The rate of recycling in the United States has hovered in the low 30% range for the past decade. The introduction of the Environmental Protection Agency's National Recycling Strategy is meant to be the catalyst for increasing the nation's recycling rate.

In this debut episode of Stef Talks Trash, Editorial Director Stefanie Valentic interviews an unlikely voice who is working to create change: Kevin Kelly, CEO of Emerald Packaging.

Emerald Packaging, based in Union City, Calif., is one of the largest manufacturers of plastic produce packaging in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred demand for plastic packaging, including that of individually-wrapped produce.

As demand surges, advocates, government officials, businesses and consumers increasingly call for more sustainable solutions. Valentic and Kelly discuss the EPA's National Recycling Strategy as well as realistic plans to solve the global plastics problem.

For this and other episodes, subscribe to this channel or visit Waste360.com. Stay tuned to a new episode every Thursday!

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