Cyclic Materials signs recycling agreement with rare earth magnet manufacturer

Under a 10-year deal, Cyclic will recycle byproducts from Vacuumschmelze’s new Sumter, South Carolina, manufacturing processes. Cyclic is working to open its own new facility in Arizona.

California’s labeling law resets the market for recyclability claims

SB 343 loomed large at the recent SPC Advance and How2Recycle Summit events, leading to concerns about packaging categories such as cartons, small format, flexibles, film and more.

Plastic film recycling has a problem with staying power

As technological advancements contribute to more facilities mechanically or chemically recycling film, lacking end markets and overall economics are holdbacks, including for a short-lived plant that announced last week it closed.

Miami-Dade County, Florida, to consider FCC, Reworld incinerator proposals

The companies are part of rival consortia bidding to build the county’s next facility. Each have shifted their strategy in the Florida incinerator market in recent years.

Prioritizing end markets key to taming EPR tension: PPRC speakers

While some aspects of EPR programs, like ecomodulation, won’t be a priority until later, end market identification should be done up front, according to speakers at the Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference. 

Waste Connections reports Florida acquisitions, stable pricing

CEO Ron Mittelstaedt noted the company weathered economic headwinds but got a boost from its E&P business and rail improvements meant to help boost the Arrowhead Landfill, which takes about 7,500 tons a day.

CurbWaste announces $28M funding round to grow AI insights

The company focuses on bringing family-run haulers around the country into the digital age, CEO Mike Marmo told Waste Dive. With the Cox Enterprises-backed funding, it aims to deepen business intelligence offered by its platform.

One year after acquisition, GDB details revival strategy for Minnesota film recycling plant

Since acquiring the Myplas USA plant that shuttered after only months in operation, GDB Circular says it has turned the site into a “flagship” facility.

Oregon rolls out drop-off recycling sites as part of EPR program

The state's new drop-off depots are meant to collect harder-to-recycle items not accepted in curbside bins. By 2027, the state aims to open more than 140 such sites. 

New York City has space for more composting, report says

The city can reach 180,000 tons of permitted composting capacity in at least three boroughs with newly identified sites, per a report from the office of the Brooklyn borough president. 

Updated Oct. 21, 2025

China’s new pulp import restrictions create ‘black swan event’ for OCC

The announced restrictions on dry-milled recycled pulp imports could set the table for a full ban on the material. While OCC prices dropped, many industry participants are in wait-and-see mode, sources say.

Landfill expansion, closure and community relations news

Waste Dive monitors the latest news from landfill operators around the country as they look to expand or contend with permit issues.

Alleged violations affect Waste Connections, Republic Services landfills

A Florida town threatened to pull Waste Connections’ permit, while leachate problems at a Tennessee landfill continue amid Republic Services’ expansion plans. WM also won approval to expand a Michigan landfill.

Massachusetts considering residential organics disposal ban by 2030

The state was one of the first to require large commercial food waste generators to divert the material. Now, it's seeking input on a plan to possibly extend the mandate to more businesses and residents.

CPGs and suppliers discuss the ‘magic’ of melding packaging design with policy

Sustainable packaging innovation is a balancing act between regulation and eye-catching design, said speakers during The Future of Food & Packaging Innovation virtual event hosted by Food Dive and Packaging Dive.

UBQ Materials partners with Virginia waste authority to supply carts made from MSW

The new carts, manufactured by Cascade Engineering, are made of a plastic alternative from solid waste. UBQ aims to expand partnerships and production the U.S., with plans to build two new facilities in the next few years.

Multistate labor fight ends after Republic, Teamsters reach contract in Georgia

The contract brings an end to a conflict that once involved roughly 2,000 workers. Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said the strike strengthened “every waste worker in America.”

Recyclers call for Ontario’s finalized EPR regulations to move up enforcement deadline

The province’s finalized Blue Box regulations set phased-in recycling rates for plastics but delay enforcement on other standards until 2028, a move that drew criticism from some in the industry, including GFL Environmental and APR.

EPR anxiety: CPGs and regulators prepare for generational policy shift

Costs, policy divergence and relationships were a big focus at recent events hosted by GreenBlue and the Northeast Recycling Council. CalRecycle, Oregon DEQ, Circular Action Alliance and others weighed in on what’s next.

Mill partners with DC hauler to take the ‘ick’ out of curbside organics

Mill will offer its devices to customers who sign up for a collection contract with Compost Crew starting at $39 per month. The latter company, based in Maryland, will collect the organic waste and compost it at its existing facilities.

USDA and FDA food recalls are on the rise. What happens to the waste?

The Food and Drug Administration recalled nearly 85 million units through the first half of the year and managing this organic waste can be complicated. Misfits Market is one company focused on upcycling safe, edible food.

California governor signs organics, glass recycling market bills into law

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills meant to expand composting options for certain growers, extend recycled glass market incentives for beverage bottle production and clarify the role of RNG in state diversion goals.

Newsom blocks bill that would further limit PFAS in packaging

While packaging groups opposed the PFAS bill, it was ultimately derailed by pushback from the restaurant industry. The California governor also vetoed a bill to further limit plastic microbeads in certain products.

Updated Oct. 16, 2025

Apex, WM and others upgrade MRFs, spurred by EPR

Recyclers have invested millions this fall on projects in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Oregon. Glacier, Waste Connections and BLT Enterprises are other companies with recent upgrades.

VLS Environmental ramping up elemental mercury disposal site in Texas

The company says it now has the only facility in the U.S. capable of providing disposal for the element, which cannot be exported due to a 2013 law. It has experience managing 70 million gallons of other types of mercury waste.