• Is It Better to Repair or Recycle? How To Decide Based on Material Lifespan

    January 13, 2026

    With the new year comes a complete cleanout of your house. Out with the old as you start fresh. You have items you love, but they’re getting older. Every year, the holidays increase household waste by about 25%. It accounts for almost 25 million extra tons according to EPA reports. This waste includes food, wrapping paper, […]

    • The Hidden Recycling Problem With Tear-Open Snack Bags and Multi-Layer Plastics

      December 19, 2025

      Saving money is essential in many households, which brings shoppers to warehouse stores such as BJ’s, Costco, and Sam’s Club. You have children taking lunch to school, and small packs of crackers, fruit squeezes, or pretzels are convenient. You need snacks to get through a busy workday, and packs of trail mix, potato chips, and […]

      • A Holiday Guide to Recycling Wrapping Paper, Adhesive Tape, and Gift Bag Handles

        December 5, 2025

        Almost 10 years ago, the EPA reported that 25% more waste was generated between Thanksgiving and January 1st. If you consider the increase in online shopping, it’s likely much higher.When you buy gifts in stores or online, wrap them, and give gifts during the holidays, the amount of trash sharply increases. Protect the environment by […]

        • The Growing Problem of Vape and E-Cigarette Battery Waste

          November 26, 2025

          Vapes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) came out as a safer way to enjoy tobacco products. Instead of lighting up, the device creates a vapor from e-liquid, a mixture of chemicals, flavorings, and nicotine or THC. Because a vape, aka e-cigarette, doesn’t depend on combustion to deliver the nicotine, it was promoted as a safer alternative. Charge […]

          • How 3D Printing Is Turning Waste Materials Into New Products

            November 17, 2025

            Americans consume approximately 84.3 million tons of plastic annually. Worse, waste generation stands at 73 million tons. Plastic use has tripled since the 1980s, and much of it doesn’t get recycled correctly or at all. According to Statista, PET, HDPE, and LDPE/LLDPE are the three most recycled plastics. PP, PS, PLA, and PVC are barely or […]

            • Why Multi-Material Packaging Is the Biggest Challenge in Modern Times

              November 10, 2025

              While I strive for the highest possible recycling rate, multi-material packaging is one of the most significant challenges. Many items that should be recyclable become a problem for recycling facilities, as even the smallest amount of additional material makes them challenging to handle.Like many people, I become confused about how to recycle items. If a […]

              • Local Laws vs. Corporate Programs: Who Is Really Responsible for Plastic Bag Waste?

                October 24, 2025

                A startling 90% of plastic bags and other film, sacks, and wraps go to the trash. In 2018, approximately 4.2 million tons of plastic film and bags were generated, and only 420,000 tons were recycled. Instead, plastic bag waste ends up in landfills, where it takes an average of 20 years to break down.Thick plastic […]

                • Why Cutting and Shredding Paper Short Cuts Its Recycling Potential

                  October 17, 2025

                  You shred your paper and send it off with your curbside collections, figuring it will turn back into another paper product. That’s not always the case. Per the EPA, paper and paperboard generation reached 67.4 million tons in 2018. Only 68.2% of that paper was properly recycled. A total of 4.2 million tons went right to […]

                  • 80 Best Recycling Blogs and Websites in 2025 (Waste Management)

                    October 16, 2025

                    ERI and RecycleNation are proud to be included in FeedSpot’s 80 Best Recycling Blogs you should read and follow in 2025. Here are the top 30 ranked recycling blogs, but follow the link to read the full article and see the complete list.1. Earth 911Blog https://earth911.com/ Earth911 believes humans can successfully reduce their impact by using […]