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 • Sept. 16, 2025

California lawmakers approve organics capacity bill for growers

Meanwhile, a bill related to marine flare recycling is now a two-year bill and a compensation bill for residents near Chiquita Canyon landfill was added to the state budget bill.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 16, 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

California lawmakers ban PFAS in food packaging, limit microbeads

The bills now await a decision from Gov. Gavin Newsom. Legislators declined to act on a bill that had backing from Republic Services related to recycled content in beverage containers.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 15, 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

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

MRF projects from FCC, BHS and Metaspectral attract new funding in US and Canada

Spurred in part by EPR changes, new and upgraded MRFs in Texas, Colorado, California and Canada come with more AI features and film recycling fixes.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 10, 2025

Can recycling advancements get black rigid plastics off packaging’s blacklist?

More MRFs are adding technologies to sort the material, but some brands and manufacturers are still switching away from the color. As black plastic reaches a tipping point, end market challenges create uncertainty about its future.

By Katie Pyzyk • 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

Wisconsin updates MRF operations requirements for first time in 20 years

An update to the state’s recycling program rules means MRFs will need to meet new residual limits and glass recycling rates and start budgeting for specific cleanup and closure costs.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 4, 2025

Adding new commodities brings recycling education challenges

The Foodservice Packaging Institute updated its toolkit to help create recycling education campaigns. Stakeholders underscore the need for collaboration and taking a “careful step-by-step approach” when adding new items.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 3, 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

Circular Action Alliance taps new California executive director

The role was vacated earlier this year by former CalRecycle director Rachel Wagoner. The new appointment comes as SB 54 rules are still being hashed out and CAA wants producers to report supply data by Nov. 15.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 28, 2025

Alterra withdraws plan to build chemical recycling plant in Pennsylvania

Environmental groups had long opposed the proposal, but Alterra says it ultimately halted plans due to a landowner's decision. Alterra intends to search for another site in the region.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 28, 2025

Recycled content roofing facility reopens in Iowa under new ownership

The Everboard product’s original founder is back at the helm as part of a new joint venture, which took over for WM-backed Continuus after the facility closed in November. A new California facility will also open soon.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 27, 2025

How Bigbelly reshored its waste and recycling bin operations from Mexico

What started as a college idea about solar compactors has evolved into one of the more recognizable public space waste container brands. Bigbelly doubled production in recent years and sees more growth ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 27, 2025

Wholesalers shed more light on Oregon packaging EPR legal challenge

Oregon agencies received an extension to respond to the lawsuit until mid-September, per an update Friday. In the meantime, wholesalers are analyzing potential legal issues with EPR laws in other states.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 25, 2025

Texas law showed electronics repair is bipartisan. What’s next?

Some manufacturers and tech companies such as Google are starting to shift their thinking on right-to-repair laws for consumer electronics, farm equipment and other categories as the policy passes in more states.

By Marissa Heffernan • Aug. 22, 2025

Lawmakers, recyclers call for SB 54 regulations that reflect intent of EPR law

CalRecycle is expected to open the 45-day public comment period on SB 54 rulemaking soon. Stakeholders say some draft revisions undermine the law's ability to hold producers responsible for litter.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 20, 2025

Blue Polymers takes over food-grade rPET pellet production in California

“Whereas we sell flake to folks that create pellets, now we can sell pellets to folks that create packaging,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services, a partner in the Blue Polymers venture.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 20, 2025

Waste and recycling groups ‘disappointed’ by lack of plastics treaty

Recycling groups will monitor the next round of talks for clues on infrastructure and end market impacts. Plastics groups will push recycling over environmentalists’ calls for plastic production caps.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 19, 2025

Driven by EPR, brands to offer film and flexibles funding to California recyclers

General Mills, Mars, PepsiCo and other brands are investing in film and flexible packaging recycling in the state as California implements stricter recycling regulations for the materials under its EPR law. 

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 18, 2025

Lithium-ion battery recyclers see challenges, opportunities under Trump

While the administration has moved to strip electric vehicle incentives and cancel some grants, it remains focused on lithium’s value as a critical mineral for manufacturers.

By April Reese • Aug. 18, 2025

EREF report calls for more data, better reporting on EPR metrics

As more states and countries adopt EPR programs, the Environmental Research & Education Foundation says data is difficult to evaluate — but it doesn’t cast doubt on the effectiveness of EPR as a whole.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 15, 2025

Exports pulled down 2024 paper recycling rate: AF&PA

Decreased fiber exports, especially to Asia, affected both paper and OCC recycling rates in the U.S., according to the American Forest & Paper Association. But domestic mills increased their fiber consumption.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 13, 2025