Combined policy options needed to remedy plastic waste in U.S., Pew report finds

The adoption of any new policies such as bottle bills, reuse systems, EPR or certain food packaging bans could reduce disposal by 10% to 20% by 2040. Such changes could influence new jobs and investments, Pew said.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 17, 2026

Q4 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2025

Catch up with the latest results from WM, Waste Connections and GFL Environmental.

By Waste Dive Staff • Feb. 13, 2026

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

Recycled content claims bill introduced in Congress

The bipartisan Recycled Materials Attribution Act aims to establish federal standards and ensure the Green Guides are updated accordingly.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 13, 2026

Domestic markets and policy could help weather rPET woes

Speakers addressed domestic rPET’s market challenges during a webinar hosted by The Recycling Partnership. The discussion comes in the wake of recent PET reclaimer closures.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 13, 2026

Waste Connections previews AI, RNG investments for 2026

During a Q4 earnings call, executives highlighted about $330 million in acquired annualized revenue from 19 acquisitions in 2025. CEO Ron Mittelstaedt previewed AI projects for routing and customer experience.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 12, 2026

GFL details headquarters move, EPR and RNG plans

The company is officially relocating its headquarters to Miami Beach, but will maintain its presence in Canada. The company reported strong underlying business but foreign currency translation headwinds to end 2025.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 12, 2026

EPA’s upcoming battery EPR framework aims to guide state consistency

The U.S. EPA expects to publish its framework for battery EPR programs this summer. Industry stakeholders informed the voluntary guide for states implementing the programs.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 11, 2026

Tennessee packaging EPR bill revamped with small business, county exemptions

The bill takes a business-centric approach to recycling, a key difference from other state EPR programs. It also allows certain small businesses and counties with fewer than 200,000 residents to opt out of the program.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 10, 2026

Oregon judge grants wholesalers preliminary injunction in packaging EPR case

The latest court development shields National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors members for the coming months and tees up a trial in July.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Feb. 9, 2026

WM to acquire Waste Resources in California

The company, which offers residential and commercial hauling in parts of Southern California, has franchise agreements in several cities that have provided approval to change contracts over to WM service.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 6, 2026

Agilyx, ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell to split up chemical recycling joint venture

The companies will restructure Cyclyx International. Agilyx will take ownership of the Dallas-area circularity center, while ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell will own the Houston location.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 5, 2026

Recycle BC rolls out curbside flexible plastic recycling to meet 50% collection goal

The producer responsibility organization for British Columbia will offer curbside options in the Central Okanagan region, as well as dedicated bins for apartments in Vancouver.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Feb. 4, 2026

Vape waste legislation and pilots increase due to facility fire issues

New bills in California and New Jersey, and programs in New York and Missouri, aim to reduce recycling and waste facility fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in what some are calling the “vape effect.”

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 3, 2026

New year, new label: PP cup recyclability status changes

The new How2Recycle labels are expected to roll out on PP cups this year. Years of collaboration between Starbucks, WM and other partners resulted in meeting the 60% recycling access threshold, said GreenBlue.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 3, 2026

The 2026 outlook for the waste and recycling industry

Economic and policy shifts could impact waste and recycling business in 2026, including M&A deals, state recycling legislation, and regulations for PFAS and landfills.

By Waste Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2026

Is a better economy a worse environment for waste M&A?

The industry has become a safe harbor for investors seeking stable returns over the last five years. But as it matures, sellers are getting larger and buyers are getting hungrier.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 30, 2026

WM signals optimism in Q4 despite healthcare solutions integration

WM CEO Jim Fish says sustainability investments paid off in 2025, with six more RNG projects and four recycling projects due in 2026. Improvements to its Stericycle integration should help margins.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 29, 2026

Textile EPR back on the agenda in Washington, New York

Reuse and repair provisions are part of these states' proposed textile EPR bills. Meanwhile, California is mulling three options for its PRO as part of its textile EPR implementation process.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 28, 2026

Bottle bill supporters face same challenges, new economic conditions for 2026

Bottle bills will face the same hurdles as in years’ past, but supporters in places like Maryland and Washington hope new perspectives on domestic manufacturing and EPR can help make their case.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 28, 2026

Battery collection tech advances to mitigate fires, manage EPR volumes

Redwood Materials launched bins in San Francisco and plans to scale this year. This follows efforts from The Battery Network to make battery collection safer at retail stores and facilities by using fire suppressant.

By Mary Catherine O’Connor • Jan. 27, 2026

CAA readies California EPR program plan without finalized rules or needs assessment

Circular Action Alliance says it’s forging ahead but is between a rock and a hard place, as business and environmental advocacy representatives also worry about the implications of pressing toward a Jan. 1, 2027, start date.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 26, 2026

Solid waste workers experienced higher injury rates in 2024

Solid waste workers experienced fewer recorded illnesses in 2024, but landfill workers reported higher illness cases. BLS injury and illness data for 2024 was delayed due to the government shutdown in the fall.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 22, 2026

California’s ‘truth in labeling’ law creates uncertainty about carton recycling

SB 343 is slated to take effect in October. Carton advocates and environmental groups disagree over future markets and labeling for the material.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Jan. 22, 2026

New Jersey adopts law to reduce restaurants’ plastic waste

The by-request-only policy for takeout utensils and condiment packets adds to similar laws in states including California and Washington and cities such as New York.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 21, 2026

BPI still seeking compost rulemaking at USDA

The Biodegradable Products Institute is focusing on bringing more clarity to compostable packaging’s future in California, dually advocating for rulemaking at USDA as well as new state legislation.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 21, 2026