EPA Kicks Off America Recycles Week with Second Annual Innovation Fair

This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrates America Recycles Week by hosting two days of free, virtual events that focus on creating a more robust and sustainable recycling system in the U.S. and abroad.

Today, the America Recycles: Innovation Fair will feature more than 40 innovators from across the recycling system via virtual exhibit halls demonstrating their state-of-the-art products, services, outreach, and technologies. They are advancing the recycling system through strategies such as: deploying artificial intelligence robots to enhance operations at recycling facilities; using hard-to-recycle plastics in 3D printing materials; installing small system sorting units in stadiums and small communities; creating new construction materials from hard-to-recycle plastics; and using automated technology and recycled glass bottles to create new glassware.

“EPA is proud to showcase top recycling innovators at the virtual Innovation Fair today,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Tomorrow’s America Recycles Summit will include EPA’s announcement of the first National Recycling Goal, which will prompt a whole new level of dialogue among stakeholders on how to improve our domestic recycling infrastructure.”

Tomorrow, the America Recycles Summit will feature opportunities to virtually attend panel discussions with public and private sector speakers about the future of recycling. Administrator Wheeler will also be making a special announcement. Summit topics include conversations led by EPA Regions about bolstering markets for recyclables, improving strategies for reducing contamination in recycling, and enhancing recycling strategies in Indian Country and territories, and the recently released Federal Strategy for Addressing the Global Issue of Marine Litter. EPA will also discuss the draft National Recycling Strategy, which is open for public comment until December 4.