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, LRS and more.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 23, 2025

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

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 Megan Quinn • Dec. 16, 2025

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 Jacob Wallace • Updated Dec. 16, 2025

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 Megan Quinn • Dec. 15, 2025

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 Megan Quinn • Dec. 10, 2025

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 Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 10, 2025

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 Jacob Wallace • Updated Dec. 10, 2025

Biofuels get a boost at COP30; plus RNG news from WM, Nopetro and more

A new pledge vows to quadruple the use of “sustainable fuels” by 2035, which groups like the American Biogas Council expect to further fuel demand for renewable natural gas.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 5, 2025

Raven’s $75M California waste-to-hydrogen facility wins key approval

The company is partnering with Republic Services to build the facility on a closed landfill and accept biomass as feedstock. CEO Matt Murdock said construction will likely begin early next year.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 26, 2025

Colorado’s diversion rate could get a boost in 2026 from EPR, other new laws

Colorado municipalities took the lead on improving the state’s recycling and organics diversion rates in 2024, according to a state report. Still, more “top-down” solutions stemming from EPR implementation could help.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 26, 2025

New grants support 37 organics recyclers in the Northeast

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance announced the second round of its Composting for Community Mini-Grant Program, which supports small organics organizations.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 19, 2025

Local grants and recognitions boost America Recycles Day 2025

American Beverage and Can’d Aid announced grant funding for local and municipal recycling projects, while Wisconsin recognized key recycling programs that helped drive diversion in the state. 

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 17, 2025

New York City’s plan for the next decade of waste looks to boost diversion

The city supports practices such as extended producer responsibility and codigestion of organic waste to reduce the amount of material sent to disposal.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 7, 2025

Circular Services buys Atlas Organics from Generate Upcycle

The deal comes nearly four years after Generate Upcycle’s parent acquired a majority stake in Atlas. In the years since, the composter has worked to grow operations within its existing footprint.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 6, 2025

RNG pricing gives companies pause; plus news from Generate, Waga and more

The price of D3 RINs, the marquee credit for renewable natural gas, is down this year. Companies like Waste Connections and WM are shifting RNG decisions accordingly.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 5, 2025

How depackaging is radically changing the organics recycling market in Vermont

Depackagers rerouted significant amounts of organic waste from composters when they arrived in the state several years ago. Regulators now wonder if they can claw back a clean stream.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 4, 2025

New York City has space for more composting, report says

The city can reach 180,000 tons of permitted composting capacity in at least three boroughs with newly identified sites, per a report from the office of the Brooklyn borough president. 

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Oct. 21, 2025

Massachusetts considering residential organics disposal ban by 2030

The state was one of the first to require large commercial food waste generators to divert the material. Now, it's seeking input on a plan to possibly extend the mandate to more businesses and residents.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 17, 2025

Mill partners with DC hauler to take the ‘ick’ out of curbside organics

Mill will offer its devices to customers who sign up for a collection contract with Compost Crew starting at $39 per month. The latter company, based in Maryland, will collect the organic waste and compost it at its existing facilities.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 15, 2025

USDA and FDA food recalls are on the rise. What happens to the waste?

The Food and Drug Administration recalled nearly 85 million units through the first half of the year and managing this organic waste can be complicated. Misfits Market is one company focused on upcycling safe, edible food.

By Leslie Nemo • Oct. 14, 2025

California governor signs organics, glass recycling market bills into law

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills meant to expand composting options for certain growers, extend recycled glass market incentives for beverage bottle production and clarify the role of RNG in state diversion goals.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Oct. 14, 2025

New York’s commercial waste program expands with Bronx launch

Carters earned $16.5 million during the first six months of a pilot zone in Queens. Meanwhile, the industry is pushing back on a proposal to exempt medical waste generators and the city announced 2026 zone launch timing.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 8, 2025

With multifamily pilot, Mill hopes to prove customers use its device even when it’s free

The company shared the results of a multifamily pilot it ran in California. Mill hopes to convince municipalities and corporate partners that its devices earn strong participation, even from customers who didn’t pay for their own device. 

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 7, 2025

New Mexico begins debating clean fuels program; plus RNG news from Vanguard, Ameresco ​​​​​​

Stakeholders are weighing in on how the country’s fourth state clean fuels program will be shaped. As in other states, environmental groups are hoping to nix a policy that benefits renewable natural gas produced on farms.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 6, 2025