The LCFS faces a new political reality, plus RNG news from Viridi, Opal Fuels

Amendments to California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard took effect July 1, but new legislation may threaten the credit program’s status quo. In other states, some legislation advanced while a few projects saw setbacks.

Plastics, biofuels groups praise signing of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The newly signed bill includes favorable provisions for alternative fuels and manufacturers broadly. It’s been criticized by environmental groups for cuts to other key programs.

Montrose Environmental looks to ‘future-proof’ PFAS remediation amid regulations

Montrose aims to offer customizable R&D and treatment options, especially for emerging concerns over leachate, biosolids and drinking water.

Amazon releases waste diversion metrics as part of larger sustainability plan

The company says it reached an 85% waste diversion rate in 2024. Amazon’s waste and biodiversity director, Justine Mahler, says that’s driven partly by organics diversion programs and ongoing data collection investments.

Maine becomes last New England state to mandate organics diversion

The requirement kicks in July 1, 2030, for institutions that generate over two tons of organic waste per week and are within 20 miles of a recycler.

Teamsters expand strike over Republic Services contracts

Teamsters Local 179 in Ottawa, Illinois, announced it would also strike Republic Services on Wednesday. The chapter joins roughly 450 Republic workers represented by Teamsters in Massachusetts already on strike.

Updated July 2, 2025

4 collaborative projects that aim to advance packaging recycling

Speakers at the Packaging Recycling Summit detailed scenarios in which brands, manufacturers, recyclers, academics and others across the supply chain are working to improve how packaging is managed at end of life.

Oregon EPR program delays ‘responsible’ end market provision until 2026

Circular Action Alliance said “more time was needed” to work out kinks in the provision meant to determine responsible end markets for recycled materials. CAA plans to propose an updated verification process soon.

Where new recycling laws are taking effect in July

Multiple states are banning EPS foam food containers, and Oregon’s packaging EPR program begins. Elsewhere, there are bottle bill and hotel product updates.

Gov. DeSantis vetoes bill calling for Florida recycling plan

The recycling industry had backed this bill to revive the conversation about progressing toward the state’s 75% recycling goal. Meanwhile, DeSantis also acted on other industry-related bills.

Veolia closes $350M in acquisitions as North America CEO departs

Recent transactions include the purchase of California-based Ingenium, as well buying the only permitted medical waste facility in Massachusetts. VNA is reviewing over a dozen more possible deals, some set to close soon.

Judge finalizes $1.4M Waste Pro racial discrimination lawsuit settlement

The company must offer training, hire a compliance officer and change task assignment policies after a Black employee and 26 others reported ongoing harassment.

WM projects up to $29B revenue in 2027, driven by recycling and RNG

Executives announced new long-term earnings targets across its business segments and offered updates on plans for healthcare waste, employee retention and landfill capacity.

Rhode Island lawmakers replace EPR and bottle bill proposal with study bill

The bill, an overhaul of a previous version establishing new recycling systems, instead calls for a report and recommendations that might lead to future extended producer responsibility and deposit return system proposals.

Circular Services to operate two MRFs in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Under a five-year contract, the company will manage operations and recycling commodity marketing while the county makes way for C&D recycling capabilities.

Groups weigh in on EPA’s planned update to landfill air emission rules

The U.S. EPA released 10 white papers last year examining a host of factors that influence landfill emissions. A range of interested parties commented, hoping to influence an expected update to landfill air regulations.

Texas approves laws to allow electronics repair, restrict compost sites

Gov. Greg Abbott’s approval of a consumer electronics right-to-repair law is a first for a Republican-led state. A bill to limit composting in Lee County also became law without Abbott’s signature.

Maine Gov. Mills alters packaging EPR law, to industry’s relief

With LD 1423, groups wanted to bring Maine’s first-in-the-nation packaging EPR law from 2021 into closer alignment with more recent versions of EPR legislation in other states.

WM’s upgraded Wisconsin MRF aims to capture more types of plastic packaging

Part of the $39 million investment went toward a film mitigation system, which reduces contamination in other streams. WM also is in the early stages of selling this captured material as a commodity. 

Updated June 24, 2025

PureCycle plans to add 1B pounds of capacity by 2030

The recycled resin producer received $300 million in series B capital to build facilities in Thailand and Belgium as part of a larger plan. It will continue building its facility in Augusta, Georgia.

Veolia touts plans for U.S. expansion, unveils new water treatment plant in Delaware

At a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event Wednesday, CEO Estelle Brachlianoff said Veolia targets 50% growth in the U.S. in coming years to meet PFAS management demand fueled by health impact concerns.

US senators call on EPA to study reuse, refill

Recycling policy advocates Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., are teaming up again, this time on the Reuse Act, to assess opportunities in consumer packaging, food service and more.

New York legislative session ends without Assembly vote on packaging EPR

Packaging industry groups celebrated the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act’s failure to advance as the legislature’s formal session came to a close early Wednesday.

Updated June 18, 2025

E-mobility battery stewardship bills advance in New York and Connecticut

New York legislators sent a battery EPR update bill to the governor, inspired by an uptick in scooter and e-bike fires. Connecticut's governor also signed a broad battery EPR law last week.

Updated June 20, 2025

Boxed vs. bottled: Not all sustainability claims hold water, nonprofit says

The brand Boxed Water is Better agreed to change certain environmental statements on its packaging in response to a nonprofit’s review, which was requested by the International Bottled Water Association.