Organics: Page 3

House lawmakers debate regulatory role of federal government in plastics and recycling

In a Wednesday hearing, lawmakers formed stances along partisan lines over several pieces of federal recycling legislation. Republicans took a hard line against plastics bans and seemed to scrutinize shifting oversight to the federal government.

By E.A. Crunden • March 05, 2020

PFAS concerns abound for landfill operators, even as industry sees potential for opportunity

Public outcry and regulations remain an ongoing worry, an issue highlighted at this year's Global Waste Management Symposium. Some also see solving the crisis as potentially lucrative. 

By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 27, 2020

Waste Management's Tara Hemmer says industry needs to be more proactive on climate issues

Speaking at the Global Waste Management Symposium, the senior vice president emphasized a need to be more proactive around emerging topics such as plastics and the Green New Deal.

By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 26, 2020

EPA proposes yet another cut to waste minimization and recycling budget

The Trump administration's proposed budget would add new grant programs, but significantly shrink sustainable materials management funding. This comes as the agency insists it remains committed to strengthening national systems.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 12, 2020

Opinion

Letter to the editor: Starbucks food packaging goal also about food waste

Rhodes Yepsen, executive director of the Biodegradable Products Institute, says a broader materials management discussion is key to understanding the shift toward new waste reduction targets.

New Jersey passes recycling market bill; organics diversion and bag ban stalled

Legislation to establish a Recycling Market Development Council has been signed into law. Sponsors have pledged to revive efforts on other bills when they return for a new session later this month.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Jan. 22, 2020 at 11:49 a.m.

Taco Bell wants compostable, recyclable packaging by 2025

The chain will also remove harmful chemicals like PFAS, phthalates and BPA from its consumer packaging as part of a larger sustainability initiative.

By Lauren Stine • Jan. 13, 2020

Deep Dive

7 pressing questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2020

The year is shaping up to be a major one for the industry's future. We'll be digging into safety, corporate consolidation, climate commitments, recycling policy, organics, PFAS, politics and more.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • Jan. 06, 2020

New toolkit provides guidance on composting food scraps at yard trimming sites

A new resource from BioCycle and the Center for EcoTechnology outlines potential to utilize existing sites amid growing demand for organics processing infrastructure.

By Rachel Perlman • Dec. 23, 2019

New York cuts transfer station permits as NWRA mulls legal appeal

The city's Department of Sanitation has already cut more than 1,300 tons worth of daily capacity, with 21 more permits to go. Industry operators who lost a fight over the law that enables this face an uncertain path forward.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 20, 2019

Climate change becomes widely recognized corporate factor for waste and recycling

While many of the largest companies have been releasing sustainability reports for years, 2019 marked a potential turning point in the level of detail and acknowledgment for this looming issue.

New Jersey Assembly passes organics diversion mandate without landfill exemption

Following Gov. Phil Murphy's conditional veto of a contentious bill earlier this year, legislators are moving ahead with a bill intended to spur organics recycling. Landfill operators with gas-to-energy systems remain displeased.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 19, 2019

New York closer to citywide commercial organics diversion with latest proposal

The Department of Sanitation's third expansion of commercial rules affects a broad swath of food businesses. Some say it's too fast. Others view it as a needed step toward upcoming market changes.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 16, 2019

Vanguard Renewables will operate digesters around US in $200M Dominion deal

Proposed projects in five states will trap methane from cow manure to create renewable natural gas offer "a new way to improve on farm economics."

By Catherine Morehouse • UPDATED: Dec. 13, 2019 at 11:55 a.m.

Dive Awards

Climate Solution of the Year: California's SB 1383

The Golden State's plan to curb waste could have implications for the whole country as it offers sweeping opportunities for infrastructure expansion while combating climate change. 

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 09, 2019

Dive Awards

The Waste Dive Awards for 2019

From operations to policy, these are some of the top organizations and executives that shaped the waste and recycling industry this year.

Philadelphia reports 50% diversion rate, ongoing 'zero waste' progress

Despite high-profile recycling issues earlier this year, the city says its plans are still on track. Waste reduction and organics recycling are among the top priorities moving forward.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 25, 2019

Funding advances for 3 Mid-Atlantic anaerobic digestion projects

New announcements from RNG Energy Solutions and Bioenergy DevCo are the latest sign of an uptick in financing interest for organics processing infrastructure.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 22, 2019

Deep Dive

Trouble in paradise: Recycling a tough proposition for US territories

Devastating hurricanes have strained weak infrastructure in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Guam has newer infrastructure, but still faces market challenges. All are often overlooked in national recycling discussions.

By Genevieve Glatsky • UPDATED: Nov. 18, 2019 at 8:20 p.m.

EPA: National recycling rate 35% in 2017, composting at record high

New figures show overall MSW volumes increased, with total recycling volume declining slightly. The agency also resumed its focus on greenhouse gas emissions reduction benefits.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Nov. 14, 2019 at 1:44 p.m.

Phoenix City Council preserves curbside recycling with rate increase

The city, viewed as a model for circular economy efforts, had run into financial challenges due to a turbulent recycling market and growing population. This will be its first residential rate increase since 2009.

By E.A. Crunden • UPDATED: Feb. 12, 2020 at 3:11 p.m.

New Hampshire legislators call for major changes to meet modern 'realities' of waste and recycling

A legislative committee set out to examine the state of New Hampshire's recycling, but ended up writing a broad report about underlying infrastructure and policy challenges.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 11, 2019

Scaling up organics recycling and biogas projects, in the Midwest and beyond

The BioCycle REFOR19 conference in Madison, Wisconsin covered how both local governments and private enterprise can optimize their efforts with projects that fit regional needs.

By Max Witynski • UPDATED: Nov. 7, 2019 at 10:42 a.m.

What cities can learn from Phoenix's circular economy experiments

Home to a unique incubator, the fast-growing Arizona city has embarked on multiple new ventures in recent years. WASTECON panelists shared economic, logistical and political advice.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 01, 2019

Key stories from the New York commercial waste reform saga

The multi-year fight to pass franchise zone legislation has been tumultuous and complex. Catch up with Waste Dive's ongoing, in-depth coverage.