2020 could be the year of legislative boom – or bust – for national recycling policy

An influx of legislation in Congress aims to tackle problems facing the recycling industry amid rising public attention. The bills range widely in their industry backers and odds of success.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 29, 2020

Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress

The House reintroduced the bipartisan Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act, a bill that would offer grants to improve recycling access in underserved communities. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 11, 2025

Notable waste industry M&A activity continues in 2020

With confirmed deals by GFL Environmental, Waste Connections and Interstate Waste Solutions, the year is off to a busy start. The pending Waste Management-Advanced Disposal deal is among more to come.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 29, 2020

Nestlé backs amendment to bill mandating PCR for plastic bottles in Maine

Joining multiple environmental groups, Nestlé Waters North America is pushing requirements for plastic bottles to have 30% PCR by 2030. The beverage giant is among many that need much more material to hit sustainability goals.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 27, 2020

Letter to the editor: Starbucks food packaging goal also about food waste

Rhodes Yepsen, executive director of the Biodegradable Products Institute, says a broader materials management discussion is key to understanding the shift toward new waste reduction targets.

Jan. 27, 2020

Coca-Cola says it won't ban plastic bottles because consumers like them

Head of Sustainability Bea Perez said people like being able to reseal the drinks in lightweight packaging, adding that alternatives could push up the company's carbon footprint and hurt sales. 

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 27, 2020

Starbucks ramps up waste reduction goals, focusing on reusable and recyclable cups

The coffee giant's "resource positive" goals seek 50% reduction in waste sent to landfills by 2030. Its emphasis on changing cup design for recyclability, as opposed to compostables, differs from some competitors.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 24, 2020

California Senate votes against EPR changes for struggling bottle bill

Beverage distributors would have been required to form a product stewardship organization for container collection. The state's container redemption program has experienced mounting financial strain.

By Katie Pyzyk , Cole Rosengren • Updated Jan. 31, 2020

Every Bottle Back initiative targets multifamily recycling, MRF upgrades in Dallas-Fort Worth

The initiative will partner with city officials to pour $3 million into improvements to a Balcones Resources MRF, in addition to targeting low recycling rates at multifamily housing complexes. 

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 22, 2020

California plastics tax ballot initiative on track for 2022 following court ruling

Recology, a key backer of the proposal, successfully petitioned for an extension of the signature gathering process due to recent pandemic disruptions.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 6, 2020

Nestlé to invest up to $2B in sustainable packaging

The global company wants to lead the shift to food-grade recycled plastics and accelerate the development of more environmentally friendly solutions with a venture fund.

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 17, 2020

Waste Connections acquires regional hauler and MRF operator Penn Waste

Founded in 2000, Penn Waste has grown to include a collection fleet that services counties throughout South Central Pennsylvania and one of the largest residential MRFs in the United States. This marks the latest in a series of major industry acquisitions.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Jan. 21, 2020

If you're not recycling glass are you really recycling?

As more municipalities drop glass over financial pressure, processors maintain the market is viable. Neil Seldman of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance argues glass is still essential.

By Neil Seldman • Updated Jan. 17, 2020

India to enforce 1% contamination rate on paper imports, conduct random inspections

The enforcement could affect U.S. fiber imports at a time when India was expected to increase its paper consumption. Yet parts of this policy have been in place for years so it remains unclear how widespread the effects could be.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 15, 2020

New Jersey passes recycling market bill; organics diversion and bag ban stalled

Legislation to establish a Recycling Market Development Council has been signed into law. Sponsors have pledged to revive efforts on other bills when they return for a new session later this month.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Jan. 22, 2020

Southern Recycling ending curbside recycling in Kentucky county, nearby counties face hurdles

Warren County is seeking a replacement program, but it is unclear what commodities will be included. Other local counties are choosing to scrap their programs without immediate replacements on the horizon. 

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 13, 2020

Taco Bell wants compostable, recyclable packaging by 2025

The chain will also remove harmful chemicals like PFAS, phthalates and BPA from its consumer packaging as part of a larger sustainability initiative.

By Lauren Manning • Jan. 13, 2020

Detroit receives $800K in grants for major residential and commercial recycling expansion

New funding from The Recycling Partnership and Michigan EGLE will be used to deploy more than 17,000 recycling carts and enhance education. Sustainability Director Joel Howrani Heeres shares more on the city's strategy.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Jan. 9, 2020

GFL Environmental closes $380M acquisition of Michigan-based American Waste

The deal will expand GFL's presence into northern Michigan with a landfill, MRF, C&D recycling facility, collection fleet and other assets.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Feb. 4, 2020

Recycling labor series landing page

Recycling labor series This series is about challenging working conditions, ongoing injury/fatality trends and potential future of automation in U.S. recycling facilities. Part I ...

By Nami Sumida • Jan. 8, 2020

DC weighs new expanded polystyrene ban amid national focus on plastics

The District of Columbia is part of a growing trend of local and state governments embracing increasingly bold measures to curb pollution and address environmental concerns. 

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 8, 2020

7 pressing questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2020

The year is shaping up to be a major one for the industry's future. We'll be digging into safety, corporate consolidation, climate commitments, recycling policy, organics, PFAS, politics and more.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • Jan. 6, 2020

New York governor proposes statewide polystyrene foam ban

Gov. Andrew Cuomo claims the policy would be the "strongest" in the country. The proposal could also give the Department of Environmental Conservation authority to limit or ban other packaging material.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Jan. 13, 2020

Can Loop disrupt society's packaging habit? Inside TerraCycle's grand experiment

The reusable shopping platform, which launched with big hype and is now eyeing retail, has already raised one key question in its early days: What are the true costs of convenience?

By Karine Vann • Updated Dec. 23, 2019

Climate change becomes widely recognized corporate factor for waste and recycling

While many of the largest companies have been releasing sustainability reports for years, 2019 marked a potential turning point in the level of detail and acknowledgment for this looming issue.

Dec. 20, 2019