EPA's 2030 recycling strategy turns focus to circular economy and environmental justice

The long-awaited master plan focuses on steps to achieve a 50% recycling rate by 2030, but regulators promise it's just "part one" of a larger effort to tackle climate change on a higher level, and more details will follow.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 16, 2021

How US recycling programs make it work from coast to coast

Professionals working in multifamily city buildings, drop-off sites in tribal nations and programs in more isolated island areas weigh in on what's working, and what's still challenging, when it comes to recycling in 2021.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn • Nov. 15, 2021

The imperative for a reuse economy and culture

Linda Pouliot, CEO of reusable dishware delivery service Dishcraft, shares lessons learned from the early stages of California's shift toward reuse systems for food service packaging.

By Linda Pouliot • Nov. 10, 2021

Massachusetts banning disposal of textiles, mattresses and more organics in 2022

The state's Department of Environmental Protection has finalized a plan that calls for a 30% reduction in disposal volumes by 2030. Even if it hits that target, local disposal capacity will still be very constrained.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 3, 2021

Tracking the industry: US waste and recycling info hub

Follow some of the most essential developments around M&A, ESG pledges, federal and state policy, PFAS regulations, quarterly earnings results and more with Waste Dive's unique trackers and ongoing in-depth coverage.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 23, 2021

Canadian organics programs share lessons learned on policy, plastics and public engagement

The majority of Canadians now have curbside organics recycling. Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax program managers weigh in on their experiences and the insights they've gained over the years.

By Danielle Beurteaux • Oct. 18, 2021

Macquarie acquiring large stakes in GreenWaste and Zanker in its first California waste deal

GreenWaste and partner company Zanker Recycling's northern California operations include multiple organics recycling facilities. Moody's Investors Service estimates operations are generating $325 million in annual revenue.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 15, 2021

What's next for Recology in San Francisco after $36M DOJ penalty, bribery charge

The West Coast company is looking to move forward after three subsidiaries admitted to one charge of bribery in a deferred prosecution agreement, but it still faces legal action and a push to change local collection systems.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2021

Loop reusable packaging system expands beyond e-commerce to new stores, including Kroger

TerraCycle's Loop says the new offerings will make it easier for consumers to reduce waste, but industry experts say the program is just one small step toward scaling up reuse systems in a circular economy.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 28, 2021

Upstream CEO sees huge potential in burgeoning reuse-refill sector, including for haulers

Matt Prindiville, head of a nonprofit focused on holistic waste solutions, is at the center of discussions with brands and activists alike about not just relying on recycling to create a more circular economy.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 23, 2021

Covanta, Casella, Vanguard Renewables and others continue the conversation at virtual WasteExpo

The event included insight on industry discussions such as EPR, environmental justice, waste-to-energy, climate change, recycling and technology.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Sept. 17, 2021

Supporters planning national bottle bill legislation separate from Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act

Multiple groups are working with lawmakers to potentially introduce national container deposit legislation as soon as next month. They hope recent bipartisan support for recycling in Congress could boost its chances.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 25, 2021

Resource Recycling Conference highlights role of markets, labor and climate in municipal recycling

Panelists at last week's virtual event discussed how positive market shifts for certain postconsumer plastics and fiber grades are influencing MRF investment decisions, while labor availability is a key issue in servicing local programs.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • Aug. 10, 2021

Waste-to-energy supporters aim to 'clear the air,' reposition technology as landfill alternative

Recent research shows better performance across multiple environmental measures for WTE versus landfills, but few U.S. communities show an interest in new facilities, and opposition continues to limit growth.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 4, 2021

Progress report: State waste and recycling policies gain notable traction this year

State lawmakers have made significant headway on laws about EPR, recycled content mandates and plastic products. Other bills are still in play, and experts anticipate even more possible changes in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • July 19, 2021

Top stories from 2021's WasteExpo

Catch up on event coverage and interviews about the labor shortage, emerging ESG pressures, fleet technology, organics recycling, PFAS and more.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Sept. 17, 2021

What the industry is saying about 5 key topics in waste and recycling

At WasteExpo, executives, vendors and regulators were vocal on everything from policy to PFAS and plastics, to the problem of not being able to hire enough workers.

By Waste Dive Team • July 7, 2021

Maine governor signs nation's first EPR law for consumer packaging

Along with a pending Oregon bill, this shows growing momentum for EPR policies. The programs target most types of consumer packaging and require producers to pay into state-regulated stewardship organizations.

By Megan Quinn • Updated July 13, 2021

Shifts in attitudes on EPR could mean quicker policy change: Circularity 21

Conference speakers pointed to the U.S. Plastics Pact road map and Ellen MacArthur Foundation's recent endorsements as signs that EPR is coming into its own — as long as state and federal policy can catch up.

By Megan Quinn • June 23, 2021

Nearly 50 companies, including Waste Management, pursuing New York commercial waste contracts

The city aims to release the next part of a waste and recycling zone RFP within two months. Waste Connections, Interstate Waste Services, Winters Bros. Waste Systems and other local companies are among the high-profile bidders.

By Cole Rosengren • June 23, 2021

Atlanta and San Francisco's food waste wisdom; how the pandemic affected recycling education

SWANA's Sustainable Materials Management Summit and the NYC Food Waste Fair brought together local leaders from Florida to Maryland and Georgia to California. Catch up in this week's municipal news roundup.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • June 17, 2021

2021 state waste and recycling policy highlights

Catch up on legislative coverage of EPR, recycled content mandates, product bans and market development plans from California to Maine.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Dec. 21, 2021

Colorado governor signs bill banning plastic bags and foam containers, repealing preemption

Plastic bags and foam containers will be banned from most establishments by 2024. It also allows municipalities to pass stricter ordinances. Colorado is the first state to roll back a preemption policy.

By Megan Quinn • Updated July 7, 2021

City budget season brings new waste initiatives in DC, Baltimore, elsewhere

Also in this week's municipal news roundup: a major recycling facility fire in Phoenix, additional reports of service disruptions stemming from worker shortages, and more updates from around the country.

By Maria Rachal • June 10, 2021

What role should waste and recycling play in sustainability?

From the plastics crisis and packaging innovation, it's time to discuss how the industry can work both internally and externally to help build a sustainable future.

By Liz Bothwell, Waste360 • June 1, 2021