Recycling

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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
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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
  • 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 over the 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 Clean Harbors, Waste Connections, WM and GFL Environmental.

    By • July 30, 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
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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
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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
  • A close up of cell phones and circuit boards awaiting recycling
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    Getty Images
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    Mint to separate critical minerals work into e-scrap, battery businesses

    Mint Innovation still plans a 2027 launch for its first U.S. critical minerals recovery facility in Texas, which will focus on copper and other materials from e-scrap. Battery recycling will now be a separate business called Linca. 

    By • July 10, 2026
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    Courtesy of Circular Action Alliance
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    By the numbers: Oregon’s 1st year of packaging EPR

    Nearly 3,000 participating producers. $167.9 million in revenue collected. Almost 410,000 tons of covered products sold. These are some of Circular Action Alliance’s newly released stats from the program’s initial months.

    By , • July 8, 2026
  • An aerial view of people shopping at a thrift store. They are looking through ailes of shirts.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Thrifting, consumer habits may help shift textile recycling challenges

    A resurgence of secondhand shopping, new sorting methods and policy initiatives are all poised to help shift the needle on textile waste, speakers at a NERC webinar said.

    By • July 8, 2026
  • A pile of textile waste.
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    Getty Images
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    Key EPR laws and right-to-repair updates moved forward in July

    Notable deadlines for textile EPR in California and packaging EPR in Washington have passed, and New York’s carpet EPR program is still delayed. Connecticut’s right-to-repair law also took effect.

    By • July 2, 2026
  • a close-up of recycled consumer batteries
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Video: Key recycling policy updates so far in 2026

    Waste Dive staff recently discussed notable EPR, battery and chemical recycling updates during a be Waste Wise webinar.

    By Waste Dive Staff • July 1, 2026
  • a close-up of film plastic and plastic bags
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Film recycling hits a pivotal moment

    The next year will be crucial for proving viability of flexible film recycling initiatives, said speakers from GDB Circular, General Mills and Procter & Gamble. Recent pilots helped move at least 1.5 million pounds to end markets.

    By • July 1, 2026
  • A close-up of baled recycled plastics
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    Courtesy of Eastman
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    New chemical recycling standard aims to bring transparency to operations

    After years of stakeholder conversations, the new voluntary certification standard aims to “build trust” in a polarizing industry, SCS Standards says. 

    By • June 30, 2026