Recycling


  • Side view of blue DTG Recycle trucl
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    Retrieved from DTG Recycle on May 16, 2024
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    Macquarie exits DTG Recycle with sales to founder, Waste Connections

    The investment firm purchased the Washington-based C&D company in 2022. Founder Dan Guimont has returned to run the business, with select assets divested to Waste Connections.

    By Feb. 23, 2026
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Casella gives landfill and organics facility updates after strong 2025

    In his first earnings call since becoming CEO, Ned Coletta highlighted 2025 acquisitions and offered updates on landfill optimization strategies and an organics facility closure in the Northeast.

    By Feb. 20, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Ahead of the demand curve? What’s behind the rPET slump.

    A recent spate of rPET facility closures follows a slightly premature ramp-up, said one converter. But renewed investment is needed to ensure “we still have an rPET industry on this continent,” according to NAPCOR.

    By Feb. 20, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Waste worker fatalities fell in 2024, but industry still 5th deadliest: BLS

    The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed fewer fatalities for the refuse and recyclable materials collection occupation. The number of fatalities in MRFs also decreased in 2024.

    By Feb. 19, 2026
  • Equipment at ExxonMobil's advanced recycling facility in Baytown, Texas
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    Courtesy of ExxonMobil
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    Chemical recycling debates influence state and legal discussions in California, New York

    California's AG is appealing a judge's ruling that ExxonMobil can continue its chemical recycling defamation suit, while a New York EPR bill could get hung up over chemical recycling restrictions.

    By Feb. 19, 2026
  • Clean Harbors at household hazardous waste collection event in Abington, Pennsylvania.
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    The image by Montgomery County Planning Commission is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Clean Harbors looks to spend record cash on M&A and internal growth

    The company met its guidance for full-year 2025 and looks to act on growth levers. That includes capital investments and M&A, such as a new $130 million deal with Depot Connect International.

    By Feb. 18, 2026
  • Republic Services collection truck
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    Courtesy of Republic Services
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    Republic misses 2025 earnings projections but promotes underlying strength

    The company fell short of guidance issued a year ago for revenue, but reported strong free cash flow and a business positioned for growth in environmental services.

    By Feb. 18, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Will EPR actually increase recycling?

    Skeptics sparked debate about the value of extended producer responsibility for packaging at The Packaging Conference in Austin, Texas. Perhaps the only clear thing is that a lot is still unclear about the emerging legislation.

    By Feb. 18, 2026
  • A load of recycled cartons crushed into a bale
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    Courtesy of Carton Council
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    Carton recycling options expanded for about 2.5M households in 2025: Carton Council

    About 63% of households now have access to some kind of carton recycling program, the Carton Council says. It attributes major expansions to Circular Services’ MRF upgrades and Oregon’s new EPR program launch.

    By Feb. 18, 2026
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Combined policy options needed to remedy plastic waste in US, Pew report finds

    The adoption of any new policies such as bottle bills, reuse systems, EPR or certain food packaging bans could reduce disposal by 10% to 20% by 2040. Such changes could influence new jobs and investments, Pew said.

    By Feb. 17, 2026
  • A green trash truck is parked outside a shopping complex.
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Q4 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2025

    Catch up with the latest results from WM, Waste Connections, Casella, Republic Services, Clean Harbors and GFL Environmental.

    By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Feb. 20, 2026
  • The top of the U.S. Capitol Building's dome is pictured on a cloudy day.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Recycled content claims bill introduced in Congress

    The bipartisan Recycled Materials Attribution Act aims to establish federal standards and ensure the Green Guides are updated accordingly.

    By Feb. 13, 2026
  • blue plastic bottles crushed together
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    Getty Images
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    Domestic markets and policy could help weather rPET woes

    Speakers addressed domestic rPET’s market challenges during a webinar hosted by The Recycling Partnership. The discussion comes in the wake of recent PET reclaimer closures.

    By Feb. 13, 2026
  • Waste Connections truck on display at WasteExpo 2022
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    Maria Rachal/Waste Dive
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    Waste Connections previews AI, RNG investments for 2026

    During a Q4 earnings call, executives highlighted about $330 million in acquired annualized revenue from 19 acquisitions in 2025. CEO Ron Mittelstaedt previewed AI projects for routing and customer experience.

    By Feb. 12, 2026
  • The GFL Environmental logo decal on the door of a large garbage truck
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    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
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    GFL details headquarters move, EPR and RNG plans

    The company is officially relocating its headquarters to Miami Beach, but will maintain its presence in Canada. The company reported strong underlying business but foreign currency translation headwinds to end 2025.

    By Feb. 12, 2026
  • a close-up of recycled consumer batteries
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    EPA’s upcoming battery EPR framework aims to guide state consistency

    The U.S. EPA expects to publish its framework for battery EPR programs this summer. Industry stakeholders informed the voluntary guide for states implementing the programs.

    By Feb. 11, 2026
  • The steps of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville.
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    Getty Images
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    Tennessee packaging EPR bill revamped with small business, county exemptions

    The bill takes a business-centric approach to recycling, a key difference from other state EPR programs. It also allows certain small businesses and counties with fewer than 200,000 residents to opt out of the program.

    By Feb. 10, 2026
  • Oregon's state capitol building in Salem, Oregon.
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    Getty Images
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    Oregon judge grants wholesalers preliminary injunction in packaging EPR case

    The latest court development shields National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors members for the coming months and tees up a trial in July.

    By Updated Feb. 9, 2026
  • A worker rolls a trash cart to a trash truck on the street
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    WM to acquire Waste Resources in California

    The company, which offers residential and commercial hauling in parts of Southern California, has franchise agreements in several cities that have provided approval to change contracts over to WM service.

    By Feb. 6, 2026
  • A person throws a bag of recyclables into a bin run by the Houston Recycling Collaboration
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    Courtesy of Cyclyx
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    Agilyx, ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell to split up chemical recycling joint venture

    The companies will restructure Cyclyx International. Agilyx will take ownership of the Dallas-area circularity center, while ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell will own the Houston location.

    By Feb. 5, 2026
  • A pink recycling bin sits on the ground and  is filled with flexible plastics.
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    Courtesy of Recycle BC
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    Recycle BC rolls out curbside flexible plastic recycling to meet 50% collection goal

    The producer responsibility organization for British Columbia will offer curbside options in the Central Okanagan region, as well as dedicated bins for apartments in Vancouver.

    By Updated Feb. 4, 2026
  • Lithium-ion 18650 battery, commonly used in vape devices
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    Permission granted by Call2Recycle
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    Vape waste legislation and pilots increase due to facility fire issues

    New bills in California and New Jersey, and programs in New York and Missouri, aim to reduce recycling and waste facility fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in what some are calling the “vape effect.”

    By Feb. 3, 2026
  • A person tips a blue recycling bin containing a clear plastic Starbucks cup into a larger collection bin.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    New year, new label: PP cup recyclability status changes

    The new How2Recycle labels are expected to roll out on PP cups this year. Years of collaboration between Starbucks, WM and other partners resulted in meeting the 60% recycling access threshold, said GreenBlue.

    By Feb. 3, 2026
  • A row of garbage trucks are lined up and parked.
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    The image by Kris Arnold is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    The 2026 outlook for the waste and recycling industry

    Economic and policy shifts could impact waste and recycling business in 2026, including M&A deals, state recycling legislation, and regulations for PFAS and landfills.

    By Waste Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Is a better economy a worse environment for waste M&A?

    The industry has become a safe harbor for investors seeking stable returns over the last five years. But as it matures, sellers are getting larger and buyers are getting hungrier.

    By Jan. 30, 2026