EPA previews national recycling strategy and measurement guide, touts $10M in new grants

An official said at a SWANA event the strategy will center on areas such as climate change and environmental justice. The Biden administration also recently announced $14.5 million in plastics research funding.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated June 17, 2021

Plastic resin makers launch $25M recycling fund for PP, PE plastics

Dow, LyondellBasell and Nova are working with Closed Loop Partners to invest up to $100 million in projects meant to develop markets for polypropylene and polyethylene, two resins that face market and recycling challenges.

By Megan Quinn • May 26, 2021

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

Roundup: Driver shortages hamper local waste collection, US recycling infrastructure begs $17B expansion

Plus: California's budget surplus yields $130 million proposal for recycling infrastructure, New York City progresses on solutions for its curbside trash problem, and more municipal news from around the U.S.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • May 20, 2021

Leading plastics reduction lawyer sees single-use policies as 'gateway' to bigger change

Jennie Romer – a key player in creating plastics policies from coast to coast – talks about her new book "Can I Recycle This?" and why she's now looking to take on the whole recycling system.

By Cole Rosengren • May 19, 2021

Florida recyclers take a 'back to basics' approach to public education

To achieve Florida's 75% recycling rate goal, clear, consistent messaging to residents must be part of the effort, speakers at a Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation event said.

By Megan Quinn • May 19, 2021

Roundup: New York City clears legislative hurdle on plastics reduction

The city council passed a bill meant to limit use of straws, a potential sign of growing acceptance for plastics reduction policies. Elsewhere, an American Biogas Council event spurred discussion of codigestion.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • May 14, 2021

Boston expanding textile and organics recycling as it ramps up zero waste plan

Efforts to hit an 80% recycling rate by 2035 were delayed in part by the pandemic, but moves to expand drop-off programs show new momentum. Curbside organics collection remains an unresolved priority.

By Cole Rosengren • May 13, 2021

FTC report, Arkansas law could help boost electronics refurbishing sector

Manufacturers are unfairly restricting consumers from repairing their own products, according to a new Federal Trade Commission report. A newly passed law in Arkansas also streamlines electronics recycling.

By Megan Quinn • May 12, 2021

Q1 earnings: Waste companies putting pandemic behind them, anticipate more economic rebound coming

Outside of Canada, the majority of local economies have reopened and volumes are bouncing back. Catch up on results and takeaways on the first quarter of 2021 from the industry's largest solid waste operators.

By Waste Dive Team • May 10, 2021

Solid waste companies talk disposal pricing, ESG and Biden in Q1 earnings outlooks

Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Covanta and Casella Waste Systems leaders commented on pandemic recovery trends and other pressing topics.

By Cole Rosengren • May 10, 2021

Roundup: City reopenings portend commercial waste shifts

A string of recent state announcements will ease business restrictions in the coming weeks and months in the Northeast. Plus, state and local policy updates from Florida, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, California and more.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • May 7, 2021

GFL Environmental reports positive volume outlook despite Canadian lag, closes 10 acquisitions

While Canada's pandemic restrictions continue to affect GFL's business, U.S. recovery trends and past acquisitions are providing a boost. Ample M&A opportunity remains due in part to potential tax changes, the company said.

By Cole Rosengren • May 6, 2021

Republic ups guidance as Santek acquisition is finalized, CEO handoff on horizon

Even after a long approval process for the just-closed Santek purchase the company is "not deterred" from pursuing larger M&A deals and intends to invest $600 million in acquisitions this year, said incoming CEO Jon Vander Ark.

By Maria Rachal • May 6, 2021

Analysts tout positive cardboard markets, note post-consumer plastic complexities at ISRI convention

U.S. cardboard markets will stay positive in the near term, market experts at ISRI's convention said. Meanwhile, infrastructure issues could impede efforts to collect enough plastic to meet brand owners' future packaging demands.

By Megan Quinn • May 5, 2021

Environmental justice and diversity should be priorities for recyclers, ISRI panelists say

Speakers at ISRI's annual convention stressed the importance of fostering meaningful relationships in environmental justice communities where they operate, both to mitigate harm and to prepare for potential regulation.

By Megan Quinn • May 4, 2021

Roundup: Food waste back in the spotlight

This year’s Stop Food Waste Day drew attention from national and local leaders fighting hunger and climate change. Plus, new data on waste diversion in Colorado, and recycling initiatives launching in Houston and Milwaukee.

By Maria Rachal • April 30, 2021

State legislatures busy with plastics policy on shampoo bottles, chemical recycling and preemption

While many of the legislative season's highest-profile bills are still pending, recently passed measures in New York, Arizona, Arkansas and elsewhere show a divergent range of approaches to managing plastics.

By Cole Rosengren • April 28, 2021

Waste Management raises guidance as pandemic recovery accelerates, predicts possible labor headwind

Pricing and the Advanced Disposal acquisition were key first quarter boosts. Executives also announced a new chief sustainability officer and weighed in on the Biden administration's infrastructure proposal.

By Cole Rosengren • April 27, 2021

Pittsburgh pursues sustainable deconstruction policy to salvage building materials

Following similar steps in Portland, Oregon, and Milwaukee, Pittsburgh is betting that recovering materials from condemned buildings instead of demolishing them will support the city's climate and equity goals.

By Maria Rachal • April 26, 2021

Roundup: Stimulus funding for city waste initiatives, DC and NY inch toward zero waste goals

The week of Earth Day saw news on zero waste plan reassessments, organics program expansions, reuse pilots and more. Catch up on updates from New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and other cities around the country.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 23, 2021

New York to revive curbside organics service amid criticism of lagging zero waste progress

The Department of Sanitation announced the return of multiple programs affected by pandemic budget cuts, following a council hearing about codifying the city's 2030 goal, but critics say more action is needed.

By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2021

It's game on for packaging procurement as lead times lengthen. Can supplies keep up?

Stadiums and concessions anticipate surging demand as events resume. Recent pandemic effects have shifted ordering for food trays, clamshells, compostable packaging and more.

By Jen A. Miller • April 22, 2021

Washington governor signs minimum recycled content bill

Washington will become the second state to set requirements for the makeup of plastic beverage containers and trash bags. It will also become the latest state to pass a ban on expanded polystyrene containers this year.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 18, 2021

Roundup: Recology corruption charges mount in SF, NYC's waste neighbors propose a change

A second former Recology employee is charged in the ongoing corruption investigation, communities receiving New York City's waste push back, certification organizations seek additional city partners, and more local news.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • April 16, 2021

New York City's waste future could be shaped by the closure of an island jail

Closing Rikers Island as a jail offers an opportunity to change aspects of New York's waste management infrastructure and potentially rethink expanding the city's role in overseeing it, former DSNY official Robert Lange writes.

By Robert Lange • April 15, 2021