The Latest
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Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity
Ecowaste Solutions announced its first two acquisitions since being formed via a Kinderhook deal. Plus, Waste Eliminator acquired a Georgia hauler and Unified Disposal Partners purchased assets from Platform Waste.
Updated Jan. 21, 2026 -
Outgoing New Jersey governor signs food waste bill teeing up compost rules
The new law would establish a tiered regulatory structure for the facilities modeled by the U.S. Composting Council, drawing praise from the industry. It also requires local officials to address the state’s food waste reduction goal.
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BPI still seeking compost rulemaking at USDA
The Biodegradable Products Institute is focusing on bringing more clarity to compostable packaging’s future in California, dually advocating for rulemaking at USDA as well as new state legislation.
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Community composters are growing revenue and tonnages, report finds
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance found 2024 was a positive year for small composting operations in its annual survey. But issues like zoning and permitting challenges limit their growth, according to the nonprofit.
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Right-to-repair bills make a comeback in 2026
Advocates hope a wave of laws newly enacted in 2026 will boost momentum for repair bills addressing consumer electronics, wheelchairs, farm equipment and vehicles.
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Alamy
Senate passes $8.8B EPA budget
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.
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Stewart, Christopher. (2024). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Environmental groups petition to end federal grants for on-farm digesters
A new petition seeks to end the Rural Energy for America Program’s support for on-farm digesters, which environmental advocates say do not provide sufficient benefits and take money away from other, more deserving projects.
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Recycling app Scrapp launches innovation pilot in Miami-Dade County
Scrapp, a company offering recycling education and data analytics, is partnering with Miami-Dade County to help divert waste from disposal. The pilot got a boost from a $100,000 county innovation grant.
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Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
Casella fined $1.9M amid New Hampshire landfill debate; GFL seeks Michigan expansion
The New Hampshire Senate passed a landfill permit reform bill. Meanwhile, GFL Environmental plots an expansion, Republic Services extends the life of a landfill and Coastal Waste & Recycling contends with odor complaints.
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USDA organics board rejects compostable polymers, puts paper on watch
While the group is concerned about contamination from synthetic polymers broadly, it’s open to evaluating individual substances or narrower use cases such as fruit stickers or collection bags.
Updated Jan. 15, 2026 -
Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
2026 waste and recycling industry conferences
Organizers have announced new details about several conferences, including RCon, Business of Biogas and the Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference. Check out the list of key events this year.
Updated Jan. 14, 2026 -
Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
Q&ACall2Recycle rebrands as The Battery Network to reflect EPR, fire safety considerations
CEO Leo Raudys says the new name reflects the full picture of how factors such as EPR, supply chain logistics and domestic supply chains for critical minerals are impacting battery recycling in the U.S.
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Permission granted by LRS
GFL Environmental, LRS swap assets in Arkansas and Indiana
The deal strengthens the companies' respective footprints in each state. LRS is deepening its Indiana ties after securing an Indianapolis collection contract, while GFL is acquiring a C&D landfill.
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Anchorage, Alaska, developing incinerator to extend landfill capacity
The city is struggling with rising energy costs, and it projects that a new mass-burn combustion facility could add 20 to 30 megawatts of power. Officials say the facility could be built as soon as 2030.
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Rachel Murray via Getty Images
California packaging EPR rules delayed again
In the latest speed bump for implementing SB 54, CalRecycle withdrew proposed regulations from the Office of Administrative Law's review. It plans revisions related to packaging for food and agricultural commodities.
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Courtesy of Advanced Disposal Services
WM’s $30M lawsuit over ADS deal reaches final approval stage
The lawsuit alleges that WM misled investors over the timeline and details of its 2020 acquisition of Advanced Disposal Systems. The court issued a final settlement approval order in December.
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Courtesy of Vanguard Renewables
RNG producers are still waiting on the EPA; plus news from WM, Vanguard Renewables
In a court filing late last month, the U.S. EPA said it expects to finalize the volume obligations for petroleum fuel refiners sometime in Q1, creating uncertainty for renewable fuel producers.
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Alamy
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.
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Permission granted by Arcwood Environmental
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.
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[Photograph]. Retrieved from Atlantic County Utilities Authority.
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.
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(2025). [Photograph]. Retrieved from New York City Office of the Mayor.
Deep DiveMamdani 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 -
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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.
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Permission granted by Routeware
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.
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Courtesy of Alterra
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.
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Courtesy of ERI
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.
