Recycling

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    17 Republican AGs suing over California packaging EPR law

    Less than a month out from a trial in Oregon, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors says it’s joining this California lawsuit as the sole business plaintiff.

    By • Updated 4 hours ago
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    Courtesy of WM Canada
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    MRF upgrades in California, Minnesota, Ontario leverage grants and EPR

    Recent updates from WM in Ontario, Mid-Valley Recycling in California and Olmsted County in Minnesota aim to improve capacity and quality.

    By • June 23, 2026
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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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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    WM acquires residential assets of PE-backed HBS Trash in Colorado

    HBS plans to continue operating its home building-focused waste services such as roll-off rentals and commercial construction projects.

    By • June 22, 2026
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    California packaging EPR budget expected to exceed $9B in next 5 years

    Circular Action Alliance hit a key milestone Monday, submitting its draft program plan with new details on SB 54 implementation. It proposes pushing back a certain source reduction requirement following regulatory delays.

    By • June 16, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    What’s next for the US Plastics Pact under new leadership

    Crystal Bayliss was named executive director on Monday. The group aims to offer more projects that align with companies’ EPR compliance needs as an entry point for new or returning participants, she told Packaging Dive.

    By • June 16, 2026
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Q&A

    Casella CEO Ned Coletta plans for the operational long game

    Coletta previewed plans for a new MRF in Pennsylvania, recent acquisitions of Cougle’s Recycling and assets of Recycle Depot, and upcoming PFAS management plans and landfill expansion efforts.

    By • June 15, 2026
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Tech can stop battery fires, but prevention works best with education

    Experts from WM, The Battery Network, Fire Rover and battery detection companies like Visia, Nexstera and Dragonfly called for closer collaboration on fire prevention at the Waste Leadership Summit.

    By • June 12, 2026
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    Permission granted by Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
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    EPA recycling education grantees get creative with campaigns around the country

    Local groups from Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and beyond have been working on recycling and organics programs as part of a broader $33 million grant round.

    By Leslie Nemo • June 10, 2026
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Circular economy investments drive waste industry innovations, hurdles

    Tackling system distrust, away-from-home recycling and low PET prices are current challenges, said speakers from WM, Closed Loop Partners and Waste Connections at the Waste Leadership Summit.

    By • June 10, 2026
  • The label on the back of a wine bottle has messaging including a reuse symbol.
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    Permission granted by PR3: The Global Alliance to Advance Reuse
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    A reuse symbol hit the market. Oregon is putting it to the test.

    Reuse and refill businesses in the Portland area are among the initial adopters of PR3’s new logo that organizers hope becomes as universally recognized as the chasing arrows for recycling. 

    By • June 9, 2026
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    Courtesy of American Battery
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    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
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    Retrieved from Facebook on December 01, 2022
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    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
  • A New York City Sanitation Department rear-loading truck sits behind a graffitied mailbox on a street lined by three-story brick buildings.
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    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
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    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
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    Getty Images
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    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.
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    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.
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    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
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    The image by Jimmy Emerson, DVM is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    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
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    The image by Jim Bowen is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    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
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    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.
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp.
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    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
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    Courtesy of Emterra
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    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
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    The image by Montgomery County Planning Commission is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    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."
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    Permission granted by Kellyann Petry/Berry Global
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    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.
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    Getty Images
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    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
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    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