The Latest

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

    Waste Connections acquired a Florida hauler, GFL acquired an Illinois hauler, VLS Environmental acquired two industrial waste companies and Northstar Recycling acquired Waste Technology Services.

    Updated Oct. 23, 2025
  • Wide shot of a building exterior with the "Myplas" logo.
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    Permission granted by Myplas
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    One year after acquisition, GDB details revival strategy for Minnesota film recycling plant

    Since acquiring the Myplas USA plant that shuttered after only months in operation, GDB Circular says it has turned the site into a “flagship” facility.

  • A woman speaks at a poduim in front of a shipping container converted into a recycling drop-off space.
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    Courtesy of Circular Action Alliance
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    Oregon rolls out drop-off recycling sites as part of EPR program

    The state's new drop-off depots are meant to collect harder-to-recycle items not accepted in curbside bins. By 2027, the state aims to open more than 140 such sites. 

  • Two brown DSNY organics collection bins on the side of a street
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    The image by Tdorante10 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    New York City has space for more composting, report says

    The city can reach 180,000 tons of permitted composting capacity in at least three boroughs with newly identified sites, per a report from the office of the Brooklyn borough president. 

    Updated Oct. 21, 2025
  • A close-up view of various old corrugated boxes that are flattened.
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    Getty Images
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    China’s new pulp import restrictions create ‘black swan event’ for OCC

    The announced restrictions on dry-milled recycled pulp imports could set the table for a full ban on the material. While OCC prices dropped, many industry participants are in wait-and-see mode, sources say.

  • Aerial view of a municipal waste landfill in Pennsylvania shows two large bulldozers organizing the garbage into separate rows.
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    Alamy
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    Landfill expansion, closure and community relations news

    Waste Dive monitors the latest news from landfill operators around the country as they look to expand or contend with permit issues.

  • A large garbage container with the Waste Connections Logo sits on a concrete lot with palm trees and other vegetation behind it.
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    Octavio Jones via Getty Images
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    Alleged violations affect Waste Connections, Republic Services landfills

    A Florida town threatened to pull Waste Connections’ permit, while leachate problems at a Tennessee landfill continue amid Republic Services’ expansion plans. WM also won approval to expand a Michigan landfill.

  • Vanguard Renewables anaerobic digester at Bar-Way Farm in Deerfield, Massachusetts
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    Courtesy of Vanguard Renewables
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    Massachusetts considering residential organics disposal ban by 2030

    The state was one of the first to require large commercial food waste generators to divert the material. Now, it's seeking input on a plan to possibly extend the mandate to more businesses and residents.

  • A screenshot of people speaking during a webinar
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive, data from Screenshot
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    CPGs and suppliers discuss the ‘magic’ of melding packaging design with policy

    Sustainable packaging innovation is a balancing act between regulation and eye-catching design, said speakers during The Future of Food & Packaging Innovation virtual event hosted by Food Dive and Packaging Dive.

  • A person holds a handful of solid waste.
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    Courtesy of UBQ Materials
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    UBQ Materials partners with Virginia waste authority to supply carts made from MSW

    The new carts, manufactured by Cascade Engineering, are made of a plastic alternative from solid waste. UBQ aims to expand partnerships and production the U.S., with plans to build two new facilities in the next few years.

  • A bald man with glasses stands in front of a microphone.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Republic-Teamsters strike

    Multistate labor fight ends after Republic, Teamsters reach contract in Georgia

    The contract brings an end to a conflict that once involved roughly 2,000 workers. Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said the strike strengthened “every waste worker in America.”

  • Blue recycling boxes sit in the snow
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    Courtesy of Simcoe County
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    Recyclers call for Ontario’s finalized EPR regulations to move up enforcement deadline

    The province’s finalized Blue Box regulations set phased-in recycling rates for plastics but delay enforcement on other standards until 2028, a move that drew criticism from some in the industry, including GFL Environmental and APR.

  • Two people, one from CalRecycle and one from GreenBlue sit on a stage in front of a sign that says How2Recycle Summit 2025
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    EPR anxiety: CPGs and regulators prepare for generational policy shift

    Costs, policy divergence and relationships were a big focus at recent events hosted by GreenBlue and the Northeast Recycling Council. CalRecycle, Oregon DEQ, Circular Action Alliance and others weighed in on what’s next.

  • A small locking waste bin with the Compost Crew and Mill logos sits on a curb. A worker walks behind a collection truck toward the bin.
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    Permission granted by Mill
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    Mill partners with DC hauler to take the ‘ick’ out of curbside organics

    Mill will offer its devices to customers who sign up for a collection contract with Compost Crew starting at $39 per month. The latter company, based in Maryland, will collect the organic waste and compost it at its existing facilities.

  • A rear view of multiple people pushing shopping carts next to a display case in a grocery store
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    USDA and FDA food recalls are on the rise. What happens to the waste?

    The Food and Drug Administration recalled nearly 85 million units through the first half of the year and managing this organic waste can be complicated. Misfits Market is one company focused on upcycling safe, edible food.

  • Pile of grape pomace at California compost facility, mountains in background
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    Karine Vann/Waste Dive
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    California governor signs organics, glass recycling market bills into law

    Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills meant to expand composting options for certain growers, extend recycled glass market incentives for beverage bottle production and clarify the role of RNG in state diversion goals.

  • Gavin Newsom speaking on stage in business attire during a conference
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    Yana Paskova via Getty Images
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    Newsom blocks bill that would further limit PFAS in packaging

    While packaging groups opposed the PFAS bill, it was ultimately derailed by pushback from the restaurant industry. The California governor also vetoed a bill to further limit plastic microbeads in certain products.

    Updated Oct. 16, 2025
  • an overhead shot of people standing near the open door of a recycling facility.
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    Courtesy of Apex Waste Solutions
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    Apex, WM and others upgrade MRFs, spurred by EPR

    Recyclers have invested millions this fall on projects in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Oregon. Glacier, Waste Connections and BLT Enterprises are other companies with recent upgrades.

  • an exterior photo of VLS's Deer Park, Texas, facility.
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    Courtesy of VLS
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    VLS Environmental ramping up elemental mercury disposal site in Texas

    The company says it now has the only facility in the U.S. capable of providing disposal for the element, which cannot be exported due to a 2013 law. It has experience managing 70 million gallons of other types of mercury waste.

  • Commercial waste truck in New York
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    Getty Images
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    Waste software company Sourgum looks to expand nationwide in 2026

    The company was started in 2022. Joe DiNardi-Mack, its co-founder and a fourth-generation waste industry member, said he hopes to enable small and large haulers alike to better connect with customers through the platform.

  • An industrial facility with a smokestack is viewed from a distance.
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    [Photograph]. Retrieved from Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority.
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    Palm Beach County, Florida, approves $1.5B plan for second incinerator

    The facility will replace an aging refuse-derived fuel plant operated by Reworld. Pinellas County also approved an operations contract with FCC.

    Updated Oct. 14, 2025
  • Refurbished Waste Pro truck
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    Permission granted by Waste Pro
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    Waste Pro reports $170M in M&A for 2025, ‘record year’ for municipal contracts

    The Florida-based company logged 24 acquisitions and focused on growing its disposal and processing capabilities. It also noted significant municipal contracts worth $520 million in major Florida counties.

  • A tightly packed bale of crushed plastic bottles, compressed into a rectangular block and wrapped in clear plastic film. The bale contains various colored plastic bottles, flattened and compacted together, ready for recycling.
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    Alamy
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    California EPR stakeholders keep pushing through regulatory gray area

    A turbulent year of rulemaking has discouraged some on the SB 54 advisory board. Circular Action Alliance says companies should engage now to be ready for a quick turnaround.

  • A screenshot of David Keeling speaking at a podium
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    (2025). [Screenshot]. Retrieved from U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions.
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    David Keeling confirmed as new head of OSHA

    The former Amazon and UPS safety executive takes on the role as the agency is expected to advance a heat safety regulation. Keeling has said OSHA needs both regulatory and technology updates.

  • Side view of a garbage truck with a photo of Oscar the Grouch
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    Courtesy of Interstate Waste Services
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    NYC commercial waste reform

    New York’s commercial waste program expands with Bronx launch

    Carters earned $16.5 million during the first six months of a pilot zone in Queens. Meanwhile, the industry is pushing back on a proposal to exempt medical waste generators and the city announced 2026 zone launch timing.