Stadiums pursue new technologies and tactics to boost waste diversion

As fans flock back to large venues, many are seeing new or updated waste initiatives. Operators are experimenting with different collection systems, reusable cups, reverse vending machines, on-site sorting and more.

Updated Jan. 19, 2023

Traffic fatalities dipped in 2022 while pedestrian and cyclist deaths rose: NHTSA

An estimated 31,785 people died in traffic crashes from January to September. Despite improvements in some areas, safety advocates noted concerning trends faced by pedestrians and cyclists. 

Number of waste workers grew faster than broader US jobs category over 2022

The number of people employed in the U.S. waste management and remediation services sector totaled 480,500 at the end of 2022, up roughly 3.85% since December 2021.

Right-to-repair advocates expect more bills in 2023 after New York success

Advocates were disappointed after New York’s first-of-its-kind law was amended to limit eligible products, but they expect continued momentum despite fierce lobbying. Such laws are also supported by electronics recyclers.

FCC Environmental buys Houston hauler in second acquisition to date

The deal, which closed in December, involves a fleet of 40 trucks and marks a notable expansion for FCC’s presence in its headquarter city.

What environmental justice mapping tools mean for the waste industry

A review of reports from WM, Republic Services and Waste Connections shows an increasing level of data from tools such as EPA’s EJScreen about the potential effects of waste sites on surrounding communities.

Where curbside recycling programs have stopped and started in the US

One South Carolina sanitation district is calling it quits on recycling collection after March, citing collection and disposal costs that are four times those associated with garbage.

Updated Jan. 9, 2023

Companies can no longer peg food waste recycling as a West Coast initiative

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s director of innovation recaps new and expanded drop-off and collection programs, plus new processing facilities to meet that demand, suggesting continued momentum for solutions in 2023.

Where recycling and waste laws changed on Jan. 1

California, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, New York and Washington, D.C., are among the jurisdictions enforcing new recycling and waste laws as of Jan. 1, including bag fees, bottle bill updates and organics diversion mandates.

What Congress did — and didn’t — get done for waste and recycling in 2022

Lawmakers made progress on multiple waste initiatives in 2022, including language in the recent budget bill, but a pair of bipartisan bills that passed the Senate didn’t make it to the House and a key EPA nomination remains stalled.

By the numbers: 2022 waste and recycling trends with implications for 2023

Key data points on some of the top issues — M&A, ESG, inflation and policy — that illustrate another eventful year for the industry.

Tracking 2022 recycling laws by state

New York’s governor signed the nation’s first right-to-repair law for electronics and its second EPR law for carpet. Michigan’s governor also recently signed a package of waste and recycling bills.

Updated Jan. 3, 2023

BP completes $4.1B acquisition of Archaea

The transaction positions BP as a major developer of renewable natural gas projects at U.S. landfills and caps off a rapid rise for Archaea since it became a public company in 2021.

GFL Environmental builds out Fort Wayne, Indiana, footprint with acquisition

The Canadian company recently purchased Bunn Box, a family-run hauler and facility operator. This is one of multiple local acquisitions since GFL was awarded a collection contract in Fort Wayne.

Top interviews with waste and recycling leaders in 2022

Read some of the year’s most popular conversations with CEOs from Republic Services, WIN Waste Innovations, LRS and Vanguard Renewables, as well as leaders from WM, the U.S. EPA and other organizations.

Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress

The Food Donation Improvement Act has been signed into law via the omnibus budget package. Plus, the Senate passed an EV recycling bill, and a plastics-focused bill was introduced in the House.

Updated Jan. 3, 2023

Mapping zero waste cities: Where local governments are pursuing waste prevention and diversion

Waste Dive is tracking which communities throughout the U.S. have zero waste goals, how they define those efforts and how much progress they’ve made.

Updated Dec. 22, 2022

Tracking PFAS developments in 2022 and beyond

Discussions about how to safely manage PFAS, as well as how it should be disposed of or regulated, have gotten more complex in recent years.

Updated Jan. 24, 2023

Massachusetts C&D market recovering from major wood market disruption

A turbine failure in Connecticut and a facility shutdown in Canada cut off key markets for months. This affected options for companies such as WIN Waste Innovations in a state where landfilling of wood is prohibited.

Republic Services buys longtime family hauler in northwest Illinois

Moring Disposal, a privately-owned company since 1977, has a range of collection and transfer operations in the region. The deal marks an expansion for Republic in this part of the state.

Next steps for the Great Lakes region’s circular economy strategy

The Council of the Great Lakes Region and its partners are figuring out first steps toward implementing a plan released this year. Plastics will be a prime focus in efforts to preserve water quality in the area.

What’s next for renowned Minneapolis organics recycling program

More than half of eligible households have opted in to the city’s program, and Hennepin County considers this approach a model for the region. Potential policy and collection changes could aid further progress.

Senate passes bill to increase EV battery recycling as part of defense budget

Provisions from the Strategic EV Management Act, a bill from Sen. Mitt Romney intended to enhance recycling for end-of-life batteries used in federal fleet vehicles, could be signed into law soon.

Biorecycling of plastics shows promise in its research phase. Can it be scaled?

Although still in its infancy, the newest plastics recycling technology could expand options for cleaner, more efficient closed-loop systems — eventually. A recent Government Accountability Office report took a closer look.

In PFAS fight, U.S. Composting Council calls for science over ‘unsound policies’

Executive Director Frank Franciosi says federal agencies can help shed light on how these persistent chemicals affect compost and crops while ensuring that new policies don’t hinder progress on organics recycling.