Recycling

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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Bottle bill talks gain momentum amid America First buzz, EPR

    Eager to capture more high-quality material to incorporate into new packaging domestically, leaders from the competing plastic, glass and metal sectors are looking to jointly build on momentum from 2025’s legislative sessions.

    By • Nov. 21, 2025
  • A lineup of six lightweighted beverage bottles (two Coca-Cola bottles, 2 Fanta bottles, 2 Sprite bottles)
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    Courtesy of Coca-Cola
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    How much further can source reduction in packaging go?

    U.S. packaging volumes reportedly fell by about 5 million metric tons between 2019 and 2024, despite population growth and an e-commerce boom. Future progress will require trade-offs, brand owners and packaging converters say.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
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    Alamy
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    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
  • Equipment at ExxonMobil's advanced recycling facility in Baytown, Texas
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    Courtesy of ExxonMobil
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    US Plastics Pact assesses pluses and minuses of chemical recycling

    The group calls for chemical recyclers to consider environmental justice impacts and offer more data and transparency around operations, but says the technologies offer key circular economy opportunities for plastic.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
  • An x-ray image of a truck bed filled with materials. A screen indicates what each of the materials is made of.
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    Courtesy of Visia
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    Visia AI expands X-ray tech to serve wide range of recycling facilities

    Visia offers customizable AI tech to companies like Casella, LRS and Coastal Waste. The company has expanded its work to over 30 facilities and aims to solve problems like equipment optimization and fire prevention.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
  • People hold up bags of recycled aluminum cans
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    Courtesy of Can'd Aid
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    Local grants and recognitions boost America Recycles Day 2025

    American Beverage and Can’d Aid announced grant funding for local and municipal recycling projects, while Wisconsin recognized key recycling programs that helped drive diversion in the state. 

    By • Nov. 17, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    WM now accepting polypropylene plastic and paper cups curbside

    WM says recent automation upgrades and changes to bale specifications helped spur the change, along with market demand for the materials. WM is asking customers to also add the materials to their lists. 

    By • Nov. 14, 2025
  • A pile of mixed recyclables of different materials, including bottles and containers
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    Getty Images
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    How packaging producers and CPGs stacked up in EMF’s 2025 progress report

    As the Ellen MacArthur Foundation engages businesses on an updated 2030 agenda, its 2024 data tracks how companies fared on integrating recycled content, increasing packaging recyclability and other metrics.

    By • Nov. 14, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    Aluminum beverage can recycling rate hit 75% globally: report

    The update at COP30 comes two years after the industry pledged to recycle at least 80% of these containers worldwide by 2030 and nearly all by 2050. The picture is weaker in the U.S. and North America.

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
  • Human workers next to a conveyor line sort plastic packaging such as bottles.
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    Getty Images
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    By the numbers: How America recycles in 2025

    As public and private entities continue efforts to boost recycling rates, there are numerous infrastructure investments, curbside programs and new state laws that have also played a role this year.

    By • Nov. 12, 2025
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    Permission granted by Tetra Pak
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    Sponsored by Tetra Pak

    Carton recycling options are expanding: Here’s what to know

    Carton recycling collection and end markets continue to evolve, opening new doors for recovered cartons.

    Nov. 10, 2025
  • The exterior of a rear-loading garbage truck with the New York City Sanitation Department's logo emblazoned on the side.
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    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
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    New York City’s plan for the next decade of waste looks to boost diversion

    The city supports practices such as extended producer responsibility and codigestion of organic waste to reduce the amount of material sent to disposal.

    By • Nov. 7, 2025
  • A demonstration hauler with GFL's logo outside a conference center
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    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
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    Early EPR tailwinds propel GFL to highest-ever margin

    GFL Environmental reported its highest-ever margin for adjusted EBITDA. In addition to volume growth related to EPR, the company is retooling its pricing strategy to better reflect internal inflation.

    By • Nov. 6, 2025
  • The flag of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hangs outside the agency building in Washington, D.C.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Continued government shutdown could threaten key waste, manufacturing projects

    Industry groups say the situation has put critical EPA recycling, waste and manufacturing priorities in limbo, along with federal jobs. But the EPA says there’s “zero uncertainty” on such programs.

    By • Nov. 5, 2025
  • Bundled stacks of flat corrugated boxes.
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    Getty Images
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    Containerboard production continued downward slide in Q3

    Containerboard capacity cuts could tee up an environment ripe for price increases in early 2026. Conversely, recent boxboard production expansions have resulted in an oversupply.

    By • Updated Nov. 3, 2025
  • A large garbage container with the Waste Connections Logo sits on a concrete lot with palm trees and other vegetation behind it.
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    Octavio Jones via Getty Images
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    Waste Connections acquiring Florida Express Environmental

    The family-run company has one of the larger privately owned fleets in the Ocala region and is also affiliated with a C&D landfill. Marion County approved a transfer of the company’s franchise agreement on Nov. 4.

    By • Updated Nov. 4, 2025
  • Casella's Mack LR Electric truck
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    Courtesy of Casella Waste Systems
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    Casella again raises revenue guidance, notes improvements in mid-Atlantic region

    Casella increased the lower end of its guidance ranges for revenue and adjusted EBITDA, citing limited commodity exposure. The company says it is also making headway on key New York landfill permits.

    By • Oct. 31, 2025
  • A Republic Services truck and dumpster.
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    Courtesy of Republic Services
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    Republic Services retools environmental services pricing after segment decline

    The company saw better performance in its core recycling and waste business that powered another quarter of overall revenue growth.

    By • Oct. 31, 2025
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Q3 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2025

    Follow the latest results from Casella Waste Systems, Republic Services, WM, Waste Connections, Clean Harbors, GFL, Montrose Environmental and Enviri.

    By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 10, 2025
  • 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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    Pennsylvania MRF receives ‘multi-million dollar’ loan from Closed Loop

    MRF operator Superior Fine Grind upgraded its facility to accommodate higher volumes of material coming in from rural regions of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 

    By • Oct. 29, 2025
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    Permission granted by WM
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    WM healthcare integration affects results in otherwise profitable quarter

    Strong collection and disposal business helped boost WM in the quarter, but the company faced headwinds in the Healthcare Solutions segment and a $152M impairment charge for the closure of Natura PCR.

    By • Oct. 28, 2025
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    Courtesy of Cyclic Materials
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    Cyclic Materials signs recycling agreement with rare earth magnet manufacturer

    Under a 10-year deal, Cyclic will recycle byproducts from Vacuumschmelze’s new Sumter, South Carolina, manufacturing processes. Cyclic is working to open its own new facility in Arizona.

    By • Oct. 27, 2025
  • Bales of plastic film packaging are piled next to bales of other plastics and cardboard.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Waste Dive
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    Plastic film recycling has a problem with staying power

    As technological advancements contribute to more facilities mechanically or chemically recycling film, lacking end markets and overall economics are holdbacks, including for a short-lived plant that announced last week it closed.

    By • Oct. 24, 2025
  • Two people sit on stage in front of a background that reads "Redefining Recyclability"
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    California’s labeling law resets the market for recyclability claims

    SB 343 loomed large at the recent SPC Advance and How2Recycle Summit events, leading to concerns about packaging categories such as cartons, small format, flexibles, film and more.

    By • Oct. 24, 2025
  • Waste Connections truck on display at WasteExpo 2022
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    Maria Rachal/Waste Dive
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    Waste Connections reports Florida acquisitions, stable pricing

    CEO Ron Mittelstaedt noted the company weathered economic headwinds but got a boost from its E&P business and rail improvements meant to help boost the Arrowhead Landfill, which takes about 7,500 tons a day.

    By • Oct. 22, 2025
  • Four people sit in chairs on a stage in front of a background that says Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference, while one person speaks.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Waste Dive
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    Prioritizing end markets key to taming EPR tension: PPRC speakers

    While some aspects of EPR programs, like ecomodulation, won’t be a priority until later, end market identification should be done up front, according to speakers at the Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference. 

    By • Oct. 22, 2025