California approves labor-backed force majeure updates and other laws

Gov. Newsom signed a union-backed bill updating hauler franchise labor rules a few years after vetoing a similar bill. He also approved bills related to carpet recycling, bottle bill fees and food waste prevention. 

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 29, 2026

Newsom signs law banning single-use vapes that pose fire risk

Waste and recycling groups support the ban to help curb vape-related facility fires caused by the devices’ batteries. Newsom also signed another vape-related bill meant to look into better disposal methods.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 29, 2026

Newsom vetoes recycled content claims bill, blaming ‘economic headwinds’

In another win for industry groups, the California governor said he didn’t want to “unduly burden manufacturers and suppliers” already affected by recent trade policy changes.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 28, 2026

DOE nuclear ‘innovation campuses’ could bring waste industry opportunities

The Trump administration is considering multiple states to host nuclear fuel and waste sites. Demand for nuclear energy may be increasing after years of deadlock.

By April Reese • Sept. 23, 2026

California governor signs battery recycling, landfill temperature laws

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest moves update the state’s battery EPR law, as well as aspects of its bottle bill program. He also gave CalRecycle more authority following a high-profile issue at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 22, 2026

Why design-build is best for modernizing wastewater facilities

See how collaborative delivery turned tight constraints into an award-winning model for wastewater modernization.

Sept. 21, 2026

House passes trio of waste bills, including lithium-ion battery updates

Other bills focused on recovering critical materials at contaminated waste sites and updating the Solid Waste Disposal Act. They are all moving to the Senate for consideration and involve new work led by the U.S. EPA.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 16, 2026

Landfill operators push back on New York state leachate proposal

Regulators want to set a 99.9% removal requirement for a wide range of contaminants, inlcuding PFAS. But operators such as WM and Casella say the proposal is unworkable as currently written.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 14, 2026

New Jersey delays PCR requirements for food-contact packaging to 2030

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection said technologies still don’t exist at scale to reliably meet the requirements. The Association of Plastic Recyclers disagreed, citing concerns about stranded recycling assets.

By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 11, 2026

‘The wait is over:’ IRS releases clean fuel credit guidance

An update released Tuesday affirms some of the key provisions that biogas producers had hoped to see, including specific carbon accounting for fuels derived from different manure feedstocks and food waste.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 9, 2026

California legislators pass key bills affecting haulers and recyclers

A bill that could change hauler franchise agreements, plus bills to manage medium-format batteries, vape waste, food donations and landfill temperature events, are nearing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated Sept. 2, 2026

Oregon EPR law doesn’t violate Constitution, judge rules

The federal judge disagreed with plaintiff National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors’ claims, saying Oregon showed “innovative leadership” with its EPR law. The decision could influence other in-progress litigation over EPR laws.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Aug. 28, 2026

Messy packaging EPR process provides opportunities for brands, recyclers

Moving forward with EPR implementation is a complex process, but one that offers new ways to build better systems for long-term recycling improvements, speakers said during a Be Waste Wise panel on Wednesday.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 27, 2026

TPS terminations prompt hiring, training changes for waste industry

Waste Pro said at least 33 of its workers were affected by TPS changes after a Supreme Court ruling in June. The waste industry has also been impacted by a CDL rule change affecting some immigrants.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 21, 2026

California EPR lawsuit escalates as forthcoming Oregon ruling looms

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and 17 AGs are seeking to block SB 54 enforcement. Their complaint also now accounts for tie-ins with recyclability law SB 343, for which enforcement is temporarily blocked.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 21, 2026

Toast among first companies sued under Colorado’s electronics repair law

Acme Revival, which connects customers with electronics repair technicians, also sued Owl Labs and Blackmagic Design, saying the companies refused to provide parts and schematics required by law.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 20, 2026

US Plastics Pact removes transport EPS from ‘problematic’ list

This is the first time the group has removed an item from the approximately four-year-old list. A broader review of the materials on the list is underway.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 19, 2026

Widespread errors found in EPA’s E-Manifest hazardous waste system

The agency’s inspector general found that just 0.5% of hazardous waste shipments were recorded in the tracking system electronically, many of which had errors. EPA is mulling a switch forcing an end to paper manifests.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 19, 2026

Nearly 60 members of Congress call for aluminum pricing investigation

At issue is the Midwest Premium, which reportedly incorporates the 50% aluminum tariffs on domestic manufacturers — even those that use domestically recycled aluminum. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Aug. 19, 2026

Judges reject waste sector challenge to EPA’s PFAS hazardous designation

The decision maintains PFOS and PFOA as hazardous substances under CERCLA. NWRA and others sued the agency in 2024, saying EPA overstepped its authority and created industry liability.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 18, 2026

California compostables bills, opposed by BPI, won’t advance

“This is a major, but short-term, accomplishment in California,” said BPI Executive Director Rhodes Yepsen. Also this summer, USDA previewed plans to potentially update organics regulations.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 18, 2026

Environmental groups push for strengthened leachate rules in New York

New York River Watch, a group formed by riverkeeper advocates, seeks to expand a proposed state rule to require landfill leachate pretreatment. They tracked the fate of half a billion gallons of leachate in a new report.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 17, 2026

Washington regulators eye hauling rule changes following DTG settlement

A Washington commission will examine how MRF residuals are handled under state regulations, a move that stems from a legal settlement with DTG. WRRA, WM, Waste Connections and others weighed in.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 17, 2026

Circular Services eyes battery detection tech for proactive fire safety

The company discussed plans to test the tech during a webinar, while speakers from NWRA and other industry groups promoted state and federal bills meant to improve fire safety and collections for batteries.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 14, 2026

Tracking Plastic Act proposes advancing recycled content standards

The bill introduced by California Democrat Adam Schiff comes as debate swirls about what counts as recycled content in plastic packaging and how it should be labeled.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 3, 2026