Chicago's partial ban on plastic bags starts Aug. 1

Some say retailers are exploiting a loophole in the law by introducing thicker, "reusable" plastic bags.

By Linda Tufano • July 21, 2015

NYC restaurant owners petitioning foam ban

The owners are calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to reverse the ban on foam food-service products that went into effect July 1.

By Linda Tufano • July 21, 2015

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

Can Vermont rely on its residents to recycle?

Statewide recycling became mandatory on July 1, but what happens if residents and haulers don't comply?

By Linda Tufano • July 21, 2015

Offer could help Omaha switch to recycling carts

A pro-recycling group is offering Omaha a no-interest loan to cover the upfront cost of switching from recycling bins to carts. 

By Linda Tufano • July 20, 2015

Phoenix invests $13M to turn trash into products

The city's $13 million innovation campus encourages market-ready businesses to turn the trash into resources.

By Linda Tufano • July 20, 2015

WV county could end recycling over rate hike

Cabell County, WV may end recycling because provider Rumpke wants to double its cost.

By Linda Tufano • July 20, 2015

Santa Fe officials, residents at odds over trash hauling, recycling plan

Residents have been very vocal in resisting the county's plan to select a hauler by bidding process.

By Deborah Barrington • July 17, 2015

IL governor signs electronics recycling bill

Could the bill only be a stop gap to the shortcomings of the e-waste recycling program?

By Isabella Alvarez • July 16, 2015

Compost fee increase in Oakland, CA leaves business owners upset

Increased costs for union labor and waste services have caused composting fees in Oakland, CA to soar — leaving residents and business owners angry. 

By Kristin Musulin • July 16, 2015

Clear Intentions seeks 100% glass recycling in Denver

The company — started by four young entrepreneurs — is working with bars, restaurants, and hotels to greatly increase glass recycling.

By Kristin Musulin • July 16, 2015

NYC expected to recycle 1.5M pounds of e-waste in 2015

The electronics recycling program e-cycleNYC is now implemented in the buildings of more than 1 million NYC residents.

By Kristin Musulin • July 16, 2015

Scientists develop biodegradable computer chip

Scientists developed a computer chip made of wood that is so biodegradable, a fungus can decompose it.

By Isabella Alvarez • July 15, 2015

Big Water fights National Park Service bottled water ban

The International Bottled Water Association has turned to Capitol Hill to stop the ban that is keeping bottled water out of park concession stands. 

By Kristin Musulin • July 15, 2015

Melitta creates first recyclable coffee pod

The single-serve cups of joe will help combat the growing issue of plastic coffee pods ending up in landfills. 

By Kristin Musulin • July 15, 2015

$1.3M marine debris cleanup project underway in Alaska

Cleanup organization Gulf of Alaska Keeper is working on a project that will collect hundreds of bags of marine debris and dispose of them in a barge.

By Kristin Musulin • July 14, 2015

Dutch company using recycled plastics to build roadways

Construction company VolkerWessels is creating plastic-built prototypes of roads that would replace traditional asphalt roadways.

By Kristin Musulin • July 14, 2015

GreenWaste Recovery opens MRF in San Jose, CA

The new MRF in San Jose will allow GreenWaste to process and recover 95% of materials.

By Isabella Alvarez • July 14, 2015

New 'reusable' bags in Honolulu, HI are worse for the environment

A loophole in Hawaii's new plastic bag ban is allowing stores in the City and County of Honolulu to hand out free "reusable" plastic bags that are actually worse for the environment. 

By Kristin Musulin • July 13, 2015

St. Johns County, FL officials promote recycling with new 95-gallon bins

The extra large recycling bins will potentially help St Johns County, FL increase the recycling rate to over 20%.

By Kristin Musulin • July 13, 2015

'MRF Material Flow Study' pinpoints sorting inefficiencies

Although MRFs across the country are improving recycling efforts, sorting inefficiencies within the facilities are allowing recyclables to go to waste.

By Jonathan Barnes • July 10, 2015

NC bill could eliminate e-waste manufacturer fees

A bill in North Carolina's state legislature could change recycling laws in the state by no longer requiring electronics manufacturers to pay fees.

By Jonathan Barnes • July 10, 2015

Recycling increases 20% in McLeod County, MN due to new MRF

The county invested $4.4 million into re-designing the single-stream materials recovery center, which has allowed for an increase in capacity, community participation, and jobs.

By Jonathan Barnes • July 9, 2015

Plans for NC recycling center stalled due to opposing county, state rulings

A proposed 80,000-square-foot MRF planned for Buncombe County, NC has been rejected by local leaders, creating a challenging obstacle in Regional Recycling Solutions attempt for approval.  

By Jonathan Barnes • July 9, 2015

State-funded project digs for recyclable treasure in MI landfills

A group of researchers is sifting through landfills in Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties to find what the DEQ estimates as $435 million worth of recyclable metal, glass, paper and plastics. 

By Jonathan Barnes • July 8, 2015

SC recycling company turns 100% of coal ash into usable product

Instead of sending coal ash to a landfill, Santee Cooper is sending ash to SEFA Group, where 100% of the ash waste is being recycled into a usable product for cement. 

By Jonathan Barnes • July 8, 2015