Generate Upcycle plans to close anaerobic digester over Michigan EGLE permit changes

The company may close its 150,000-ton-per-year Fremont Regional Digester this month if it’s required to obtain a groundwater permit for its liquid digestate, which has been marketed as a fertilizer.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 1, 2023

Synagro acquires Massachusetts-based biosolids processor with 5 facilities

The deal increases Synagro’s reach in the biosolids world, where it managed 6.5 million tons of material last year. It’s one of the company’s largest-ever acquisitions.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 29, 2023

Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs clean energy package that supports WTE, landfill gas

Michigan’s suite of clean energy bills allows the partial use of incineration, landfill gas, natural gas systems with carbon capture and other infrastructure that environmental groups said harm vulnerable communities.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 29, 2023

Colorado’s NextCycle business incubator looks to kick-start new projects in the state

The recycling, reuse and organics projects it supports are important for reaching the state’s waste diversion goal, according to its program manager.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 27, 2023

EPA announces $2B in environmental justice grants, including for waste projects

The Community Challenge Grants program, which is accepting applications for the next year, has multiple categories that could offer funding for composting, recycling, household hazardous waste management and other initiatives.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 22, 2023

Proposed NYC budget cuts ‘devastating’ for community composters

Cuts to the New York City Sanitation Department could lead to dozens of layoffs, the closure of several mid-sized community composting facilities and the delayed rollout of curbside organics service in two boroughs.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 22, 2023

Michigan governor expected to sign clean energy bill that includes incineration

A suite of clean energy bills would transition the state to clean energy by 2040. It counts an existing WTE facility in Kent County as clean while also supporting the use of landfill gas systems and anaerobic digestion.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 21, 2023

EPA’s $33M in recycling education grants will boost programs in New York, California and more

The funding will support 25 local recycling and organics programs nationwide. Many of the selected programs support training and multilingual resources.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 20, 2023

EPA should act on landfill emissions ahead of COP28, waste and environmental groups say

A coalition is urging the Biden administration to announce a rulemaking to update emissions standards for landfills. The call comes as world leaders prepare to negotiate new climate commitments.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 15, 2023

Anaergia mulls sale of Rialto Bioenergy Facility as revenue declines

Executives hope a production ramp-up at a Rhode Island facility and new deals will offset the impact from Rialto’s bankruptcy and turn the company’s finances around.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 14, 2023

Austin, Texas, releases zero waste plan as population booms

The city’s goal of achieving a 90% diversion rate by 2040 remains ambitious, but Austin Resource Recovery is planning new infrastructure and expanded collections to help bridge the gap.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 10, 2023

Local officials call for organics phase-out, new rules for landfill emissions

More than 50 local elected officials noted that ground-up strategies to bring down landfill methane emissions are insufficient, and called for a stronger federal strategy in a letter to the U.S. EPA. 

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 31, 2023

California projects emphasize zero waste equity by keeping marginalized groups at the center

An equitable zero waste future means partnering with businesses, unhoused people, waste workers and grassroots groups, speakers from San Francisco and Los Angeles said at the National Zero Waste Conference. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 6, 2023

EPA pours $128M into environmental justice projects, including waste and recycling efforts

The EPA chose 186 projects led by community groups and local governments and counts several waste and recycling initiatives among its recipients, including anti-dumping, community recycling and organics diversion efforts.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 24, 2023

U.S. Composting Council, ReFED praise new food waste reports from EPA

Organics leaders noted the reports affirm the U.S. EPA’s preference for source reduction and lend support for composting over anaerobic digestion, landfilling and incineration. 

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 24, 2023

Groups push for landfill methane action from local governments as ‘low-hanging fruit’

New EPA data shows the waste sector continues to dominate U.S. methane emissions. But groups believe new federal funding is aligning with a growing awareness of opportunities to make a dent in those numbers.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 23, 2023

EPA reports quantify methane emissions from organic waste, retire food recovery hierarchy

One report found 58% of fugitive methane emissions at MSW landfills came from wasted food. The agency’s new lifecycle analyses on food waste management pathways also reaffirmed the importance of source reduction.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 20, 2023

Tracking GHG emissions of US waste management companies

Follow the latest data updates from Stericycle, Synagro, Interstate Waste Services, WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Recology and more.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace , Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 28, 2023

Chicago launches drop-off organics collection program

Residents can drop off all kinds of food waste at 15 locations managed by the Department of Streets and Sanitation to help meet the city’s climate goals. The program is meant to make organics collection more accessible.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 17, 2023

Walmart announces renewed food waste partnership with Denali

The retailer’s work with Denali will divert millions of pounds of non-edible food from landfills to create compost, feed animals and generate renewable energy.

By Peyton Bigora • Oct. 17, 2023

New York City seeks vendor to supply nearly 3.2M bins for residential container initiative

An upcoming rule, set to be phased in next fall, will lead to a new era of plastic bins for buildings with up to nine units. The city’s Department of Sanitation plans to bear no cost or responsibility for distribution.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 16, 2023

Synagro publishes first sustainability report as it ramps up SB 1383 compliance assistance

The company is looking to increase its diversion of biosolids from landfills while accepting greater quantities of food waste, eyeing an opportunity to improve its emissions.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 10, 2023

US Composting Council, BPI release product labeling legislative guidelines

The groups collaborated with representatives from WM, Atlas Organics, PepsiCo and more on principles related to product color, testing and labeling claims. They also intend to release a model compostable labeling bill.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 6, 2023

Compostable packaging is on the rise. What are consumers supposed to do with it?

Speakers at SPC Advance from Keurig Dr Pepper, NatureWorks, Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee, Sonoco FRESH and MassDEP talked through the complex questions raised by the uptick in compostable packaging.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 5, 2023

4 composting projects with EPA grant funding: An inside look

The projects in Alaska, Iowa, Maryland and New York will build new compost facility capacity for communities. They aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase organic waste diversion.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 3, 2023