Recycling

  • hands of workers sort large batteries on a conveyor
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of American Battery
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Facebook on December 01, 2022
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • 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 Trendlineâž”
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alamy
    Image attribution tooltip
    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 New York City Sanitation Department rear-loading truck sits behind a graffitied mailbox on a street lined by three-story brick buildings.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Jimmy Emerson, DVM is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • An outside photo of the California State Capitol.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Jim Bowen is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    California advances compostables, recycled content labeling bills

    The legislation divided major recyclers, organics recyclers and trade groups over mass balance accounting, plastics in compost and more.

    By • May 29, 2026
  • a close-up of film plastic and plastic bags
    Image attribution tooltip
    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    California EPR deadlines spur urgent flexible film recycling solutions

    Film recycling systems need rapid upgrades to meet California's strict recycling rules under SB 54. Speakers on a recent NERC webinar noted new pilot programs and funding initiatives to help.

    By • May 29, 2026
  • A person wearing gloves installing a device into an electric vehicle battery.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Colorado governor signs EV battery EPR bill

    It will be the first EV EPR law in the country to set specific recovery rates for nickel, cobalt and lithium. It received bipartisan support from lawmakers and recyclers.

    By • Updated June 5, 2026
  • Two women pose near bales of recycled paper
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Emterra
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A

    Emterra is still growing its own way after 50 years

    The Canadian company has expanded from a one-woman paper recycling operation to a business with five divisions, 19 MRFs and its own producer responsibility organization. CSO Paulina Leung talks future growth.

    By • May 27, 2026
  • People in protective gear manage household chemicals dropped for disposal and recycling
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Montgomery County Planning Commission is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Vermont takes the lead on first household hazardous waste EPR plan in US

    The Agency of Natural Resources is running the program with a 10% surcharge after no producer group stepped up. Regulators hope this can alleviate high collection costs for an especially toxic waste stream.

    By Marissa Heffernan • May 27, 2026
  • Two hands place two purple plastic reusable cups toward a receptacle that says "Thanks for dropping your reusable cup here."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Kellyann Petry/Berry Global
    Image attribution tooltip

    California’s SB 54 kicks off a fresh look at reuse and refill collection

    Source reduction reports outlined steep costs to redesign packaging and invest in new systems. While haulers weren’t part of CalRecycle’s study, Recology and the City of Berkeley offer a preview of how they could fit in.

    By Mary Catherine O'Connor • May 26, 2026
  • A variety of packaging, including expanded polystyrene foam next to cardboard boxes.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    US Plastics Pact urged to remove 2 polystyrene items from ‘problematic’ list

    The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance calls for the changes based on its newly released end market survey that shows the items are recyclable. USPP told Packaging Dive it’s reviewing this new information.

    By • May 22, 2026
  • Old battery packs for mobile phones
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Maryland battery commission to continue work on fire safety efforts

    The commission will renew its research later this year after meeting a short deadline for its first report. It advocates for battery EPR and will also research recycling regulations, insurance complications and transportation safety. 

    By • May 22, 2026
  • Person in hard hat and safety vest stands over fast-moving conveyor belt with recyclables in Oregon
    Image attribution tooltip
    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Oregon updates responsible end markets verification process

    Among the agreed-upon updates to the EPR program plan are a benchmarking process for third-party certifications and PRO verifications, certain adjustments to performance criteria and a variance for glass furnaces.

    By • May 22, 2026
  • an artist rendering aerial shot of the exterior of a recycling facility
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of ecomaine
    Image attribution tooltip

    WM Canada, Ecomaine, Lautenbach and Tomra investing in recycling facilities

    Notable investments include a $36 million project by Maine’s largest MRF operator, as well as the official opening of Circular Services’ $61 million MRF in Frisco, Texas.

    By • May 20, 2026
  • An electronic device positioned over collected recyclable materials on a conveyor belt.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Greyparrot
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kenvue tracks packaging through recycling stream with Greyparrot’s AI

    The collaboration spotlights use cases for AI in packaging, such as pinpointing the optimal hue for shampoo bottles to ensure recyclability. Identifying design changes gains importance as the packaging regulation landscape widens.

    By • May 20, 2026
  • Styrofoam containers
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Polystyrene recycling group cites medical, transport packaging as key end markets

    The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance is also working on a PS recycling initiative with the Mexican Plastics Pact and on an EPS collection project in Tennessee, both meant to boost recycling end market uses for PS.

    By • Updated May 20, 2026
  • The facade of a building with a dome.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    More litigation expected over California recycling regulations

    Packaging EPR law SB 54 could spark lawsuits from environmental groups and businesses alike. Meanwhile, certain industry groups are seeking a preliminary injunction with recyclability labeling law SB 343.

    By • May 13, 2026
  • Kathleen Koch and Tara Hemmer sit on a stage with a screen describing the Washington Post speaking event behind them
    Image attribution tooltip
    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    WM names sustainability officer Hemmer as next COO

    Tara Hemmer will continue to oversee recycling and renewable energy initiatives. Previous COO John Morris will remain president and assume responsibility for WM’s healthcare solutions business due to another departure.

    By • May 13, 2026
  • a close-up of recycled consumer batteries
    Image attribution tooltip
    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    EPA pitches Congress on best practices for recycling batteries

    A report to lawmakers highlights how waste companies, municipalities and states are diverting batteries from disposal. It’s part of a larger agency initiative to study battery recycling in effort to raise recycling rates and reduce fires.

    By • May 13, 2026
  • Stacks of upside down paper cups with integrated brown holders.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    20% of US residents can now recycle paper cups, FPI says

    Paper cup recycling access has nearly quadrupled during the last decade, according to FPI. But more work is needed, including on end markets as some mills that accepted the material have recently left the pool.

    By • May 11, 2026
  • The state capitol in Augusta, Maine
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Maine’s packaging EPR implementation lags

    The Maine Department of Environmental Protection still expects producers will owe money this year. But the process of contracting with a stewardship organization has repeatedly been pushed back.

    By • May 11, 2026
  • A worker sorts paper at a MRF
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Recology
    Image attribution tooltip

    CAA seeks to standardize responsible end market requirements

    CAA seeks public comments on a proposed REM standard meant to be cohesive across packaging EPR states. It ensures materials are handled in an environmentally sound way.

    By • May 8, 2026