Spring 2025

Two Positions Open in DEACS Recycling Business Assistance Center

Are you passionate about recycling and want to make an impact? Our team is hiring two positions that play a hands-on role in strengthening North Carolina’s recycling infrastructure and supporting businesses in the industry. If you’re fascinated by market development, logistics, or the inner workings of a MRF and want to help expand recycling opportunities across the state, this could be the perfect fit. Applications are open until March 18, 2025!

Recycling Business Development Grants Have Been Awarded

Nine Recycling Business Development Grants have been awarded to companies across North Carolina. This year’s awards total $400,000, with projected matching funds exceeding $478,000. These projects are expected to divert more than 20,000 tons of material from North Carolina landfills annually and create over 30 jobs.

This year’s grant cycle was very competitive, with more than 22 proposals submitted and requests exceeding $1.4 million. The strong interest in advancing recycling infrastructure and innovation in the state signals positive growth for the industry in the coming years.

Thirteen Projects Receive DEACS Food Waste Reduction Grants

Thirteen organizations across North Carolina have been awarded NCDEQ Food Waste Reduction Grants to support innovative composting and food recovery initiatives. Awards total $400,000 and recipients include composting businesses, food recovery nonprofits, and local governments, with projects ranging from expanding cold storage for rescued food to investing in vehicles and carts for food scrap collection. These investments help strengthen North Carolina’s food waste recovery infrastructure and support a more sustainable future.

Carolinas Plastic Recycling Council Hosts Final ‘Your Plastic Means Products’ Roadshow

On February 26, the Carolinas Plastics Recycling Council (CPRC), in partnership with Alpek Polyester USA, hosted the final Your Plastic Means Products roadshow in Columbia, SC. This event united recycling professionals, local businesses, and industry organizations to showcase the growing demand for post-consumer plastic supply and highlight innovations in the recycled plastics industry across the Carolinas.

With support from Alpek Polyester USA, the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), and the Plastics Industry Association, attendees engaged in discussions on industry best practices, collaboration, and resource-sharing to strengthen plastic recycling. The event featured presentations, networking, and a facility tour, reinforcing the vital role associations play in advancing the recycled plastics supply chain.

CPRC, a joint initiative of the NC Department of Environmental Quality and the SC Department of Commerce, continues to drive efforts in plastic recycling by connecting stakeholders and supporting market development across both states. For more information,  please visit the CPRC's Your Plastic Means Products website.

Help Shape Recovery Efforts for Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Helene

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), at the direction of the General Assembly, is conducting a business loss and needs assessment to help inform federal and state relief and recovery efforts post Hurricane Helene. Local agencies and partners across Western North Carolina are working together to address both immediate and long-term business needs.

Businesses of all sizes and industries, including those in the recycling sector, are encouraged to participate in a survey assessing the storm’s impact.

If your business was affected, please consider taking the survey and share your experience to help shape support and resources for the region.

Get Ready for the Carolina Recycling Association Conference

The Carolina Recycling Association’s 35th annual Conference and Trade Show will take place March 24–27 at the Wilmington Convention Center in Wilmington, NC. This event provides a valuable opportunity to learn about industry and market developments, connect with customers and peers, and engage with businesses across the recycling sector. Attendees can explore the latest trends, exchange ideas, and build relationships that support a thriving recycling industry. This year will include a focused track dedicated to providing resources for business and industry members to achieve their sustainability goals. 

More information and registration is available here. Be sure to stop by booth 505 to connect with staff from RBAC and DEACS!

Help Change the Story! Join APR's "Recycling In Action" This May

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is launching Recycling In Action this May and hoping to get as many MRFs and plastic recyclers as possible to join and open their doors for public tours during the month of May.  Why? Because we have been frustrated to see the many headlines and reports over the past few years that claim recycling does not work. Not only is it misleading, but it has led to confusion and skepticism—and declining participation rates. So, we want to encourage the public and stakeholders to tour recycling facilities and see with their own eyes that recycling is, in fact, happening in their communities. Seeing is believing, and the goal is to increase recycling understanding, support, and participation! 

How can you get involved?

  • If you’re already planning on offering a tours in May, this should be turnkey!
  • APR has developed a landing page and will conduct media outreach for a national audience to share the broader message that recycling is happening every day, and people can look for tours in their community this May.

You would run the tour and handle the local promotion to drive attendance. APR we will provide a marketing toolkit with press release template, invitation template, and social media post templates—if you want to use these resources.

Closed Loop Partners Offers Funding Opportunities for Recycling Businesses

The Closed Loop Infrastructure Group provides below-market rate, flexible loans to municipalities and private companies to improve recycling infrastructure. Loans can be used to finance recycling carts, trucks, transfer stations, sortation equipment, processing equipment and similar items. Closed Loop Partners is an impact investment firm focused on reducing waste to landfill and accelerating the transition to a circular economy.

We Want to Hear from You!

Do you have business news, upcoming events, or activities to share? Let us help spread the word! Reach out to Laura McCoy at Laura.McCoy@deq.nc.gov with your updates!

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