WM lowers 2023 guidance due to commodity prices but reports ‘solid results’ despite headwinds

WM CEO Jim Fish said he was pleased with how the company managed inflation, commodity and volume headwinds to end the second quarter.

By Megan Quinn • July 26, 2023

Casella Waste’s $20M Boston MRF upgrade positions company for long-term regional growth

A major retrofit at one of the nation’s largest MRFs comes with expanded capacity, lower staffing, cleaner material and new AI capabilities. Waste Dive toured the facility shortly after its reopening.

By Cole Rosengren • July 26, 2023

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

House Appropriations Committee approves slashing EPA budget, pulling back EJ grants

The budget approved last week would cut EPA’s budget by 39% and rescind Inflation Reduction Act-funded climate grants, but it also called for more attention to chemical recycling and plastic-based fuel research.

By Megan Quinn • July 24, 2023

How Glendale’s solid waste department built its digital future

Glendale’s solid waste department is set to save 24,000 miles annually by optimizing its operations.

July 24, 2023

Amazon phasing out plastic mailers and working to reduce e-commerce packaging

While 92% of its packaging material weight in the U.S. and Canada is recyclable curbside, Amazon intends to further eliminate hard-to-recycle materials and has seen a boost in deliveries that ship in their own containers.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 21, 2023

Wastequip touts recycled Toter cart, safety and diversity in first ESG report

The company has been working to align its goals through a corporate responsibility program since 2020. The report reveals the carbon intensity of certain products and progress in using recycled resins in Toter products.

By Jacob Wallace • July 20, 2023

Bottle bill report aims to debunk claims that program costs hurt beverage sales

The report, led by the Container Recycling Institute and Reloop, says there’s no evidence container deposit system costs impact sales. Cost concerns were among the reasons Vermont’s governor vetoed a recent bottle bill update.

By Megan Quinn • July 20, 2023

Nova Chemicals, Novolex collaborate on facility for making PE from mechanically recycled film

The plant will deliver 100 million pounds of recycled polyethylene annually when it reaches full capacity, which Nova expects to occur in 2025.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 19, 2023

Oregon governor signs hauler-supported electronics EPR bill covering more devices

The state’s 14-year-old program is being refreshed with a host of newly added items that will be accepted come 2026.

By Megan Quinn • July 18, 2023

Coca-Cola to source rPET from Republic Services’ upcoming polymer centers

The company is the first announced customer for a new network of secondary plastic recycling facilities as it aims to use at least 50% recycled material in its packaging by 2030.

By Maria Rachal • July 17, 2023

WIN Waste resets leadership team, elevating Mayo to CEO

Dan Mayo, formerly CFO, is now leading the New Hampshire-based company. Bob Boucher is stepping back after an eight-year tenure that included multiple acquisitions and growth to more than $1 billion in annual revenue.

By Cole Rosengren • July 14, 2023

Minnesota looks to reduce Twin Cities’ waste fast as disposal capacity tightens

A proposed 20-year plan for the metro area places an emphasis on strategies to reduce waste at its source and would require local governments to make numerous changes in collection programs and other policies.

By Jacob Wallace • July 13, 2023

Michigan lawmakers reintroduce proposal to cover more categories under 10-cent bottle bill

Lawmakers have proposed updates to the bottle bill for several years. The latest version calls for adding more containers and funneling more funds to dealers, environmental cleanups and fraud investigations.

By Megan Quinn • July 12, 2023

PIRG report urges ban on disposable e-cigarettes to curb waste, battery fire risk

A Public Interest Research Group report says banning disposable e-cigarettes is necessary to mitigate growing levels of pollution and reduce lithium-ion battery fire risk. The nonprofit supports state and federal legislation to help.

By Megan Quinn • July 11, 2023

Wash-off labels continue to gain ground as brands look to make their containers more readily recyclable

While the concept has been around for years, the emergence of producer responsibility laws and other recycling targets could make it more mainstream.

By Hollie Stephens • July 10, 2023

Vermont Gov. Scott vetoes bottle bill expansion; advocates look to legislature for override

The affected bill would have expanded the types of containers the state’s program covered, among other changes. Scott cited a preference for separate single-stream recycling efforts in his veto message.

By Cole Rosengren • July 5, 2023

Casella Waste completes $525M acquisition of GFL Environmental’s mid-Atlantic assets

The purchase of hauling, transfer and MRF assets in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania is Casella’s largest deal in years. It also marks the final step in GFL’s divestiture plan.

By Cole Rosengren • July 5, 2023

Pratt Industries opens $253M box factory in Texas

The advanced manufacturing facility, the company’s fifth in Texas, will produce 100% recycled corrugated boxes and provide 375 “green-collar manufacturing jobs.”

By Katie Pyzyk • July 3, 2023

Connecticut governor signs waste bill into law but cites ‘concerns’ over long-term sustainability

Gov. Ned Lamont said the law won’t divert as much waste from disposal or help prevent more waste from being shipped out of state compared with the version of the bill he first introduced.

By Megan Quinn • June 30, 2023

Waterhouse: Less plastic production, stronger state laws could curb environmental justice impacts

At an environmental law panel, former EPA official Carlton Waterhouse said plastic production reduction must be part of U.S. efforts to fight environmental injustices, a view he hadn’t voiced during his time at the agency.

By Megan Quinn • June 29, 2023

Republic Services plans upgrades at recently-acquired Massachusetts MRF

Republic now has two MRFs in the state after acquiring a single-stream facility from JRM Hauling & Recycling in 2022. Waste Dive took a recent tour.

By Cole Rosengren • June 28, 2023

Demand for recycled plastic in packaging is growing. So are concerns about potential health risks.

Recent studies have raised questions about health effects from plastic, including recycled material, as companies and regulators increasingly look at ways to advance the use of recycled resin in food-grade packaging.

By April Reese • June 28, 2023

Electronics recycler Sunnking sees a new Smithsonian exhibit as a platform for consumer awareness

The company lent about 300 old phones to the museum, hoping to bring attention to the importance of electronic recycling and repair.

By Megan Quinn • June 28, 2023

Closed Loop and Balcones Resources to operate new MRF in Toledo, Ohio

Final terms aren’t yet set, but Balcones is expected to receive, process and market recyclables at the facility that is scheduled to be built in 2025. Tetra Tech will design the MRF.

By Megan Quinn • June 23, 2023

CG Roxane launches second in-house rPET plant to supply bottled water operations

The company also upped its bottles’ minimum recycled content to 50%, which is expected to save nearly 33,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 20, 2023