Where USDA allotted $11.5M to 38 composting and food waste projects in 2023

The grants will enhance access to organics drop-off sites in several areas and build on existing capacity in dozens of localities nationwide.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 31, 2024

New York City awards historic commercial waste zone contracts ahead of September transition

Action Environmental and Waste Connections each netted more than a dozen contracts. Other locally based companies also received multiple awards.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Jan. 30, 2024

The waste and recycling industry outlook for 2024

Recycling policy, PFAS regulations, landfill methane, organics infrastructure and M&A are all expected to be key topics for the year ahead.

By Waste Dive Staff • Jan. 29, 2024

LanzaJet opens world’s first plant turning ethanol into sustainable jet fuel

The Georgia facility is set to open additional markets for corn growers, though a lack of proper refining capacity could limit opportunities for farmers.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 26, 2024

Zero-waste advocates see opportunity in EPA’s $4.6B GHG reduction grants

The U.S. EPA is offering funding for states, municipalities and tribes to implement major climate projects. Advocates say that interested groups need to be part of local plans by March 1.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 25, 2024

RNG industry expects voluntary agreements, new credits to spur growth in 2024

The renewable natural gas industry saw more than 60 projects come online last year. This year, it’s expecting to build on that growth as the industry matures.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 22, 2024

New York solid waste plan calls for disposal surcharge, expanded food diversion requirements

The new plan includes several focus areas and recommendations to reach a goal of 85% recycling of the total waste stream, as well as lower waste emissions, by 2050. It also supports extended producer responsibility laws.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 17, 2024

Long Beach, California, WTE facility closing; city negotiating digester plan with Bioenergy Devco

After years of financial difficulties, the Covanta-operated Southeast Resource Recovery Facility is shutting down this month. Long Beach is looking to build organics processing capacity in its place via a pending RFP.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 11, 2024

5 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2024

The evolving M&A market, the rise of EPR, pending PFAS regulations, renewable natural gas and methane reduction are some of the biggest issues facing the industry this year.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2024

Food waste declined slightly in 2022, but progress was limited: ReFED

The latest update to nonprofit ReFED’s data engine offered new details on food waste but found little change in how surplus food is handled once it enters the waste stream.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 4, 2024

Here’s where waste, recycling and organics laws changed on Jan. 1

California, Connecticut, Washington and Rhode Island are among the jurisdictions enforcing new laws, including bottle bill updates and organics mandates.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 2, 2024

By the numbers: Key 2023 waste and recycling trends

Look back on the year through data points on issues such as labor, M&A, federal funding, state policy and commodity pricing.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Dec. 22, 2023

Los Angeles commercial waste system at a crossroads amid contract renegotiation

The recycLA program has seen positive results, but haulers are lagging on diversion targets and organics service. The city, while trying to amend the program, could issue a new RFP or even take over service itself.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 21, 2023

CalRecycle announces $130M in grants for SB 1383 organics projects

The funding goes toward a range of public and private awardees, including operations run by Agromin, Republic Services and a variety of local governments.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 20, 2023

EPA’s historic year of multi-million-dollar investments in recycling and organics projects

The U.S. EPA announced grants in 2023 meant to boost infrastructure projects, recycling education, environmental justice initiatives and more. 

By Waste Dive Staff • Dec. 20, 2023

Women’s leadership a key to stronger waste workforce, networking groups say

Rachel Oster and Melissa Young, two professionals that help lead the women’s leadership groups WISR and W4R, say connecting women at every level of the industry will create stronger companies and organizations.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 19, 2023

Mill, others provide emergency stopgap funding for NYC community composters

Following an announcement of temporary funding for GrowNYC last week, a donation provided by Mill and other organizations will keep additional participants in the city’s community compost program afloat.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Dec. 21, 2023

EPA says final PFAS drinking water regulation and hazardous designations on the horizon

The agency previewed a busy winter of new regulations and disposal guidelines that will have implications for many waste industry operators. This includes a delay for eagerly awaited drinking water standards.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 11, 2023

GrowNYC compost workers prep for layoffs as council members vow action

While more than a dozen council members vowed support for the city’s community composting program at a rally on Dec. 6, new funding is unlikely to come before layoffs begin.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 8, 2023

Compostable packaging’s contested, complicated past doesn’t determine its future

Composters can struggle to manage the wide variety of new packaging entering the market, leading to greater calls for labeling guidelines and testing. Cities like San Francisco and Minneapolis offer case studies in how to make it work.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Dec. 7, 2023

U.S. EPA announces draft national food waste prevention strategy at COP28

The strategy cites ongoing commitments to building out organic waste recycling infrastructure, including on-farm anaerobic digestion and decentralized community composting programs.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 6, 2023

U.S. Food Waste Pact launches with ReFED, Walmart, Del Monte, others

The pact will follow an approach the Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment developed, with signatories across the food supply chain agreeing to cut food loss and waste by collaborating on data-sharing and best practices.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 5, 2023

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