John Hite is a policy analyst with the Zero Waste Project. John does policy research to compile best Zero Waste practices and regulations from around the country and the world. He acts as a regional Zero Waste resource for municipalities and citizen groups in New England, while collaborating on the development and implementation of innovative waste management programs. He is also an advocate for the Zero Waste Project’s legislative priorities in Massachusetts, including the Plastic Free New England campaign.
John graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Clark University with a B.A in Geography and Spanish, where he focused on environmental policy. While an undergrad he did research on sustainable agriculture in Mexico, and the impact of extractive industries on indigenous communities in Mexico with the Climate Land Use Alliance (CLUA).
A Worcester resident, John can be found experimenting in the kitchen, rock climbing, or working on his salsa dancing.
Recent Posts
Jun 16 2020
Updated on June 16, 2020 At the outset of efforts to combat the plastic pollution crisis, local and state governments across the U.S. are focused on banning single-use plastic bags. CLF is also committed to passing bag bans in each New England state and has covered the many reasons why plastic bags should be outlawed…
Jun 10 2020
Single-use plastic has made a temporary comeback. Across New England, public officials and businesses anxious to protect public health amid the COVID-19 pandemic have curbed the use of reusable coffee cups, delayed plastic bag bans, and temporarily prohibited reusable bags from grocery stores. These emergency measures came in rapid succession after grocers associations and members…
Feb 11 2020
Two years ago, China stopped accepting our paper and plastic for recycling unless it was perfectly sorted and uncontaminated, triggering a recycling crisis in this country. As we open 2020, one thing is clear: that crisis is not improving. The effects of China’s decision have been staggering. Towns like Kennebunkport and Bradley, Maine, canceled their…
Oct 28 2019
Our recycling system is in a crisis. Up until last year, recyclables collected for the U.S. were shipped to China for processing. But then, China stopped accepting our recycling, setting off a chain reaction of problems. In New England and across the country, the cost of recycling for towns and cities is skyrocketing, forcing local…
Apr 24 2019
Plastics are everywhere. They’re in our cars, packaging, to-go containers, and clothes. We use them to eat, to insulate our homes, and to contain our laundry detergent. And with single stream recycling — where everything goes into one container for pick up — it’s easy to think that we can put any plastic in the…
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