Organics

  • A large pile of discarded fruits and vegetables, including watermelons, tomatoes, leafy greens, and root vegetables, lying on damp soil.
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    Alamy
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    Washington weighs contamination limits in organics law update

    The state is in the midst of updating its statutory language around organic waste diversion. A proposal would set hard limits on contamination of both organic feedstock and finished compost.

    By • Feb. 11, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Canada explores protectionist biofuel policies, prompting industry pushback

    Regulators recently closed the comment period for proposed amendments that seek to boost domestic production of biofuels. Developers of projects that refine gas from landfills and digesters could be affected.

    By • Feb. 10, 2026
  • A road leads into a facility with a reflective sign that reads "Baldwin County Solid Waste Division Magnolia Landfill"
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    Retrieved from The Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County, Alabama.
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    Treasury releases tax credit language that could spur biogas investment

    The agency released draft language guiding the credit, which was created by the Inflation Reduction Act and extended by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Elsewhere, Waga Energy and others announced new projects.

    By • Feb. 5, 2026
  • A row of garbage trucks are lined up and parked.
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    The image by Kris Arnold is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    The 2026 outlook for the waste and recycling industry

    Economic and policy shifts could impact waste and recycling business in 2026, including M&A deals, state recycling legislation, and regulations for PFAS and landfills.

    By Waste Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2026
  • Colorado State Capitol Building stands across a snow covered Civic Center Park
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    Doug Pensinger via Getty Images
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    5280 Waste Solutions prepares for Denver compost rules with 2 acquisitions

    Backed by Laurel Mountain Partners, 5280 is expanding its offerings for residential and commercial clients with the deals. The company plans to expand its organic waste processing capacity in the future.

    By • Jan. 29, 2026
  • Two tractors move on a field against a clear sky.
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    The image by Brad Tinker is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Worries over PFAS in biosolids spill into 2026 legislative sessions

    The federal government has been relatively quiet on the issue of PFAS contamination from sewage sludge spread on farmland. That’s led state lawmakers to propose a wide range of regulations.

    By • Jan. 28, 2026
  • A bin full of organic food scraps
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    The image by Foerster is licensed under CC BY 1.0
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    Food was one-fifth of waste Wisconsinites sent to landfills, report finds

    The state is exploring options to improve market conditions for composters and anaerobic digesters, including raising landfill tipping fees and reviving a market development board.

    By • Jan. 27, 2026
  • Exterior of the New Mexico state capitol building, which is stucco and prominently features the state seal.
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    Getty Images
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    New Mexico finalizes rules for clean fuel program, boosting biogas potential

    Regulators approved the structure of New Mexico's Clean Transportation Fuel Program on Thursday. It will be the fourth state clean fuel program in the country when it goes into effect on April 1.

    By • Jan. 26, 2026
  • The Department of Agriculture (USDA) building in Washington DC.
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    Getty Images
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    USDA pauses on-farm digester loan agreements amid high delinquency rate

    The pause is expected to affect projects on the cusp of securing loan note guarantees, which are used to finalize project financing. Agency staff cited elevated delinquency rates on digester loans in a letter.

    By • Updated Jan. 22, 2026
  • Two people hold a sign that reads "BioCycle The Organics Recycling Authority"
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    Permission granted by BioCycle
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    Nora Goldstein passes the torch at organics recycling mainstay BioCycle

    BioCycle Media and BioCycle Consulting will continue under new leadership. The company traces its roots back to 1960, when the publication was called Compost Science.

    By • Jan. 21, 2026
  • Two open wooden boxes sit in a backyard with a bucket between them.
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    The image by Tomwsulcer is licensed under CC BY 1.0
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    Outgoing New Jersey governor signs food waste bill teeing up compost rules

    The new law would establish a tiered regulatory structure for the facilities modeled by the U.S. Composting Council, drawing praise from the industry. It also requires local officials to address the state’s food waste reduction goal.

    By • Jan. 21, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    BPI still seeking compost rulemaking at USDA

    The Biodegradable Products Institute is focusing on bringing more clarity to compostable packaging’s future in California, dually advocating for rulemaking at USDA as well as new state legislation.

    By • Jan. 21, 2026
  • A hand brushes organic materials like vegetable scraps off a plate and into a bin
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    Getty Images
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    Community composters are growing revenue and tonnages, report finds

    The Institute for Local Self-Reliance found 2024 was a positive year for small composting operations in its annual survey. But issues like zoning and permitting challenges limit their growth, according to the nonprofit.

    By • Jan. 20, 2026
  • A large anaerobic digestion dome connected to pipes in the ground
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    Stewart, Christopher. (2024). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Environmental groups petition to end federal grants for on-farm digesters

    A new petition seeks to end the Rural Energy for America Program’s support for on-farm digesters, which environmental advocates say do not provide sufficient benefits and take money away from other, more deserving projects.

    By • Jan. 15, 2026
  • hands hold compostable bag
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    Getty Images
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    USDA organics board rejects compostable polymers, puts paper on watch

    While the group is concerned about contamination from synthetic polymers broadly, it’s open to evaluating individual substances or narrower use cases such as fruit stickers or collection bags.

    By • Updated Jan. 15, 2026
  • Eric Adams stands at a podium in a public park on a sunny day. Behind him are several officials and a large bin, roughly five feet tall with a handled lid and a "Trash" label.
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    (2025). [Photograph]. Retrieved from New York City Office of the Mayor.
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    Deep Dive

    Mamdani inherits New York City’s ‘trash revolution’

    Beginning in 2023, New York City Mayor Eric Adams ushered in dramatic changes to the way residents sorted and set out their trash. With a new mayor in office, will the revolution continue?

    By • Updated Jan. 7, 2026
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    Courtesy of ERI
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    Where new 2026 recycling and waste laws are taking effect

    Colorado, Oregon, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Vermont and Washington have new laws, including electronics and battery EPR and right-to-repair policies.

    By • Jan. 5, 2026
  • A bright green GFL (Green For Life) garbage truck is driving down a city street, passing a crosswalk. The truck has the GFL logo with a leaf design and website URL “www.gflenv.com” on the side. Office buildings and pedestrians are visible in the background.
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    Alamy
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    2025’s notable waste and recycling acquisitions

    The year saw notable deal announcements involving GFL Environmental, Veolia, Enviri, WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, Casella Waste Systems, FCC Environmental Services, LRS and more.

    By • Dec. 23, 2025
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    Alamy
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    How the EPA affected waste and recycling in 2025

    The agency under the Trump administration signaled changes to how it regulates PFAS and greenhouse gas emissions and appointed key new leadership.

    By Waste Dive Staff • Dec. 22, 2025
  • A recycling bin on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    US EPA announces recipients of $58M in recycling infrastructure grants

    The second round of Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants, or SWIFR, will support 17 programs meant to avoid illegal dumping, build reuse centers, establish commercial recycling programs and more.

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
  • An industrial facility with large metal domes known as "digester eggs" visible across a river.
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    The image by Peter Greenberg is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    New York may require composters using biosolids to test for PFAS

    The draft proposal to identify per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances earned measured praise from Casella Waste Systems and environmental advocates.

    By • Updated Dec. 16, 2025
  • four blue recycling carts stand next to each other
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    Getty Images
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    Virginia to update state solid waste plan for first time in 46 years

    The draft plan aims to modernize the state’s waste strategy with an emphasis on better data collection, diversion and economic growth efforts. That might include pursuing an EPR for packaging law.

    By • Dec. 15, 2025
  • A close up image of recycled material moving along a belt
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    Courtesy of Amp
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    What’s next with Amp’s MSW contract in Southern Virginia

    Southeastern Public Service Authority and Amp signed an agreement to process the region’s MSW, recycling and organics. The deal includes a pledge to divert 50% of materials from the nearby landfill.

    By • Dec. 10, 2025
  • An extreme closeup of a piece of fiber packaging with "100% compostable" stamped into the material.
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    Getty Images
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    Success for composting and EPR programs go hand in hand: report

    Closed Loop Partners’ Composting Consortium laid out a composter reimbursement framework that PROs could build on. Incentives correlate to greater acceptance of compostable packaging.

    By • Dec. 10, 2025
  • A complex industrial facility in an outdoor shed with the name "Pyreg" printed on the side of a tank.
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    Permission granted by John Day/Orbital Biocarbon
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    Orbital Biocarbon secures key investment to grow biosolids solution

    The funding round led by Toby Z. Rice, a seed investor in Archaea Energy, allows Orbital to pursue more contracts in the Northeast, where disposal capacity is tight and concerns about PFAS contamination are growing.

    By • Updated Dec. 10, 2025