Balcones Recycling opens new $68M MRF in San Antonio

Built in part to handle recycled materials from Balcones' 15-year municipal recycling contract with the city, the facility is among the most automated MRFs in the U.S., the company says.

Mill touts data tracking as a means to reduce household food waste

About a year after customers first began receiving their devices, Mill estimates they reduced their organic waste production by about 20%.

New Hampshire battery disposal ban bill heads to governor

The bill expands the state’s battery disposal ban to include all electronics and lithium-ion batteries, a move meant to decrease the number of fires at waste and recycling facilities.

5 packaging priorities in the federal food waste strategy

The EPA, FDA and USDA highlighted efforts related to compostable packaging, biobased materials, food date labeling, PFAS and more in the recently finalized National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics.

CompuCycle expansion in Houston further separates mixed plastic from recycled electronics

The improvements, meant to attract OEMs and customers from other markets, come as electronics recycling certification bodies move to comply with the Basel Convention’s restrictions on mixed plastic shipments.

LA waste zone rebid will help Rialto Bioenergy Facility, new owner says

The CEO of Rialto Bioenergy Facility’s new owner, Sevana Bioenergy, said the facility needs maintenance. But he thinks it could benefit from Los Angeles’ pending commercial waste contract reset.

USDA’s Vilsack touts updated, ‘accountability-focused’ national food waste strategy

Vilsack said the strategy has taken on renewed importance as global efforts to curb methane pollution ramp up. He also said he is looking to the farm bill to ensure the priorities will be funded.

Rialto Bioenergy Facility sold to Sevana Bioenergy for $20M

The deal closes the book on a difficult chapter for Anaergia, which removed the massive facility from its earnings last year amid financial troubles.

EPA says Waste Connections landfill in California violated Clean Air Act

The agency found that operators of the Chiquita Canyon site failed to properly inspect gas wells. The landfill has been under increased scrutiny from regulators due to ongoing odor issues. 

Environmental services segment still has plenty of M&A runway

Republic Services, Clean Harbors, Crystal Clean, Reworld and other companies have been very active with M&A in recent years. Here’s why analysts and executives expect that to continue.

Battery EPR bill heads to Illinois governor’s desk

The bill had industry support from NWRA, LRS and other haulers, who see the legislation as a way to more responsibly manage batteries and prevent fires.

Water treatment company Ovivo expands PFAS treatment, destruction offerings

Ovivo’s licensing deal with Evocra allows the company to offer a foam fractionation technology on top of existing destruction services. EPA regulations have spurred mitigation companies to broaden their PFAS offerings.

EPA, Sierra Club, agree to regulatory timeline for incinerators

The two sides are closing the book on a complaint first brought in 2023 alleging the EPA unreasonably delayed the regulations. A new rule for commercial and industrial incinerators must be finalized in September.

How California Treasurer Fiona Ma became ‘obsessed’ with waste and recycling

That obsession could affect the industry if Ma wins her bid for lieutenant governor. She has received backing from state waste companies over the years but has not always aligned with them on policy.

Updated June 12, 2024

New York EPR for packaging bill fails to pass before end of legislative session

The state Senate approved the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act on Friday, but the bill stalled in the Assembly. Bottle bill expansion and mattress EPR legislation also failed to advance.

9 senators call for EPA funding to address landfill methane

They want more than $11 million in additional appropriations to the EPA for fiscal year 2025, which would be used for more advanced monitoring technology and upgrades to municipally owned landfills.

Plan for these upcoming waste and recycling conferences

Upcoming events in 2024 will cover recycling, e-waste, MRF innovations, the Canadian market, biogas, thermal conversion and more.

Updated June 12, 2024

NYC officials spotlight commercial waste zone selection, pricing and M&A

A tense council hearing elicited more context about how the Department of Sanitation selected companies for coveted 10-year contracts but little new information on implementation timing beyond the first zone.

Washington finalizes landfill rule, Divert and EnviTec announce plants and other RNG news

Washington finalized its landfill methane rule while digester companies around the country made RNG-related announcements in May. Two U.S. senators also introduced a federal RNG incentive bill.

WM CEO says medical business growth makes Stericycle deal an attractive fit

During the Stifel Cross Sector Insight Conference, WM executives shared more insight about how Stericycle’s positioning in the medical waste and recycled paper markets aligns well with their long-term plans.

GFL Environmental entertaining offers to sell some or all of its business

The company may be favoring an offer for its environmental services division, according to investment firm Stifel. GFL executives have previously expressed frustration with their experience as a publicly traded company.

Hazardous waste incinerators see PFAS disposal opportunity, emissions questions remain

The U.S. EPA’s latest destruction and disposal guidance provides updated data on incineration's effectiveness, while noting the need for more research about the products of incomplete combustion.

Colorado’s PRO appoints executive director to manage state’s EPR rollout

Juri Freeman, CAA’s new executive director for Colorado, joins as the state buckles down on EPR implementation. Currently an RRS principal, he has served in numerous recycling and composting roles across the state. 

Fulcrum BioEnergy shutters Nevada waste-to-SAF facility, CEO departs

The company once touted itself as the first to launch a commercial waste-to-sustainable aviation fuel facility. Now, Fulcrum has laid off workers and executives have departed as the company’s funding dries up.

AMP, Virginia waste company collaborate on AI-powered facility to divert recycling from MSW

AMP and Recycling and Disposal Solutions say a newly built facility will divert about 60% of MSW previously headed to the landfill. AMP’s technology is meant to be co-located at landfills and transfer stations.