EPA finalizes accelerated zero-emissions transition for heavy-duty fleets

The final rule was softened somewhat from an initial proposal but still sets a swifter emissions reductions pathway than was previously required nationwide. Major waste companies reported they could face higher costs. 

DOE awards $62M in grants for consumer battery collection and recycling

AMP, the New York Department of Sanitation, ERI, Call2Recycle and researchers from numerous state labs are among the recipients of the grants, meant to increase domestic collection and recycling of consumer batteries.

Chemical recycling plants are on the rise. What does it mean for MRF operators?

Chemical recyclers see MRFs and specialty collection partnerships as important feedstock sources to fulfill production promises, but experts say it’s too early to determine how they could influence recycled plastic markets.

Legislation, film plastics and data collection take center stage at Plastics Recycling Conference

Attendees brainstormed ways to remedy the supply and demand mismatch for recycled plastic, grow film and chemical recycling opportunities and take advantage of plastic waste’s attention-grabbing moment in policy.

Landfill methane survey finds significant ‘misalignment’ between models and real-world conditions

The study, released by Carbon Mapper on Thursday, found that 52% of landfills surveyed had point source methane emissions and cast doubt on existing estimates.

Frontier Waste Solutions’ first landfill purchase rides fast-growing market

The company recently acquired a newly built C&D landfill, adding to its growing footprint in North Texas and throughout the state. CEO John Gustafson discussed Frontier’s continued plans for expansion.

Massachusetts recyclers look to take their programs to the next level

MassRecycle is looking beyond its decades-old name, “expanding our scope to match the multitude of possibilities available in sustainable materials management,” the nonprofit’s president said at an event this month.

Viridi, Casella say expanded AD facility can help address Maine’s biosolids issues

The companies tout their partnership at an anaerobic digester in Brunswick, Maine, as a way to reduce volumes of biosolids that contain PFAS. The facility will also produce power and RNG for the community.

PCR procurement platform Circular eyes expansion with $10.5M in funding

Circular plans to expand internationally, add employees and introduce materials besides plastics to the platform.

UBQ Materials eyes Northeast for its first waste-to-thermoplastic US facility

The Israel-based startup, which makes thermoplastics from mixed waste, is looking to bring its first facility to North America. This follows the recent launch of a facility in the Netherlands and a $70 million funding round.

New book tackles waste crisis at the personal and policy levels

Author Edward Humes’ new book, “Total Garbage,” aims to serve as a how-to guide for reducing waste in everyday life while advocating for changes in U.S. waste policy through EPR and other means.

Otto selected for contract to provide 3.2M ‘NYC Waste Bins’

The company would provide rolling bins for roughly 765,000 residential buildings across the city. The contract would take effect after a hearing scheduled for April 8.

Clean Harbors acquires environmental services firm HEPACO for $400M

HEPACO, which was previously owned by a private equity firm, services more than 2,000 customers in 17 states. This positions Clean Harbors for continued growth in its environmental services segment.

Updated March 25, 2024

Florida composters look to grow operations despite regulatory barriers

Amid increased interest in organics recycling on multiple fronts, as well as new municipal and academic partnerships, the Florida Composting Council and other groups say regulatory updates are needed to advance this work.

Collection trucks get AI upgrades to fight contamination

Truck-mounted, AI-enabled cameras are helping haulers identify and measure recycling contamination in real time, allowing them to communicate directly with customers on how to improve. Many haulers, including WM, use the tech.

How 3 large states want to address waste with federal climate funding

The U.S. EPA received 45 state priority climate action plans, the first step in accessing Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding.

Waste industry implores Senate for PFAS exemptions under Superfund

At a Senate hearing, the waste industry said time is running out for federal intervention to prevent costly lawsuits, which they say could come once the U.S. EPA finalizes a new PFAS hazardous substance designation.

CMI calls for bottle bill policies that prioritize EJ, informal recycling communities

A Can Manufacturers Institute report calls for container deposit systems that are convenient and inclusive for more kinds of users, particularly informal recyclers, unhoused people and immigrants.

Does the EPA’s Waste Reduction Model favor landfills or incineration?

After the EPA released a new version of WARM and held a public comment period, stakeholders across the spectrum of materials management believe there’s room for improvement.

Updated March 21, 2024

DOE estimates US can nearly double energy derived from waste in new report

The report models several scenarios for bioenergy development, including a 10-year and 20-year projection.

SWANA CEO envisions collaborative environment to build safety, culture

Amy Lestition Burke, SWANA’s new CEO, says building partnerships can make the industry and the organization stronger and better resourced to take on climate change and an evolving workforce.

Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress

The Senate passed both the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, bills meant to fund recycling pilots in rural and underserved areas and collect more data.

Updated March 13, 2024

Bidirectional charging could unlock new potential for waste fleet electrification

A recent pilot by Veolia in the UK could lead to a future where electric trucks can feed energy back into the grid rather than just paying for it. But the U.S. market is still in the early stages of incorporating EV technology.

Textile recycling company Infinited Fiber closes $43.8M funding round

Funding comes from companies such as Inditex, H&M and Adidas. The news comes after Renewcell, its competitor in the recycled materials space, filed for bankruptcy due to lack of funding.