Regulation

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    California blocked from enforcing upcoming ‘truth in labeling’ law

    Ahead of an October start date, a federal court has granted a preliminary injunction. The Flexible Packaging Association and American Forest & Paper Association reacted to the news.

    By • Updated July 15, 2026
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Deere settles right to repair dispute with FTC

    The settlement requires Deere to provide farmers and independent repair providers the same equipment repair resources it provides its authorized dealers for the next 10 years, the FTC said.

    By Jeff Kinney • July 10, 2026
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    Courtesy of Circular Action Alliance
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    By the numbers: Oregon’s 1st year of packaging EPR

    Nearly 3,000 participating producers. $167.9 million in revenue collected. Almost 410,000 tons of covered products sold. These are some of Circular Action Alliance’s newly released stats from the program’s initial months.

    By , • July 8, 2026
  • A tank of PFAS-containing liquid sits in a facility
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    Courtesy of Waste Connections
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    Waste Connections to build PFAS treatment plant in North Carolina

    The foam fractionation system will be located at the Anson Landfill. Waste Connections wants to be “proactive” in a region where PFAS contamination from other industries is a source of tension.

    By • July 7, 2026
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Video: Key recycling policy updates so far in 2026

    Waste Dive staff recently discussed notable EPR, battery and chemical recycling updates during a be Waste Wise webinar.

    By Waste Dive Staff • July 1, 2026
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    17 Republican AGs suing over California packaging EPR law

    Less than a month out from a trial in Oregon, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors says it’s joining this California lawsuit as the sole business plaintiff.

    By • Updated June 23, 2026
  • A person sits at a desk with an open laptop in front of them. Their head is hidden by smoke and the hand is holding a vaping device.
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    Amid growing vape waste woes, industry calls for multilayered solutions

    Experts from the EPA, Reworld, Arcwood and state agencies at the Healthcare Waste Institute unpacked complicated regulatory and disposal hurdles, calling for more recycling policies to address end-of-life outlets.

    By • June 17, 2026
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    California packaging EPR budget expected to exceed $9B in next 5 years

    Circular Action Alliance hit a key milestone Monday, submitting its draft program plan with new details on SB 54 implementation. It proposes pushing back a certain source reduction requirement following regulatory delays.

    By • June 16, 2026
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Stericycle to pay $56M in DOJ settlement over handling of prescriptions

    The DEA and DOJ say Stericycle improperly transported and stored thousands of pills between 2015 and 2020, leading to theft issues the agencies say the company failed to report.

    By • June 16, 2026
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    Permission granted by Black & Veatch
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    Sponsored by Black & Veatch

    Why more water utilities are turning to design-build for critical infrastructure projects

    Aging infrastructure. Rising pressure. Why water utilities are reconsidering project delivery.

    June 15, 2026
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    The waste industry spent a record amount on federal lobbying last year

    The nation’s top waste and recycling players are seeing more action on Capitol Hill than they have in a generation. Their lobbying disclosures reveal where they’re most eager to influence policy.

    By • June 11, 2026
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    The image by Jim Bowen is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    California advances compostables, recycled content labeling bills

    The legislation divided major recyclers, organics recyclers and trade groups over mass balance accounting, plastics in compost and more.

    By • May 29, 2026
  • Two hands place two purple plastic reusable cups toward a receptacle that says "Thanks for dropping your reusable cup here."
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    Permission granted by Kellyann Petry/Berry Global
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    California’s SB 54 kicks off a fresh look at reuse and refill collection

    Source reduction reports outlined steep costs to redesign packaging and invest in new systems. While haulers weren’t part of CalRecycle’s study, Recology and the City of Berkeley offer a preview of how they could fit in.

    By Mary Catherine O'Connor • May 26, 2026
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    Maryland battery commission to continue work on fire safety efforts

    The commission will renew its research later this year after meeting a short deadline for its first report. It advocates for battery EPR and will also research recycling regulations, insurance complications and transportation safety. 

    By • May 22, 2026
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    EPA to formally rescind certain PFAS drinking water regulations

    The agency proposed two rules: one to rescind drinking water standards for four PFAS and another to allow some water utilities to delay enforcement on PFOS and PFOA until 2031. A hearing is set for July 7.

    By • May 19, 2026
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    Jury says Texas Disposal CEO Gregory should pay $23.7M in family dispute

    The decision says Bob Gregory arranged deals that caused $91 million in harm to the company and froze his brother Jimmy out of compensation. Bob Gregory said in an interview that company operations won’t be affected.

    By • May 15, 2026
  • Kathleen Koch and Tara Hemmer sit on a stage with a screen describing the Washington Post speaking event behind them
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    WM names sustainability officer Hemmer as next COO

    Tara Hemmer will continue to oversee recycling and renewable energy initiatives. Previous COO John Morris will remain president and assume responsibility for WM’s healthcare solutions business due to another departure.

    By • May 13, 2026
  • A box of e-waste including an old keyboard and cords
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    The US wants to shore up critical mineral supplies. A new tool aims to measure it.

    With few options to assess how critical minerals are diverted from disposal, e-Stewards and Bloom ESG aim to offer granular data.

    By • April 28, 2026
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    A year after EJScreen shut down, researchers envision better tools

    At DC Climate Week, researchers, activists and former EPA employees discussed options to take the place of the agency's old environmental justice mapping tool previously used by the waste industry and others.

    By • April 27, 2026
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    Q&A

    NH Recycles looks to continue recycling work with fresh leadership

    NH Recycles, the oldest organization of its kind, is designed for the long game, said Reagan Bissonnette, the outgoing executive director, and Andrea Folsom, who will take on the role in May.

    By • April 9, 2026
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    EPA proposes adding microplastics to list of drinking water contaminants

    At an EPA event on Thursday, Administrator Lee Zeldin called the proposal a “major step forward” for providing regulators with better research into microplastics’ health impacts.

    By • April 3, 2026
  • A power plant emitting smoke from smokestacks surrounded by a neighborhood with a street in the foreground.
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    States, cities sue EPA over endangerment finding repeal

    A dozen cities and counties join 24 states in challenging EPA’s rescission of a cornerstone climate rule, which leaves cities “to bear the costs of hotter summers, dirtier air, and extreme weather,” Denver’s mayor said.

    By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • March 20, 2026
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    Vaulted Deep bets carbon storage can enable a waste solution

    The company is using injection well technology developed in oilfields for long-term disposal of organic waste. With roughly $56 million raised, it’s looking to pitch its services around the country.

    By • March 10, 2026
  • Clean Harbors at household hazardous waste collection event in Abington, Pennsylvania.
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    The image by Montgomery County Planning Commission is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Safety-Kleen to pay $175K federal fine for maintenance, storage violations

    Safety-Kleen, a division of Clean Harbors, has since remedied issues at its Linden, New Jersey facility. That included fixing leaking equipment and properly storing waste, the U.S. EPA said. 

    By • Updated March 10, 2026
  • Steam rises from factory pipes in a city and the sky behind the pipes is bright pink and orange.
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    EPA delays greenhouse gas reporting as it moves to shut down program

    Covered entities for the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program will not be required to submit 2025 emissions data until October. By then, the agency may have already repealed the requirement.

    By • March 4, 2026