Uncontained: The complex link between retail and packaging

Retailers know that the environmental effects of packaging are weighing on consumers' minds. But experts say it's not just about getting rid of plastic.

By Kaarin Moore • April 22, 2019

New York City Council passes paper bag fee — again — following plastic ban

For the second time in nearly three years, the council voted in favor of what has been framed as a waste reduction measure. This time, state officials won't preempt the policy.

By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2019

Phoenix awards contract to Renewlogy for chemical recycling project

Set to operate on the city's Resource Innovation Campus, this joint venture is expected to create a new market for mixed plastics in the Valley region.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 5, 2019

Scrap Collector: Does WTE have a role in NYC's 'zero waste' goal?

Plus: Entrepreneurs pitch sustainable floating city concept at UN, and Detroit lawmakers pushing for statewide incineration ban.

By Rina Li • April 5, 2019

What does ‘recycling’ actually mean?

We've collected technical definitions, reader submissions, academic excerpts and more that seek to untangle this widely-used term.

By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • Updated April 17, 2019

European Parliament approves 2021 single-use plastics ban

The measure also strengthens extended producer responsibility requirements for certain products and establishes multiple plastic bottle recycling targets.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 29, 2019

UN report: Rising consumption rates and 'extract-make-use-dispose' model unsustainable

The new GEO-6 report warns of "potentially irreversible" environmental degradation in the event of continued failure to meet sustainability targets, highlighting waste management improvement as an area of focus.

By Rina Li • March 18, 2019

Oregon DEQ research could definitively reshape how we talk about recycling

Waste Dive spoke to co-author David Allaway on whether terms such as "recyclable," "compostable," "biobased," or "recycled content" consistently generate positive environmental outcomes. 

By Cole Rosengren • March 13, 2019

Some facilities stop accepting compostable packaging as contamination debate persists

The 2019 US Composting Council Conference featured the latest in a long-running dialogue about how composters handle the material at their sites — and whether it's unfairly blamed for quality issues.

By Cole Rosengren • March 8, 2019

How Phoenix's multimillion-dollar recycling investment will place them in 'catbird seat'

The Phoenix Public Works Department leadership team has outlined plans to increase monthly revenue by as much as $250,000 and halve residual rates at one of the city's two MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • March 7, 2019

Maryland county executive walks back closure timeline for Covanta-operated incinerator

Marc Elrich made closing the county-owned facility by 2022 part of his recent winning campaign — but faced with a surprise contract extension and unclear alternatives, that timeline has become less definitive.

By Cody Ellis • Updated March 11, 2019

Walmart unveils plan to reduce plastic packaging waste, boost How2Recycle

The retailer is setting big goals, including one to achieve "zero plastic waste," by partnering with suppliers on sustainability efforts.

By Kaarin Moore • Feb. 27, 2019

Is New York's 2030 'zero waste' goal receding from reach?

Three key initiatives — single-stream recycling, curbside organics expansion and "save-as-you-throw" — are on hold indefinitely. Now, both skeptics and boosters are questioning whether it's practical or possible to hit the mark.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 20, 2019

Los Angeles City Council approves RecycLA settlement with seven service providers

A new contract amendment will bring a number of changes to the major franchise program — including city funding to cover controversial recycling service fees and a higher contamination threshold.

By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • Updated Feb. 20, 2019

Inside Republic's recycling messaging, and an Arizona MRF, with two VPs

Pete Keller and Richard Coupland, the company's primary public faces on recycling, recently met with Waste Dive to talk contract pricing, GHG calculations, end markets and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 14, 2019

Waste Management CEO talks climate change, ocean plastic and 'zero waste'

Waste Dive sat down with Jim Fish for an exclusive interview at the company's sustainability forum in Phoenix to parse out its latest environmental messaging.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 6, 2019

Does Berkeley, California's foodware ordinance provide a new national model?

The law, described as "the most ambitious, comprehensive legislation to reduce throw-away foodware in the United States," mandates a $0.25 disposable cup fee, among many other requirements.

By Rina Li • Jan. 29, 2019

How important are waste audits? San Francisco's mandate speaks volumes.

Great Forest's CEO breaks down seven ways that regular audits can help save money and meet sustainability goals.

By Ross Guberman • Jan. 23, 2019

Recology leans into recycling solutions with $33M San Francisco upgrades

The improvements include seven optical sorters (including three new units from France) and expanded capacity for organics at a local transfer station.

By Rina Li • Jan. 22, 2019

New Massachusetts MRF opens in market with tight processing capacity

Backed by the owner of ABC Disposal Service, Zero Waste Solutions has the ability to handle 45 tons per hour and is said to offer a broader range of sorting capabilities than others in the region.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated May 20, 2019

California senate rejects proposed ban on paper receipts

The legislation would have required businesses to print receipts only at a customer's request and banned the use of BPA and BPS chemicals in the receipts.

By Kristine Sherred , Rina Li • Updated Sept. 3, 2019

6 key questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2019

We'll be keeping an eye on recycling, climate change, landfills, alternative technologies, corporate consolidation, labor issues and much more in the year ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 9, 2019

Albuquerque, New Mexico signs single-use plastic bag ban into law

The legislation, which originally included restrictions on single-use plastic straws and polystyrene containers, takes effect in January 2020.

By Katie Pyzyk , Rina Li • Updated April 24, 2019

Our 10 best stories of 2018

Catch up on some of our biggest stories involving Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Rubicon Global, TerraCycle and, of course, China.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 21, 2018

Report: Incineration is 'neither clean nor renewable'

A new Institute for Local Self-Reliance report recommends that policymakers remove subsidies for waste incineration and promote cleaner, more environmentally friendly alternatives.

By Rina Li • Dec. 17, 2018