VLS Environmental ramping up elemental mercury disposal site in Texas

The company says it now has the only facility in the U.S. capable of providing disposal for the element, which cannot be exported due to a 2013 law. It has experience managing 70 million gallons of other types of mercury waste.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 10, 2025

Waste Pro reports $170M in M&A for 2025, ‘record year’ for municipal contracts

The Florida-based company logged 24 acquisitions and focused on growing its disposal and processing capabilities. It also noted significant municipal contracts worth $520 million in major Florida counties.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 9, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

The Rise of Recycling AI

Artificial intelligence has become increasingly common at MRFs, in collection trucks and even as a tool for consumer education at the point of generation.

By Waste Dive staff

Apex, WM and others upgrade MRFs, spurred by EPR

Recyclers have invested millions this fall on projects in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Oregon. Glacier, Waste Connections and BLT Enterprises are other companies with recent upgrades.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 8, 2025

New York’s commercial waste program expands with Bronx launch

Carters earned $16.5 million during the first six months of a pilot zone in Queens. Meanwhile, the industry is pushing back on a proposal to exempt medical waste generators and the city announced 2026 zone launch timing.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 8, 2025

8.5M tons of packaging entered California landfills in 2024: CalRecycle study

The study is mandated by the state’s SB 54 EPR for packaging regulations. It sheds light on how covered materials might be diverted from landfills after the program starts in 2027.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 3, 2025

Casella sustainability update highlights recycling, safety improvements

The progress report, a supplement to the biennial sustainability report, notes the company is behind on its GHG emissions goals but is increasing waste diversion and expanding safety programs.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 2, 2025

American Battery, Call2Recycle, partner on lithium-ion battery collection program

ABTC says the partnership offers more sources of lithium-ion batteries to recycle, namely through Call2Recycle’s consumer-facing collection service, and can help strengthen domestic supply chains for critical materials.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 1, 2025

Federal Signal to buy into growing side-loader market via New Way Trucks deal

Publicly traded Federal Signal expects its purchase of the family-owned truck manufacturer to close by the end of the year. It highlighted New Way’s position as the largest U.S. side-loader manufacturer in a note to investors.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 1, 2025

2026 waste and recycling industry conferences

Mark your calendars for conferences in 2026 that will cover key topics such as recycling, waste management, compost, biogas and more. 

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Oct. 10, 2025

Vape waste pilot in Missouri aims to shed light on long-term disposal solutions

Data will be used to craft suggestions for permanent vape waste programs, such as statewide collection sites or an EPR program, said the Product Stewardship Institute and the Missouri Solid Waste Management District O.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 30, 2025

Republic Services acquires Montana landfill and hauler serving Helena

The deal nets Republic its second landfill in the state. Tri-County Disposal has served the greater Helena area for more than 50 years as a privately owned hauler.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 26, 2025

E360S, major Canadian waste company, preps to enter US market

The company is now approaching 1 billion Canadian dollars in revenue and hoping to double the size of its business. CEO Danny Ardellini discussed expansion plans, EPR contracts, employee culture and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 24, 2025

WM acquires Countrywide Sanitation in North Dakota

As part of the deal, WM will take over a local residential contract on the North Dakota/Minnesota border. Countrywide also has a landfill and recycling facility.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 23, 2025

Republic Services and Teamsters reach 5-year agreement in Boston

The new collective bargaining agreement brings a monthslong strike to an end. The strike, which kicked off July 1, triggered a wave of labor action from other Teamsters this summer that at one point included 2,000 workers.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Sept. 22, 2025

EPA approves final cleanup plan for Texas Superfund site tied to WM subsidiary

The final approval comes after years of disagreements between the U.S. EPA, a WM subsidiary and International Paper. Estimated cleanup costs for the San Jacinto River Waste Pits site are $115 million.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 19, 2025

EPA announces intent to defend PFAS hazardous substance designation

EPA said it also plans to develop a new rule for future hazardous substance designations under CERCLA, saying it would be a “statutory fix to protect passive receivers from liability.”

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 18, 2025

LASAN cuts customer fees, mandates organics in RecycLA franchise RFP

The city is resetting its commercial waste program with an emphasis on cost, while making organics part of baseline service to comply with SB 1383. It also aims to give more work to subcontractors despite Teamsters opposition.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 18, 2025

PET reclaimer rPlanet Earth closes in California

The closure of the vertically integrated PET recycler and food packaging manufacturer destabilizes the state’s Grade B PET markets. It is the second such closure in 2025, as PET reclaimers have weathered market challenges.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 12, 2025

Noble Environmental closes $100M bond as it plans Pennsylvania rail project

The private company is planning improvements across its landfill and transfer station portfolio in the state, including a possible waste-to-rail project.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 11, 2025

Only 5% of healthcare plastic gets recycled: Eunomia report

Numerous interventions are needed to recycle more healthcare plastic, but the system is complex, according to a new report. WM, Veolia and other recyclers contributed insight to the report. 

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 11, 2025

GFL acquires Superior Waste from private equity group

The acquisition nets GFL Environmental a fully integrated presence in Oklahoma that includes multiple transfer stations and a municipal solid waste landfill.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 10, 2025

EPA opens up $20M in SWIFR grant funding for tribes and intertribal consortia

The Trump administration plans to select 20 grantees in the latest funding round. It also says the selection process for a $58 million funding round for communities, states and territories is ongoing.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 9, 2025

To raise recycling rates, look to system design: SWANA

Tailored programs and systems that consider human habits can help boost recycling rates, said design engineers and landfill operators at SWANA’s Pennsylvania chapter conference.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 5, 2025

Waste and the economy: 4 areas to watch for the rest of 2025

The waste and recycling industry has adapted to a changing economy this year, including effects from a lucrative new tax law, M&A, tariffs and commodity markets.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Sept. 3, 2025

NWRA among groups pushing back on RFS proposal

The EPA said it needed to reduce production targets as the transportation market for RNG had become saturated. But industry groups say that misses the point of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 2, 2025