The Latest

  • Stacks of colorful crushed can bales sit in a warehouse. There are two metal wire spools in front of them.
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    Alamy
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    5 themes that could shape waste and recycling in 2026

    Macroeconomic trends, including cooling inflation and continued commodity headwinds, are expected to impact the industry. Regulations, especially around PFAS, EPR and landfills, will also play a role in the coming year.

  • 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

    VLS Environmental Solutions acquired Merichem’s caustic services business. Private equity-backed Unified Disposal Partners disclosed a range of acquisitions from last year in Tennessee and Alabama.

    Updated Jan. 7, 2026
  • A person wearing a hazmat suit stands on top of and dips a probe into a large metal tank.
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    Permission granted by Arcwood Environmental
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    Arcwood Environmental acquires MXI Environmental Services

    The deal is Arcwood’s third in six months and represents another acquisition that expands the company’s geographic reach.

  • Aerial view of a berm holding in a landfill with a road running along it
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    [Photograph]. Retrieved from Atlantic County Utilities Authority.
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    New Jersey court upholds key environmental justice law

    Recyclers argued the state's Department of Environmental Protection overstepped its authority and blocked business operations. But an appeals court said DEP appropriately applied the EJ law.

  • Eric Adams stands at a podium in a public park on a sunny day. Behind him are several officials and a large bin, roughly five feet tall with a handled lid and a "Trash" label.
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    (2025). [Photograph]. Retrieved from New York City Office of the Mayor.
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    Deep Dive

    Mamdani inherits New York City’s ‘trash revolution’

    Beginning in 2023, New York City Mayor Eric Adams ushered in dramatic changes to the way residents sorted and set out their trash. With a new mayor in office, will the revolution continue?

    Updated Jan. 7, 2026
  • A pile of plastic bottles.
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    Getty Images
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    Toxic substances in PET bottles scrutinized by researchers

    Virgin and rPET bottles in Michigan and California leached additives and hazardous chemicals, per a study funded by the Alliance for Mission-Based Recycling. It’s the latest research to raise questions about plastic packaging.

  • A circular sign hanging above a booth at a trade show reads "Routeware."
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    Permission granted by Routeware
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    Routeware announces new CEO and chairman ​​​​​​

    The fleet management and technology company is beginning the year with a new leader and headquarters in Austin, Texas. Routeware has seen other executives cycle out in recent years.

  • The exterior of Alterra's liquefaction plant in Akron, Ohio.
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    Courtesy of Alterra
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    Federal bill aims to reclassify chemical recycling as a manufacturing process

    Supporters say the Recycling Technology Innovation Act, backed by ACC, would streamline permitting and strengthen domestic supply chains for recycled plastic. But critics say reclassification could erode Clean Air Act protections.

  • 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 new 2026 recycling and waste laws are taking effect

    Colorado, Oregon, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Vermont and Washington have new laws, including electronics and battery EPR and right-to-repair policies.

  • Rear view of a waste collection vehicle, with the word "caution," next to empty collection carts.
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    Getty Images
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    By the numbers: What impacted waste and recycling in 2025

    Take a look back at the year's notable data points on policy, regulation, labor, recycling trends and more.

  • Entrance to a neoclassical building facade that reads "Environmental Protection Agency. "
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    Alamy
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    How the EPA affected waste and recycling in 2025

    The agency under the Trump administration signaled changes to how it regulates PFAS and greenhouse gas emissions and appointed key new leadership.

  • A bright green GFL (Green For Life) garbage truck is driving down a city street, passing a crosswalk. The truck has the GFL logo with a leaf design and website URL “www.gflenv.com” on the side. Office buildings and pedestrians are visible in the background.
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    Alamy
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    2025’s notable waste and recycling acquisitions

    The year saw notable deal announcements involving GFL Environmental, Veolia, Enviri, WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, Casella Waste Systems, FCC Environmental Services, LRS and more.

  • Side view of blue DTG Recycle trucl
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    Retrieved from DTG Recycle on May 16, 2024
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    Macquarie-backed DTG for sale as C&D recycler navigates a complex year

    The Washington-based company’s CEO recently departed. Meanwhile, DTG is navigating complex facility permitting in Yakima but may avoid a fine for an investigation led by the state’s Utilities and Transportation Commission.

  • An aerial photo of a recycling facility surrounded by plains and trees.
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    Courtesy of 2025 WM Intellectual Property Holdings, L.L.C.
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    Waste operators seize opportunities as Ontario updates packaging EPR in 2026

    Companies like GFL Environmental and WM have made major investments in Ontario’s new EPR for packaging model, but the province may contend with transition growing pains after it starts on Jan. 1.

  • Close up view of a seagull standing on a ferry, New York City skyline in the background
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    DSNY sued over Staten Island waste zone contract award

    Century Waste Services is challenging the agency’s decision, alleging it didn’t adequately assess pricing proposals from a competitor. This marks the first known legal challenge to one of the city’s commercial waste zone contracts.

    Updated Dec. 23, 2025
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    Retrieved from House Energy & Commerce Committee.
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    Ahead of 2026, Congress hears diverging calls for PFAS regulation

    Witnesses pressed lawmakers to act on PFAS-related legislation in 2026 to protect “passive receivers” including water utilities and waste facilities. Environmental groups instead pushed for PFAS to be more strictly regulated.

  • Heavy equipment driving at a landfill in the Denver area
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Colorado adopts its own landfill emissions rule for the first time

    The new regulation adopts several new rules designed to tighten emissions monitoring and reduction, including the approval of satellite and drone monitoring systems.

  • A closeup of beverage cans and bottles for recycling
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    Getty Images
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    The evolving role of statewide recycling needs assessments

    These reports are a common tool for driving EPR for packaging programs. But who should lead the process and decide the data strategy and timeline?

  • Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, speaks at a press conference, alongside members of the Second Amendment Caucus, outside the U.S. Capitol Building on March 8, 2022 in Washington, D.C.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Pack Act introduced in Congress to cut through labeling confusion

    The bill, championed by Ameripen, would preempt state laws and call on the FTC to require certain parameters such as third-party certifications for recyclable, compostable and reusable claims on consumer products.

  • 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

    GFL Environmental reported a slight decrease in emissions compared to its 2021 baseline. Previously, Casella reported an uptick in emissions from a 2022 baseline.

    Updated Dec. 18, 2025
  • A line of trash bins stamped with "Miami-Dade County, Delivering Excellence Every Day"
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    Retrieved from Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management.
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    With Reworld out, Miami-Dade seeks compromise on incinerator plan

    At a county meeting on Tuesday, officials said rival bidders FCC Environmental Services and Florida Power & Light should discuss the possibility of submitting a combined proposal for the much-discussed facility.

  • A recycling bin on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    US EPA announces recipients of $58M in recycling infrastructure grants

    The second round of Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants, or SWIFR, will support 17 programs meant to avoid illegal dumping, build reuse centers, establish commercial recycling programs and more.

  • Three blue, green and gray waste carts out on a street in Fort Collins, Colorado, on pickup day for household trash, backyard trimmings and recyclable materials.
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    Getty Images
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    Help wanted: State agencies and producers staff up to implement packaging EPR

    Headcount varies widely across the seven states implementing extended producer responsibility programs, with some facing budget limitations. California, Colorado, Minnesota and Washington share their latest plans.

  • four blue recycling carts stand next to each other
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    Getty Images
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    Virginia to update state solid waste plan for first time in 46 years

    The draft plan aims to modernize the state’s waste strategy with an emphasis on better data collection, diversion and economic growth efforts. That might include pursuing an EPR for packaging law.

  • 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

    Rep. Lou Correa introduced a resolution declaring support in the House of Representatives for design for recycling initiatives, noting the principles increase waste diversion and help the economy.

    Updated Dec. 16, 2025