The Latest

  • Aerial view of a collection truck picking up waste or recyclables in a residential area
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity

    Unified Disposal Partners acquired Evergreen Waste, which serves an area outside Nashville, Tennessee. The deal expands UDP’s presence in Tennessee.

    Updated Jan. 26, 2026
  • Exterior of the New Mexico state capitol building, which is stucco and prominently features the state seal.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    New Mexico finalizes rules for clean fuel program, boosting biogas potential

    Regulators approved the structure of New Mexico's Clean Transportation Fuel Program on Thursday. It will be the fourth state clean fuel program in the country when it goes into effect on April 1.

  • View of a truck tipping waste on the floor of an industrial incineration facility
    Image attribution tooltip
    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Miami metros debate incinerator plans

    Advocates continue to pressure officials to close or cut off waste shipments to incinerators in Minneapolis and the Philadelphia area. But progress continues on an incinerator in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

    Updated Jan. 26, 2026
  • The exterior view of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showcases its neoclassical architectural style with limestone façade, tall arched windows, and decorative columns.​
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alamy
    Image attribution tooltip

    Trump signs $8.8B EPA budget bill

    The funding is about 4% less than last year but over 50% more than a previous White House proposal. It cuts funding for Superfund activities but maintains other research funding for landfill methane and PFAS.

    Updated Jan. 26, 2026
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Solid waste workers experienced higher injury rates in 2024

    Solid waste workers experienced fewer recorded illnesses in 2024, but landfill workers reported higher illness cases. BLS injury and illness data for 2024 was delayed due to the government shutdown in the fall.

  • A trash truck leaves a material recovery facility.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Casella completes acquisition of Mountain State Waste in West Virginia

    The acquisition, representing about $30 million in annualized revenue, opens the door for Casella to operate in new regions of West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky while expanding its Pennsylvania footprint. 

    Updated Jan. 22, 2026
  • The Department of Agriculture (USDA) building in Washington DC.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    USDA pauses on-farm digester loan agreements amid high delinquency rate

    The pause is expected to affect projects on the cusp of securing loan note guarantees, which are used to finalize project financing. Agency staff cited elevated delinquency rates on digester loans in a letter.

    Updated Jan. 22, 2026
  • a close up of a bale of recycled cartons
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    California’s ‘truth in labeling’ law creates uncertainty about carton recycling

    SB 343 is slated to take effect in October. Carton advocates and environmental groups disagree over future markets and labeling for the material.

    Updated Jan. 22, 2026
  • Two people hold a sign that reads "BioCycle The Organics Recycling Authority"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by BioCycle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nora Goldstein passes the torch at organics recycling mainstay BioCycle

    BioCycle Media and BioCycle Consulting will continue under new leadership. The company traces its roots back to 1960, when the publication was called Compost Science.

  • Two open wooden boxes sit in a backyard with a bucket between them.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Tomwsulcer is licensed under CC BY 1.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Outgoing New Jersey governor signs food waste bill teeing up compost rules

    The new law would establish a tiered regulatory structure for the facilities modeled by the U.S. Composting Council, drawing praise from the industry. It also requires local officials to address the state’s food waste reduction goal.

  • Hands push a green waste cart
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    BPI still seeking compost rulemaking at USDA

    The Biodegradable Products Institute is focusing on bringing more clarity to compostable packaging’s future in California, dually advocating for rulemaking at USDA as well as new state legislation.

  • A hand brushes organic materials like vegetable scraps off a plate and into a bin
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Community composters are growing revenue and tonnages, report finds

    The Institute for Local Self-Reliance found 2024 was a positive year for small composting operations in its annual survey. But issues like zoning and permitting challenges limit their growth, according to the nonprofit.

  • A close up of a tool touching the inside of a hard disk for repair
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Right-to-repair bills make a comeback in 2026

    Advocates hope a wave of laws newly enacted in 2026 will boost momentum for repair bills addressing consumer electronics, wheelchairs, farm equipment and vehicles.

  • A large anaerobic digestion dome connected to pipes in the ground
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stewart, Christopher. (2024). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Environmental groups petition to end federal grants for on-farm digesters

    A new petition seeks to end the Rural Energy for America Program’s support for on-farm digesters, which environmental advocates say do not provide sufficient benefits and take money away from other, more deserving projects.

  • View of Hammock Lake in Miami-Dade County.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Recycling app Scrapp launches innovation pilot in Miami-Dade County

    Scrapp, a company offering recycling education and data analytics, is partnering with Miami-Dade County to help divert waste from disposal. The pilot got a boost from a $100,000 county innovation grant.

  • A statue sits on a pedestal in front of a columned government building with a gold dome
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Casella fined $1.9M amid New Hampshire landfill debate; GFL seeks Michigan expansion

    The New Hampshire Senate passed a landfill permit reform bill. Meanwhile, GFL Environmental plots an expansion, Republic Services extends the life of a landfill and Coastal Waste & Recycling contends with odor complaints.

  • hands hold compostable bag
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    USDA organics board rejects compostable polymers, puts paper on watch

    While the group is concerned about contamination from synthetic polymers broadly, it’s open to evaluating individual substances or narrower use cases such as fruit stickers or collection bags.

    Updated Jan. 15, 2026
  • People walk by trash trucks in an exhibit hall.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    2026 waste and recycling industry conferences

    Organizers have announced new details about several conferences, including RCon, Business of Biogas and the Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference. Check out the list of key events this year.

    Updated Jan. 14, 2026
  • a close-up of recycled consumer batteries
    Image attribution tooltip
    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A

    Call2Recycle rebrands as The Battery Network to reflect EPR, fire safety considerations

    CEO Leo Raudys says the new name reflects the full picture of how factors such as EPR, supply chain logistics and domestic supply chains for critical minerals are impacting battery recycling in the U.S. 

  • Blue garbage truck on road
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by LRS
    Image attribution tooltip

    GFL Environmental, LRS swap assets in Arkansas and Indiana

    The deal strengthens the companies' respective footprints in each state. LRS is deepening its Indiana ties after securing an Indianapolis collection contract, while GFL is acquiring a C&D landfill.

  • An aerial view of a city with snow-covered mountains behind it.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Anchorage, Alaska, developing incinerator to extend landfill capacity

    The city is struggling with rising energy costs, and it projects that a new mass-burn combustion facility could add 20 to 30 megawatts of power. Officials say the facility could be built as soon as 2030.

  • Image attribution tooltip
    Rachel Murray via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    California packaging EPR rules delayed again

    In the latest speed bump for implementing SB 54, CalRecycle withdrew proposed regulations from the Office of Administrative Law's review. It plans revisions related to packaging for food and agricultural commodities.

  • Advanced Disposal Services truck with helper on back
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Advanced Disposal Services
    Image attribution tooltip

    WM’s $30M lawsuit over ADS deal reaches final approval stage

    The lawsuit alleges that WM misled investors over the timeline and details of its 2020 acquisition of Advanced Disposal Systems. The court issued a final settlement approval order in December.

  • A large domed facility with semi-trailers with "Vanguard Renewables" branding parked in front.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Vanguard Renewables
    Image attribution tooltip

    RNG producers are still waiting on the EPA; plus news from WM, Vanguard Renewables

    In a court filing late last month, the U.S. EPA said it expects to finalize the volume obligations for petroleum fuel refiners sometime in Q1, creating uncertainty for renewable fuel producers. 

  • Stacks of colorful crushed can bales sit in a warehouse. There are two metal wire spools in front of them.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alamy
    Image attribution tooltip

    5 themes that could shape waste and recycling in 2026

    Macroeconomic trends, including cooling inflation and continued commodity headwinds, are expected to impact the industry. Regulations, especially around PFAS, EPR and landfills, will also play a role in the coming year.