Recycling

  • A pile of textile waste.
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    Key EPR laws and right-to-repair updates moved forward in July

    Notable deadlines for textile EPR in California and packaging EPR in Washington have passed, and New York’s carpet EPR program is still delayed. Connecticut’s right-to-repair law also took effect.

    By • July 2, 2026
  • a close-up of recycled consumer batteries
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Video: Key recycling policy updates so far in 2026

    Waste Dive staff recently discussed notable EPR, battery and chemical recycling updates during a be Waste Wise webinar.

    By Waste Dive Staff • July 1, 2026
  • Plastic waste is carried out on conveyor belts in a modern industrial recycling plant. The interior is a maze of green and yellow metal structures, including stairs, bins and rooms. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Alamy
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    Trendline

    Navigating Modern MRF Operations

    Recycling facility operators are increasingly investing in new technology to keep up with evolving regulations and customer demands.

    By Waste Dive staff
  • a close-up of film plastic and plastic bags
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Film recycling hits a pivotal moment

    The next year will be crucial for proving viability of flexible film recycling initiatives, said speakers from GDB Circular, General Mills and Procter & Gamble. Recent pilots helped move at least 1.5 million pounds to end markets.

    By • July 1, 2026
  • A close-up of baled recycled plastics
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    Courtesy of Eastman
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    New chemical recycling standard aims to bring transparency to operations

    After years of stakeholder conversations, the new voluntary certification standard aims to “build trust” in a polarizing industry, SCS Standards says. 

    By • June 30, 2026
  • a bale of cartons in a recycling facility
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    Courtesy of Carton Council
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    More California MRFs are sorting cartons, easing recent recycling concerns

    New data says the number of carton-sorting MRFs has expanded to serve 62% of California counties, back above a key “recyclable” threshold as part of the upcoming “truth in labeling” law. But recycling rates remain low.

    By • June 29, 2026
  • Trash truck with recycLA logo driving in Los Angeles
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    GreenWaste, CR&R, Valley Vista bid to enter Los Angeles franchise market

    The commercial and multifamily RecycLA program consists of 11 zones and more than 66,000 customers. Existing haulers WM, Republic Services, Athens Services and others also bid on the eight-year contracts.

    By • Updated June 26, 2026
  • Worker in safety helmet and vest sorts through recyclables on conveyor belt
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    Courtesy of WM
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    WM to take over Seattle recyclables processing contract in 2027

    The new contract, long held by Republic Services subsidiary Rabanco, is meant to help fetch better commodities prices and divert more material from disposal, Seattle Public Utilities said.

    By • June 25, 2026
  • Audience members at tables watch four speakers on a stage having a discussion.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Waste Dive
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    4 EPR takeaways from the Packaging Recycling Summit

    Brands, local governments and nonprofit organizations discussed extended producer responsibility compliance tensions and solutions during the conference from June 15-17.

    By • June 24, 2026
  • four blue recycling carts stand next to each other
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    Getty Images
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    17 Republican AGs suing over California packaging EPR law

    Less than a month out from a trial in Oregon, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors says it’s joining this California lawsuit as the sole business plaintiff.

    By • Updated June 23, 2026
  • A worker in a hard hat looks at a conveyor belt with recyclable materials
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    Courtesy of WM Canada
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    MRF upgrades in California, Minnesota, Ontario leverage grants and EPR

    Recent updates from WM in Ontario, Mid-Valley Recycling in California and Olmsted County in Minnesota aim to improve capacity and quality.

    By • June 23, 2026
  • A trash truck enters a loading dock of a building in a city
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    WM acquires residential assets of PE-backed HBS Trash in Colorado

    HBS plans to continue operating its home building-focused waste services such as roll-off rentals and commercial construction projects.

    By • June 22, 2026
  • People placing bottles in recycling bin
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    Getty Images
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    California packaging EPR budget expected to exceed $9B in next 5 years

    Circular Action Alliance hit a key milestone Monday, submitting its draft program plan with new details on SB 54 implementation. It proposes pushing back a certain source reduction requirement following regulatory delays.

    By • June 16, 2026
  • Flexible plastic packaging pouches
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    Getty Images
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    What’s next for the US Plastics Pact under new leadership

    Crystal Bayliss was named executive director on Monday. The group aims to offer more projects that align with companies’ EPR compliance needs as an entry point for new or returning participants, she told Packaging Dive.

    By • June 16, 2026
  • Men sit in chairs on a stage
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Q&A

    Casella CEO Ned Coletta plans for the operational long game

    Coletta previewed plans for a new MRF in Pennsylvania, recent acquisitions of Cougle’s Recycling and assets of Recycle Depot, and upcoming PFAS management plans and landfill expansion efforts.

    By • June 15, 2026
  • Speakers sit in chairs on a stage.
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Tech can stop battery fires, but prevention works best with education

    Experts from WM, The Battery Network, Fire Rover and battery detection companies like Visia, Nexstera and Dragonfly called for closer collaboration on fire prevention at the Waste Leadership Summit.

    By • June 12, 2026
  • Loop, a recycling cart mascot, is displayed on the street
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    Permission granted by Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
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    EPA recycling education grantees get creative with campaigns around the country

    Local groups from Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and beyond have been working on recycling and organics programs as part of a broader $33 million grant round.

    By Leslie Nemo • June 10, 2026
  • Speakers sit on a stage and speak into microphones
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Circular economy investments drive waste industry innovations, hurdles

    Tackling system distrust, away-from-home recycling and low PET prices are current challenges, said speakers from WM, Closed Loop Partners and Waste Connections at the Waste Leadership Summit.

    By • June 10, 2026
  • The label on the back of a wine bottle has messaging including a reuse symbol.
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    Permission granted by PR3: The Global Alliance to Advance Reuse
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    A reuse symbol hit the market. Oregon is putting it to the test.

    Reuse and refill businesses in the Portland area are among the initial adopters of PR3’s new logo that organizers hope becomes as universally recognized as the chasing arrows for recycling. 

    By • June 9, 2026
  • hands of workers sort large batteries on a conveyor
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    Courtesy of American Battery
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    American Battery announces reinstated $57M grant from DOE

    American Battery Technology Co. won its appeal after the agency canceled the grant last year. It will continue plans to build a $115 million commercial-scale lithium refinery alongside its lithium-ion battery recycling efforts.

    By • June 9, 2026
  • Aerial view of industrial recycling facility in Washington state
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    Retrieved from Facebook on December 01, 2022
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    DTG Recycle sheds more C&D facilities, faces new state investigation

    The Seattle-area C&D company, which was recently sold back to its founder by Macquarie, has offloaded numerous sites to MCS Recycle. It’s also the subject of two complaints alleging financial fraud.

    By • June 8, 2026
  • A New York City Sanitation Department rear-loading truck sits behind a graffitied mailbox on a street lined by three-story brick buildings.
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    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
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    New York EPR bill won’t move forward this year

    Other waste and recycling bills, including bottle bill updates and a street sweeper trash collection bill supported by DSNY, are not expected to pass. June 5 was the last day of the legislative session.

    By • June 5, 2026
  • The U.S. and Maryland flags flow in the wind
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    Getty Images
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    Maryland recyclers eye potential economic boosts

    At the Maryland Recycling Network conference in Baltimore, recyclers focused on economic factors that could bring brighter days, such as improved commodity markets, new PET demand and upcoming EPR policies.

    By • June 3, 2026
  • A close-up photo of a person vaping.
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    Maine becomes first state to enact EPR for vapes

    The law will establish more collection, recycling and disposal options for vape pens, which recycling industry groups say are a major cause of facility fires. A producer responsibility organization must now create collection infrastructure.

    By • June 2, 2026
  • Large bundles of plastic bags, cans and milk containers await processing at a recycling center.
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    Getty Images
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    Braven Environmental no longer building chemical recycling plant in Texas

    The pyrolysis plant, planned for a Texarkana industrial park, received a boost from a state tax abatement program, but ultimately failed to gain traction. 

    By • June 1, 2026
  • The California statehouse
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    The image by Jimmy Emerson, DVM is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    California legislature advances key waste, recycling bills

    A hauler franchise bill, plus bills to manage medium-format batteries, vape waste, food donations and metal shredder facilities, are still in play. The state’s legislative session ends Aug. 31.

    By • June 1, 2026