Recycling: Page 2

  • Rear view of a waste collection vehicle, with the word "caution," next to empty collection carts.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 , , • Dec. 23, 2025
  • Entrance to a neoclassical building facade that reads "Environmental Protection Agency. "
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alamy
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • A tightly packed bale of crushed plastic bottles, compressed into a rectangular block and wrapped in clear plastic film. The bale contains various colored plastic bottles, flattened and compacted together, ready for recycling. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alamy
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    The Rise of Recycling AI

    Artificial intelligence has become increasingly common at MRFs, in collection trucks and even as a tool for consumer education at the point of generation.

    By Waste Dive staff
  • An aerial photo of a recycling facility surrounded by plains and trees.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of 2025 WM Intellectual Property Holdings, L.L.C.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Waste operators seize opportunities as Ontario updates packaging EPR in 2026

    Companies like GFL Environmental and WM have made major investments in Ontario’s new EPR for packaging model, but the province may contend with transition growing pains after it starts on Jan. 1.

    By • Dec. 22, 2025
  • Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, speaks at a press conference, alongside members of the Second Amendment Caucus, outside the U.S. Capitol Building on March 8, 2022 in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Pack Act introduced in Congress to cut through labeling confusion

    The bill, championed by Ameripen, would preempt state laws and call on the FTC to require certain parameters such as third-party certifications for recyclable, compostable and reusable claims on consumer products.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
  • A closeup of beverage cans and bottles for recycling
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The evolving role of statewide recycling needs assessments

    These reports are a common tool for driving EPR for packaging programs. But who should lead the process and decide the data strategy and timeline?

    By • Dec. 17, 2025
  • A recycling bin on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 • Dec. 16, 2025
  • Three blue, green and gray waste carts out on a street in Fort Collins, Colorado, on pickup day for household trash, backyard trimmings and recyclable materials.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Help wanted: State agencies and producers staff up to implement packaging EPR

    Headcount varies widely across the seven states implementing extended producer responsibility programs, with some facing budget limitations. California, Colorado, Minnesota and Washington share their latest plans.

    By Marissa Heffernan • Dec. 16, 2025
  • four blue recycling carts stand next to each other
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 • Dec. 15, 2025
  • blue plastic bottles crushed together
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    4 insights on the state of PET recycling and rPET in packaging

    Thermoforms have a bigger role, and multiple changes are afoot in the rPET landscape — tempering recycled content growth in bottles, explained Lauren Laibach, director of data services at NAPCOR.

    By • Dec. 11, 2025
  • Massachusetts State House dome behind container of waste
    Image attribution tooltip
    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Massachusetts commission endorses some EPR plans, punts on packaging

    A legislative commission, convened by MassDEP, endorsed the idea of a needs assessment for packaging. The group also endorsed EPR for paint, mattresses, batteries and electronics.

    By • Dec. 11, 2025
  • A close up image of recycled material moving along a belt
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Amp
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 • Dec. 10, 2025
  • An extreme closeup of a piece of fiber packaging with "100% compostable" stamped into the material.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 • Dec. 10, 2025
  • plastic goes down a conveyor belt at a MRF
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Commodity values further decline for Northeastern MRFs

    Blended commodity prices fell about 22% in Q3, according to a new report from the Northeast Recycling Council. Waste companies reported similar trends in the quarter amid infrastructure investments.

    By • Dec. 9, 2025
  • Rare earth ore held in partially closed hand
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    US Energy Department offers $134M to boost rare earth recovery projects

    The agency plans to fund efforts to draw rare earth metals from discarded electronics and other sources to strengthen the domestic critical mineral supply chain.

    By Antone Gonsalves • Dec. 8, 2025
  • Stacked layers of corrugated cardboard presented in a close-up view, emphasizing the textured zigzag pattern.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Image by Rafal from Pixabay

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Fibre Box Association

    Material recovery considerations: Corrugated containers and reusable plastic systems

    New LCA reveals environmental trade-offs between corrugated recycling and closed-loop RPC systems

    By Fibre Box Association • Dec. 8, 2025
  • People unload paint containers from the trunk of an SUV onto a wheeled cart.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of PaintCare
    Image attribution tooltip

    Illinois launches paint stewardship program

    Now the 11th state with a PaintCare program, Illinois expects to collect about 1 million gallons in its first year. Maryland will launch its program next year, while other state legislatures plan to introduce similar bills.

    By • Dec. 5, 2025
  • An illustration of the exterior of a MRF building
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Circular Materials
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nova Scotia rolls out EPR for packaging program

    The province’s new program took effect Dec. 1. Waste company REgroup will open a new Halifax-area MRF in 2027 to sort what’s expected to be higher volumes of materials from the program.

    By • Dec. 3, 2025
  • An Amcor sign on a building
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Amcor
    Image attribution tooltip

    Amcor eyes ‘dual end of life’ optionality for innovation investments

    The company’s long-term R&D strategy includes seeking solutions that work in a future with recycling or composting infrastructure, explained Rebecca Meile, manager of corporate venturing and open innovation.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
  • Exterior of a large marble building with a gold statue on top
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stevens, M.O.. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
    Image attribution tooltip

    NAW escalates Oregon EPR lawsuit, seeking preliminary injunction

    The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors is asking a court to suspend enforcement of the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act ahead of a next round of producer invoicing.

    By • Nov. 26, 2025
  • Workers at Eco-Cycle MRF in Boulder, Colorado
    Image attribution tooltip
    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 • Nov. 26, 2025
  • A Waste Connections dumpster on the right, New York City streetscape on the left
    Image attribution tooltip
    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Inside the first year of NYC’s historic commercial waste reform plan

    The franchise zone shift has yielded operational efficiencies and safety improvements. Meanwhile, NWRA sued the city, carters are paying millions in fines and advocates hope Mayor-elect Mamdani will speed up the rollout.

    By • Nov. 26, 2025
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bottle bill talks gain momentum amid America First buzz, EPR

    Eager to capture more high-quality material to incorporate into new packaging domestically, leaders from the competing plastic, glass and metal sectors are looking to jointly build on momentum from 2025’s legislative sessions.

    By • Nov. 21, 2025
  • A lineup of six lightweighted beverage bottles (two Coca-Cola bottles, 2 Fanta bottles, 2 Sprite bottles)
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Coca-Cola
    Image attribution tooltip

    How much further can source reduction in packaging go?

    U.S. packaging volumes reportedly fell by about 5 million metric tons between 2019 and 2024, despite population growth and an e-commerce boom. Future progress will require trade-offs, brand owners and packaging converters say.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
  • Equipment at ExxonMobil's advanced recycling facility in Baytown, Texas
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of ExxonMobil
    Image attribution tooltip

    US Plastics Pact assesses pluses and minuses of chemical recycling

    The group calls for chemical recyclers to consider environmental justice impacts and offer more data and transparency around operations, but says the technologies offer key circular economy opportunities for plastic.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
  • An x-ray image of a truck bed filled with materials. A screen indicates what each of the materials is made of.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Visia
    Image attribution tooltip

    Visia AI expands X-ray tech to serve wide range of recycling facilities

    Visia offers customizable AI tech to companies like Casella, LRS and Coastal Waste. The company has expanded its work to over 30 facilities and aims to solve problems like equipment optimization and fire prevention.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025