Hefty ReNew Program: Still Working to Keep Plastics Out of Landfills

The plastic ban implemented by China in January 2018 had a significant impact on recycling centers in Boise, Idaho. Plastics marked with resin codes 3 through 7 were no longer accepted in curbside recycling carts, leading to frustration among residents who were committed to sustainability. Former Boise Mayor Dave Bieter expressed the community’s reluctance to send these plastics to landfills in a press release.

To address this issue, Boise received a $50,000 grant to establish a local Hefty trash bag collection program that launched in April 2018. Originally known as the EnergyBag® Program, which aimed to divert non-recyclable plastics from landfills, it faced environmental concerns due to the incineration of plastics. In response to these concerns, Hefty rebranded the program as Hefty ReNew™ in March 2023, focusing on more sustainable practices such as advanced recycling technologies like pyrolysis.

Pyrolysis is a controversial process that converts hard-to-recycle plastics into valuable resources like synthetic diesel fuel. Critics argue that pyrolysis can emit pollutants and greenhouse gases, posing environmental risks. However, Hefty commissioned an independent life cycle assessment in 2022, which reported that using program materials as fuel in cement kilns resulted in greater environmental benefits compared to landfilling.

The Hefty ReNew™ Program allows households to place a variety of plastic products in a special orange bag, which is then sent to a local recycling facility. In Boise, these materials are sent to a pyrolysis facility owned by Firstar Inc., where plastic waste is converted into energy and recycled composite lumber products, keeping plastics out of landfills and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The program has been successful in cities like Boise and Omaha, where plastics are diverted from landfills. However, critics have raised concerns about the environmental impact of incinerating plastics, as seen in Omaha. Despite this, sponsors like Dow and operators like Firstar Inc. argue that using hard-to-recycle plastics as fuel can offset the need for non-renewable fuel sources and extend the usefulness of waste plastics.

By shifting to the Hefty ReNew™ Program, Hefty aims to address previous environmental issues and contribute to a more circular economy by diverting hard-to-recycle plastics from landfills. While recycling may not be the ultimate solution to environmental issues, it is a step communities can take to prevent plastics from ending up in landfills and oceans. Continuous evaluation and improvement of recycling technologies are essential to ensure genuine environmental benefits are achieved.

Overall, the Hefty ReNew™ Program has diverted thousands of tons of waste since its inception almost a decade ago. As discussions around the environmental impact of pyrolysis continue, it is crucial for recycling programs to evolve and adapt to provide sustainable solutions for managing plastic waste. The Hefty EnergyBag Program is a revolutionary initiative that aims to tackle the issue of plastic waste in our environment. This innovative program provides consumers with a way to recycle plastics that are often not accepted in traditional curbside recycling programs. By providing a new way to recycle these hard-to-recycle plastics, the Hefty EnergyBag Program is helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or oceans.

The program works by providing participants with orange bags that they can use to collect their hard-to-recycle plastics. These plastics include items such as plastic film, foam cups, and other types of packaging that are not typically accepted in curbside recycling programs. Once collected, the bags are placed in designated drop-off locations where they are collected and processed.

One of the key benefits of the Hefty EnergyBag Program is that it allows consumers to recycle a wider range of plastics, thereby reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the environment. By providing an alternative recycling option for these hard-to-recycle plastics, the program helps to divert them from landfills and incinerators, where they would otherwise contribute to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to its environmental benefits, the Hefty EnergyBag Program also has economic advantages. By creating a new market for hard-to-recycle plastics, the program helps to support the recycling industry and create new jobs. This not only benefits the environment but also the economy as a whole.

Overall, the Hefty EnergyBag Program is a valuable initiative that is helping to address the issue of plastic waste in a creative and effective way. By providing consumers with a way to recycle hard-to-recycle plastics, the program is making a positive impact on the environment and helping to create a more sustainable future.