New action on horizon for sustainable materials management under Biden, experts predict

By Cole Rosengren | 2/17/21 | Waste Dive

As President Joe Biden's administration takes shape, with a stated focus on climate change and economic recovery, a broad range of stakeholders see a prime moment to advance materials management policy.

While many elements of U.S. waste and recycling policy are decentralized, issues such as reducing food waste, improving recycling infrastructure and enhancing markets for various materials have often been bipartisan federal priorities. Funding and legislative decisions from Congress remain a key factor, and multiple agencies have potential roles to play – with the U.S. EPA receiving the greatest attention. 

Beyond the anticipated confirmation of Michael Regan as the next administrator, sources are also watching to see who will be the next assistant administrator of the Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) as that position has the most direct involvement with materials management issues. Whenever new leadership takes the helm, experts see many ways to accelerate the agency's long-running work on waste and recycling.

“During my time that office – really with tremendous analytic leadership of career staff – laid the foundation for shifting from a waste management paradigm to a sustainable materials management paradigm, the use of life cycle-based analysis, the greenhouse gas reduction potential," said Mathy Stanislaus, who led OLEM under Obama. “That foundation is there for the next quantum leap forward on circularity.” Read More >>