for long-term facility success. 

Announcements and Opportunities

• Feb. 23-25: Association of Plastics Recyclers Members Meeting will be held virtually, including plastics recycling industry updates, presentations, committee meetings and networking opportunities.
• Mar. 9: Plastic Film Recycling and End Markets Webinar (hosted by the Northeast Recycling Council, Advanced Drainage Systems, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, and Revolution) will feature a panel discussion about residential plastic film recycling and the status of end markets.
• Apr. 7-8: Plastics Recycling Conference, now in its 16th year, will be held virtually to bring together plastics reclaimers, equipment manufacturers, government officials and sustainability leaders to move the plastics recycling industry forward.
• Apr. 20-22 and Apr. 27-29: Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Convention and Exposition will be held virtually, featuring education, workshops, networking and market access for the recycling industry. 

The Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC) is a program of the N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) that provides technical, business and financial assistance to recycling companies.