Recycling

  • Aerial view of an industrial facility with a smokestack on the bank of a river.
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    Permission granted by Arcwood Environmental
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    Arcwood Environmental eyes 2030 target in sustainability report

    The company said it plans to “responsibly manage” 50% more waste by 2030 versus a 2024 baseline. The company also reported rising carbon intensity but noted investment in sustainability projects.

    By • April 23, 2026
  • Waste Connections truck in Brooklyn, NY
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Waste Connections notes positive Q1 despite rising fuel prices

    The company insulated itself somewhat from higher fuel costs through hedging and surcharges. It is also seeing benefits from AI-related cost savings, recovering recycled commodities prices and RNG activity.

    By • April 23, 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 view of the Houston skyline shows a park and buildings
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    Getty Images
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    Houston expands multifamily recycling pilot

    About half of Houston residents live in apartments, but most lack recycling access. A pilot supported by The Recycling Partnership and Alliance to End Plastic Waste aims to change that.

    By • April 22, 2026
  • Plastic Coca-Cola bottles lined up inside a refrigerated case
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    Navigating PCR procurement? A new tool could help.

    Given recent shifts in recycling markets, the Northeast Recycling Council hopes the PCR Material Demand Hub will help organizations with purchasing, explained Executive Director Megan Schulz-Fontes.

    By Marissa Heffernan • April 21, 2026
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    Colorado mass balance debate underscores industry faultlines

    The American Chemistry Council withdrew a lawsuit, but the larger question on recycled content verification remains.

    By Marissa Heffernan • April 17, 2026
  • Massachusetts State House dome behind container of waste
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Massachusetts Senate passes bill with numerous waste, packaging impacts

    A broader $3.6 billion bond bill includes paint EPR, but no policy for batteries as the waste industry hoped. Meanwhile, it also seeks to limit plastic bags, provides funding for state waste projects and targets a select transfer station.

    By • April 16, 2026
  • Recycling Partnership CEO Keefe Harrison stands behind a podium on a small stage in front of a crowd of seated people
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Keefe Harrison stepping down as CEO of The Recycling Partnership

    This summer, Harrison will leave the organization she founded 12 years ago. TRP will conduct a search for its next CEO.

    By , • April 15, 2026
  • A worker separates out recycling at a machine
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    Courtesy of TerraCycle
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    TerraCycle launches $75M funding round to fuel expansions

    The company, known for managing niche waste streams like cigarette butts and cosmetics, has its eye on future M&A and a possible plan to go public.

    By • April 15, 2026
  • a worker disassembles a mattress in a warehouse filled with mattresses
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    Courtesy of Mattress Recycling Council
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    Virginia Gov. Spanberger vetoes mattress recycling bill

    Spanberger criticized the proposed recycling fee consumers would pay when buying a new mattress, saying it would make the products more expensive.

    By • April 14, 2026
  • Close up of dentist hands in white sterile gloves holding dental tools for surgical use packed in a protective foil at dental office
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    Getty Images
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    Next step in recycling more healthcare plastics: Better labeling

    Leaders of a Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council project in 2026 want to empower hospitals to divert more material through clearer, more standardized labeling of packaging flowing through healthcare settings.

    By • April 13, 2026
  • a close-up of recycled consumer batteries
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Wisconsin, Kentucky governors latest to approve battery EPR laws

    Both plans cover certain medium-format and rechargeable batteries, including some lithium-ion types, but Kentucky’s is unique because the program is voluntary.  

    By • April 13, 2026
  • Workers hold large scissors to cut a ribbon inside a recycling facility. Bales of recycled plastics can be seen in the background.
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    Courtesy of Republic Services
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    MRF upgrades from Republic, WM and Athens target efficiency in fast-growing regions

    As state and local diversion laws get stricter, companies continue centering building plans on newer, faster automation meant to help process larger volumes and get cleaner end products.

    By • April 10, 2026
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    Q&A

    NH Recycles looks to continue recycling work with fresh leadership

    NH Recycles, the oldest organization of its kind, is designed for the long game, said Reagan Bissonnette, the outgoing executive director, and Andrea Folsom, who will take on the role in May.

    By • April 9, 2026
  • four blue recycling carts stand next to each other
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    Getty Images
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    Oregon packaging EPR funds its first recycling improvements with cart program

    Circular Action Alliance projects spending up to $123 million from producer funding for recycling projects through 2027, including money for new recycling carts, collection trucks and facility upgrades.

    By • April 8, 2026
  • One person stands at a podium, with three seated, in front of a crowd of attendes at a MassRecycle event.
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    Permission granted by Charles Tyler
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    What’s next for Massachusetts waste reduction funding, EPR and organics

    MassRecycle’s annual conference included updates about industry-backed efforts to pass a battery EPR law. MassDEP also recently previewed its policy, program and funding plans to help achieve a 2030 waste reduction goal.

    By • April 8, 2026
  • The facade of the Oregon Capitol Building.
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    AF&PA can’t join NAW’s Oregon EPR lawsuit, judge rules

    The American Forest & Paper Association, which has noted higher-than-anticipated fees, “remains fully committed to pursuing all available legal and strategic options” to protect members.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • stacks of used hard drives
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    Courtesy of HyProMag
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    Rare earth magnet recycler plans US facility openings with new separation tech

    HyProMagUSA aims to open a recycling facility in Texas in 2027, with locations in Nevada and South Carolina to follow. It aims to make a name for itself with robotics-assisted separation tech.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • President Donald Trump
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Trump’s 2027 budget again aims to halve EPA spending

    The president envisions steep cuts to environmental programming and waste-related activities in an echo of his proposal last year. The final tally will likely change following negotiations with Congress.

    By • April 6, 2026
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    Global waste generation could rise 50% by 2050: World Bank

    Inequities in waste collection and funding are a major global issue, according to an updated report. Upfront investments today will mitigate future expenses that impact climate change and global health, the report states.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • Paint cans sit on shelves
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    Courtesy of PaintCare
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    Maryland rolls out new paint stewardship program

    The state plans to collect 350,000 gallons in the first year. The program comes a few months after Illinois launched its own PaintCare system and New Hampshire vetoed a plan for a similar program.

    By • April 1, 2026
  • EU Visa Mastercard card networks Europe
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    Getty Images
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    New EU guidance on PPWR released less than 5 months from start date

    Europen said the guidance “still falls short of providing the legal certainty and operational clarity businesses urgently require” ahead of Aug. 12. Implementing acts are still in the works.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • an overhead view of boxes of used vapes awaiting recycling
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    Permission granted by Raymond Tucker
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    Q&A

    The one-man collection service advocating for vape recycling in Wisconsin

    EcoVape Recovery offers small-scale collection services for vape waste. Raymond Tucker, a parks service worker and firefighter, also advocates for recycling outlets, infrastructure support and formal vape management rules.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • Recycling Partnership CEO Keefe Harrison stands behind a podium on a small stage in front of a crowd of seated people
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Q&A

    Recycling Partnership CEO on navigating ‘really tough’ moment for recycling

    Keefe Harrison shared how the nonprofit is thinking about the PET market crash, supply chain resilience, a loss in federal grants and the divergent funding needs of states with and without EPR laws at a MassRecycle event.

    By • March 30, 2026
  • blue plastic bottles crushed together
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    Getty Images
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    rPET market challenges further impacted by more closures, trade pressures

    WM, Republic Services and APR discussed ongoing rPET market instability during a Recycling Partnership webinar. Incentives and trade transparency could help thermoformers and other packaging producers, they said. 

    By • March 27, 2026
  • A side-loading truck from E360s
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    Courtesy of E360s
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    E360s develops 4-compartment truck for flexible plastic collection

    E360s developed the custom truck after a request from the City of Chilliwack as part of a new curbside collection offering. British Columbia aims to ramp up flexible plastic collection as part of EPR. 

    By • March 25, 2026