New York City Council passes major zero waste package, including mandatory organics program

The five-bill package passed with high levels of support and is expected to become law. The bills also include requirements around recycling drop-off centers and waste diversion reporting.

By Cole Rosengren • June 9, 2023

Contentious Connecticut waste and recycling bill heads to governor’s desk, without EPR

Legislators cut packaging EPR details from a sweeping bill that includes requirements for recycled content and organics diversion, as well as initial plans for new in-state processing capacity.

By Megan Quinn • June 8, 2023

Clean Energy Technologies, newly public, is working to scale pyrolysis in the United States

Kam Mahdi, the CEO of Clean Energy Technologies, talks about his company’s modular pyrolysis system and its first demonstration project in Vermont.

By Jacob Wallace • June 2, 2023

Colorado governor approves pair of bills to improve compost feedstocks

One new law would require certification of compostable products, and the other would direct a state agency to develop a study on implementing organics diversion requirements.

By Jacob Wallace • June 1, 2023

Biogas industry leaders advocate for standardization, facilities streamlining for long-term growth

The CEOs of Vanguard Renewables and Nature Energy said during the recent Biogas Americas conference that the industry could be poised for a large role in the future U.S. renewable energy mix if it can hone the business model.

By Jacob Wallace • May 30, 2023

Anaergia’s Rialto Bioenergy Facility files for bankruptcy, citing California organics implementation delays

Anaergia hopes to buy time to gain better access to feedstock and ramp up its largest facility. It cites ongoing delays associated with SB 1383 and Los Angeles commercial organics recycling enforcement.

By Jacob Wallace • May 25, 2023

Minnesota governor signs bills with statewide waste reduction goal, right-to-repair law for electronics

A sweeping state budget bill contains a new waste reduction goal of 90% by 2045. A detailed report explaining how to get there is due in 2024.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 24, 2023

California commission recommends a pause on SB 1383 organics law, industry disagrees

The Little Hoover Commission, a bipartisan group appointed by state officials, found that California is “poised to miss” its 2025 organic waste reduction targets. Companies such as Republic Services said it’s too late to turn back.

By Cole Rosengren • May 24, 2023

Environmental Integrity Project urges EPA to adopt better landfill emissions accounting in new report

The EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program doesn’t know which landfills are subject to which regulations, according to a new report. That could change with a newly circulated rule, but advocates want the EPA to go further.

By Jacob Wallace • May 18, 2023

Anaergia shifting to ‘capital-light’ strategy amid feedstock challenges for anaerobic digesters

Projects in California and Italy have ramped up slower than planned, prompting financial challenges. CEO Andrew Benedek urged investors not to “give up hope” on the company, citing the tailwinds behind RNG in its core markets.

By Jacob Wallace • May 17, 2023

Maryland governor signs EPR, organics and electric vehicle laws

Maryland’s legislative session ended with the passage of several bills meant to boost composting, promote electric trucks and explore EPR for packaging.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 11, 2023

WM CEO Jim Fish discusses the economy, labor automation and sustainability investments

The industry’s most high-profile executive weighed in about what will and won’t be changing when it comes to WM’s strategy on temporary labor, secondary processing for recyclables, anaerobic digestion and more.

By Cole Rosengren • May 10, 2023

Rep. Chellie Pingree discusses federal food waste proposals ahead of farm bill debate

The co-founder of the Bipartisan Food Recovery Caucus, who has been one of the more active members of Congress on this issue, hopes that funding increases for the U.S. EPA and USDA could grow momentum.

By Jacob Wallace • May 9, 2023

The next frontier in California organics recycling: edible food recovery

Even Bay Area cities with organics programs are new to working with food donation organizations. Now, local waste professionals are learning additional skills to help meet a 20% edible food waste reduction goal by 2030.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • May 8, 2023

Senate legislation aims to protect waste and compost industry from PFAS liability claims

Trade groups and WM applauded the bill, saying congressional action is needed to shield the sector from unintended consequences of the EPA’s anticipated PFAS hazardous substance designation.

By Megan Quinn • May 4, 2023

Major waste companies spent an estimated $563M on Q1 acquisitions, with more to come this year

Catch up on the latest deal totals and 2023 outlooks from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

By Cole Rosengren • May 1, 2023

New York’s Brookhaven Landfill is closing soon. Is Long Island ready?

A prime destination for incinerator ash and C&D will soon be out of capacity. Winters Bros. Waste Systems has acquired rail transfer assets with plans to build a new site and is looking to play a lead role in the region’s next chapter.

By Cole Rosengren • April 26, 2023

Coalition wants more than $200M in food waste funding in next farm bill

ReFED and multiple advocacy groups are calling on Congress to include greater funding and new policy initiatives at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and EPA.

By Jacob Wallace • April 26, 2023

Boston plans to triple the size of its curbside organics program this summer

The city had already planned to reach 20,000 households this year but will now scale that even more. In the meantime, a USDA grant will help fund efforts to assess the potential for a new organics recycling site within the city.

By Cole Rosengren • April 25, 2023

EPA calls for greater EJ focus in new plastics pollution prevention strategy

The agency wants public feedback on its new plastics strategy, which calls for waste and composting improvements while making operations safer for surrounding communities.

By Megan Quinn • April 25, 2023

Have we reached peak food waste? New data shows changing patterns

New data from ReFED and the U.S. EPA show that wasted food per person increased before the pandemic but may be beginning to decline.

By Jacob Wallace • April 24, 2023

Federal bills for recycling infrastructure grants, composting strategies make a comeback

The two bipartisan bills sailed through the Senate with industry support last year but didn’t make it to the finish line. One could lead to recycling project grants worth up to $750 million.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 24, 2023

Should more PFAS types be deemed hazardous? EPA seeks feedback

The agency already plans to include PFOS and PFOA in a hazardous designation under Superfund law but could now go further. The waste industry has previously raised concerns about possible liability and cost burdens.

By Megan Quinn • April 14, 2023

Boston ‘reconsidering everything’ for its next residential collection contract

Boston’s Public Works Department aims to rethink setout times, containerization, competition and more before awarding a 2024 contract. Meanwhile, the city’s recycling and disposal contracts could be extended.

By Cole Rosengren • April 12, 2023

Anaergia earnings slip after Los Angeles organics collection delays prompt ‘strategic review’

Executives noted the company met revenue guidance, but higher costs caused adjusted earnings to fall below expectations, owing in part to the sluggish ramp-up of its Rialto, California, anaerobic digestion facility.

By Jacob Wallace • April 11, 2023