Recycling

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    Courtesy of Clean-Seas
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    Clean-Seas pyrolysis plant gets key permit approval in West Virginia

    The chemical recycler's first U.S. facility is moving forward despite opposition from residents, who say the facility is too close to schools and may contribute to cumulative regional pollution.

    By • Aug. 18, 2026
  • Aerial view of industrial recycling facility in Washington state
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    Retrieved from Facebook on December 01, 2022
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    Washington regulators eye hauling rule changes following DTG settlement

    A Washington commission will examine how MRF residuals are handled under state regulations, a move that stems from a legal settlement with DTG. WRRA, WM, Waste Connections and others weighed in.

    By • Aug. 17, 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
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    Getty Images
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    Circular Services eyes battery detection tech for proactive fire safety

    The company discussed plans to test the tech during a webinar, while speakers from NWRA and other industry groups promoted state and federal bills meant to improve fire safety and collections for batteries.

    By • Aug. 14, 2026
  • a worker wearing PPE sorts recycled materials on a belt.
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    Courtesy of rStream
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    What’s next for rStream’s AI recycling tech after Gillette Stadium debut

    The robotics company plans to double down on its niche sorting market with its recent $1.25 million DOE grant. Airports and “lower resource” locations may be next, co-founder Ethan Walko said.

    By • Aug. 13, 2026
  • A close up image of recycled material moving along a belt
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    Courtesy of Amp
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    Latest recycling facility upgrades target safety, limited disposal capacity

    Amp will help divert recyclables from MSW in Michigan, Prince George’s County officials in Maryland celebrated key upgrades to their MRF’s fiber lines and baling improvements at a Virginia recycling center add efficiency.

    By • Aug. 12, 2026
  • Miami-Dade County's first electric refuse truck from Mack Trucks, on display at WasteExpo 2022
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    Maria Rachal/Waste Dive
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    How Miami-Dade County plans to tackle zero waste by 2040

    County officials shared behind-the-scenes details with Waste Dive on Miami-Dade's approach to improving recycling and organics diversion, as well as partnerships with businesses and community groups.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026
  • glass bottles awaiting recycling
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Connecticut beverage container redemption rate soared in 2025

    Connecticut’s rate continues to climb after implementing a major bottle bill overhaul a few years ago. Other states saw rates fall, but new laws in places like Maine and Vermont could spell improvements in coming years. 

    By • Updated Aug. 6, 2026
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    California film recycling pilots make case for commercial collection

    The pilots, launched by the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance, aim to get more film packaging found in warehouses and retail backrooms into the recycling stream. Shorr Packaging and 1-800-Got-Junk are partners.

    By • Aug. 3, 2026
  • Close-up of a wrap label on a Diet Coke beverage bottle that says "I'm a 100% Recycled Bottle"
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    Maria Rachal/Waste Dive
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    Tracking Plastic Act proposes advancing recycled content standards

    The bill introduced by California Democrat Adam Schiff comes as debate swirls about what counts as recycled content in plastic packaging and how it should be labeled.

    By • Aug. 3, 2026
  • Colorado and United States flags fly above the Colorado State Capitol in Denver
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    Getty Images
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    NAW files lawsuit challenging Colorado EPR law

    The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors says the law lacks oversight accountability for Circular Action Alliance. NAW seeks to block the law’s enforcement, similar to its approach in Oregon. 

    By • Updated July 31, 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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    Q2 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2026

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

    By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Aug. 11, 2026
  • four blue recycling carts stand next to each other
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    Getty Images
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    EPA announces $28M in SWIFR grants for tribal recycling and composting

    New projects in Alaska, California, Florida, New York, Michigan and elsewhere will repair buildings, buy collection trucks and gather recycling data. They are funded by the second round of Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • A man speaks at a poduim, standing in front of a row of containers meant for drop-off recycling
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    Courtesy of Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County
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    How one county in Alabama is changing its recycling reputation

    The solid waste authority for Baldwin County built recycling drop-off centers to support its recently built MRF, a move to take advantage of recycling end markets as its population grows.

    By • July 29, 2026
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    WM’s healthcare, recycling projects drive balance in Q2

    Volumes are down, but WM has ramped up AI-related projects and considers Stericycle fully integrated, two milestones expected to drive improvements throughout the year.

    By • July 29, 2026
  • An electronic device positioned over collected recyclable materials on a conveyor belt.
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    Permission granted by Greyparrot
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    Greyparrot receives $27M funding round to grow recycling analytics dataset

    The AI-enabled tech company, which has partnered with major waste and recycling players, aims to grow its waste identification dataset to help divert over 1 million tons of waste by 2030.

    By • July 28, 2026
  • A close-up of baled recycled plastics
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    Courtesy of Eastman
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    Chemical recycling innovations and regulations see both applause and scrutiny

    Eastman hosted a visit from EPA officials, while NRDC raised concerns about a required federal chemical reporting process, and PureCycle and WM partnered on plastic recovery at baseball stadiums.

    By • July 24, 2026
  • Rep. Randy Weber speaks at a Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing on July 22, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
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    Screenshot: House Committee on Energy and Commerce/YouTube

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    Federal labeling, recycled content bills spotlighted in congressional hearing

    Ameripen and the Recycling Leadership Council are trying to advance the Pack Act and the Recycled Materials Attribution Act. But critics like the Alliance for Mission-Based Recycling worry about preemption.

    By • July 23, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    OCC price increases evoke divergent effects across value chain

    Following a sluggish 2025, OCC prices have climbed through 2026. While recyclers are riding the wave of higher prices, containerboard producers aren’t so excited.

    By , • July 22, 2026
  • a close-up of recycled consumer batteries
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    The Battery Network expanded recycling, collection volumes in 2025

    In its first impact report since rebranding, the organization formerly known as Call2Recycle noted its work growing larger-format battery recycling efforts and expanding collection access in the U.S.

    By • July 21, 2026
  • blue plastic bottles crushed together
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    Getty Images
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    Bottle recovery rates dropped in 2024, but other plastic rates rose

    Recovery rates for plastic film jumped between 2022 and 2024, but bottles were recovered for recycling at lower rates than two years prior, according to a report prepared for APR and the U.S. Plastics Pact. 

    By • July 20, 2026
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    Courtesy of House Energy and Commerce
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    Federal critical minerals bills target battery recycling, EPA strategies

    A House subcommittee considered the CHARM and BRACE Acts last week, two federal bills meant to bolster domestic supply chains for critical minerals through permitting and national strategy updates. 

    By • July 17, 2026
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    Screenshot: Packaging Dive

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    4 ways tariffs and geopolitics are impacting commodity markets

    Metals and plastics experts also offered their perspective on the future of the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement during the Supply Chain Outlook event.

    By • July 16, 2026
  • four blue recycling carts stand next to each other
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    Getty Images
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    The Recycling Partnership names new CEO

    TRP says it chose Greg Saxon, former COO of ITAD company PedalPoint Recycling, for his expertise in recycling, packaging, procurement and circular economy skills. He succeeds founder Keefe Harrison.

    By • July 15, 2026
  • an aerial shot of a recycling facility
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    Courtesy of WM
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    WM, Amp, Reju celebrate expanded facilities

    Amp says it has nearly completed the ramp-up of its Virginia MRF, while WM celebrated its latest $110 million recycling and hauling campus in Colorado. Reju’s R&D site is open in Pennsylvania. 

    By • July 15, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    California blocked from enforcing upcoming ‘truth in labeling’ law

    Ahead of an October start date, a federal court has granted a preliminary injunction. The Flexible Packaging Association and American Forest & Paper Association reacted to the news.

    By • Updated July 15, 2026