Dive Brief:

• Amcor, Alcoa, and Coca-Cola are joining with other industry partners in a concerted effort to increase residential recycling.
• The collaborative is being launched as the "Recycling Partnership." It will fund projects in selected communities that need assistance with recycling efforts.
• The Recycling Partnership announced that Columbia, SC will be the official recipient of the group’s first public grant. The city plans to update its curbside collection program.

Dive Insight:

The group has chosen four cities to service in the initial program launch. So far, Richmond, VA and Florence, AL have been selected to participate in the program, and a fourth city will be announced in the future. All municipalities will get technical and financial help in four targeted areas: recycling access, support, regional coordination, and education and outreach.

According to some projections, participating cities could potentially expand recyclables recovery by more than 200%. In fact, Columbia could see a 500% increase in its recovery rates.