Organics
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EPA announces $117M worth of recycling grant opportunities with organics focus
The new opportunities build on a historic amount of infrastructure funding the Biden administration has awarded for recycling projects since last year, as well as efforts to build a circular economy for organics and other materials.
By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 17, 2024 -
EPA says it has no obligation to regulate PFAS in biosolids in federal lawsuit
The agency filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by farmers in Texas who allege they’ve been harmed by PFAS contamination from the spreading of sewage sludge, or biosolids, on agricultural land.
By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 16, 2024 -
Bootstrap Compost pursues bond program to strengthen New England presence
The New England organics hauler, known for its focus on residential and smaller-scale commercial accounts, has a goal of eventually raising $750,000. This comes as the market is evolving in Massachusetts and neighboring states.
By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 13, 2024 -
New York awards organics contracts to WM, Denali, American Recycling worth $96M
The contracts will add processing capacity for source-separated organics just as the city rolls out its residential collection program in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island.
By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 12, 2024 -
Q&A
New compost program framework offers a starting point for local officials
Resources released by the Composting Consortium, a project from Closed Loop Partners, and Eco-Cycle seek to close the knowledge gap for local officials looking to begin an organics recycling program in their town.
By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 11, 2024 -
What are the federal government’s waste and recycling priorities for the rest of 2024?
The U.S. EPA released its schedule of regulatory actions for the remainder of the year. Plus, food waste, recycling data, and other topics Congress and President Biden could address by 2025.
By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn • Sept. 9, 2024 -
Tribal projects to reduce waste receive millions in EPA, NOAA funding
The EPA announced $300 million for tribal climate change programs, including $21 million in waste-related initiatives. NOAA also announced $23 million in grants for marine debris mitigation efforts.
By Megan Quinn • Sept. 6, 2024 -
California legislature passes textile EPR, SB 1383 updates and much more
If the bill is signed, California could become the first state to adopt a textile extended producer responsibility program. Lawmakers also approved program updates for paint, carpet and marine flares.
By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 4, 2024 -
Recology reports further emissions reductions, plans for new regulations
The employee-owned company based in California released its fifth annual sustainability report. Last year it set new targets to reduce emissions from landfills and facilities.
By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 21, 2024 -
Composters add pickup services for hard-to-recycle items, addressing gap
The small, independent haulers are partnering with recyclers in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts and elsewhere to divert materials. They say customers are willing to pay for pickups amid distrust with mainstream recycling services.
By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 19, 2024 -
How agencies in 6 states plan to spend millions from EPA climate pollution grants
State and local governments began applying for the $4.3 billion program earlier this year. Awardees in Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington plan to fund efforts to address their waste systems.
By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 8, 2024 -
Starbucks piloting compostable cold cups in select California and Minnesota locations
The cups are manufactured from double-walled paperboard with a bioplastic liner, and the lids are made from molded fiber. The two states were selected for the initial rollout based on local mandates.
By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Aug. 13, 2024 -
GFL has no plans to go private, plans auction of environmental services business
CEO Patrick Dovigi said the company received interest from several buyers for its liquid waste and soil remediation business. A potential sale could reduce leverage while funding stock buybacks and more solid waste M&A.
By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 1, 2024 -
Vanguard Renewables looks to expand hauling, logistics with key hire
Vanguard is planning to build out its organics solutions business and offer more services to customers. The company is open to M&A as it grows this division, its first president said.
By Jacob Wallace • July 30, 2024 -
Walmart partnering with Denali to depackage, recycle organics at 1,400-plus locations
The rollout comes after the two companies made their partnership public last year. Denali estimates it can recover 200,000 pounds of food waste per location annually.
By Jacob Wallace • July 29, 2024 -
Investment ‘critical’ for U.S. compost facilities as industry shows little growth since 2018
A blended financing model could provide needed investment into large-scale composting facilities nationwide, according to new research from the Composting Consortium, an entity organized by Closed Loop Partners.
By Jacob Wallace • July 19, 2024 -
Dueling farm bills address anaerobic digestion, composting, PFAS
The House and Senate versions of the farm bill, which remain far from reconciliation, contain changes to programs that have benefited the organic waste industry along with other food waste reduction measures.
By Jacob Wallace • July 16, 2024 -
Marny Investissement takes controlling stake in Anaergia, CFO resigns
The company was able to secure Marny’s final round of investment after reporting financial results. CFO Andrew Spence has resigned and founder Andrew Benedek was replaced in his role as chairman of the board.
By Jacob Wallace • July 11, 2024 -
Apex Waste grows in Colorado with 2 new deals, including WM sites
The Kinderhook-backed company is now vertically integrated after purchasing landfills and a MRF from Twin Enviro Services. Following these deals, Apex now services an estimated 100,000 customers.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 9, 2024 -
New York City Community Compost program funds restored in FY25 budget
The budget, finalized Sunday, expands the number of organizations the program funds and protects it from future cuts. Certain active and planned composting projects will still be disrupted, however.
By Jacob Wallace • July 1, 2024 -
Synagro invests $50M to open 2 composting facilities
The sites in New Jersey and South Carolina add to Synagro’s growing portfolio of biosolids processing facilities. The company set a goal for itself last year to expand beneficial reuse of the material.
By Jacob Wallace • June 28, 2024 -
Anaergia replaces CEO with exec from its investment firm
The Canada-based organics recycling and RNG company's new acting CEO replaces Brett Hodson, who served in the role for one year.
By Cole Rosengren • June 27, 2024 -
Where to begin with anaerobic digestion? New guides provide starting point
NERC and NEWMOA used grant funding from the U.S. EPA to develop a regulatory guide and companion materials, including advice for community engagement, for Northeastern states.
By Jacob Wallace • June 27, 2024 -
USDA opens applications for next round of compost project funding pilot
Under the American Rescue Plan-funded program, the USDA plans to spend $30 million on projects over three years.
By Jacob Wallace • June 21, 2024 -
Mill touts data tracking as a means to reduce household food waste
About a year after customers first began receiving their devices, Mill estimates they reduced their organic waste production by about 20%.
By Jacob Wallace • June 20, 2024