CPGs and suppliers discuss the ‘magic’ of melding packaging design with policy

Sustainable packaging innovation is a balancing act between regulation and eye-catching design, said speakers during The Future of Food & Packaging Innovation virtual event hosted by Food Dive and Packaging Dive.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 17, 2025

UBQ Materials partners with Virginia waste authority to supply carts made from MSW

The new carts, manufactured by Cascade Engineering, are made of a plastic alternative from solid waste. UBQ aims to expand partnerships and production the U.S., with plans to build two new facilities in the next few years.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 16, 2025

Explore the 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

EPR anxiety: CPGs and regulators prepare for generational policy shift

Costs, policy divergence and relationships were a big focus at recent events hosted by GreenBlue and the Northeast Recycling Council. CalRecycle, Oregon DEQ, Circular Action Alliance and others weighed in on what’s next.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 15, 2025

Recyclers call for Ontario’s finalized EPR regulations to move up enforcement deadline

The province’s finalized Blue Box regulations set phased-in recycling rates for plastics but delay enforcement on other standards until 2028, a move that drew criticism from some in the industry, including GFL Environmental and APR.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 15, 2025

California governor signs organics, glass recycling market bills into law

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills meant to expand composting options for certain growers, extend recycled glass market incentives for beverage bottle production and clarify the role of RNG in state diversion goals.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 14, 2025

Waste Pro reports $170M in M&A for 2025, ‘record year’ for municipal contracts

The Florida-based company logged 24 acquisitions and focused on growing its disposal and processing capabilities. It also noted significant municipal contracts worth $520 million in major Florida counties.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 9, 2025

Apex, WM and others upgrade MRFs, spurred by EPR

Recyclers have invested millions this fall on projects in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Oregon. Glacier, Waste Connections and BLT Enterprises are other companies with recent upgrades.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 8, 2025

New York’s commercial waste program expands with Bronx launch

Carters earned $16.5 million during the first six months of a pilot zone in Queens. Meanwhile, the industry is pushing back on a proposal to exempt medical waste generators and the city announced 2026 zone launch timing.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 8, 2025

California EPR stakeholders keep pushing through regulatory gray area

A turbulent year of rulemaking has discouraged some on the SB 54 advisory board. Circular Action Alliance says companies should engage now to be ready for a quick turnaround.

By Marissa Heffernan • Oct. 7, 2025

‘Innovative’ recyclers will weather economic challenges: National Recycling Congress

Tariffs and other headwinds in labor and commodity markets are hitting recyclers hard, but some global manufacturing and domestic recycling infrastructure trends offer a silver lining, said ReMA Chief Economist Emily Sanchez.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 6, 2025

8.5M tons of packaging entered California landfills in 2024: CalRecycle study

The study is mandated by the state’s SB 54 EPR for packaging regulations. It sheds light on how covered materials might be diverted from landfills after the program starts in 2027.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 3, 2025

Casella sustainability update highlights recycling, safety improvements

The progress report, a supplement to the biennial sustainability report, notes the company is behind on its GHG emissions goals but is increasing waste diversion and expanding safety programs.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 2, 2025

American Battery, Call2Recycle, partner on lithium-ion battery collection program

ABTC says the partnership offers more sources of lithium-ion batteries to recycle, namely through Call2Recycle’s consumer-facing collection service, and can help strengthen domestic supply chains for critical materials.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 1, 2025

APR launching its 1st total-package recyclability assessment tool

Citing demand from members and EPR-related needs, the Association of Plastic Recyclers’ tool will test packages against the most up-to-date versions of the longstanding Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 1, 2025

2026 waste and recycling industry conferences

Mark your calendars for conferences in 2026 that will cover key topics such as recycling, waste management, compost, biogas and more. 

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Oct. 10, 2025

Vape waste pilot in Missouri aims to shed light on long-term disposal solutions

Data will be used to craft suggestions for permanent vape waste programs, such as statewide collection sites or an EPR program, said the Product Stewardship Institute and the Missouri Solid Waste Management District O.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 30, 2025

California recyclers look for new PET solutions in wake of rPlanet closure

Some recyclers are calling for more direct help from California state lawmakers and agencies, while others say they're choosing between holding onto the material or selling for little profit in the Eastern U.S. or elsewhere.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 29, 2025

Chemical recycler Resynergi announces plans to leave California

The company faced opposition from local residents. The company is moving to an unnamed industrial location it says offers more streamlined permitting, tax incentives and space to expand. 

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 26, 2025

Tomra to acquire Clynk, operator of bag drop programs in Northeast US

Tomra, known for its reverse vending machine technology, sees Clynk's bag drop offerings as a complementary service. The company aims to expand in bottle bill states.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 25, 2025

How far can EPR drive recycled content uptake?

Questions remain around how to effectively track recycled content in packaging and how to incentivize sourcing recycled material within North America. States such as Colorado are debating this as they enact EPR programs.

By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 24, 2025

The People’s Depot announces expansion plans in Oregon

The beverage container redemption center, which employs and serves canners, is at capacity and expects to process 10 million containers this year. Its expansion is prompted in part by a new state law. 

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 24, 2025

E360S, major Canadian waste company, preps to enter US market

The company is now approaching 1 billion Canadian dollars in revenue and hoping to double the size of its business. CEO Danny Ardellini discussed expansion plans, EPR contracts, employee culture and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 24, 2025

Coca-Cola reports jump in packaging deemed recyclable

The beverage giant’s metrics for recycled plastic ratios and overall virgin plastic volumes both rose in 2024. 

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 23, 2025

GreenMantra receives $10M loan from Closed Loop infrastructure group

The company plans to increase processing capacity at its Ontario-based chemical recycling facility. Closed Loop Partners has backed GreenMantra several times as part of its overall interest in chemical recycling projects.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 17, 2025

LASAN cuts customer fees, mandates organics in RecycLA franchise RFP

The city is resetting its commercial waste program with an emphasis on cost, while making organics part of baseline service to comply with SB 1383. It also aims to give more work to subcontractors despite Teamsters opposition.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 18, 2025