Recycling

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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
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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
  • 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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    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 on Tuesday, 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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    Courtesy of Carton Council
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    More California MRFs are sorting cartons, easing recent recycling concerns

    New data says the number of carton-sorting MRFs has expanded to serve 62% of California counties, back above a key “recyclable” threshold as part of the upcoming “truth in labeling” law. But recycling rates remain low.

    By • June 29, 2026
  • Trash truck with recycLA logo driving in Los Angeles
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    GreenWaste, CR&R, Valley Vista bid to enter Los Angeles franchise market

    The commercial and multifamily RecycLA program consists of 11 zones and more than 66,000 customers. Existing haulers WM, Republic Services, Athens Services and others also bid on the eight-year contracts.

    By • Updated June 26, 2026
  • Worker in safety helmet and vest sorts through recyclables on conveyor belt
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    Courtesy of WM
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    WM to take over Seattle recyclables processing contract in 2027

    The new contract, long held by Republic Services subsidiary Rabanco, is meant to help fetch better commodities prices and divert more material from disposal, Seattle Public Utilities said.

    By • June 25, 2026
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    Katie Pyzyk/Waste Dive
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    4 EPR takeaways from the Packaging Recycling Summit

    Brands, local governments and nonprofit organizations discussed extended producer responsibility compliance tensions and solutions during the conference from June 15-17.

    By • June 24, 2026
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    Getty Images
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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 June 23, 2026
  • A worker in a hard hat looks at a conveyor belt with recyclable materials
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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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    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
  • People placing bottles in recycling bin
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    Getty Images
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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
  • Flexible plastic packaging pouches
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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