The Latest

  • Waste Connections truck in Brooklyn, NY
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Waste Connections notes positive Q1 despite rising fuel prices

    The company insulated itself somewhat from higher fuel costs through hedging and surcharges. It is also seeing benefits from AI-related cost savings, recovering recycled commodities prices and RNG activity.

  • Aerial view of an industrial facility with a smokestack on the bank of a river.
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    Permission granted by Arcwood Environmental
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    Arcwood Environmental eyes 2030 target in sustainability report

    The company said it plans to “responsibly manage” 50% more waste by 2030 versus a 2024 baseline. The company also reported rising carbon intensity but noted investment in sustainability projects.

  • A view of the Houston skyline shows a park and buildings
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    Getty Images
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    Houston expands multifamily recycling pilot

    About half of Houston residents live in apartments, but most lack recycling access. A pilot supported by The Recycling Partnership and Alliance to End Plastic Waste aims to change that.

  • A group of travelers walks through an airport terminal, passing by clearly marked recycling, trash, and compost bins.
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    Alamy
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    Composting Consortium highlights research, support in 5-year report

    The organization, a branch of Closed Loop Partners’ research arm, highlighted the role its research, support and grantmaking have played in illuminating the fate of such materials in compost systems.

  • An extreme closeup of a piece of fiber packaging with "100% compostable" stamped into the material.
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    Getty Images
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    California bills propose compostables restrictions

    The Biodegradable Products Institute says recent bills don’t address some of the most critical underlying issues that currently threaten the future of compostable packaging in California.

  • Metal Stericycle sharps collection box on tiled wall
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    EREF: ‘profound’ regulatory changes shaped 30 years of medical waste incineration

    Major changes to air emissions standards helped drastically reduce pollution since the ‘90s, but outdated pre-regulation data on medical waste incineration remains, EREF says.

  • Plastic Coca-Cola bottles lined up inside a refrigerated case
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    Getty Images
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    Navigating PCR procurement? A new tool could help.

    Given recent shifts in recycling markets, the Northeast Recycling Council hopes the PCR Material Demand Hub will help organizations with purchasing, explained Executive Director Megan Schulz-Fontes.

  • A small green bin with latched lid sits on the sidewalk near the curb outside a house.
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    Permission granted by CompostNow
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    CompostNow eyes expansion amid city partnership in Georgia

    CompostNow is set to take over curbside organic collections from Decatur, Georgia, after a pilot in the Atlanta suburb. Chief Impact Officer David Paull said the partnership and M&A are pathways for the company’s growth.

  • A truck trailer has the Arcwood Environmental logo emblazoned on the side
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    Permission granted by Arcwood Environmental
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    Arcwood makes major investments amid national growth strategy

    In 2025, the company invested roughly $80 million into its facilities and executed several acquisitions. It’s looking to expand capacity to capture growing waste streams, including PFAS and pharmaceuticals.

  • 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

    Ecowaste Solutions continued its acquisition spree with a North Texas hauler, and equipment manufacturer CP Group acquired Recycleye, which provides technology for MRFs.

    Updated April 15, 2026
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    Courtesy of MDI
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    Ecowaste Solutions acquires MDI’s Southeastern assets

    Ecowaste will acquire certain MDI assets in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi, including a transfer station and C&D landfill. MDI is exiting those commercial and residential offerings to focus on its services for the U.S. military. 

  • A truck with the logo "G.W. Shaw & Son Rubbish & Recycling" sits in front of an industrial building in Greenville, New Hampshire
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    Permission granted by G.W. Shaw & Son
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    New Hampshire’s G.W. Shaw grows with tuck-in deals, transfer station

    The multigenerational, family-owned company is growing via regional acquisitions, a recently opened transfer station, concrete and wood recycling, organics collection and more.

  • Metal sign that says United States Environmental Protection Agency on stone building
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    Getty Images
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    Video: Waste policy updates for GHG emissions and PFAS in 2026

    Waste Dive staff recently discussed key regulatory rollbacks and updates to greenhouse gas regulations, plus ongoing legal actions affecting PFAS, during a be Waste Wise webinar.

  • recycled plastic
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    Getty Images
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    Colorado mass balance debate underscores industry faultlines

    The American Chemistry Council withdrew a lawsuit, but the larger question on recycled content verification remains.

  • Government support fuels PFAS treatment market, with much more to come

    As regulations continue to rise, companies like Clean Harbors and Revive Environmental that offer treatment and disposal of PFAS-contaminated material are seeing major business growth.

    Updated April 17, 2026
  • Massachusetts State House dome behind container of waste
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Massachusetts Senate passes bill with numerous waste, packaging impacts

    A broader $3.6 billion bond bill includes paint EPR, but no policy for batteries as the waste industry hoped. Meanwhile, it also seeks to limit plastic bags, provides funding for state waste projects and targets a select transfer station.

  • A construction worker sips water on a hot day.
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    Mark Makela via Getty Images
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    OSHA extends heat emphasis program

    The previous initiative lapsed on April 8, but two days later, the safety agency announced an updated outreach, resource and inspection program that will run through 2031.

  • Recycling Partnership CEO Keefe Harrison stands behind a podium on a small stage in front of a crowd of seated people
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Keefe Harrison stepping down as CEO of The Recycling Partnership

    This summer, Harrison will leave the organization she founded 12 years ago. TRP will conduct a search for its next CEO.

  • A worker separates out recycling at a machine
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    Courtesy of TerraCycle
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    TerraCycle launches $75M funding round to fuel expansions

    The company, known for managing niche waste streams like cigarette butts and cosmetics, has its eye on future M&A and a possible plan to go public.

  • A closeup of blue and black garbage bags
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    Getty Images
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    New York shuffles commercial waste zone timing in areas affected by M&A

    Certain zone launches were moved up, while others with contract gaps due to prior acquisitions were moved back. The city remains committed to full implementation by the end of 2027.

  • A large brick building on a hill.
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    Getty Images
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    PFAS in biosolids restrictions tighten across the Potomac River

    Virginia’s governor signed a law and Maryland’s legislature passed a bill that set similar PFAS limits on biosolids. The states are taking a regional approach amid federal inaction.

  • a worker disassembles a mattress in a warehouse filled with mattresses
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    Courtesy of Mattress Recycling Council
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    Virginia Gov. Spanberger vetoes mattress recycling bill

    Spanberger criticized the proposed recycling fee consumers would pay when buying a new mattress, saying it would make the products more expensive.

  • Close up of dentist hands in white sterile gloves holding dental tools for surgical use packed in a protective foil at dental office
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    Getty Images
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    Next step in recycling more healthcare plastics: Better labeling

    Leaders of a Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council project in 2026 want to empower hospitals to divert more material through clearer, more standardized labeling of packaging flowing through healthcare settings.

  • Republic Services collection truck
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    Courtesy of Republic Services
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    EEOC settles with Republic Services for $200K in sex discrimination case

    The lawsuit alleged that a Republic affiliate in Springfield, Missouri, hired male applicants over more qualified female applicants starting in early 2020.

    Updated April 14, 2026
  • a close-up of recycled consumer batteries
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Wisconsin, Kentucky governors latest to approve battery EPR laws

    Both plans cover certain medium-format and rechargeable batteries, including some lithium-ion types, but Kentucky’s is unique because the program is voluntary.