Recycling


  • California state flag and state capitol building in Sacramento
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    DustyPixel via Getty Images
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    Circular Action Alliance taps new California executive director

    The role was vacated earlier this year by former CalRecycle director Rachel Wagoner. The new appointment comes as SB 54 rules are still being hashed out and CAA wants producers to report supply data by Nov. 15.

    By Aug. 28, 2025
  • The exterior of Alterra's liquefaction plant in Akron, Ohio.
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    Courtesy of Alterra
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    Alterra withdraws plan to build chemical recycling plant in Pennsylvania

    Environmental groups had long opposed the proposal, but Alterra says it ultimately halted plans due to a landowner's decision. Alterra intends to search for another site location in the region.

    By Aug. 28, 2025
  • Trendline

    The Rise of Recycling AI

    Artificial intelligence has become increasingly common at MRFs, in collection trucks and even as a tool for consumer education at the point of generation.

    By Waste Dive staff
  • a forklift lifts construction materials
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    Courtesy of WM
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    Recycled content roofing facility reopens in Iowa under new ownership

    The Everboard product’s original founder is back at the helm as part of a new joint venture, which took over for WM-backed Continuus after the facility closed in November. A new California facility will also open soon.

    By Aug. 27, 2025
  • A row of partially assembled trash and recycling bins in a warehouse
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    How Bigbelly reshored its waste and recycling bin operations from Mexico

    What started as a college idea about solar compactors has evolved into one of the more recognizable public space waste container brands. Bigbelly doubled production in recent years and sees more growth ahead.

    By Aug. 27, 2025
  • Oregon State capitol
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    "Oregon Capitol" by ZehnKatzen is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    Wholesalers shed more light on Oregon packaging EPR legal challenge

    Oregon agencies received an extension to respond to the lawsuit until mid-September, per an update Friday. In the meantime, wholesalers are analyzing potential legal issues with EPR laws in other states.

    By Aug. 25, 2025
  • A close up of a tool touching the inside of a hard disk for repair
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    Sasirin Pamai via Getty Images
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    Texas law showed electronics repair is bipartisan. What’s next?

    Some manufacturers and tech companies such as Google are starting to shift their thinking on right-to-repair laws for consumer electronics, farm equipment and other categories as the policy passes in more states.

    By Marissa Heffernan • Aug. 22, 2025
  • a group of people hold signs behind a pile of discarded plastic
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    Courtesy of NSAC
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    Lawmakers, recyclers call for SB 54 regulations that reflect intent of EPR law

    CalRecycle is expected to open the 45-day public comment period on SB 54 rulemaking soon. Stakeholders say some draft revisions undermine the law's ability to hold producers responsible for litter.

    By Aug. 20, 2025
  • Building exterior for Blue Polymers facility
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    Permission granted by Blue Polymers
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    Blue Polymers takes over food-grade rPET pellet production in California

    “Whereas we sell flake to folks that create pellets, now we can sell pellets to folks that create packaging,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services, a partner in the Blue Polymers venture.

    By Aug. 20, 2025
  • Plastic bottles and trash on a beach
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    Waste and recycling groups ‘disappointed’ by lack of plastics treaty

    Recycling groups will monitor the next round of talks for clues on infrastructure and end market impacts. Plastics groups will push recycling over environmentalists’ calls for plastic production caps.

    By Aug. 19, 2025
  • Flexible plastic packaging pouches
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    Romeo Gacad via Getty Images
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    Driven by EPR, brands to offer film and flexibles funding to California recyclers

    General Mills, Mars, PepsiCo and other brands are investing in film and flexible packaging recycling in the state as California implements stricter recycling regulations for the materials under its EPR law. 

    By Aug. 18, 2025
  • A worker dismantles an electric vehicle battery for recycling.
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    Courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp
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    Lithium-ion battery recyclers see challenges, opportunities under Trump

    While the administration has moved to strip electric vehicle incentives and cancel some grants, it remains focused on lithium’s value as a critical mineral for manufacturers.

    By April Reese • Aug. 18, 2025
  • A close up of baled plastic recyclable bottles and containers.
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    varniccha kajal via Getty Images
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    EREF report calls for more data, better reporting on EPR metrics

    As more states and countries adopt EPR programs, the Environmental Research & Education Foundation says data is difficult to evaluate — but it doesn’t cast doubt on the effectiveness of EPR as a whole.

    By Aug. 15, 2025
  • A large yellow front loader moves a scoop of shredded paper and cardboard onto a conveyor labeled "Drum Feeder" inside a dimly lit industrial warehouse. The floor and surrounding area are covered in piles of mixed paper waste and recyclables.
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    Alamy
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    Exports pulled down 2024 paper recycling rate: AF&PA

    Decreased fiber exports, especially to Asia, affected both paper and OCC recycling rates in the U.S., according to the American Forest & Paper Association. But domestic mills increased their fiber consumption.

    By Aug. 13, 2025
  • A side-loading trash truck grabs a recycling cart
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    Courtesy of City of Tacoma
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    Prairie Robotics expands its AI truck tech to more North American cities

    Its recent partnership with Tacoma, Washington, was funded by a $1.8 million U.S. EPA recycling education grant. The company aims to expand its on-truck contamination detection services.

    By Aug. 13, 2025
  • a close-up of recycled consumer batteries
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Battery recycling facilities and programs ramp up in U.S. and Canada

    Princeton NuEnergy’s black mass facility has opened, while Washington seeks comments on its battery EPR rulemaking and two Canadian programs join forces on battery recycling education.

    By Aug. 12, 2025
  • Aerial view of compost facility with mountains in background
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    Permission granted by GreenWaste
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    Q&A

    GreenWaste’s new CEO eyes M&A, California facility expansion for growth

    GreenWaste appointed former COO Clete Elms to permanently serve as CEO of the private equity-backed company. He brings experience leading Australian waste firms and a focus on sustainability.

    By Aug. 11, 2025
  • Aerial view of the Li-Cycle facilities in Rochester, New York.
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    Courtesy of Li-Cycle
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    Glencore completes takeover of Li-Cycle battery recycling assets

    Li-Cycle filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and was down to a skeleton staff in North America. European commodities firm Glencore submitted a bid of approximately $40 million to acquire the assets.

    By Aug. 8, 2025
  • A pile of plastic bottles.
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    ABimagestudio via Getty Images
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    Connecticut’s beverage container redemption rate rose 21% in 2024

    The Container Recycling Institute says improvements like a 10-cent deposit, more return locations and a broader range of accepted containers boosted redemption rates. Meanwhile, some other bottle bill states saw declines of 1% to 3%.

    By Aug. 8, 2025
  • A closeup of blue and black garbage bags
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    futurewalk via Getty Images
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    On-site sortation and valet services aim to fix multifamily waste contamination

    Service providers such as Ally Waste, WasteXperts and Trash Logic are seizing opportunities as San Francisco and other cities focus on reducing contamination rates in their recycling and organics streams.

    By Mary Catherine O’Connor • Aug. 6, 2025
  • Oregon's state capitol building in Salem, Oregon.
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    KingWu via Getty Images
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    After Oregon packaging EPR law launches, wholesaler lawsuit follows

    The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors filed a complaint last week. The trade group is “reviewing all of the various proposals to implement EPR programs wherever they are being discussed,” a spokesperson said.

    By Aug. 4, 2025
  • A trash truck leaves a material recovery facility.
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Casella raises revenue guidance, previews West Virginia growth plans

    Executives noted stable performance in the Northeast and anticipated annualized revenues from acquisitions, but pointed out headwinds from labor costs and truck delays in the mid-Atlantic. 

    By Aug. 1, 2025
  • Green ERI trucks pull out of a facility
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    Courtesy of ERI
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    Q&A

    ERI CEO’s growth plan balances politics, sustainability

    John Shegerian aims to set his company apart from other electronics recyclers with sustainability efforts, personalized partnerships with OEMs and a balance of domestic and international projects on the way.

    By Aug. 1, 2025
  • Seven people's hands holding paper cups come together for a toast.
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    Arvydas Lakacauskas via Getty Images
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    What does ReMa’s new paper cup specification mean for packaging companies?

    The addition is expected to boost acceptance in recycling streams and at mills. It comes as Graphic Packaging International preps a new recycled paperboard mill to accept 15 million cups per day as feedstock.

    By July 31, 2025
  • The exterior of a garbage truck with the GFL Environmental logo
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    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
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    GFL down to 2 bidders for sale of stake in infrastructure business, boosts guidance

    CEO Patrick Dovigi confirmed that the company is rapidly nearing a deal to sell a stake in its privately held Green Infrastructure Partners business. GFL posted growth that beat expectations in the second quarter.

    By July 31, 2025
  • Rear view of a waste truck, with the word caution on its body, collecting a cart in a residential area
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    xphotoz via Getty Images
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    Q2 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2025

    Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella, Enviri and Clean Harbors.

    By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Aug. 5, 2025