The Latest

  • United States map with recycling arrows superimposed on top
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    Photo Illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Tracker

    Tracking recycling laws by state

    Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an EPR for packaging law. In Washington, an EPR for packaging bill and two right-to-repair bills await Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature.

    Updated April 16, 2025
  • An illustration of the U.S. Capitol with recycling containers
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    Danielle Ternes/Waste Dive
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    Tracker

    Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress

    House lawmakers plan to reintroduce the COMPOST Act, which would have the U.S. Department of Agriculture recognize composting as a conservation practice.

    Updated 5 hours ago
  • A damaged lithium-ion battery is displayed on a table.
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    Courtesy of City of Seattle
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    WasteExpo: No ‘one easy fix’ for battery fires, but plenty of options

    Industry professionals at this year’s conference called for coordinated battery fire prevention strategies, including integrating newer tech like x-ray sorters, to fight growing battery waste streams such as vapes.

  • 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

    WM acquired WB Waste in Maryland; Waste Connections acquired Atlantic Coast Recycling in New Jersey; GreenWaste acquired a transfer and recycling facility in California; Denali acquired two North Carolina compost sites.

    Updated May 9, 2025
  • A gloved hand drops a syringe into a medical waste container
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    Courtesy of BD
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    Healthcare waste in residential streams keeps growing. Now what?

    A combination of policy and education is necessary to prevent worker injuries from needlesticks and hazardous waste exposure, speakers from Stericycle and PSI said at WasteExpo. 

  • Plastic takeout containers with chicken sandwiches in a commercial refrigerator
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    monticelllo via Getty Images
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    GreenBlue shares How2Recycle label updates, launches tube and thermoform group

    The group announced a new timeline for redesigned labels, and a collaboration on hard-to-recycle items that includes groups such as the Recycled Materials Association and Solid Waste Association of North America.

  • People stand around a promotional booth featuring material for Waste Harmonics Keter in an exposition hall.
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    Permission granted by Waste Harmonics Keter
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    Waste Harmonics Keter looks for growth opportunities after merger

    Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Mohan outlined plans for the combined waste brokers to scale, including potential M&A. The company recently cut staffing at a New York office as part of the integration process.

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    Mark Wallheiser via Getty Images
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    Florida legislature passes bill calling for new state recycling plan

    The recycling industry backed a bill to revive the conversation about progressing toward the state’s 75% recycling goal. Meanwhile, disposal politics stalled an auxiliary container bill, and other industry priorities advanced.

  • A WB Waste Solutions truck driving in Virginia
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    Gabriel Langton. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    WM acquires DC-area WB Waste Solutions

    The private, Maryland-based operation was formed by industry veterans Willie K. Goode and Bruce Bates. It includes a range of commercial and industrial hauling and post-collection assets.

  • Republic Services truck tipping load of recyclables
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    Courtesy of Republic Services
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    Top 5 waste companies spent nearly $1.5B on M&A in Q1

    Republic Services’ purchase of Shamrock Environmental led spending for the quarter. Other notable deals include Waste Connections’ purchase of Atlantic Coast Recycling in New Jersey.

  • a hand sticks a fork in a salad in a disposable cup
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    Giuseppe Lombardo via Getty Images
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    Grants of up to $50K aim to boost compostable packaging recovery

    A new program — launched by the Composting Consortium, U.S. Composting Council and Biodegradable Products Institute — aims to help organics recyclers and local governments scale their efforts.

  • A food waste bin is poured into Ohio University's in-vessel composting vessel.
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    Retrieved from Ohio University on May 06, 2025
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    Ohio University composting program turns cafeteria scraps to brown gold

    The university processes more than five tons of food waste every day into soil amendments it uses on campus. The school has also adjusted parts of the ongoing program due to contamination issues.

  • A garbage truck with an American flag attached to the cab is emblazoned with Donald Trump's 2024 campaign logo.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Biogas market awaits RFS guidance; plus RNG news from WM, Viridi, Vision

    The U.S. EPA is overdue to set new alternative fuel targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The market for transportation fuels made from biogas may be suffering as a result.

  • Trash truck
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    Courtesy of Casella Waste Systems
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    Casella notes positive Q1, recycling efficiencies and insulation from tariffs

    Casella also noted four acquisitions so far in 2025 and plans to continue internalizing more landfill tons and updating fleets.

  • Environmental groups launch coalition to halt the use of biosolids as fertilizer

    The Coalition for Sludge-Free Land, made up of local, regional and national groups, is pushing for biosolids to be dewatered and landfilled instead. 

  • Republic Services collection truck driving
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    Courtesy of Republic Services
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    Republic Services acquires pair of private haulers in Wisconsin

    The purchase of Town & Country Sanitation and Peterson Sanitation caps off decades of private ownership. The transaction is part of Republic’s intention to spend at least $1 billion on M&A this year.

  • GFL Environmental truck on display at WasteExpo 2022
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    Maria Rachal/Waste Dive
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    GFL plans to build on existing post-collection asset footprint amid M&A push

    Executives said the company is on track to meet or exceed the high end of their acquisitions guidance this year, fueled by proceeds from the sale of GFL’s environmental services business.

  • Waste Management trucks passing each other in Somerville, Massachusetts
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Q1 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2025

    Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems and Clean Harbors.

    Updated May 7, 2025
  • workers pull material off a conveyor at a recycling facility
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    Courtesy of Glacier
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    Glacier raises $16M in funding to advance AI-enabled sorting tech at MRFs

    Glacier recently installed its technology at Recology's Seattle MRF. The company aims to expand its presence in major U.S. markets as MRFs continue to face operational, policy and economic pressures.

  • Several large industrial tanks at a facility are visible, one of which is emblazoned with "Safety-Kleen - A Clean Harbors Company."
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    The image by Infrogmation is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Clean Harbors exec says Safety-Kleen business ‘has turned a corner’

    Co-CEO Mike Battles said other used oil collectors are following Clean Harbors’ lead on a charge-for-oil model, keeping volumes stable. Elsewhere, executives remain optimistic about the business amid an uncertain economy.

  • glass bottles awaiting recycling
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Replenysh raises $8M to expand recycled content and data network

    CEO Mark Armen says the company has recently helped expand glass recycling supply chains in California. The company also announced new Chief Operating Officer Andrew Langtry.

  • Waste Management CNG trucks in parking lot
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    Courtesy of Waste Management
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    WM says tariffs unlikely to affect RNG, MRF plans for 2025

    CEO Jim Fish said the quarter exceeded expectations, despite severe weather. The company also reported ongoing progress as it integrates the Stericycle assets.

  • Illustration of heavy equipment at a landfill
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    Danielle Ternes/Waste Dive
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    Tracker

    Tracking GHG emissions of US waste management companies

    GreenWaste and VLS released new sustainability reports featuring data from last year. 

    Updated April 29, 2025
  • Recycled materials travel along a conveyor at a recycling facility
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    WM opens $50M MRF in Maryland as part of regional upgrade plan

    The new MRF, which can handle 250,000 tons per year, now has the largest capacity of all WM’s recycling centers. That capacity is necessary to serve major cities such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C. 

  • Aerial view of a large landfill near power lines and surrounded by forest. A large city is visible in the distance.
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    [Photograph]. Retrieved from King County, Washington.
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    Washington bill would fine noncompliant landfills; Waste Connections faces lawsuit

    Also this month: Two Virginia landfill proposals get different reactions; Arkansas residents sue WM; and Casella sues New Hampshire regulators over permit denial.