The Latest
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Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity
Firmament invests in BP Environmental Services; Superior Environmental Solutions acquired a regional environmental services provider; Meridian Waste acquired its latest hauler.
Updated Jan. 22, 2025 -
PFAS and waste solutions funded in final days of Biden EPA
The EPA under former President Joe Biden funded two dozen small businesses working on early-stage environmental technologies that incorporate materials like agricultural waste and wasted glass.
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Following market volatility, will OCC prices return to ‘normal’ in 2025?
OCC prices are down from recent highs in 2024. This plays into packaging producers’ bottom lines as they try to balance economic factors such as input costs and new capacity.
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Rubicon names former Circulus head Dulin as new CEO
Michael Dulin is the second executive to join Rubicon’s C-suite from Circulus, a plastics recycler that Dow acquired last year. Dulin reunites with CFO Eric Bauer.
Updated Jan. 16, 2025 -
EPA warns of PFAS exposure from biosolids in long-awaited report
Farmers could be at risk due to the chemicals leaching into food and water, the agency said in its draft risk assessment, which is now open for comment. EPA noted plans to focus enforcement upstream on industrial sources like landfills.
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California withdraws Advanced Clean Fleets EPA waiver request
The proposed rule would have required manufacturers to phase out diesel trucks by 2036.
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Deep Dive
Life cycle assessments loom large for the outcome of EPR programs
Oregon is currently unique among U.S. states in using this environmental impact tool in its packaging regulation. Experts say the decision comes with many complex considerations, including about plastic.
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4 finalists vying for Connecticut compost project
WeCare-Denali, Blue Earth Compost, Black Earth Compost and CWPM were among the bidders. The project is envisioned as a hybrid system using both aerated static pile and windrow systems.
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DTG Recycle restarts Washington C&D landfill, refutes nearly $3.4M hauling allegation
The Macquarie-backed C&D recycler recently reopened its sole landfill under a new name after a permit-related shutdown. In a separate matter, DTG is opposing a penalty from the state’s Utilities and Transportation Commission.
Updated Jan. 21, 2025 -
DOE doles out $6.9M for organic waste-to-biofuels projects
Nine projects funded through the program are expected to process food waste, dairy manure or products of municipal wastewater treatment plants into transportation fuels.
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5 issues likely to shape the waste and recycling industry in 2025
Plans for the second Trump administration, state EPR implementation, climate policy and PFAS regulation are evolving, as is landfill monitoring technology. Here’s how each could affect the industry in 2025.
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Canada Plastics Pact sees ‘slower than anticipated’ progress on 2025 goals
CPP's recently released annual report, along with a detailed companion report on recycling rate data, offers insight into managing plastic packaging beyond 2025.
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Waste Connections sees landfill progress in New York; Win Waste faces pushback in Ohio
Other landfill regulations or projects had notable updates in Hawai’i, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio and Texas.
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Notable waste and recycling conferences in 2025
The Deconstruction and Reuse Conference and the U.S. Product Stewardship Forum are some of the industry events to most recently announce details for 2025.
Updated Jan. 13, 2025 -
Final 45V hydrogen tax credit guidance draws mixed response
While hydrogen industry leaders generally welcomed the final rule’s increased flexibility, some said the complicated tax credit guidelines will stymie industry growth.
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Hyzon lays off workers, plans to liquidate business
The hydrogen truck company previously touted big plans to scale, including through multiple partnerships with waste companies in California.
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GFL CEO intends to kick-start solid waste M&A spending in ‘2025 and beyond’
The company had slowed its M&A spending to focus on reducing debt, but CEO Patrick Dovigi said during an investor call that the pending sale of a stake in its environmental services business will change that.
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GFL selling environmental services division to Apollo, BC Partners for $5.6B
GFL will retain a 44% stake in the division, with the option to repurchase within five years. The news marks a turning point in the company’s effort to reduce its debt leverage.
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Waste Pro CEO previews another busy M&A year following $140M in 2024
CEO Sean Jennings said the pipeline of potential deals is strong following a year of 15 acquisitions. He also discussed ongoing efforts to increase the share of revenue from open market and post-collection business.
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RNG tax credit impacts spill into new year; plus news from Waga, Clean Energy Fuels
The RNG industry closed 2024 out on a strong note with new investment tax credit language. Industry leaders expect to continue fighting for favorable policy into the new year.
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CalRecycle releases source reduction baseline report; updates on foam enforcement
In other SB 54 developments, CalRecycle also updated some recyclability and compostability designations on the covered material categories list.
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EPA could require certain incinerators to report chemical releases under TRI
To make the change to its Toxics Release Inventory, the EPA would need to launch a rulemaking process. The move would expand the public’s understanding of toxic chemicals released by such facilities.
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New waste, recycling and organics laws have taken effect in 2025
Oregon, Washington and Illinois are among the states enforcing new laws, including right-to-repair and organics disposal updates.
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Waste Connections closes embattled Chiquita Canyon Landfill in California
The site, which was the second-largest active landfill in Los Angeles County, faced years of legal and regulatory pressure. County officials are now focused on regional cost and environmental implications.
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Deep Dive
By the numbers: 2024 waste and recycling trends
Reflect on the year through key data points about labor, the economy, M&A, federal and state policy, recycling trends and more.