Pro Disposal receives ‘multimillion dollar’ MRF loan from Closed Loop

The hauler and MRF operator used the funding for optical sorting equipment at its new 20-ton-per-hour MRF in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. The company said it once relied on hand sorting for some materials. 

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 13, 2026

Fight over DC’s proposed bottle bill heats up as council considers action

Proponents, including numerous D.C. council members and an environmental coalition, say the program would reduce pollution. But the National Waste & Recycling Association and American Beverage oppose the bottle bill.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 12, 2026

Minnesota drafts EPR needs assessment, ‘responsible’ end market rule

Eunomia recommends the state use an upcoming national end market standard from the Circular Action Alliance. The state is accepting comments on its plan through Nov. 13.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 8, 2026

MRF upgrades leverage tech in North Carolina, California and Colorado

Upgrades to a Circular Services-operated MRF are complete, and AI improvements for California Waste Solutions are also helping detect illegal dumping. A major MRF project in Colorado is set to open in December.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Oct. 9, 2026

Chasing clarity: SB 343 uncertainty influencing labeling, packaging choices

The law’s go-live date is here, five years after California adopted this first-in-the-nation truth in labeling policy for recyclable packaging. But the situation is muddied by an ongoing court case.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 6, 2026

2027 recycling and waste management conferences

Start planning for next year’s notable conferences, which cover recycling, waste management, biogas, policy and more.

By Waste Dive Staff • Oct. 6, 2026

Landfill tonnages are increasing even as facilities close, EREF finds

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation tallied open U.S. landfills for a report last month. It also previewed new data on where municipal solid waste is going during a panel at RCon.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 5, 2026

Phone recycling changes could spur $2.2B in critical minerals recovery

An Ellen MacArthur Foundation report calls for better phone design, repair options, recycling infrastructure and secondary processing locations, but opportunities are uneven.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 30, 2026

Federal EPR could cut waste management costs in half: WWF

Producer compliance costs could be roughly halved by following one framework instead of individual states’ EPR laws, according to an economic analysis from World Wildlife Fund and SC Johnson.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 30, 2026

EFS, Merlin, GreenWaste, Valemi get flex film recycling contracts

The US Flexible Film Initiative says it has moved more than 3 million pounds of flexible plastic packaging from California collection programs to reclaimers in the U.S. and Canada for processing.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 29, 2026

Newsom signs law banning single-use vapes that pose fire risk

Waste and recycling groups support the ban to help curb vape-related facility fires caused by the devices’ batteries. Newsom also signed another vape-related bill meant to look into better disposal methods.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 29, 2026

Newsom vetoes recycled content claims bill, blaming ‘economic headwinds’

In another win for industry groups, the California governor said he didn’t want to “unduly burden manufacturers and suppliers” already affected by recent trade policy changes.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 28, 2026

Kanopy integrates recycling monitoring and AI tools under new parent company

Recycle Coach and Re-Trac will become brands of Kanopy to streamline information and data services. It will launch a new waste information app, Curb Coach. Prairie Robotics will become a strategic partner.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 25, 2026

Greyparrot, Circular Services, pilot AI technology at New York MRF

Greyparrot says 89% of aluminum at Circular Services’ Sunset Park MRF is recoverable. The two companies plan to collaborate on projects at the site this fall. 

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 23, 2026

Potential increase of AI-driven e-scrap higher than previously estimated

A Basel Action Network report sought to include the entire universe of electronics used in AI applications, including servers and power supplies. Data sovereignty laws and upgrades could also increase tons generated. 

By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 23, 2026

Circular Services acquisition bets on integrating reuse with recycling

The Closed Loop Partners offshoot acquired Re:Dish. The long-term vision is that “we are offering reuse services everywhere that we provide recycling or food waste services today,” said Circular Services’ Jessica Long.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 23, 2026

California governor signs battery recycling, landfill temperature laws

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest moves update the state’s battery EPR law, as well as aspects of its bottle bill program. He also gave CalRecycle more authority following a high-profile issue at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 22, 2026

Packaging has changed. Recycling systems haven’t kept up, report says.

U.S. households’ generation of cartons surged from 2020 to 2026, while mixed paper dropped notably. The Recycling Partnership released data intended to inform simultaneous evolutions of the packaging and recycling sectors.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 18, 2026

Massachusetts issues $2.8M in waste reduction grants in last month

The two funding rounds address a range of materials, including food waste, textiles and plastics. More than two dozen companies, including Casella and Black Earth Compost, received grants.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 17, 2026

House passes trio of waste bills, including lithium-ion battery updates

Other bills focused on recovering critical materials at contaminated waste sites and updating the Solid Waste Disposal Act. They are all moving to the Senate for consideration and involve new work led by the U.S. EPA.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 16, 2026

800K tons of film, flex end markets to accelerate PCR demand: report

A report from Eunomia and Delterra outlines the challenges and possibilities for scaling the market. It coincided with the launch of a demand accelerator project involving Amcor and Kraft Heinz.

By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 16, 2026

Judge sets date for Colgate toothpaste tube recyclability trial

Attorneys now indicate they plan to subpoena MRFs and waste management companies, including WM and Republic Services, for additional information.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 16, 2026

Passing the sniff test: Overcoming PCR’s odor and color challenges

Sensory issues related to scent and tint pose unique hurdles for brands looking to incorporate more recycled plastic in consumer goods packaging. It’s spurring more creative applications for PCR.

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 15, 2026

New Jersey delays PCR requirements for food-contact packaging to 2030

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection said technologies still don’t exist at scale to reliably meet the requirements. The Association of Plastic Recyclers disagreed, citing concerns about stranded recycling assets.

By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 11, 2026

Rare earths recycler opens first US facility in Arizona

Cyclic Materials’ $20 million site can recover magnets from wasted automotive parts, robotics and other electronics and repurpose them into rare earths and critical minerals.

By Nathan Owens • Sept. 10, 2026