States, cities sue EPA over endangerment finding repeal

A dozen cities and counties join 24 states in challenging EPA’s rescission of a cornerstone climate rule, which leaves cities “to bear the costs of hotter summers, dirtier air, and extreme weather,” Denver’s mayor said.

New Hampshire governor vetoes paint EPR bill, calling it a ‘sales tax’

Gov. Kelly Ayotte criticized the bill as an added tax on residents, but Casella, WM and other recycling groups had backed the program's waste diversion aspects.

Tracking recycling laws by state

Oregon’s governor signed a battery EPR bill into law. New Hampshire’s governor vetoed a paint stewardship bill.  

Updated 15 hours ago

Trump appoints acting lead for EPA’s waste office

Tom Croci has a background in national security and a familiarity with fellow New Yorker Lee Zeldin, who helms the agency. Croci now leads the Office of Land and Emergency Management.

Prescription bottle recycling a real pill for the industry

Not many pill bottles are getting recycled in the U.S. despite them being made of commonly recyclable material. A new Closed Loop Partners report calls for collaboration across the value chain to increase recycling rates.

Virginia lawmakers pass bills to regulate PFAS in biosolids

The companion bills sent to the governor last week set limits on the presence of PFOA and PFOS in biosolids. Land application of the sludge would be banned above a certain level beginning in mid-2027.

California’s recyclability labeling law under fire in new lawsuit

The Flexible Packaging Association and the American Forest & Paper Association are among the plaintiffs seeking a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of SB 343 come October.

Paper industry joins Oregon EPR lawsuit

After the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors secured a preliminary injunction in February, the American Forest & Paper Association, plus groups representing grocers and other businesses, want in.

DOD guidance recommends hazardous waste landfills, incineration to manage PFAS

The DOD’s updated PFAS destruction and disposal guidance document offers insight into the methods it sees as best for managing AFFF, and no longer suggests solid waste landfills as viable compared to other options.

WM grants ex-CFO Rankin $1M cash bonus

The bonus is in association with a "successful" CFO transition effort, with Devina Rankin passing on the seat to company alum David Reed.

CDL rule affecting non-citizens taking effect despite waste hauler concerns

Haulers and reps from Teamsters and AFSCME hoped an emergency motion to block the rule would be heard in court, but that case has not yet been resolved. Waste Pro says the rule will affect up to 20% of its drivers in Southwest Florida.

Updated March 16, 2026

ReMA advances HDPE beverage carrier spec following PakTech petition

PakTech, a recycled HDPE beverage carrier manufacturer, submitted a request for ReMA to consider adding this spec as part of its work “to ensure the circularity and sustainability of our products.”

Recyclers target ‘hibernating devices’ to feed urgent critical minerals demand

At Remade’s annual conference, recyclers and refiners said they’re working as fast as they can to meet demand for domestic supplies of critical materials. Closer partnerships and government support can help.

Oregon fines Republic $3M over Coffin Butte Landfill gas violation

Regulators sent a pre-enforcement notice to Republic in November alleging the landfill had insufficiently operated several gas control measures.

Updated March 13, 2026

Farm bill draft heads to House floor with food waste provisions

The draft was approved by the House Agriculture Committee in a 22-hour markup session last week. It’s the third attempt in as many years to pass a long-term budget for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Tennessee packaging EPR bill sidelined for 2026

The bill faced pushback from groups like Ameripen and bottlers. Vowing to return stronger next year, state Sen. Heidi Campbell said she’s proud of how the bill has put EPR awareness on the map in the Southeast.

Montgomery County, Maryland, explores alternatives as incinerator struggles

Two of three units at the county’s Resource Recovery Facility have come offline amid serious dioxin leaks. The issues have renewed pressure on long-gestating plan for landfilling and diversion projects.

MRF upgrades by WM, Coastal, FCC and Circular Services aim to optimize tech

Recent facility investments in California, Florida and Texas seek to capitalize on high-tech efficiencies, adjust to market demands and prepare for new recycling regulations.

Safety-Kleen to pay $175K federal fine for maintenance, storage violations

Safety-Kleen, a division of Clean Harbors, has since remedied issues at its Linden, New Jersey facility. That included fixing leaking equipment and properly storing waste, the U.S. EPA said. 

Updated March 10, 2026

Vaulted Deep bets carbon storage can enable a waste solution

The company is using injection well technology developed in oilfields for long-term disposal of organic waste. With roughly $56 million raised, it’s looking to pitch its services around the country.

EPA sets municipal waste combustion rules for first time in 20 years

The limits for nine pollutants are tighter than the previous rule but are less stringent than a 2024 proposal. 

EPA properly awarded $1.5B of now-terminated grants, IG says

A report released by the U.S. EPA’s Office of the Inspector General validated the process used to award $1.5 billion in grant funding. Environmental groups say its further evidence they should not have been terminated.

Updated March 6, 2026

Landbell to launch California’s nation-leading textile EPR program by 2030

Landbell, which has experience with European programs, was selected over two other groups. It aims to launch nearly 16,000 collection bins, starting with pilots in five counties, over a multiyear period.

Republic expansion suffers setback; Noble nixes rail transfer station

Odor complaints continue to complicate expansion plans for Republic Services’ Coffin Butte Landfill in Oregon. Elsewhere, WM, Rumpke and others plan for the future of their facilities.

Washington taps Circular Action Alliance as PRO for packaging EPR

The latest appointment means CAA now serves as the approved producer responsibility organization in six states. A draft program plan is due in 2028 to implement in 2030.