UPDATE: APR expands Demand Champions Campaign with new partners and uses

The plastic recycling association has already seen success increasing North American market demand for PCR.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 21, 2018

Rubicon's sustainability VP talks contamination, markets and circular economy

Waste Dive recently spoke to David Rachelson about the company's new "RUBICONMethod" for setting up and maintaining successful commercial recycling programs.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 21, 2018

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

CalRecycle loans nearly $4M to boost domestic recycling markets

The funding will help a paper recycling firm and a carpet recycling company purchase and install equipment that CalRecycle says will help reduce dependence on overseas markets.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 21, 2018

Waste Connections off to busy start with M&A in 2018

During the latest earnings call, CEO Ron Mittelstaedt discussed why he thinks the recycling model is "broken" and plans for wage hikes due to the tax cut.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2018

ISRI: Overall scrap exports up in 2017, despite China disrupting paper, plastic

Metal exports helped the U.S. see a gain in value overall in 2017, but plastic and paper exports are hurting.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 16, 2018

WM CEO on the 'battle against contamination' and why he gave bonuses

Waste Management's Jim Fish was optimistic after another good year, despite ongoing China headwinds, and hinted at a new robotic recycling pilot. Additionally, COO Jim Trevathan announced his retirement.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2018

Seeking to boost domestic markets, SWANA convenes recycling task force

The Solid Waste Association of North America is bringing together a group of experts to consult with industry stakeholders regarding the difficult time for U.S. markets created by China's import policies.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 15, 2018

China hits Boise, ID again — first mixed plastics, now mixed paper

Due to rising processing costs, Idaho's capital may have to raise rates or drop mixed paper. Officials have also asked to study the costs involved to return to source-separated recycling.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 15, 2018

UPDATE: Houston to resume bulk waste, tree waste collection

Months after Hurricane Harvey flooded Houston, sanitation workers have the resources to collect bulk waste and yard waste once again.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 15, 2018

Los Angeles councilmember moves to exit RecycLA franchise program

The motion asks the city attorney to provide details on the process of exiting the $3.5 billion program. Canceling the arrangement would likely be complicated.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 14, 2018

Nonprofit recycling system in St. Paul, MN ices over

The city doesn't clear alleys of snow and ice, causing some residents to go weeks at a time without recycling collection.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 14, 2018

Connecticut task force shies away from packaging EPR

The group's final report focused more on voluntary solutions, such as using unclaimed container deposits for recycling infrastructure, to hit a 25% packaging waste reduction target by 2024.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 14, 2018

What Trump's budget would mean for the waste industry

Documents released by the White House and federal agencies show new resource provision in some areas — but include cuts in funding for waste sector programs.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 13, 2018

Container deposits are evolving in Florida, Connecticut and Oregon

Connecticut and Oregon may expand existing container deposits, while Florida looks to create a new, two-tiered deposit law.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 12, 2018

Republic CEO on tax 'windfall' plans: New trucks and locker rooms, not bonuses

Out of all our post-tax cut earnings coverage, this one resonated the most. CEO Don Slager described why focusing on retention was the best use of $190 million in cash tax savings during the company's Q4 earnings call.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 9, 2018

Behind the curtain of the Los Angeles franchise rollout

All seven service providers — including Waste Management, Republic Services and Athens Services — publicly addressed transition issues for the first time during a six-hour hearing.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 8, 2018

The Recycling Partnership joins with its first Texas city

The company partnered with Garland, a city just outside Dallas, to distribute 9,900 new recycling carts.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 8, 2018

Dunkin' Donuts to phase out polystyrene foam cups by 2020

The company aims to replace foam with double-walled paper. Could that be a boon for the domestic recycling industry?

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 8, 2018

Inside Baltimore's proposed polystyrene foam ban

Baltimore is considering a politically-popular ban on polystyrene foam food service products. See how the debate is playing out.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 7, 2018

Raleigh, NC partners with Simple Recycling for curbside textiles

Following a model from other states, Simple Recycling is moving to North Carolina's capital to offer free curbside textile recycling.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 6, 2018

SWANA: North American MRFs can learn from European MBTs

A new report highlights the details of mechanical biological treatment facilities, popular in Europe, and outlines how they could influence domestic diversion.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 6, 2018

Louisville, KY publishes 10-year solid waste plan to hit 90% diversion goal

Jefferson County, home to Louisville, currently has a residential recycling participation rate of just 30%.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 5, 2018

What if the Chinese import ban is a good thing?

Enevo's Christy Hurlburt argues China's import restrictions on scrap material are an opportunity, not just an obstacle, for the domestic recycling industry.

By Christy Hurlburt • Feb. 5, 2018

Bipartisan effort underway to expand Iowa bottle bill

State legislators want to cover more containers and increase the handling fee, while the beverage industry is pushing for a repeal.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 5, 2018

Waste Management Sustainability Forum offers a recycling reality check

Faced with new market realities, executives and analysts called for a war on contamination and a move toward sustainable materials management.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 2, 2018