The Latest

  • Federal recycling legislation
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    Danielle Ternes / Waste Dive
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    Tracker

    Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress

    The Strategies to Eliminate Waste and Accelerate Recycling Development Act, a combination of the bipartisan Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, was introduced.

    Updated Feb. 7, 2025
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    rakop_ton | Canva

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    Sponsored by Routeware

    Billing software to grow with you—and to help you grow

    Your waste hauler billing system should be designed not just for where you are today but where you want to be tomorrow.

  • Aerial view of a collection truck picking up waste or recyclables in a residential area
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    RichLegg via Getty Images
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    Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity

    Republic Services acquired MRF operator RecycleSource; Circular Services acquired Quantum Organics; Casella acquired Save That Stuff; Berkshire Partners invested in Triumvirate Environmental.

    Updated Feb. 5, 2025
  • A blue clipboard with a white paper that says "OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration," and protective gear lying above it.
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    designer491 for iStock via Getty Images
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    Bill to abolish OSHA faces slim odds, but other changes could come

    The legislation from Rep. Andy Biggs is unlikely to gain traction, according to an employment lawyer. But federal headcount reductions and regulatory pauses could have an effect.

  • Aerial view of a
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    Permission granted by Brian Paganini/Quantum Organics
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    Closed Loop continues growth with new investment, organics acquisition

    Closed Loop announced new funding from Capricorn. Meanwhile, CEO Ron Gonen said Circular Services is expanding into organics with its acquisition of North America’s longest continually operating digester.

  • A close-up of an employee using tools to repair a cell phone in a warehouse.
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    Courtesy of ERI
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    Where right-to-repair legislation is heating up in 2025

    Advocates say it’s an active year for legislation that covers consumer electronics, automobiles and new “repair indexes” for consumers. Advocates say such bills divert material from disposal and help prevent battery fires.

  • A group of protesters in winter clothing stand near a speaker system outside a large neoclassical building.
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    Al Drago via Getty Images
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    New officials named as upheaval in EPA’s environmental justice office, federal workforce continues

    The U.S. Senate confirmed leaders of multiple agencies this week, some of which have connections to waste. Meanwhile, officials are putting funding for programs at USAID and elsewhere up in the air.

  • Rows of aerosol cans.
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    shank_ali via Getty Images
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    How2Recycle questions recyclability level of aerosol cans, boosts paper canisters

    Sonoco celebrated the development for its paper cans after “collaboration with recyclers.” How2Recycle will also review the status for single-use PP coffee pods, bulky rigid plastics and HDPE trays and thermoforms.

  • Entrance to a building with reflective windows leading to a larger industrial shed. A smokestack is visible behind the building, as well as a sign on its front reading “Reworld.”
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    Permission granted by Francis Pickering
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    Deep Dive

    Reworld looks to grow Connecticut operations amid capacity crunch

    The waste-to-energy company continues to operate in the state as other incinerators shut down. As state lawmakers struggle with Connecticut’s dwindling waste disposal capacity, Reworld is pitching its services.

    Updated Feb. 6, 2025
  • crushed aluminum cans
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Bottle bills are ‘gold standard’ for raising UBC recycling rates: CRI

    The Container Recycling Institute recommended new bottle bills in an effort to keep up with U.S. aluminum consumption as recycling rates decline.

  • A VW Double Cab with the words "Compost Stuff" and the "Save That Stuff" logo
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    Permission granted by Save That Stuff
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    Casella acquires longtime Boston recycler Save That Stuff

    Save That Stuff, founded in 1990, comes with a collection fleet and a recycling facility. The company exited a joint venture arrangement to service Boston’s curbside organics program ahead of the transaction.

  • Two people with hard hats walking past bales of plastic scrap.
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    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
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    Recycling, waste groups voice concerns over proposed tariffs’ business impacts

    U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China could hamper infrastructure investments, affect commodity prices and impact significant trade relationships, recycling and waste groups say.

  • Close-up shot of a man sitting at a desk
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Where Trump officials stand on RNG; plus news from WM, Chevron and more

    Newly confirmed agency heads have committed to working with Congress on biofuels, though some supportive federal programs may be at risk. Meanwhile, companies like Waga Energy and BerQ RNG are growing their portfolios.

  • Side view of a white box truck with the Triumvirate Environmental logo
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    Permission granted by Triumvirate Environmental
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    Triumvirate Environmental confirms private equity investment

    Berkshire Partners’ investment values the Massachusetts-based environmental services company at $1.8 billion and marks the latest example of growing interest in the sector. 

    Updated Feb. 4, 2025
  • The flag of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hangs outside the agency building in Washington, D.C.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Federal funding pause, confusion hits environmental program funding

    Affected programs include the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling and Recycling Education and Outreach grant programs. EPA employees fear reprisal if they speak to grantees, according to advocates. 

  • aerial view of trucks entering US from Canada
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Canada’s retaliatory tariffs to impact paper, plastic packaging

    President Donald Trump’s announced tariffs against multiple countries drew pricing and supply chain concerns from the Plastics Industry Association, American Forest & Paper Association and others.

  • stacks of blue bags filled with recycled beverage containers
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    The waste and recycling industry outlook for 2025

    EPR implementation, organics requirements, bottle bill updates, PFAS regulation, federal tax credits and M&A are all expected to be key topics for the year ahead.

  • "Hon. Lee M. Zeldin," as a placard states, sits at a table with a microphone in front of a crowd in a hearing room.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Zeldin pledges to visit Missouri landfill; Hawai’i landfill debate reaches state house

    Elsewhere, landfill permit denials occurred in Virginia and Michigan, while a landfill odor lawsuit continues in Illinois, and landfill expansion plans in Mississippi remain on hold.

  • Trucks line up behind a waste facility
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    WM reports margin milestones for Q4, focuses on Stericycle integration in 2025

    WM expects synergies from the Stericycle deal to be about $250 million over a three-year period, with about $100 million of that in 2025. It also expects to complete more RNG facilities this year.

  • Lee Zeldin sits at a desk
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Zeldin is confirmed as the new EPA administrator. What’s next?

    The former New York representative will helm the agency as it navigates executive orders pausing climate programs and reviews pending regulations that could affect the waste and recycling industries.

    Updated Jan. 30, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    EPR and bottle bills enter a crowded legislative agenda in 2025

    Extended producer responsibility and bottle bills will continue to influence recycling policy at the state level, even as federal priorities could shift. Other bills for batteries or mattresses could also make an appearance in 2025.

  • A hand brushes organic materials like vegetable scraps off a plate and into a bin
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    svetikd via Getty Images
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    What’s in store for organic waste in 2025

    Shifting power in Washington may not be an obstacle for groups advocating for favorable organic waste policies. But composters and anaerobic digester developers are navigating an evolving business environment this year. 

  • Sean Duffy testifies before senators in Washington, D.C. at his confirmation hearing on Jan. 15.
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    Samuel Corum/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Sean Duffy confirmed as Transportation secretary

    The former congressman will now lead agencies responsible for regulating vehicle safety and funding infrastructure projects.

  • four blue recycling carts stand next to each other
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    Thomas Demarczyk via Getty Images
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    9 stats about US packaging recycling

    A recent pair of reports from the U.S. EPA, released in the prior administration, estimated the agency could take upward of $28 billion to modernize recycling systems and divert more packaging materials from disposal.

  • Two tractors scooping compost
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    Courtesy of Agromin
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    California law aims to expand options for compost procurement under SB 1383

    The state’s organics law requires jurisdictions to procure a certain amount of organic material, but some have struggled. A recent law expands the options and could boost categories such as vermicomposting or edible food recovery.

  • A woman speaks at a lectern with the Miami-Dade County, Florida, insignia on its front.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Miami-Dade County mayor backs off incinerator, proposes new $556M landfill

    The Florida mayor said the threat of legal challenges and other expenses made building a new waste-to-energy facility too difficult. She now recommends landfilling to meet long-term capacity needs.