Recycling
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Permission granted by Atlantic Packaging
Passing the sniff test: Overcoming PCR’s odor and color challenges
Sensory issues related to scent and tint pose unique hurdles for brands looking to incorporate more recycled plastic in consumer goods packaging. It’s spurring more creative applications for PCR.
By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 15, 2026 -
Alamy
New Jersey delays PCR requirements for food-contact packaging to 2030
The state’s Department of Environmental Protection said technologies still don’t exist at scale to reliably meet the requirements. The Association of Plastic Recyclers disagreed, citing concerns about stranded recycling assets.
By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 11, 2026 -
Courtesy of Cyclic Materials
Rare earths recycler opens first US facility in Arizona
Cyclic Materials’ $20 million site can recover magnets from wasted automotive parts, robotics and other electronics and repurpose them into rare earths and critical minerals.
By Nathan Owens • Sept. 10, 2026 -
Alamy
In the bin or not? How MRF operators decide which packaging to take
As EPR laws and reputational concerns drive brands to push for their product packaging in accepted material lists, those debates have become increasingly complex.
By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 9, 2026 -
The image by Montgomery County Planning Commission is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Vermont, lacking PRO, gets assist on household hazardous waste EPR program
The Agency of Natural Resources is running the program itself. Reverse Logistics Group, a regulatory compliance company, will offer operational support such as billing and data collection.
By Megan Quinn • Sept. 3, 2026 -
Courtesy of PureCycle Technologies
Rumpke, PureCycle talk polypropylene PCR partnerships
The companies say their work together has helped fuel new PCR uptake from packaging companies like IPL Schoeller, which needs to meet state mandates.
By Megan Quinn • Sept. 1, 2026 -
Getty Images
Paper, cardboard recycling rates were flat in 2025: AF&PA
Recycling rates held steady despite declines in U.S. paper and paperboard production in 2025, which illustrates the industry’s resilience, according to the American Forest & Paper Association.
By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 31, 2026 -
Courtesy of Circular Action Alliance
Oregon EPR law doesn’t violate Constitution, judge rules
The federal judge disagreed with plaintiff National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors’ claims, saying Oregon showed “innovative leadership” with its EPR law. The decision could influence other in-progress litigation over EPR laws.
By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Aug. 28, 2026 -
Alamy
Messy packaging EPR process provides opportunities for brands, recyclers
Moving forward with EPR implementation is a complex process, but one that offers new ways to build better systems for long-term recycling improvements, speakers said during a Be Waste Wise panel on Wednesday.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of Recycle Utah
Communities in Michigan, Florida and Utah seek recycling partnerships, RFPs
Plus, WM is building a MRF in Tampa, a new recycling drop-off facility is open in Oregon, and glass recycling infrastructure is on the way in one Virginia county.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 26, 2026 -
Courtesy of Princeton NuEnergy
Battery recycling projects among DOE’s latest $500M grant funding round
Princeton NuEnergy and Nth Cycle are focusing on lithium-ion battery recycling projects to recover critical minerals for manufacturing. The funding comes amid new black mass export restrictions meant to boost domestic supplies.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 25, 2026 -
Courtesy of EverestLabs
EverestLabs adds AI agent to its MRF robotics offerings
The Navigator tool aims to make data from sorting equipment easier to interpret through AI-powered recommendations and customized insights. Caglia Environmental and others are piloting the offering.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 24, 2026 -
Mathieu Lewis-Rolland via Getty Images
California EPR lawsuit escalates as forthcoming Oregon ruling looms
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and 17 AGs are seeking to block SB 54 enforcement. Their complaint also now accounts for tie-ins with recyclability law SB 343, for which enforcement is temporarily blocked.
By Maria Rachal • Aug. 21, 2026 -
Courtesy of Toast
Toast among first companies sued under Colorado’s electronics repair law
Acme Revival, which connects customers with electronics repair technicians, also sued Owl Labs and Blackmagic Design, saying the companies refused to provide parts and schematics required by law.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 20, 2026 -
Getty Images
US Plastics Pact removes transport EPS from ‘problematic’ list
This is the first time the group has removed an item from the approximately four-year-old list. A broader review of the materials on the list is underway.
By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 19, 2026 -
Getty Images
Nearly 60 members of Congress call for aluminum pricing investigation
At issue is the Midwest Premium, which reportedly incorporates the 50% aluminum tariffs on domestic manufacturers — even those that use domestically recycled aluminum.
By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Aug. 19, 2026 -
Courtesy of Clean-Seas
Clean-Seas pyrolysis plant gets key permit approval in West Virginia
The chemical recycler's first U.S. facility is moving forward despite opposition from residents, who say the facility is too close to schools and may contribute to cumulative regional pollution.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 18, 2026 -
Retrieved from Facebook on December 01, 2022
Washington regulators eye hauling rule changes following DTG settlement
A Washington commission will examine how MRF residuals are handled under state regulations, a move that stems from a legal settlement with DTG. WRRA, WM, Waste Connections and others weighed in.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 17, 2026 -
Getty Images
Circular Services eyes battery detection tech for proactive fire safety
The company discussed plans to test the tech during a webinar, while speakers from NWRA and other industry groups promoted state and federal bills meant to improve fire safety and collections for batteries.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of rStream
What’s next for rStream’s AI recycling tech after Gillette Stadium debut
The robotics company plans to double down on its niche sorting market with its recent $1.25 million DOE grant. Airports and “lower resource” locations may be next, co-founder Ethan Walko said.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of Amp
Latest recycling facility upgrades target safety, limited disposal capacity
Amp will help divert recyclables from MSW in Michigan, Prince George’s County officials in Maryland celebrated key upgrades to their MRF’s fiber lines and baling improvements at a Virginia recycling center add efficiency.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 12, 2026 -
Maria Rachal/Waste Dive
How Miami-Dade County plans to tackle zero waste by 2040
County officials shared behind-the-scenes details with Waste Dive on Miami-Dade's approach to improving recycling and organics diversion, as well as partnerships with businesses and community groups.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 6, 2026 -
Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
Connecticut beverage container redemption rate soared in 2025
Connecticut’s rate continues to climb after implementing a major bottle bill overhaul a few years ago. Other states saw rates fall, but new laws in places like Maine and Vermont could spell improvements in coming years.
By Megan Quinn • Updated Aug. 6, 2026 -
Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
California film recycling pilots make case for commercial collection
The pilots, launched by the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance, aim to get more film packaging found in warehouses and retail backrooms into the recycling stream. Shorr Packaging and 1-800-Got-Junk are partners.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 3, 2026 -
Maria Rachal/Waste Dive
Tracking Plastic Act proposes advancing recycled content standards
The bill introduced by California Democrat Adam Schiff comes as debate swirls about what counts as recycled content in plastic packaging and how it should be labeled.
By Maria Rachal • Aug. 3, 2026
