GFL closes sale of Colorado assets to Republic; its Casella divestiture gets DOJ approval

GFL Environmental expects to complete its broader divestiture campaign by the end of June, netting gross proceeds of about $1.6 million (Canadian). This specific package covers Denver and other key Colorado markets.

By Jacob Wallace • June 5, 2023

Numerous waste and recycling bills, including right-to-repair and EPR for EV batteries, still in play in California

A right to repair bill, plus a bottle bill update and a hauler work stoppage bill, survived a key legislative crossover deadline.

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 7, 2023

EPA memo clarifies handling and permitting requirements for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion battery disposal should be managed as hazardous waste, according to the U.S. EPA — a clarification it said is needed as more of the batteries are produced and more companies expand to manage the end-of-life material.

By Megan Quinn • June 2, 2023

AMP Robotics settles into new Colorado headquarters as it eyes future MRF tech and AI plans

AMP recently moved into its nearly 84,000-square-foot headquarters with plans to ramp up innovation and get more involved in both primary and secondary sorting. CEO Matanya Horowitz outlined future plans during a recent tour.

By Megan Quinn • May 31, 2023

General Mills, Horizon Organic to add QR codes with location-specific recycling information

The Recycling Partnership’s new tool is meant to provide location-specific information and complement existing labeling programs, namely GreenBlue’s How2Recycle and the Consumer Brands Association’s SmartLabel.

By Maria Rachal • May 31, 2023

Closed Loop Partners fund gets $10M investment for PE, PP recycling initiatives

The investment from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. comes amid national discussions over how to handle less commonly recycled plastics such as flexibles and film.

By Megan Quinn • May 30, 2023

As Sen. Carper plans retirement, trade groups reflect on his longtime environmental advocacy

Industry players say Carper is a “true believer” who includes the waste and recycling industry in environmental initiatives. His retirement in January 2025 will leave the chair of a Senate environmental committee open.

By Megan Quinn • May 25, 2023

Minnesota governor signs bills with statewide waste reduction goal, right-to-repair law for electronics

A sweeping state budget bill contains a new waste reduction goal of 90% by 2045. A detailed report explaining how to get there is due in 2024.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 24, 2023

Debates emerge as FTC reassesses packaging recyclability claims under Green Guides

Chemical recycling, access to recycling as a key metric and the potential for national rulemaking were some of the areas that divided expert panelists at a Federal Trade Commission workshop Tuesday.

By Maria Rachal • May 24, 2023

Pay continued to grow for many top waste and recycling CEOs in 2022

See the latest compensation data for executives at WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, Harsco, Casella Waste Systems and Rubicon in our fifth annual report.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023

WIN Waste Innovations’ first sustainability report touts material recovery, avoided emissions

The Northeast-based company’s initial report includes statistics on the overall amount of material being recycled and managed, though it isn’t disclosing greenhouse gas emissions data yet.

By Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023

US waste and recycling industry worth $91B in 2022, landfill capacity consolidation continues

The latest Waste Business Journal data shows growing revenue and disposal prices, along with an ongoing decline of municipal market share. WM now accounts for more disposal volume than all local governments combined.

By Cole Rosengren • May 19, 2023

Candidate who pledged to restore Philadelphia’s Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet wins mayoral primary

Cherelle Parker, a former city council member and state representative, is considered the likely favorite to become the city’s 100th mayor. Her campaign included a focus on street cleanliness and litter issues.

By Cole Rosengren • May 17, 2023

Reports recommend packaging changes ahead of next global plastics treaty negotiations

The UN Environment Programme and WWF dug into areas for intervention across the product life cycle, like designing for circularity, substituting other materials for plastics, EPR for packaging, reuse and deposit return systems.

By Maria Rachal • May 17, 2023

EPA seeks feedback on its new interactive recycling market mapping tool

The U.S. EPA wants its new map, which shows numerous details like recycling infrastructure locations, to be a comprehensive resource for the country. It says it needs help from the industry to make it more accurate.

By Megan Quinn • May 17, 2023

How a pivotal Philadelphia election could shape the city’s future waste policy

Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary features a tight race among multiple candidates. The Waste Free Philly coalition has asked them to go big and rethink local services.

By Will Peischel • May 16, 2023

Vermont bottle bill expansion bill up in the air as session ends

The bill would add more types of containers, introduce a producer responsibility organization and raise handling fees. Supporters say the changes are long overdue, but Casella says it would hurt recycling systems in the state.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 16, 2023

GFL Environmental’s sale of Colorado assets to Republic Services is pending

This large piece of GFL’s $1.6 billion (Canadian) divestiture package includes post-collection, recycling and hauling assets in key markets such as Denver and Colorado Springs.

By Cole Rosengren • May 11, 2023

Oregon Gov. Kotek signs foam ban, allows customers’ reusable containers at restaurants

The laws will take effect in 2024 and 2025. Some packaging groups say the legislation imposes “costly requirements” on businesses.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 10, 2023

Maryland governor signs EPR, organics and electric vehicle laws

Maryland’s legislative session ended with the passage of several bills meant to boost composting, promote electric trucks and explore EPR for packaging.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 11, 2023

WM CEO Jim Fish discusses the economy, labor automation and sustainability investments

The industry’s most high-profile executive weighed in about what will and won’t be changing when it comes to WM’s strategy on temporary labor, secondary processing for recyclables, anaerobic digestion and more.

By Cole Rosengren • May 10, 2023

Maine governor signs emergency law raising bottle bill handling fees

The one-cent handling fee increase, effective immediately, is meant to prevent more redemption centers from closing. Some brands and distributors think the fee is already too high.

By Megan Quinn • May 9, 2023

Colorado meets major EPR milestone by selecting brand-led producer responsibility organization

The Circular Action Alliance, which includes major brands like Coca-Cola and Unilever, has been chosen as the producer responsibility organization to implement key elements of the state’s EPR for packaging law.

By Megan Quinn • May 3, 2023

Second former Recology employee pleads guilty in San Francisco corruption case

John Porter, former vice president and manager of Recology’s San Francisco group, had previously been expected to go on trial for his alleged involvement in a multiyear effort to bribe a city official.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • May 3, 2023

EPR missing from New York state budget, but advocates aim to push issue forward with other bills

This marks the second year in a row that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s efforts to include producer responsibility for packaging in the budget were not successful.

By Megan Quinn • May 2, 2023