Scrap Collector: Environmentalists criticize 'narrow' scope of G20 marine plastics goal

Plus: Pacific Island nation to enact world's first disposable diaper ban, and waste giant Biffa convicted of exporting household trash to China.

By Rina Li • Updated July 2, 2019

San Diego approves new recycling contracts, keeps foam recycling

The San Diego Environmental Services Department reversed an initial recommendation to cut EPS foam from the city's curbside program earlier this week ahead of a broader vote on new recycling contracts.

By Rina Li • June 27, 2019

Sorting out the future of mixed paper

Amid the current focus on plastics, market issues for fiber tend to get overshadowed. What does the future hold for all the mail, magazines and small shipping boxes still inundating MRFs?

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Updated June 28, 2019

Lexington, Kentucky, issues RFP to resume paper recycling

After suspending mixed paper recycling in May, the city brought in consultant Resource Recycling Systems to help revamp multiple aspects of its program.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Sept. 6, 2019

Oregon communities reach agreement with Waste Connections to revive recycling

The deal, which comes with a rate increase and the elimination of mixed plastics, was struck by some of the last areas still receiving state approval to dispose of commingled recyclables.

By Max Witynski • June 26, 2019

Plastics-backed pilot shows strong potential for secondary MRF in Pacific Northwest

A 60-day demonstration run in Oregon, using equipment from Titus MRF Services, highlighted the large amount of recyclable commodities that can be captured from residual streams.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 4, 2019

Boston finally reaches recycling deal with Casella

Covanta and Wheelabrator will also retain residential waste contracts. Both deals may be regional bellwethers of higher prices to come.

By Cole Rosengren • June 24, 2019

Florida county urges cities to give regional recycling collaboration another chance

Broward County is pitching a new approach as recycling rates plummet and Waste Management costs rise. Some cities still haven't shaken off bad memories from the last regional partnership.

By Leia Larsen • June 24, 2019

McDonald's testing 'Green Concept' stores in Canada

The locations will serve as incubators for new packaging options and recycling initiatives, such as lids made from wood fiber, paper straws and wooden cutlery.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 21, 2019

Scrap Collector: Southeast Asian activists call for ASEAN ban on foreign waste imports

Plus: Hawaii County approves bill allowing substitution of polystyrene with low-value plastics, and UK government slammed for rejecting textile waste recommendations.

By Rina Li • June 21, 2019

GFL Environmental moves forward on potential $1.5B IPO

The fourth-largest company in the North American waste industry has confirmed its plans to go public by filing initial forms with both U.S. and Canadian regulatory authorities.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 22, 2019

BioHiTech Global sees new MBT facility as a model for Northeast disposal crunch

Entsorga West Virginia, jokingly referred to as "Waste Disneyland," is described as a complement to limited regional landfills. Waste Dive spoke with the executive team about growth plans.

By Cole Rosengren • June 20, 2019

ASTRX report identifies most troublesome materials in recycling chain

A joint project from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and The Recycling Partnership offers recommendations on how MRFs, reprocessors and brand owners can better collaborate.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 19, 2019

Boston aims for 80% recycling rate by 2035, plans organics pilot

A new "zero waste" plan outlines 30 recommendations involving food waste, textiles, recycling education and more. 

By Cole Rosengren • June 19, 2019

Maine, Vermont governors sign plastic bag bans on same day

This brings the tally of statewide bag bans to four (five, counting Hawaii's county policies), with more anticipated to receive final approval next month.

By Cole Rosengren • June 18, 2019

Scrap Collector: Trudeau announces Canadian ban on single-use plastics

Plus: Members of Congress ask Trump for plastic action, and Indonesia announces plans to return plastic waste shipments.

By Rina Li • June 14, 2019

Recycling trade associations still see potential to grow export markets

A new National Waste & Recycling Association program is the latest in a series of efforts to expand markets for scrap commodities, as well as for goods and services.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 12, 2019

Report: Retailers 'failing' at plastic reduction

Greenpeace evaluated 20 grocers and ranked Aldi, Kroger and Albertsons highest when it comes to plastics action — though none earned a passing grade.

By Jessica Dumont • June 12, 2019

Palo Alto, California approves sweeping single-use plastics ban

The city is the first in the Bay Area to ban distribution of plastic produce bags in grocery stores and farmers markets. It also passed a deconstruction ordinance to limit C&D waste.

By Rina Li • June 11, 2019

Scrap Collector: Mount Everest now 'world's highest garbage dump'

Plus: Cruise operator fined $20 million for repeated environmental violations, and France announces ban on destruction of unsold consumer goods.

By Rina Li • June 7, 2019

Republic attempting to exit Connecticut MRF contract via lawsuit

A suit against the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority alleges contamination rates are well above contractual limits. This is Republic's first use of such a tactic post-National Sword.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated June 5, 2019

Philadelphia cancels recycling rewards program

The city has ended its Philacycle initiative amid challenging market conditions and launched a recycling educational campaign to reduce contamination.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 5, 2019

Southern California city rejects new recycling contract amid market volatility

The proposed agreement with Allan Company would have increased Santa Monica's recycling costs from $25 to $67 per ton — or approximately $1 million annually.

By Rina Li • June 5, 2019

Keurig Dr Pepper commits to 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025

Beyond plastic in packaging, this list of new efforts addresses waste, water and carbon emissions — each of which will likely require some shifts in the supply chains of Keurig Dr Pepper's brands.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 4, 2019

Scrap Collector: Malaysia returning 3,300 tons of contaminated plastic scrap

Plus: Labor union protests Maryland county contract awarded to Republic Services, and London mayor comes out against "archaic" incinerators.

By Rina Li • May 31, 2019