Community engagement is critical to environmental justice progress: NERC conference

Local groups have worked for years to address health, safety and equity issues. Conference participants from the U.S. EPA, New Jersey and reuse centers shared how industry operators can learn from their efforts.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 20, 2021

City Haul: A new class of municipal waste leaders emerges

Over half of the 10 largest U.S. cities have new public works, sanitation or solid waste directors since the start of 2020. Positions have evolved during the pandemic and amid shifting trends in technology and public engagement.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 20, 2021

Macquarie acquiring large stakes in GreenWaste and Zanker in its first California waste deal

GreenWaste and partner company Zanker Recycling's northern California operations include multiple organics recycling facilities. Moody's Investors Service estimates operations are generating $325 million in annual revenue.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 15, 2021

Battery recycling firm Li-Cycle nets $100M investment

Amid other developments in the battery recycling market, the investment from a Koch Industries subsidiary will support the Toronto-based company's expansion in North America, Europe and Asia.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 7, 2021

Rescue funds buoy economic outlooks, but cities eager for infrastructure dollars: NLC report

Many cities lost revenue in FY21, but certain economic and tax changes, plus infusions of direct federal relief, helped them weather the pandemic better than the Great Recession, according to National League of Cities researchers.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 7, 2021

Searching for operational insight, MRFs comb data from AI

As recycling technology gets more sophisticated, MRF operators and equipment manufacturers say material characterization data from AI-powered systems may be even more valuable than the labor robots provide.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 6, 2021

Optical sorting challenges and opportunities

Explore optical sorting solutions for the final stages of material separation in a MRF.

Oct. 4, 2021

GFL Environmental expands Midwest footprint with PDC acquisition

Today's purchase of Peoria Disposal marks the transfer of a 93-plus-year family business that provides GFL with a sizable, vertically-integrated waste and recycling platform in Illinois and Missouri.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2021

California beverage makers struggle to meet upcoming recycled content requirements

Bottlers must use at least 15% postconsumer resin in plastic containers by 2022, and more from there, but a recent CalRecycle report shows many haven't yet hit the mark. PET supply and a strained redemption system are key factors.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 30, 2021

What's next for Recology in San Francisco after $36M DOJ penalty, bribery charge

The West Coast company is looking to move forward after three subsidiaries admitted to one charge of bribery in a deferred prosecution agreement, but it still faces legal action and a push to change local collection systems.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2021

Procuring sustainable coffee cups presents a blend of challenges

Increased global demand and recycling setbacks during the pandemic point to the need for better systems within the supply chain.

By Jen A. Miller • Sept. 27, 2021

Right-to-repair advocates see Biden support and consumer frustration leading to more legislative action

Right-to-repair laws are moving forward with or without manufacturer engagement, according to iFixit, and advocates say there's an open seat at the table for earnest negotiation.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 24, 2021

Upstream CEO sees huge potential in burgeoning reuse-refill sector, including for haulers

Matt Prindiville, head of a nonprofit focused on holistic waste solutions, is at the center of discussions with brands and activists alike about not just relying on recycling to create a more circular economy.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 23, 2021

Wastequip commits to further reducing its virgin resin use

The approach to slashing 25% of virgin resin from the cart manufacturing process emphasizes increasing recycled plastics in Toter carts, extending carts' years of use and telling customers the recycled content in each product.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 22, 2021

Can gig workers help improve litter collection? Philadelphia app aims to tackle the problem

Glitter, backed by tech entrepreneurs and a sanitation worker turned Instagram star, asks sponsors to pay for neighborhood cleanups. So far, Philadelphia's Streets Department is not convinced.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 20, 2021

Covanta, Casella, Vanguard Renewables and others continue the conversation at virtual WasteExpo

The event included insight on industry discussions such as EPR, environmental justice, waste-to-energy, climate change, recycling and technology.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Sept. 17, 2021

2021 highlights from the waste and recycling industry's M&A bonanza

In a major year of acquisition activity, catalysts have included pending tax changes, more expensive environmental standards and pandemic fatigue. Stay up to date with our original reporting and insight on key deals.

By The Waste Dive Team • Updated Dec. 21, 2021

California governor signs full slate of circular economy bills

The package includes bills regulating recyclability and compostability claims on products, restricting exports of plastic scrap and updating the state's container redemption program.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Oct. 6, 2021

Macquarie backs LRS, ramping it up for even more Midwest expansion

CEO Alan Handley said the company's active M&A pace will accelerate with the new funding. The deal marks an exit by prior investors such as Goldman Sachs and Ironwood Capital.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 9, 2021

High-profile bill to regulate recyclability labels signed in California

Legislation approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom, and backed by California's largest recyclers, will bar manufacturers from using the ubiquitous "chasing arrows" symbol unless the state certifies their products as widely recyclable.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 6, 2021

Recycling Partnership grants could boost curbside polypropylene acceptance by 6%

The Polypropylene Recycling Coalition has awarded $4.2 million to date for equipment upgrades as consumer product companies look to bounce back from last year's recyclability access downgrade by How2Recycle.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Sept. 7, 2021

Waste Connections acquiring E.L. Harvey & Sons in notable New England expansion

E.L. Harvey, a multigenerational Massachusetts operation, has a large collection fleet along with sizable recycling and transfer facilities. Waste Connections aims to grow the company's annual revenue of $110 million.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 2, 2021

Brand commitments contributing to higher recycled HDPE prices

The recent run of strong pricing, especially for HDPE natural, has caught recyclers' attention. At least one expert believes market dynamics have decoupled recycled resin and virgin prices.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 26, 2021

Supporters planning national bottle bill legislation separate from Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act

Multiple groups are working with lawmakers to potentially introduce national container deposit legislation as soon as next month. They hope recent bipartisan support for recycling in Congress could boost its chances.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 25, 2021

To improve glass recycling, MRFs look to pilot programs, certifications

Pilots collecting glass separately from bars and restaurants show positive returns, speakers at a Southeast Recycling Development Council event said. Meanwhile, glass recyclers are certifying MRFs with cleaner glass streams.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 20, 2021