Rethink Resource Use 2026

Sophie Leone • November 4, 2026

What We Learned in Princeton

Over 200 people, including 42 speakers, and representatives from 27 sponsoring organizations (18 of which were Exhibitors) gathered at Rethink Resource Use 2026 on October 5-7 in Princeton, New Jersey to reimagine how materials are managed and to advance a circular, low-carbon future. 0ver the course of the three-day event, attendees toured two local facilities, engaged in sessions discussing critical issues on policy, MRF operations, organics management, battery recycling, glass markets, and more. We honored our 2026 Environmental Leadership Awardees during our 10th Annual Ceremony, and recognized two, long-standing, NERC board members who are retiring.


Explore the conference records, including speaker presentations, event photos, attendee list, and more.

"For me, the three most valuable aspects of the conference were:

  1. Learning from global experiences: the opportunity to study different recycling management frameworks, legislation, policy approaches, and successful programs from other regions.
  2. Discovering cutting-edge technology: Getting updates on the latest scientific studies, research findings, and technological advances in solid waste management.
  3. Expanding my professional network: the chance to connect with peers, build new relationships, and broaden my circle of contacts within the industry."

- 2026 Conference Attendee

TerraCycle Headquarters

At the TerraCycle Headquarters, attendees toured TerraCycle’s office space, which seamlessly blends artwork, creativity, and reuse. They learned about the company’s national and international initiatives, including its waste collection and sorting operations at its Illinois MRF, got a closer look into their lab work and materials processing, and learned about their innovative efforts to transform discarded materials. In collaboration with organizations around the country, TerraCycle turns trash and waste into works of art, interior furnishings, retail displays, and more.

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Colgate-Palmolive Global Technology Center

The conference tour at Colgate-Palmolive’s Research Center in Piscataway - NJ, gave attendees an inside look at the history and evolution of toothbrushes, including how product designers have changed materials and designs over time to be more compatible with recycling systems. Attendees learned about the company’s engagement with community recycling programs and visited its research and testing rooms, including laboratories where new products and materials are evaluated, prototypes are developed, and products are tested in a dental office setting. The visit highlighted Colgate-Palmolive’s work to improve packaging recyclability.

Kicking off Rethink Resource Use 2026

Improving Recycling Access for Underserved Communities

Rethink Resource Use kicked off by addressing the recycling access inequity many communities face in the U.S. Speakers addressed recycling deserts across the country, noting that co-collection is the most cost-effective option for recycling collection. Discussion also included identifying the gaps and socioeconomic markers for low versus high recycling rates, and different funding mechanisms to address equity across localities.


Smarter Recovery Systems: Using AI and Data to Capture More Material

Collection is just one major step in the full process of recycling. As AI use continues to grow and impact society, MRFs are using this new technology to increase their efficiency, which allows for better and quicker sorting. This new technology grants facilities the ability to sort materials with greater precision and target harder to sort materials such as PET bottles.

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From Policy to Impact: Consumer Impacts, Global Lessons, and What Comes Next

For decades, governments around the world have adopted different models of packaging producer responsibility. What do we actually know about the environmental, economic, and social outcomes of these policies? Speakers highlighted that recycling rates often increase with EPR, but recycling is not the same as environmental benefit. Noting that the economic effects of EPR depend heavily on policy design and market conditions.

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The Future of Glass Recycling

Why doesn't good glass make it to the market? When looking at the gaps in the glass market, speakers identified contamination, transportation, processing, and market development as some of the key issues. Glass is 100% recyclable, so identifying solutions for these gaps in materials management can eliminate millions of tons of waste generated each year, enabling glass to be recycled, reused and upcycled.


Midday Remarks

NERC's Board President, Michael Nork Environmental Analyst, with New Hampshire DES, offered midday remarks. During these remarks, Mike recognized two individuals who have given an extraordinary amount of time, wisdom, and leadership to NERC over many years. Those individuals were Rick Watson, who served on NERC's board for 16 years, and Chip Foley.

Chip’s connection to NERC goes all the way back to our earliest days, nearly 40 years ago. Chip was NERC’s very first Advisory Member, representing the Steel Recycling Institute and served on NERC's board for nearly 12 years.

"The RRU 2026 presentations and exhibitor hall were great - very high quality presenters and one of the more valuable shows I have been to all year."

- 2026 Conference Attendee

Scaling Reuse Systems: From Refill Models to Business-to-Business Material Exchange

New Jersey has been a leader in sustainable materials management, and this is reflected in their EPR policy advancements and their work to implement better reuse practices with businesses in the state. These reuse practices, on a business-to-business level, can be seen through reusable bags at shopping centers, reusable containers in food service, upcycled products, BYO (bring your own) coffee cup at cafes, and refill opportunities in bulk stores. Speakers also discussed designing and implementing reusable systems and bulk refill stations.

Fireside Chat: EPR Policy Update in New Jersey

New Jersey was one of the first states in the U.S. to implement EPR policy over 30 years ago. Since then, EPR policy in the state has grown to include electronics. The legislature is currently working to expand EPR policies further to cover paint, vapes, mattress, and more. The dynamic session included discussion on collaborative efforts during legislative development and the success seen with other policy levers in NJ such as the single-use bag ban and minimum PCR law.

10th Annual Environmental Leadership Awards Ceremony

We celebrated the 10th Annual Environmental Leadership Awards the evening of October 6, honoring four exceptional leaders in sustainable materials management.


  • Kimberly O'Rourke, Outstanding Leader
  • Jennifer Holliday, Lifetime Achievement
  • PaintCare, Outstanding Organization
  • Town of East Hartford, CT, Outstanding Community


Learn about the 2026 Awardees.

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Moving Into Day Two

Organics Management Guide Roundtable

Attendees were given the opportunity to engage in a roundtable discussion to learn about six successful food waste diversion initiatives and programs around the U.S. These six case studies will be included in an organics management guide with a total of 20 case studies, set to be released in early 2027. Speakers shared food waste prevention and diversion initiatives led by their organizations, which included composting, anaerobic digestion, and animal feed, among others.

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Beyond Demolition: Reuse Innovation in the Built Environment

Construction and demolition (C&D) is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of recycling, however it remains a critical issue given C&D debris account for more than 2x the amount of generated municipal solid waste in the U.S. During this session, speakers examined strategies to recover, reuse, and extend the life of C&D materials. Much of what is wasted at construction sites, like existing flooring, bricks, doors, exit signs, and faucets can be reused in existing renovation projects or utilized in new builds.

Implementing School Waste Diversion

Academic institutions produce large amounts of waste, and often much of that waste can be diverted for use elsewhere rather than going to a landfill. Speakers addressed waste reduction plans in school cafeterias, including share table initiatives and on-site composting. Speakers also highlighted reuse opportunities for excess furniture and classroom equipment that become available during classroom renovations and school closures.


A Check-in on Battery Recycling

Battery recycling is a rapidly evolving landscape. There are many challenges and opportunities when it comes to responsible battery management. The growing variety of battery sizes, formats, and chemistries contribute to these challenges.

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In 2025, Michigan ran a consumer survey on battery management which outlined that while around half the respondents felt confident on how to properly manage batteries, a significant number indicated that batteries should be placed in curbside trash and recycling bins, which is an improper form of disposal. This highlights the need for transparency, education, policy, and improved systems to keep up with the rapid production and usage of batteries.

Moving forward, we must all do our part in rethinking resource use. Working together, we must adopt upstream focused policies into local and state government and corporate strategies and operations to drive systemic change for the benefit of current and future generations. We hope you will join us next year for conversations that continue to lead the way for and strengthen our region. 

Rethink Resource Use 2027 - Save the Date

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Mark your calendars! Rethink Resource Use 2027 will be held October 4th - 6th at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland, Maine.


Presented by Apparel Impact, sustainable materials management (SMM) leaders, policymakers, and industry innovators will convene for three days dedicated to advancing circular systems and material recovery.


This year’s event will explore critical developments across policy, regulations, innovative infrastructure, and community-level programs—including a targeted focus on textile recycling and recovery solutions. We hope you will join us!

2027 Sponsorship

Confirm Sponsorship by January 1, 2027 for a 15% discount. Visit our sponsor page for more information.

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Northeast recycled commodity prices rise in Q2

By Keith Loria | Resource Recycling • October 30, 2026
Recycled commodity values at Northeast MRFs increased for the second consecutive quarter as Q2 2026 figures show gains across most materials outweighed a 61% drop in PET, according to the Northeast Recycling Council. In the latest report, average blended values reached $93.03/ton without residuals, up 11.1% from Q1. Including residuals, the value climbed 15.24% to $76.37/ton, NERC said. The gains extended a recovery from Q4 2025, when average values fell to five-year lows of $68.41/ton without residuals and $52.49/ton with them. Values rebounded 22.37% and 26.26%, respectively, in Q1 2026 , though the latest increases came at a slower pace. That late-2025 trough followed declines in OCC, mixed paper, aluminum cans and several plastics grades. Natural and color HDPE were among the exceptions, posting gains during Q4. The new results therefore show a broader recovery in commodity pricing, though PET has continued moving lower through the first half of 2026. PET averaged $40.48/ton in Q2, with reported prices ranging from $8.47 to $70. The resin also declined in Q1, when most other commodities began recovering. Other plastics posted substantial increases. Color HDPE rose 122% to $293.63/ton, while natural HDPE increased 10% to $1,471.31/ton. Polypropylene climbed 72% to $345.37/ton, and mixed plastics Nos. 3-7 advanced 39% to $186.52/ton. OCC increased 17% to $99.21/ton, while mixed paper fell 5% to $45.57/ton. Aluminum cans gained 5% to $2,171.29/ton, and steel cans rose 4% to $221.29/ton. Glass remained mixed. Clear and green container prices declined, brown glass held steady, and three-mix glass carried a negative average value of $37.71/ton, meaning MRFs paid to move the material. The quarterly survey collected commodity pricing from 19 MRFs across 12 states. Two facilities were excluded from the blended average because they marketed insufficient material during Q2 to provide a representative comparison. That calculation included 13 single-stream and four dual-stream or source-separated facilities. Single-stream values rose 12.3% to $91.28/ton without residuals and 11.37% to $74.74/ton with residuals. Dual-stream and source-separated values increased 8.04% to $98.65/ton without residuals and 28.33% to $81.62/ton with residuals, remaining above single-stream values on both measures. Residuals are incoming materials that cannot be marketed and require disposal. The measure without residuals reflects a ton of marketed recyclables; the measure including residuals accounts for managing unmarketable material in each ton processed. Disposal costs increased during Q2, although facilities may calculate those costs differently, NERC noted. The report covers Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia. Collection systems and state policies affect which materials reach participating facilities. Beverage container deposit programs, for example, divert some glass bottles, PET bottles and aluminum cans away from MRFs, reducing potential revenue from those materials. Single-stream collection remains the most common approach represented in the survey. NERC cautioned that differences in collection programs, market access and operating conditions limit how the regional averages can be applied locally. “This data is not intended to serve as a price guide for MRF contracts,” the organization said. Read on Resource Recycling.

Northeast Average Commodity Value Continues to Increase Despite PET’s Sharp Drop in Q2 2026

By Megan Fontes • October 29, 2026
NERC’s Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) Commodity Values Survey Report for April – June 2026 reflects the continuing rise of commodity values across the Northeast after several quarters of decline. Dual stream/source-separated MRFs continued to report higher average commodity values than single stream MRFs. The average blended commodity value increased by 11.1% to $93.03 per ton without residuals and by 15.24% to $76.37 per ton with residuals in Q2 2026 compared to Q1 2026. Single stream values increased by 12.3% to $91.28 per ton without residuals and by 11.37% to $74.74 per ton with residuals. Dual stream values increased by 8.04% to $98.65 per ton without residuals and by 28.33% to $81.62 per ton with residuals.

New program prepares the next generation of recycling professionals

By Recycling Product News • October 14, 2026
The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) and the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) have launched a new pilot initiative to train the next generation of recycling professionals: the Sustainable Materials Careers Program (SMCP). Take a look inside the Sustainable Materials Careers Program Building on the success of NERC's Emerging Professionals Program, which offers new professionals exposure to sustainable materials management (SMM), mentorship, and career guidance, SMCP will focus on college students — with the potential to engage high school students in the future. The program will give students a deeper understanding of career opportunities in SMM and provide hands-on pathways from the classroom to the workplace. Through Career Exploration events and professional development training, students will gain industry exposure, build foundational knowledge, and chart a clear path toward careers in sustainable materials. Career Exploration events will be part of ReMA's Recycling Jobs Day initiative, a national program connecting students with careers in the recycled materials industry. Event activities will include tours of material recovery, recycling, and/or manufacturing facilities, as well as panels highlighting diverse career pathways in the sector. "Many students want to work in sustainability, but they rarely see the diverse career paths available across the materials lifecycle," said Megan Schulz-Fontes, executive director of NERC. "By combining hands-on facility tours with foundational training, this program opens doors across every corner of the industry — including state and municipal governance, equipment and technology manufacturers, recycling infrastructure, and corporate sustainability teams — ensuring the next generation is equipped to lead." Growth in sustainability has increased the number of professionals needed to run the industry The material economy accounts for over 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA. Recycling and composting in the United States prevent the release of roughly 186 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent into the air each year — an impact equal to taking over 39 million gasoline-powered cars off the road annually. Compared to the processing and transportation needed for mining, drilling, harvesting, or other methods of extracting natural resources for manufacturing, the use of recycled materials typically produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Global demand for green jobs is growing at 8 percent per year. Yet, LinkedIn's Global Green Skills Report highlights a shortage of qualified talent, with many roles unfilled due to limited training and a lack of mixed skills, as noted by the Institute of Sustainability Studies. SMCP addresses these gaps by increasing awareness of sustainable materials careers and offering free training to participating students. In the 2026-2027 academic year, NERC plans to hold six Career Exploration events and provide enrollment in its Foundations of Sustainable Materials and Recycling course at no cost to students from participating Academic Partners. Current Academic Partners include MIT Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Rowan University Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Institute, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute, University of Southern Maine, and Yale. Read on Recycling Product News.