PFAS
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EPA to formally rescind certain PFAS drinking water regulations
The agency proposed two rules: one to rescind drinking water standards for four PFAS and another to allow some water utilities to delay enforcement on PFOS and PFOA until 2031. A hearing is set for July 7.
By Megan Quinn • May 19, 2026 -
Permission granted by Casella Waste Systems
Vermont DEC examines biosolids, depackaging rules in new proposal
The state is looking to take on contamination in a range of organic product and soil amendment streams. Regulators have largely stuck to language backed by composters related to food waste depackaging.
By Jacob Wallace • May 15, 2026 -
Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
EPA updates PFAS destruction and disposal guidance amid ‘promising’ research
The guidance, now updated once a year, maintains that landfills are likely emitting more PFAS than previously thought. Newer data shows promise for some kinds of incineration, but more research is needed.
By Megan Quinn • April 24, 2026 -
Permission granted by Arcwood Environmental
Arcwood makes major investments amid national growth strategy
In 2025, the company invested roughly $80 million into its facilities and executed several acquisitions. It’s looking to expand capacity to capture growing waste streams, including PFAS and pharmaceuticals.
By Jacob Wallace • April 20, 2026 -
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Video: Waste policy updates for GHG emissions and PFAS in 2026
Waste Dive staff recently discussed key regulatory rollbacks and updates to greenhouse gas regulations, plus ongoing legal actions affecting PFAS, during a be Waste Wise webinar.
By Waste Dive Staff • April 17, 2026 -
Retrieved from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Government support fuels PFAS treatment market, with much more to come
As regulations continue to rise, companies like Clean Harbors and Revive Environmental that offer treatment and disposal of PFAS-contaminated material are seeing major business growth.
By Jacob Wallace • Updated April 17, 2026 -
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PFAS in biosolids restrictions tighten across the Potomac River
Virginia’s governor signed a law and Maryland’s legislature passed a bill that set similar PFAS limits on biosolids. The states are taking a regional approach amid federal inaction.
By Jacob Wallace • April 14, 2026 -
Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
EPA proposes adding microplastics to list of drinking water contaminants
At an EPA event on Thursday, Administrator Lee Zeldin called the proposal a “major step forward” for providing regulators with better research into microplastics’ health impacts.
By Megan Quinn • April 3, 2026 -
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2021). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
EPA should intervene on behalf of towns for PFAS in biosolids, filings argue
New amicus briefs filed in court this week argue that state and local governments are unable to meet the challenge of preventing PFAS contamination from the land application of sewage sludge.
By Jacob Wallace • March 27, 2026 -
Maine, Maryland pursue PFAS biosolids remedies amid landfill capacity concerns
Officials in the states discussed during a NERC webinar on Wednesday how infrastructure projects and proposed legislation could influence management, destruction and disposal of PFAS in biosolids.
By Megan Quinn • March 26, 2026 -
[Photograph]. Retrieved from Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Virginia lawmakers pass bills to regulate PFAS in biosolids
The companion bills sent to the governor last week set limits on the presence of PFOA and PFOS in biosolids. Land application of the sludge would be banned above a certain level beginning in mid-2027.
By Jacob Wallace • March 18, 2026 -
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DOD guidance recommends hazardous waste landfills, incineration to manage PFAS
The DOD’s updated PFAS destruction and disposal guidance document offers insight into the methods it sees as best for managing AFFF, and no longer suggests solid waste landfills as viable compared to other options.
By Megan Quinn • March 17, 2026 -
[Screenshot]. Retrieved from Senate Environment and Public Works committee.
John Busterud, head of EPA waste office, to depart in March
The OLEM assistant administrator, who cited health concerns for his exit, leaves the top role just months after his nomination was confirmed. The office leads Superfund, RCRA and other waste-related programs.
By Megan Quinn • Feb. 26, 2026 -
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Minnesota’s MSW incinerators effectively destroy PFAS, study finds
A new study sponsored by a state waste-to-energy group and spurred by Minnesota’s PFAS Blueprint shows the facilities are receiving PFAS but expelling relatively little.
By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 20, 2026 -
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 -
Alamy
Trump signs $8.8B EPA budget bill
The funding is about 4% less than last year but over 50% more than a previous White House proposal. It cuts funding for Superfund activities but maintains other research funding for landfill methane and PFAS.
By Megan Quinn • Updated Jan. 26, 2026 -
Alamy
5 themes that could shape waste and recycling in 2026
Macroeconomic trends, including cooling inflation and continued commodity headwinds, are expected to impact the industry. Regulations, especially around PFAS, EPR and landfills, will also play a role in the coming year.
By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn • Jan. 8, 2026 -
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By the numbers: What impacted waste and recycling in 2025
Take a look back at the year's notable data points on policy, regulation, labor, recycling trends and more.
By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace , Cole Rosengren • Dec. 23, 2025 -
Alamy
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 -
Retrieved from House Energy & Commerce Committee.
Ahead of 2026, Congress hears diverging calls for PFAS regulation
Witnesses pressed lawmakers to act on PFAS-related legislation in 2026 to protect “passive receivers” including water utilities and waste facilities. Environmental groups instead pushed for PFAS to be more strictly regulated.
By Megan Quinn • Dec. 19, 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 -
Permission granted by John Day/Orbital Biocarbon
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 -
The image by Carl Young is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Landfill gas may release as much PFAS as leachate, study finds
The study spanned 17 states, the most wide-ranging look yet at how volatile PFAS compounds wind up in landfill gas. Researchers say the public health impact is currently unknown.
By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 8, 2025 -
Retrieved from Revive Environmental on November 24, 2025
DOD-funded PFAS demo projects show promise for remediation and destruction
The federal agency, which is facing pressure to clean up hundreds of contaminated sites, is partnering with technology companies such as Aquagga, ECT2, Revive Environmental and others.
By April Reese • Updated Dec. 17, 2025 -
Retrieved from U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Lawmakers debate federal PFAS disposal solutions in Senate hearing
Clean Harbors Co-CEO Eric Gerstenberg testified at a U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works committee hearing Wednesday and urged the EPA to create a hierarchy of disposal options for PFAS-laden material.
By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 20, 2025
