With PFAS rules up in the air, MRF operators seek ways to get ahead of regulations

It’s not yet clear how future PFAS regulations will affect MRFs. Operators that want to plan ahead should keep an eye on local food packaging laws and stormwater regulations, WASTECON speakers said.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 12, 2022

Major Michigan waste and recycling bill package heads to governor’s desk

Eight related bills would overhaul the state’s waste priorities to focus on recycling. The package adds new landfill regulations, characterizes chemical recycling as a manufacturing process and offers grants for local governments. 

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 9, 2022

UN plastics treaty negotiations show initial stances of activists, industry and governments

While a legally binding agreement isn’t expected until 2024, the details diplomatic stakeholders are negotiating are already expected to have implications for the recycling sector.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 7, 2022

Los Angeles and San Diego ban polystyrene foam, other plastic products, on same day

The policies fit into broader state and local laws limiting plastic products, completing an effort in San Diego that a lawsuit previously blocked. Los Angeles will also look to limit waste at city facilities and events.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 7, 2022

PepsiCo aims to double amount of reusable packaging to 20% by 2030

To meet the target, the beverage giant plans to prioritize four areas, including growing the company’s SodaStream platform and expanding its refillable plastic and glass bottle offerings.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 6, 2022

The US waste and recycling industry in 2022 — what you need to know

Stories on M&A, recycling policy and organics recycling expansion — and how the economy and environmental justice considerations are shaping the industry’s path forward — have driven the news this year.

Dec. 5, 2022

New federal bill aims to cut plastics production, favoring reuse and refill strategies

The Protecting Communities From Plastics Act is the latest effort by Democratic lawmakers to target possible environmental justice impacts from plastics and could have implications for chemical recycling.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 5, 2022

Zero waste and job creation go hand in hand, activists say

Zero waste jobs are opportunities to support workers from overburdened communities, according to speakers at the National Zero Waste Conference, but they must prioritize circular economy and environmental justice principles.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 2, 2022

Macquarie fund purchases DTG Recycle, rapidly growing C&D recycler in Washington

DTG, a vertically integrated company, is coming off a period of ongoing acquisition growth fueled by a prior investment from Clairvest Group.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 1, 2022

How local governments are charting the future of zero waste

See Waste Dive’s map of which U.S. communities are pursuing zero waste, plus insights from leaders in the field on the concept’s past, present and future.

Updated Dec. 20, 2022

Mapping zero waste cities: Where local governments are pursuing waste prevention and diversion

Waste Dive is tracking which communities throughout the U.S. have zero waste goals, how they define those efforts and how much progress they’ve made.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren , Julia Himmel • Updated Dec. 22, 2022

Beyond recycling: What’s next for effective zero waste planning

Despite constraints, experts say that bringing more voices to the table, linking efforts to climate and economic resilience goals, pursuing public-private partnerships and looking for non-policy solutions can all advance progress.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 30, 2022

A history of US cities adopting zero waste goals

The concept has become a mainstream part of municipal waste planning, experts say, even as targets largely remain aspirational and some recent efforts have faced pandemic-related setbacks.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 30, 2022

GFL launches first ESG targets, aiming to reduce GHG emissions 15% by 2030

The Canada-based company’s first set of detailed targets comes after its landfill portfolio has doubled in recent years. GFL is focusing on renewable natural gas projects as well as alternative fuel vehicles in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 29, 2022

Seattle plans to move beyond diversion rate goals as it doubles down on waste prevention

Through its current solid waste plan update, Seattle Public Utilities hopes to develop metrics that better reflect the environmental and circular economy benefits from the city’s progress on waste prevention and reuse.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 28, 2022

With $100M in recycling and waste grants now available, EPA schedules info sessions on how to apply

The agency will host multiple workshops about how state, territorial and local governments can make their case for the highly anticipated infrastructure and education funding.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Dec. 21, 2022

3 tips on building more inclusive recycling and waste programs for underserved communities

Speakers at the recent National Recycling Congress shared outreach and funding tips for communities where English is not the primary language, services are inconvenient or nonexistent or other systemic barriers exist.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 23, 2022

Where does chemical recycling fit into EPR policy? Experts say it’s complicated.

Chemical recycling isn’t a monolith, and future conversations about the technology need more nuance, particularly around EPR, according to speakers convened by the Product Stewardship Institute.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 23, 2022

Why WM and Dow are launching a curbside plastic film recycling pilot

After WM assesses the plastic film processing capabilities at a newer MRF, it expects to expand the Chicago-area program. The company’s pending acquisition of Avangard Innovative could provide an end market.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 21, 2022

Rubicon announces layoffs, debt restructuring to stabilize company

The waste broker was previously facing serious liquidity issues, with $102.6 million worth of debt once set to mature in November. A software deal with Palantir Technologies was cited among its notable costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 21, 2022

Recology reaches $25M settlement with San Francisco to offset future rate increases

This agreement comes after the company earned more than an agreed-upon 9% profit margin, even after factoring in a prior $100 million ratepayer reimbursement settlement.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 17, 2022

California’s recycling rate fell to 40% in 2021, though organics disposal decreased, CalRecycle says

Recent state funding and new legislation can help reduce disposal and raise recycling rates as part of a broader state circular economy strategy, CalRecycle Director Rachel Machi Wagoner said.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 16, 2022

America Recycles Day 2022: Updates from around the country

This year’s event was marked by the U.S. EPA opening up $375 million in grant funding, President Biden calling on manufacturers to better support reuse and recycling, Colorado’s governor weighing in on EPR and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 17, 2022

What analyzing National Sword can teach us about optimizing US plastics recycling

The dust has yet to settle from the major reckoning the U.S. plastics recycling system faced, but three notable factors have the potential to change the status quo going forward, write researchers from the University of California, Berkeley.

By Jessica Heiges and Kate O’Neill • Nov. 16, 2022

Tracking recycling laws by state

An EPR for packaging bill continues to advance in Washington. A similar bill was recently approved in Maryland and awaits the governor’s signature.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 16, 2025