6 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2023

The effects of ongoing M&A, the biogas boom, and regulatory and financial debates around plastics are among the most complex topics on Waste Dive’s radar in the new year.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 12, 2023

Municipalities that ditch curbside recycling are missing out on revenue, Florida report finds

Recent research from the University of Florida and the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation outlines the financial and environmental effects of multiple local governments dropping their curbside programs in recent years.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 12, 2023

New York Gov. Hochul says EPR for packaging a major priority in 2023

Hochul announced Tuesday she would introduce EPR for packaging legislation for the second time. Multiple efforts to pass versions of the policy through the state budget and legislative process failed in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 11, 2023

The fragile ecosystem of Massachusetts C&D recycling

The state’s construction recycling requirements have spurred a wave of new infrastructure investments and led to more acquisitions. Some say they’ve also constrained capacity, all while the region’s building boom continues.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 11, 2023

LRS grows in Michigan and Indiana with largest acquisitions to date

The purchases of Michiana Recycling & Disposal Service and Modern Waste Systems are the latest among dozens of transactions by the private equity-backed company in recent years.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 9, 2023

Stadiums pursue new technologies and tactics to boost waste diversion

As fans flock back to large venues, many are seeing new or updated waste initiatives. Operators are experimenting with different collection systems, reusable cups, reverse vending machines, on-site sorting and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Jan. 19, 2023

Right-to-repair advocates expect more bills in 2023 after New York success

Advocates were disappointed after New York’s first-of-its-kind law was amended to limit eligible products, but they expect continued momentum despite fierce lobbying. Such laws are also supported by electronics recyclers.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 6, 2023

Companies can no longer peg food waste recycling as a West Coast initiative

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s director of innovation recaps new and expanded drop-off and collection programs, plus new processing facilities to meet that demand, suggesting continued momentum for solutions in 2023.

By Olga Kachook • Jan. 5, 2023

By the numbers: 2022 waste and recycling trends with implications for 2023

Key data points on some of the top issues — M&A, ESG, inflation and policy — that illustrate another eventful year for the industry.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Jan. 4, 2023

Where recycling and waste laws changed on Jan. 1

California, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, New York and Washington, D.C., are among the jurisdictions enforcing new recycling and waste laws as of Jan. 1, including bag fees, bottle bill updates and organics diversion mandates.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 4, 2023

What Congress did — and didn’t — get done for waste and recycling in 2022

Lawmakers made progress on multiple waste initiatives in 2022, including language in the recent budget bill, but a pair of bipartisan bills that passed the Senate didn’t make it to the House and a key EPA nomination remains stalled.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 4, 2023

Tracking PFAS developments in 2023 and beyond

Discussions about how to safely manage PFAS, as well as how they should be disposed of or regulated, have gotten more complex in recent years.

Updated Aug. 17, 2023

Top interviews with waste and recycling leaders in 2022

Read some of the year’s most popular conversations with CEOs from Republic Services, WIN Waste Innovations, LRS and Vanguard Renewables, as well as leaders from WM, the U.S. EPA and other organizations.

Dec. 22, 2022

Massachusetts C&D market recovering from major wood market disruption

A turbine failure in Connecticut and a facility shutdown in Canada cut off key markets for months. This affected options for companies such as WIN Waste Innovations in a state where landfilling of wood is prohibited.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 21, 2022

Next steps for the Great Lakes region’s circular economy strategy

The Council of the Great Lakes Region and its partners are figuring out first steps toward implementing a plan released this year. Plastics will be a prime focus in efforts to preserve water quality in the area.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 21, 2022

Republic Services buys longtime family hauler in northwest Illinois

Moring Disposal, a privately-owned company since 1977, has a range of collection and transfer operations in the region. The deal marks an expansion for Republic in this part of the state.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 20, 2022

Senate passes bill to increase EV battery recycling as part of defense budget

Provisions from the Strategic EV Management Act, a bill from Sen. Mitt Romney intended to enhance recycling for end-of-life batteries used in federal fleet vehicles, could be signed into law soon.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 20, 2022

Biorecycling of plastics shows promise in its research phase. Can it be scaled?

Although still in its infancy, the newest plastics recycling technology could expand options for cleaner, more efficient closed-loop systems — eventually. A recent Government Accountability Office report took a closer look.

By Lela Nargi • Dec. 19, 2022

Senate hearing looks at bottle bills, chemical recycling, other methods to urgently reduce plastic pollution

At the Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on plastics, the Plastics Industry Association’s CEO warmed to the idea of a national bottle bill but clashed with Beyond Plastics on chemical recycling’s risks and merits.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 16, 2022

FTC seeks feedback on recyclability claims as it reviews Green Guides

The commission voted to move forward with its first potential update to the environmental marketing rules in 10 years. The recycling industry says an update is urgently needed to reflect modern conditions.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 15, 2022

WASTECON: Avoiding miscommunication can strengthen MRF partnerships

At the event’s MRF Summit, speakers discussed small ways to boost communication among recyclers, municipalities and the public to reduce contamination and have more effective programs.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 14, 2022

Chicago looks to turn the page on recycling challenges, accelerate progress on waste plan

Stakeholders from the Department of Streets and Sanitation, LRS and the nonprofit Delta Institute weigh in on composting plans and what’s next for a city that has long been portrayed as lagging on recycling. 

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 15, 2022

Garcetti signs plastic reduction ordinance during final days as Los Angeles mayor

Starting in 2023, the law will phase out expanded polystyrene foam containers, tighten single-use plastic bag restrictions and limit waste at city facilities. Mayor Karen Bass is expected to continue a similar focus on environmental issues.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 13, 2022

Specialty recycling pick-up services flip the script on items accepted curbside

Services from Ridwell, Rabbit Recycling, TerraCycle, Casella Waste Systems and others are seeing growth as consumers want more options for hard-to-recycle products. Yet some are also navigating cost and legal challenges.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 13, 2022

Commercial glass recycling program from GPI and GlassKing growing in Chicago

Expanding commercial bottle recycling is a key strategy for the glass packaging industry to reach a 50% recycling rate by 2030. The Arizona-based team behind a recent program in Chicagoland shares its initial results.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 12, 2022