The Latest

  • A tightly packed bale of crushed plastic bottles, compressed into a rectangular block and wrapped in clear plastic film. The bale contains various colored plastic bottles, flattened and compacted together, ready for recycling.
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    Alamy
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    California EPR stakeholders keep pushing through regulatory gray area

    A turbulent year of rulemaking has discouraged some on the SB 54 advisory board. Circular Action Alliance says companies should engage now to be ready for a quick turnaround.

  • A screenshot of David Keeling speaking at a podium
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    (2025). [Screenshot]. Retrieved from U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions.
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    David Keeling confirmed as new head of OSHA

    The former Amazon and UPS safety executive takes on the role as the agency is expected to advance a heat safety regulation. Keeling has said OSHA needs both regulatory and technology updates.

  • Side view of a garbage truck with a photo of Oscar the Grouch
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    Courtesy of Interstate Waste Services
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    NYC commercial waste reform

    New York’s commercial waste program expands with Bronx launch

    Carters earned $16.5 million during the first six months of a pilot zone in Queens. Meanwhile, the industry is pushing back on a proposal to exempt medical waste generators and the city announced 2026 zone launch timing.

  • A man speaks at a podium
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    [Screenshot]. Retrieved from Senate Environment and Public Works committee.
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    Senate confirms John Busterud to lead EPA waste office

    Busterud has a background in environmental law and previously served as administrator for EPA Region 9. This is the first time the position has been filled since 2021.

    Updated Oct. 7, 2025
  • Overhead view of a sleek bin with a lid and food scraps piled inside.
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    Courtesy of Mill
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    With multifamily pilot, Mill hopes to prove customers use its device even when it’s free

    The company shared the results of a multifamily pilot it ran in California. Mill hopes to convince municipalities and corporate partners that its devices earn strong participation, even from customers who didn’t pay for their own device. 

  • Veolia's Gum Springs, Arkansas, hazardous waste complex
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    Courtesy of Veolia North America
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    Veolia North America names new CEO

    Nadège Petit, formerly of Schneider Electric, will help lead the company toward its goal to grow by 50% in North America. The company has focused on acquisitions and facility investments in the region in recent years.

  • Plastic bottle on floor of recycling facility
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    ‘Innovative’ recyclers will weather economic challenges: National Recycling Congress

    Tariffs and other headwinds in labor and commodity markets are hitting recyclers hard, but some global manufacturing and domestic recycling infrastructure trends offer a silver lining, said ReMA Chief Economist Emily Sanchez.

  • Aerial view of a large facility with multiple large tanks next to an agricultural field.
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    Courtesy of Generate Upcycle
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    New Mexico begins debating clean fuels program; plus RNG news from Vanguard, Ameresco ​​​​​​

    Stakeholders are weighing in on how the country’s fourth state clean fuels program will be shaped. As in other states, environmental groups are hoping to nix a policy that benefits renewable natural gas produced on farms.

  • Chellie Pingree, NRDC, Climate Week
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    Permission granted by Jazzmine Beaulieu for NRDC
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    Food waste advocates are learning a new language in the Trump era

    Food waste reduction proponents like the Natural Resources Defense Council are shifting their messaging to continue winning support. In Congress, Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree said conversations are changing.

    Updated Oct. 3, 2025
  • Illustration of heavy equipment at a landfill
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    Danielle Ternes/Waste Dive
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    Tracker

    Tracking GHG emissions of US waste management companies

    Casella reported an uptick in emissions from a 2022 baseline. Previously, Clean Harbors reported it had surpassed a recycling goal early and Denali reported its scope 1 and 2 emissions.

    Updated Oct. 7, 2025
  • Piles of plastic packaging at a recycling facility, truck in the background
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    8.5M tons of packaging entered California landfills in 2024: CalRecycle study

    The study is mandated by the state’s SB 54 EPR for packaging regulations. It sheds light on how covered materials might be diverted from landfills after the program starts in 2027.

  • A trash truck leaves a material recovery facility.
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Casella sustainability update highlights recycling, safety improvements

    The progress report, a supplement to the biennial sustainability report, notes the company is behind on its GHG emissions goals but is increasing waste diversion and expanding safety programs.

  • People walk by trash trucks in an exhibit hall.
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    2026 waste and recycling industry conferences

    Mark your calendars for conferences in 2026 that will cover key topics such as recycling, waste management, compost, biogas and more. 

    Updated 17 hours ago
  • An excavator pushing a muddy pile onto agricultural land.
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    The image by Sustainable Sanitation Alliance is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Federal judge dismisses attempt to make EPA regulate PFAS in biosolids

    The ruling comes amid ongoing questions about how to handle contamination from upstream sources.

  • The American Battery Technology Company facility in McCarran, Nevada, with a parking lot at the front, and a road next to the facility under the sun. Snow-covered mountains are in the background.
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    Courtesy of American Battery Technology Company.

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    American Battery, Call2Recycle, partner on lithium-ion battery collection program

    ABTC says the partnership offers more sources of lithium-ion batteries to recycle, namely through Call2Recycle’s consumer-facing collection service, and can help strengthen domestic supply chains for critical materials.

  • Demonstration of Association of Plastic Recyclers Design Assessment Tool
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    Retrieved from Association of Plastic Recyclers YouTube on October 01, 2025
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    APR launching its 1st total-package recyclability assessment tool

    Citing demand from members and EPR-related needs, the Association of Plastic Recyclers’ tool will test packages against the most up-to-date versions of the longstanding Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability.

  • The side of a truck is pictured with multiple logos, including that of New Way Trucks. The company's automated side-loading mechanism is partially in view.
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    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
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    Federal Signal to buy into growing side-loader market via New Way Trucks deal

    Publicly traded Federal Signal expects its purchase of the family-owned truck manufacturer to close by the end of the year. It highlighted New Way’s position as the largest U.S. side-loader manufacturer in a note to investors.

  • Lithium-ion 18650 battery, commonly used in vape devices
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    Permission granted by Call2Recycle
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    Vape waste pilot in Missouri aims to shed light on long-term disposal solutions

    Data will be used to craft suggestions for permanent vape waste programs, such as statewide collection sites or an EPR program, said the Product Stewardship Institute and the Missouri Solid Waste Management District O.

  • Raley's flagship store in Sacramento, California’s Land Park neighborhood
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    Permission granted by Raley's
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    Divert partners with grocers to expand food waste prevention

    A partnership with Raley's aims to boost donations and turn food that can’t be donated into renewable energy and material to improve soil.

  • A pile of plastic bottles.
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    Getty Images
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    California recyclers look for new PET solutions in wake of rPlanet closure

    Some recyclers are calling for more direct help from California state lawmakers and agencies, while others say they're choosing between holding onto the material or selling for little profit in the Eastern U.S. or elsewhere.

  • A hand brushes organic materials like vegetable scraps off a plate and into a bin
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    Getty Images
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    ReFed, Closed Loop Partners each announce new organics grants

    ReFed’s catalytic grant funding round is set to open later this year. Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy has selected its recipients, which include composters around the country.

  • Republic Services collection truck
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    Courtesy of Republic Services
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    Republic Services acquires Montana landfill and hauler serving Helena

    The deal nets Republic its second landfill in the state. Tri-County Disposal has served the greater Helena area for more than 50 years as a privately owned hauler.

  • An aerial shot of the inside of an industrial facility
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    Permission granted by Resynergi
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    Chemical recycler Resynergi announces plans to leave California

    The company faced opposition from local residents. The company is moving to an unnamed industrial location it says offers more streamlined permitting, tax incentives and space to expand. 

  • Southern California Landfill with trash, blue sky, seagulls
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    Getty Images
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    California’s landfill methane rule proposal tightens gas rules

    The proposed rule would tighten restrictions for landfill gas collection and control systems and expand the role of remote monitoring programs.

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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Tomra to acquire Clynk, operator of bag drop programs in Northeast US

    Tomra, known for its reverse vending machine technology, sees Clynk's bag drop offerings as a complementary service. The company aims to expand in bottle bill states.