The Latest
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Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity
Liberty Waste Solutions acquired AJ Disposal in North Carolina. Hoffman Sanitation Services acquired another Oklahoma hauler. Caldwell Environmental acquired industrial waste company Northern Hills Oil.
Updated 16 hours ago -
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Vape waste legislation and pilots increase due to facility fire issues
New bills in California and New Jersey, and programs in New York and Missouri, aim to reduce recycling and waste facility fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in what some are calling the “vape effect.”
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Courtesy of Starbucks
New year, new label: PP cup recyclability status changes
The new How2Recycle labels are expected to roll out on PP cups this year. Years of collaboration between Starbucks, WM and other partners resulted in meeting the 60% recycling access threshold, said GreenBlue.
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Scott Olson via Getty Images
EPA says Deere can’t cite Clean Air Act to limit farm equipment repairs
The agency’s guidance is a direct response to the tractor maker’s request last summer on how manufacturers should interpret the law when it comes to repairs.
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Permission granted by Republic Services
Landfill solar projects still have bright future, but face practical limitations
The United States now has hundreds of installations on closed landfills, though the remaining sites may be limited by shifting federal policy, remediation costs and geography.
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Permission granted by Routeware
Routeware’s new CEO discusses fleet tech company’s strategy
Routeware has served the waste industry since 2000. But with new leadership comes an opportunity to refocus on the fundamentals, CEO Jeremy Collins told Waste Dive.
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The image by Kris Arnold is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
The 2026 outlook for the waste and recycling industry
Economic and policy shifts could impact waste and recycling business in 2026, including M&A deals, state recycling legislation, and regulations for PFAS and landfills.
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Deep DiveIs a better economy a worse environment for waste M&A?
The industry has become a safe harbor for investors seeking stable returns over the last five years. But as it matures, sellers are getting larger and buyers are getting hungrier.
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Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
WM signals optimism in Q4 despite healthcare solutions integration
WM CEO Jim Fish says sustainability investments paid off in 2025, with six more RNG projects and four recycling projects due in 2026. Improvements to its Stericycle integration should help margins.
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Doug Pensinger via Getty Images
5280 Waste Solutions prepares for Denver compost rules with 2 acquisitions
Backed by Laurel Mountain Partners, 5280 is expanding its offerings for residential and commercial clients with the deals. The company plans to expand its organic waste processing capacity in the future.
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Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
2026 waste and recycling industry conferences
Organizers have announced new details about several conferences, including the Organics Recycling Conference, RCon and Business of Biogas. Check out the list of key events this year.
Updated Jan. 30, 2026 -
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Textile EPR back on the agenda in Washington, New York
Reuse and repair provisions are part of these states' proposed textile EPR bills. Meanwhile, California is mulling three options for its PRO as part of its textile EPR implementation process.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Deep DiveBottle bill supporters face same challenges, new economic conditions for 2026
Bottle bills will face the same hurdles as in years’ past, but supporters in places like Maryland and Washington hope new perspectives on domestic manufacturing and EPR can help make their case.
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Worries over PFAS in biosolids spill into 2026 legislative sessions
The federal government has been relatively quiet on the issue of PFAS contamination from sewage sludge spread on farmland. That’s led state lawmakers to propose a wide range of regulations.
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Battery collection tech advances to mitigate fires, manage EPR volumes
Redwood Materials launched bins in San Francisco and plans to scale this year. This follows efforts from The Battery Network to make battery collection safer at retail stores and facilities by using fire suppressant.
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Food was one-fifth of waste Wisconsinites sent to landfills, report finds
The state is exploring options to improve market conditions for composters and anaerobic digesters, including raising landfill tipping fees and reviving a market development board.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
CAA readies California EPR program plan without finalized rules or needs assessment
Circular Action Alliance says it’s forging ahead but is between a rock and a hard place, as business and environmental advocacy representatives also worry about the implications of pressing toward a Jan. 1, 2027, start date.
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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.
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Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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 -
Alamy
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 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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.
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Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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 -
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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 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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 -
Permission granted by BioCycle
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.
