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Every briefing and interview Material Progress has published, newest first.
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№ 004
Briefing · Food Service
Why Isn't Takeout Packaging Zero Waste?
Americans use nearly a trillion disposable food service products a year, and almost all of it is landfilled. This briefing maps why takeout packaging fails — contamination, foam, lined paper, compostables without infrastructure — and why reuse works in closed settings but not open-market delivery.
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№ 003
Briefing · Packaging
Why Isn't Food Packaging Zero Waste?
US landfills take more than 80 million tons of packaging waste a year. This briefing maps why food packaging fails — from aluminum and PET to flexible films, foam, and compostables — and what deposit-return and EPR change.
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№ 002
Briefing · Footwear
Why Aren't Sneakers Zero Waste?
Sneakers combine dozens of bonded materials, weak collection infrastructure, and resale-heavy "recycling." This briefing maps every major reason they aren't zero waste — and what's being tried.
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№ 001
Briefing · Construction
Why Aren't Construction Materials Zero Waste?
US construction and demolition generates 600 million tons of debris a year. This briefing maps the system-level barriers and material-by-material reasons recovery fails — from steel and concrete to drywall, wood, glass, and spray foam.
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