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 Jacob Wallace • Jan. 28, 2026

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 Jacob Wallace • Jan. 27, 2026

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 Jacob Wallace • Jan. 26, 2026

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 Jacob Wallace • Updated Jan. 22, 2026

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 Cole Rosengren • Jan. 21, 2026

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 Jacob Wallace • Jan. 21, 2026

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 Maria Rachal • Jan. 21, 2026

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 Jacob Wallace • Jan. 20, 2026

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 Jacob Wallace • Jan. 15, 2026

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 Maria Rachal • Updated Jan. 15, 2026

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 Jacob Wallace • Updated Jan. 7, 2026

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 Megan Quinn • Jan. 5, 2026

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 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