‘Innovative’ recyclers will weather economic challenges: National Recycling Congress

Tariffs and other headwinds in labor and commodity markets are hitting recyclers hard, but some global manufacturing and domestic recycling infrastructure trends offer a silver lining, said ReMA Chief Economist Emily Sanchez.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 6, 2025

8.5M tons of packaging entered California landfills in 2024: CalRecycle study

The study is mandated by the state’s SB 54 EPR for packaging regulations. It sheds light on how covered materials might be diverted from landfills after the program starts in 2027.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 3, 2025

Explore the 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

Casella sustainability update highlights recycling, safety improvements

The progress report, a supplement to the biennial sustainability report, notes the company is behind on its GHG emissions goals but is increasing waste diversion and expanding safety programs.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 2, 2025

American Battery, Call2Recycle, partner on lithium-ion battery collection program

ABTC says the partnership offers more sources of lithium-ion batteries to recycle, namely through Call2Recycle’s consumer-facing collection service, and can help strengthen domestic supply chains for critical materials.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 1, 2025

APR launching its 1st total-package recyclability assessment tool

Citing demand from members and EPR-related needs, the Association of Plastic Recyclers’ tool will test packages against the most up-to-date versions of the longstanding Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 1, 2025

2026 waste and recycling industry conferences

Mark your calendars for conferences in 2026 that will cover key topics such as recycling, waste management, compost, biogas and more. 

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Oct. 10, 2025

Vape waste pilot in Missouri aims to shed light on long-term disposal solutions

Data will be used to craft suggestions for permanent vape waste programs, such as statewide collection sites or an EPR program, said the Product Stewardship Institute and the Missouri Solid Waste Management District O.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 30, 2025

California recyclers look for new PET solutions in wake of rPlanet closure

Some recyclers are calling for more direct help from California state lawmakers and agencies, while others say they're choosing between holding onto the material or selling for little profit in the Eastern U.S. or elsewhere.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 29, 2025

Chemical recycler Resynergi announces plans to leave California

The company faced opposition from local residents. The company is moving to an unnamed industrial location it says offers more streamlined permitting, tax incentives and space to expand. 

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 26, 2025

Tomra to acquire Clynk, operator of bag drop programs in Northeast US

Tomra, known for its reverse vending machine technology, sees Clynk's bag drop offerings as a complementary service. The company aims to expand in bottle bill states.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 25, 2025

How far can EPR drive recycled content uptake?

Questions remain around how to effectively track recycled content in packaging and how to incentivize sourcing recycled material within North America. States such as Colorado are debating this as they enact EPR programs.

By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 24, 2025

The People’s Depot announces expansion plans in Oregon

The beverage container redemption center, which employs and serves canners, is at capacity and expects to process 10 million containers this year. Its expansion is prompted in part by a new state law. 

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 24, 2025

E360S, major Canadian waste company, preps to enter US market

The company is now approaching 1 billion Canadian dollars in revenue and hoping to double the size of its business. CEO Danny Ardellini discussed expansion plans, EPR contracts, employee culture and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 24, 2025

Coca-Cola reports jump in packaging deemed recyclable

The beverage giant’s metrics for recycled plastic ratios and overall virgin plastic volumes both rose in 2024. 

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 23, 2025

GreenMantra receives $10M loan from Closed Loop infrastructure group

The company plans to increase processing capacity at its Ontario-based chemical recycling facility. Closed Loop Partners has backed GreenMantra several times as part of its overall interest in chemical recycling projects.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 17, 2025

LASAN cuts customer fees, mandates organics in RecycLA franchise RFP

The city is resetting its commercial waste program with an emphasis on cost, while making organics part of baseline service to comply with SB 1383. It also aims to give more work to subcontractors despite Teamsters opposition.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 18, 2025

California lawmakers approve organics capacity bill for growers

Meanwhile, a bill related to marine flare recycling is now a two-year bill and a compensation bill for residents near Chiquita Canyon landfill was added to the state budget bill.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 16, 2025

California lawmakers ban PFAS in food packaging, limit microbeads

The bills now await a decision from Gov. Gavin Newsom. Legislators declined to act on a bill that had backing from Republic Services related to recycled content in beverage containers.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 15, 2025

PET reclaimer rPlanet Earth closes in California

The closure of the vertically integrated PET recycler and food packaging manufacturer destabilizes the state’s Grade B PET markets. It is the second such closure in 2025, as PET reclaimers have weathered market challenges.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 12, 2025

Only 5% of healthcare plastic gets recycled: Eunomia report

Numerous interventions are needed to recycle more healthcare plastic, but the system is complex, according to a new report. WM, Veolia and other recyclers contributed insight to the report. 

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 11, 2025

MRF projects from FCC, BHS and Metaspectral attract new funding in US and Canada

Spurred in part by EPR changes, new and upgraded MRFs in Texas, Colorado, California and Canada come with more AI features and film recycling fixes.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 10, 2025

Can recycling advancements get black rigid plastics off packaging’s blacklist?

More MRFs are adding technologies to sort the material, but some brands and manufacturers are still switching away from the color. As black plastic reaches a tipping point, end market challenges create uncertainty about its future.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 10, 2025

EPA opens up $20M in SWIFR grant funding for tribes and intertribal consortia

The U.S. EPA announced it would extend the deadline for applications into next year. The agency plans to award grants ranging in size from $100,000 to $1.5 million.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Dec. 4, 2025

To raise recycling rates, look to system design: SWANA

Tailored programs and systems that consider human habits can help boost recycling rates, said design engineers and landfill operators at SWANA’s Pennsylvania chapter conference.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 5, 2025

Wisconsin updates MRF operations requirements for first time in 20 years

An update to the state’s recycling program rules means MRFs will need to meet new residual limits and glass recycling rates and start budgeting for specific cleanup and closure costs.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 4, 2025