EPA chemical recycling debate heats up with letters from lawmakers, activists and industry pushback

Some environmentalists and lawmakers want pyrolysis and gasification units to remain regulated as waste combustion, but the plastics industry says the label doesn’t apply to most chemical recycling. EPA will consider new rules.

By Megan Quinn • July 19, 2022

Gainesville, Florida, seeks to be Southeast leader with major EV deployment, zero-waste policies

The college town is aiming to be a regional leader when it comes to reuse, edible food recovery and other areas. An upcoming contract with GFL Environmental also calls for dozens of electric collection vehicles.

By Maria Rachal • July 19, 2022

EPA seeks feedback on environmental justice action plan, equitable use of infrastructure funds

At a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, participants urged the agency to approve recycling projects, funded with infrastructure grant money, that avoid creating further environmental harm to disadvantaged communities. 

By Megan Quinn • July 14, 2022

San Francisco Bay Area, inspiration for California’s organics law, offers recycling lessons and limitations

Organics recycling has been the norm in San Francisco, Oakland and other jurisdictions for years. Part 5 of our series explores how some are trying to elevate their diversion efforts with residual waste sorting and other strategies.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 12, 2022

Zara parent Inditex invests $30M in textile waste company Circ

The fashion company joined Bill Gates-founded Breakthrough Energy Ventures in a Series B funding round.

By Dani James • July 12, 2022

What’s still on California’s legislative agenda for waste and recycling

Single-use plastics in e-commerce, state purchasing requirements, diversion credits from waste-to-energy facilities and a bottle bill expansion for wine are still in play before lawmakers end their session.

By Megan Quinn • July 11, 2022

How 3 Southern California programs are ramping up organics recycling

Preparing for SB 1383’s recycling requirements is a bigger lift for areas that didn’t already collect food scraps. Program officials in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino County share their stories in Part 4 of our series.

By Cole Rosengren • July 7, 2022

California Gov. Newsom signs nation's most comprehensive paper and plastic packaging EPR bill

The landmark legislation sets ambitious recycling and reduction rate targets for plastic and other types of packaging. Its passage averts a plastics fee ballot initiative and comes after years of stalled legislative efforts.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Updated July 1, 2022

Future of troubled Renovare unclear after West Virginia facility closure, surprise merger reversal

The company — formerly known as BioHiTech Global — has seen its stock price plummet following financial, operational and legal issues. Former partner Entsorga sees a path forward for its shuttered showcase plant.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 1, 2022

California EPR bill passes state Assembly, final vote must happen immediately

After four years of attempts, this major legislation could finally pass. The bill must now make it through the state Senate and reach the governor’s desk by the end of June to avert a competing plastics ballot measure.

By Megan Quinn • June 30, 2022

Congress makes moves on recycling funding, single-use plastic reduction

A rural recycling infrastructure bill gets a House version, efforts to reduce plastic packaging at the U.S. Capitol move forward, and USAID tackles ocean plastic with new Save Our Seas funding.

By Megan Quinn • June 29, 2022

Clock ticking for contentious California EPR bill to avert plastics ballot measure

SB 54 is supported by major recyclers, including Republic Services, but it is drawing opposition from key environmental groups. It must pass by the end of this month to stop an upcoming plastics fee ballot initiative.

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 27, 2022

California's local governments grapple with financial and logistical demands of organics recycling law

Regulations weren’t finalized for years, and the pandemic delayed many plans. New state grants worth $180 million will help, but more will be needed to meet this unfunded mandate. Read Part 3 of our series.

By Cole Rosengren • June 23, 2022

Surveying the corporate-controlled EPR landscape in 2022

Amid new producer responsibility action in states such as Colorado, New York and Hawaii, Neil Seldman of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance weighs in on the best way to approach this policy going forward.

By Neil Seldman • June 22, 2022

University of Maine researchers: Circular economy concepts may be overlooking environmental justice

The circular economy can offer “transformative promises” and potential job creation, but a recent literature review found many reports overlook EJ's role in sustaining such systems.

By Megan Quinn • June 21, 2022

Recycled cotton company Recover raises $100M in funding led by Goldman Sachs

The latest round of funding for a company focused on textile waste speaks to the need for innovation in an industry that creates tons of waste annually.

By Dani James • June 13, 2022

EPA aims to disburse $375M in waste and recycling funds from infrastructure bill by spring 2023

Stakeholders have called for the EPA to move quickly on implementing funding from grants and initiatives that the agency says represent its “largest investment in recycling in 30 years.”

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 15, 2022

California’s high-stakes experiment to cut organic waste disposal 75% by 2025

Waste companies and local governments in the state are making massive investments and operational changes to meet the demands of SB 1383. Explore the implications with our ongoing series.

Updated Nov. 14, 2022

Expecting food waste 'tsunami,' California recyclers focus on infrastructure and end markets

As the state rolls out universal organics collection, major companies such as Agromin, Anaergia, GreenWaste Recovery, Recology, Republic Services and WM are expanding to meet demand. Learn more in Part 2 of our series.

By Cole Rosengren • June 9, 2022

San Francisco voters approve reform measure in wake of Recology corruption scandal

The first major change to the local refuse ordinance in 90 years will update a rate-setting process that resulted in significant overcharges. It could also affect the company’s lock on hauling permits, pending further legislative action.

By Cole Rosengren • June 8, 2022

New York business improvement districts adapt to expansion of waste containerization pilot

The Times Square Alliance is moving forward with installations, but questions remain about barriers to participation around container choice and servicing for some potential adopters.

By Maria Rachal • June 6, 2022

Ambitious policy makes California a crucible for investments in organics collection and recycling

SB 1383, a sweeping law that calls for a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal by 2025 to reduce methane emissions, has spurred a flurry of activity. Is the state's current infrastructure ready to meet the moment? 

By Cole Rosengren • June 3, 2022

EPA’s Carlton Waterhouse: Environmental justice means thinking beyond regulatory requirements

The EPA official previewed a new recycling infrastructure map, more data and updates on grants to help facilities "green" their operations. He also urged facility operators to invest in their communities.

By Megan Quinn • May 31, 2022

Target, CVS testing reusable bag rental system in New Jersey

Coming on the heels of the state's ban on single-use paper and plastic bags, shoppers at select locations can now use in-store kiosks to rent and return bags through a program supported by Closed Loop Partners.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 23, 2022

WasteExpo highlights big ideas for solving food waste, recycling, data and infrastructure problems

Speakers from Recology, ERI, Generate Upcycle, Orlando and the state of California shared advice on how to advance waste, recycling and organics operations.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Updated May 23, 2022