WASTECON host city San Diego plans organics, trash, plastics changes

With updated waste and circular economy goals as part of its climate action targets, the city is moving forward on key policy and infrastructure actions, an elected official detailed at the conference’s opening session.

By Maria Rachal • 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

Could the launch of organics collection in one New York borough pave the way to citywide service?

After collecting 2,850 tons of organic material, at a lower cost than usual, the Department of Sanitation is touting the success of its new program. Advocates are urging action on a long-envisioned citywide launch.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 2, 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

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

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

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

Maine’s governor approved an EPR for packaging update while Rhode Island’s governor approved an EPR study bill. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott approved a right-to-repair law.

By Megan Quinn • Updated July 11, 2025

EPA promises recycling infrastructure funds, new reports coming soon

During the National Recycling Congress, the U.S. EPA’s Nena Shaw said the infrastructure grant funding process is almost ready and previewed work on batteries, data collection and future reports on plastics and food waste.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 15, 2022

The next frontier in e-commerce packaging: reusable bags and boxes

Online ordering spiked during the pandemic — and so did the waste it creates. As Cyber Monday approaches, startups such as Returnity and Trashless are developing ways to offer consumers and retailers an alternative.

By Lela Nargi • Nov. 15, 2022

Closed Loop launches new recycling company, Circular Services, with $700M investment

Combining the operations of Sims Municipal Recycling, Balcones Resources, Retrievr, HomeBiogas and more, the new company, to be led by Closed Loop CEO Ron Gonen, is being touted as a “holistic” service provider.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 15, 2022

Is California’s 2025 organics diversion target still viable?

An independent commission is now assessing whether course corrections are needed for the state’s landmark SB 1383 law. CalRecycle, WM, Republic Services, Agromin, Anaergia and many others have weighed in.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 14, 2022

Elections 2022: Denver greenlights recycling expansion, a close decision on San Diego trash fees and more

Voters in California, Colorado, Michigan, New York and Vermont weighed in on a range of state and local initiatives with implications for waste and recycling as part of Tuesday’s election.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 9, 2022

Upstream CEO talks about the role of EPR in expanding reuse-refill, ‘golden opportunity’ for recycling industry

The reuse-refill sector has become increasingly mainstream, as shown by the nonprofit’s Reusies award event. Matt Prindiville shares his latest outlook on where it’s going next and how the traditional waste industry can be involved.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 7, 2022

Plastic markets fall, EPA urged to update policies and other top recycling stories from October

The month’s notable recycling headlines include recent plastic market trends, questions about the United States' long-held waste hierarchy and calls to standardize recycling bin labels.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 2, 2022

Is EPR an answer to compostable packaging’s contamination and labeling hurdles?

Extended producer responsibility laws can and should encompass compostable packaging, industry players at a recent Product Stewardship Institute webinar said. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 15, 2022

Mattress, textile, organics disposal bans begin in Massachusetts

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection is now requiring local governments and businesses to keep certain materials out of the waste stream.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 1, 2022

Environmental justice voices in the waste and recycling industry

Catch up on these Q&A conversations with experts from the U.S. EPA, Ya Fav Trashman, Detroit Dirt and others on how the waste and recycling industry can play a role in environmental justice efforts.

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 14, 2023

San Antonio targets demolition waste, spurs material reuse with deconstruction ordinance

In linking a waste reduction effort with other priorities, like affordable housing — a concern in one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities — San Antonio hopes to send less to landfills and make progress on zero waste aspirations.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 25, 2022

Could the EPA’s preference for ‘energy recovery’ change as it evaluates waste hierarchy, other tools?

The agency is reevaluating its longstanding materials management hierarchy and waste reduction model as part of broader research efforts. Advocacy groups have pushed to reduce any emphasis on incineration.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 24, 2022

Composting in wine country: Napa Valley’s multi-decade circular economy story

California’s organics recycling law is driving new demand for processing infrastructure. Longstanding efforts by Upper Valley Disposal and others to compost grape pomace have given the region a head start.

By Karine Vann • Oct. 19, 2022