The Latest
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Tracker
Tracking GHG emissions of US waste management companies
Denali reported its scope 1 and 2 emissions, and Synagro reported progress on energy efficiency measures in 2024.
Updated Aug. 27, 2025 -
Deep Dive // Republic-Teamsters strike
Teamsters v. Republic: Behind the largest sanitation strike in decades
The two sides have been locked in a dispute that has rippled out from the Boston area since July 1. The struggle signals a contentious new era of labor relations has arrived to the waste and recycling industry.
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Wholesalers shed more light on Oregon packaging EPR legal challenge
Oregon agencies received an extension to respond to the lawsuit until mid-September, per an update Friday. In the meantime, wholesalers are analyzing potential legal issues with EPR laws in other states.
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WM announces CFO Devina Rankin to retire
The CFO is leaving the company after nearly 23 years. David Reed, vice president and business partner for WM’s West Tier operations, will take over the position.
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Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity
GFL acquired a Georgia transfer station; Closed Loop Private Equity acquired Agri-Cycle; E360S acquired a British Columbia hauler; American AF Dumpsters acquired a Texas roll-off company.
Updated Aug. 21, 2025 -
Texas law showed electronics repair is bipartisan. What’s next?
Some manufacturers and tech companies such as Google are starting to shift their thinking on right-to-repair laws for consumer electronics, farm equipment and other categories as the policy passes in more states.
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Lawmakers, recyclers call for SB 54 regulations that reflect intent of EPR law
CalRecycle is expected to open the 45-day public comment period on SB 54 rulemaking soon. Stakeholders say some draft revisions undermine the law's ability to hold producers responsible for litter.
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Closed Loop acquires Agri-Cycle, expanding organics reach
Agri-Cycle provides collection services to customers across 14 states in the Northeast. With the deal, Closed Loop Partners’ private equity arm looks to aggressively grow its organics portfolio.
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Blue Polymers takes over food-grade rPET pellet production in California
“Whereas we sell flake to folks that create pellets, now we can sell pellets to folks that create packaging,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services, a partner in the Blue Polymers venture.
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Technology could cut US landfill emissions in half for $1.3B: Energy Vision
The report further finds that such improvements could generate nearly $1.8 billion in revenue for operators, exhibiting a notable return on investment while addressing climate-warming emissions.
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Waste and recycling groups ‘disappointed’ by lack of plastics treaty
Recycling groups will monitor the next round of talks for clues on infrastructure and end market impacts. Plastics groups will push recycling over environmentalists’ calls for plastic production caps.
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Driven by EPR, brands to offer film and flexibles funding to California recyclers
General Mills, Mars, PepsiCo and other brands are investing in film and flexible packaging recycling in the state as California implements stricter recycling regulations for the materials under its EPR law.
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Lithium-ion battery recyclers see challenges, opportunities under Trump
While the administration has moved to strip electric vehicle incentives and cancel some grants, it remains focused on lithium’s value as a critical mineral for manufacturers.
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EREF report calls for more data, better reporting on EPR metrics
As more states and countries adopt EPR programs, the Environmental Research & Education Foundation says data is difficult to evaluate — but it doesn’t cast doubt on the effectiveness of EPR as a whole.
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Republic offers Tennessee landfill settlement; WM appeals Arkansas odor suit
A Virginia landfill is closer to expanding, and local officials blocked expansions for a landfill in Pennsylvania and for Republic’s Coffin Butte landfill in Oregon.
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Prairie Robotics expands its AI truck tech to more North American cities
Its recent partnership with Tacoma, Washington, was funded by a $1.8 million U.S. EPA recycling education grant. The company aims to expand its on-truck contamination detection services.
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Canada’s clean fuel programs sees 417% jump in RNG in 2024
The boost was due in part to significant procurement requirements Canadian utilities made for renewable natural gas.
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Exports pulled down 2024 paper recycling rate: AF&PA
Decreased fiber exports, especially to Asia, affected both paper and OCC recycling rates in the U.S., according to the American Forest & Paper Association. But domestic mills increased their fiber consumption.
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Notable waste and recycling conferences in 2025
The Hazardous Materials Management Conference will offer training and networking from Sept. 21-25 in Naperville, Illinois.
Updated Aug. 15, 2025 -
Battery recycling facilities and programs ramp up in U.S. and Canada
Princeton NuEnergy’s black mass facility has opened, while Washington seeks comments on its battery EPR rulemaking and two Canadian programs join forces on battery recycling education.
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The image by Cjp24 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Quest reports revenue decline after mall business exit
The company is in the midst of operational efficiency initiatives after a disappointing 2024. These processes have reduced debt and improved cash generation, executives said on a Q2 earnings call.
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Montrose expects EPA action on PFAS, GHG to drive future growth
CEO Vijay Manthripragada noted that U.S. EPA clarity on regulations will help prompt clients to seek testing, monitoring and cleanup services.
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Q&A
GreenWaste’s new CEO eyes M&A, California facility expansion for growth
GreenWaste appointed former COO Clete Elms to permanently serve as CEO of the private equity-backed company. He brings experience leading Australian waste firms and a focus on sustainability.
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On-site sortation and valet services aim to fix multifamily waste contamination
Service providers such as Ally Waste, WasteXperts and Trash Logic are seizing opportunities as San Francisco and other cities focus on reducing contamination rates in their recycling and organics streams.
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Glencore completes takeover of Li-Cycle battery recycling assets
Li-Cycle filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and was down to a skeleton staff in North America. European commodities firm Glencore submitted a bid of approximately $40 million to acquire the assets.