Pittsburgh councilman proposes 4 objectives to increase recycling

Currently, most residents in Pittsburgh don't have weekly recycling collection or standard bins.

By Cody Boteler • Dec. 19, 2017

Trade organizations pessimistic on China import policies in latest WTO comments

SWANA, ISRI and the NWRA all filed comments with the World Trade Organization, calling on China to delay implementation of its proposed 0.5% contamination standards.

By Cody Boteler • Dec. 18, 2017

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

Toronto steps up bin inspection to fix multimillion-dollar contamination problem

Last year, about 26% of the collected curbside material was contaminated — each percentage point can cost up to $1 million.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 14, 2017

UPDATE: Portsmouth, VA expects to resume recycling service by end of the month

Signing a new contract will ensure recyclable material no longer goes to a nearby waste-to-energy facility.

By Cole Rosengren , Cody Boteler • Dec. 14, 2017

Report: 44.7M metric tons of e-waste generated in 2016

E-waste had a total value of €55 billion in 2016 from raw materials including gold, silver, palladium and plastics, a new report from ISWA and other partner groups found.

By Cody Boteler • Dec. 14, 2017

ISRI officials detail concerns following latest trip to China

Members of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries' leadership said it was clear that the import policies were coming from the highest levels of China's government — and being implemented quickly.

By Cody Boteler • Dec. 14, 2017

Incoming Republic COO offers insights on fleet tech, China's impact on safety

"One incident is one too many, and you can only have a goal of zero on that topic," Jon Vander Ark said in an interview. "What gets me nervous is the world is getting more complex around us."

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 13, 2017

Dell, General Motors, others convene the 'NextWave' of marine plastics management

The groups are expected to reduce internal plastic — by removing straws from cafeterias, for example — and develop use cases for marine plastic.

By Cody Boteler • Dec. 12, 2017

Colorado Springs, CO prioritized as pilot city for statewide recycling revamp

The Colorado Association for Recycling has picked the mid-sized city, where 40% of cardboard and paper is going to landfills, for its pilot recycling agenda.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 11, 2017

UPDATE: Judge orders Houston to turn over all recycling contract negotiation emails

The City of Houston has until Jan. 5 to produce responsive emails.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 8, 2017

How waste audits can help cities and businesses

There's a push to solve the problem of food waste right now, but that can't be the only focus to hit "zero waste" goals.

By Ushma Pandya Mehta • Dec. 8, 2017

Survey: Bottle deposit reform would be popular in Iowa

An industry association survey said 61% of Iowans support updating the state's bottle deposit, but a survey from March showed overwhelming support for the current law.

By Cody Boteler • Dec. 6, 2017

UN estimates 50M metric tons of e-waste to be generated in 2018

A report from the international agency made several recommendations to cut down on e-waste, including the establishment of policies to remove hazardous material from discarded devices.

By Cody Boteler • Dec. 6, 2017

'Fake news' accusations and plastic bag politics in California

One year after California's bag ban passed, the plastics industry is questioning new litter reduction statistics. Environmental advocates are nonplussed.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 5, 2017

Sanitation Department of the Year: LASAN

This year, the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation launched the largest commercial waste franchise system in the country.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 4, 2017

Company of the Year: The Recycling Partnership

In an industry that is both hyper-local and globally dependent, The Recycling Partnership has become a key national convener.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 4, 2017

Disruptor of the Year: China's Import Policies

No actions from any one company or city, however bold or surprising, have captured the industry's attention in 2017 more than China. 

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 4, 2017

Transformation of the Year: The Reimagine Phoenix Initiative

This year, Phoenix significantly boosted its diversion rate and entered critical partnerships to help it reach its zero waste goals. 

By Cody Boteler • Dec. 4, 2017

LASAN addresses franchise growing pains during tense public meeting

The ambitious recycLA transition timeframe has included missed collections, sticker shock, a nascent ballot initiative and also success stories.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 4, 2017

Chicago recycling enforcement seen as lackluster

The city's Department of Streets and Sanitation has new authority to levy fines on businesses and multi-unit buildings, but so far it's only relying on voluntary tips from residents.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 1, 2017

CalRecycle announces $9M in grants to expand domestic processing infrastructure

Three new projects focused on film, glass and PET are the latest beneficiaries of the California Climate Investments fund.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 30, 2017

Report: A garbage truck-worth of textiles are incinerated, landfilled every second

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Circular Fibres Initiative released a report with four "ambitions" for reducing textiles waste.

By Cody Boteler • Nov. 30, 2017

EnviroMedia launches weekly social media campaign to push waste reduction

The new #WasteLessWednesday campaign, from the original creators of America Recycles Day, aims to keep the conversation going year-round.

By Cody Boteler • Nov. 29, 2017

Vancouver opens pop-up store to solicit ideas on reducing packaging waste

The Canadian city is looking for ways to cut down on the millions of to-go cups, bags and containers being disposed each week, and is not ruling out the potential for new regulations.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 27, 2017

UPDATE: Florida's Polk County approves $1.6M settlement with Republic Services

On top of a hectic post-hurricane contract transition, Polk County has been fielding angry responses about cart deliveries and a reduction of accepted materials due to market issues.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 22, 2017