The Latest

  • Aerial view of a collection truck picking up waste or recyclables in a residential area
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    RichLegg via Getty Images
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    Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity

    VLS acquired a Virginia field services company; Capital Waste acquired a Tennessee hauler and landfill operator; Reworld acquired a hazardous waste transport company; Rumpke acquired an Ohio hauler.

    Updated Dec. 19, 2024
  • A side-loading collections vehicle is parked on a road in front of a line of palm trees and marina filled with boats.
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    Permission granted by Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery
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    EPA grants California waiver for low-NOx truck emissions rule

    The rule had been adopted by nine states in anticipation of the waiver. But President Trump previously sparred with California over waivers for its emissions rules, and many expect him to do so again in his second term.

  • Two workers in yellow hard hats stand over a conveyor belt full of recyclable materials, primarily plastics, in an industrial facility
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    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
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    What’s next now that Oregon has adopted final EPR for packaging rules

    Finalized rules include new permitting and living wage requirements for MRFs, as well as new fees the PRO will be expected to pay certain recyclers.

  • Vermont landscape, with red building in foreground, digester tanks in the middle and forest/skyline in the back.
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    Courtesy of Vanguard Renewables
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    Vanguard Renewables names new CEO as owner BlackRock looks for growth

    The anaerobic digestion company’s former CEO, who held the role since before Vanguard was purchased by a division of BlackRock Real Assets, has departed, the company confirmed.

  • A person wheels a cart through an airport terminal
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    Courtesy of Denver International Airport
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    Denver airport’s diversion pilot program tackles waste through ‘valet’ service

    The Zero Waste Valet program, run by compost company Scraps, aims to raise the airport's diversion rate. It diverted more than 69 tons of material in the first six months.

  • An Aspen Waste Systems truck parked next to a road sign
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    Courtesy of Aspen Waste
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    Aspen Waste announces organic expansion into Colorado, bucking M&A trend

    Family-owned Aspen Waste enters the Colorado market during a time of consolidation in the region. It aims to offer a customer service-focused choice as the state prepares to implement its EPR for packaging law.

  • A compost pile in front of green background
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    berkah jaya via Getty Images
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    US Composting Council executive director to step down

    Frank Franciosi announced he will leave his position next year, and will be succeeded by the organization’s deputy director, Linda Norris-Waldt.

  • Aerial view of a landfill in Ontario County, New York
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    Retrieved from Ontario County, New York on December 13, 2024
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    Casella-operated New York landfill to close in 2028; Republic appeals Tennessee expansion denial

    Current or proposed landfills in Arizona, Hawai’i, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia had recent updates on permitting and other projects. This includes sites operated by WM, GFL Environmental and others.

  • Close up of food scraps
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    futurewalk via Getty Images
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    New York Gov. Hochul signs law expanding organics recycling mandate

    The governor signed the bill on Thursday after it passed the state’s legislature in May. It lowers the threshold at which certain entities must divert organics under the state’s existing food recovery and recycling law.

    Updated Dec. 13, 2024
  • Aerial view of trucks, booths and people standing in the Las Vegas Convention Center at WasteExpo 2024
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Notable waste and recycling conferences in 2025

    The C&D World Conference & Exhibition and EREF Summit on Landfill Emissions are the latest industry events to add dates for 2025. 

    Updated Dec. 11, 2024
  • Overview of Fulcrum's Sierra BioFuels Feedstock Processing System in Nevada
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    Courtesy of Fulcrum Bioenergy
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    WM buys Fulcrum BioEnergy site in Nevada via bankruptcy process

    A judge recently approved WM’s purchase of a feedstock processing facility adjacent to one of the company’s landfills. Fulcrum’s biorefinery, which sought to convert waste to fuel, went to a different company.

  • Exterior of glass-walled office building with letters spelling "Rubicon"
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    Rubicon names new CFO and board members, hints at pending sale

    Rubicon’s new CFO, Eric Bauer, comes from Circulus, where a Rubicon board member serves as CEO. The company also sold $20 million in preferred equity to Rodina Capital, an entity affiliated with Rubicon’s majority shareholder.

    Updated Dec. 13, 2024
  • Waste and recycling bins in Montgomery County, Maryland
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Maryland late on EPR recommendations, continuing work into 2025

    The advisory council says it needs information from a recycling needs assessment to move forward on extended producer responsibility for packaging legislation recommendations that were originally due Dec. 1.

  • Workers walk by a PFAS treatment facility
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    Courtesy of Crystal Clean
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    Q&A

    Crystal Clean ‘all in’ on PFAS remediation services amid shifting regulatory landscape

    Crystal Clean’s Darci Ackerman said the company is expanding its PFAS remediation services, researching new options for treatment and calling for more research into soil remediation and other PFAS science. 

  • A rendering of an industrial facility. Several cylindrical tanks of various sizes are rendered on the property.
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    Permission granted by Nexus W2V
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    Nexus W2V receives backing to begin first RNG facility outside Chicago

    The company first announced plans for growth after an outside investment last year. Now, it hopes its Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex can be the first in a series of “waste-to-value” facilities.

  • GFL Environmental truck at Waste Expo
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Judge approves agreement limiting PFAS pollution from GFL landfill in North Carolina

    The consent decree between GFL Environmental and the Southern Environmental Law Center, first released in August, will address PFAS contamination, odors and other issues at the facility.

    Updated Dec. 10, 2024
  • Two people wearing white lab coats and protective nets over their hair and shoes tinker on a machine using small tools. They are in a lab with highly technical-looking equipment.
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    Courtesy of Tanager-1 Delivery Milestone - Planet Labs, PBC
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    GHGSat and Carbon Mapper satellites take flight as landfill gas monitoring tech matures

    Satellite fleets are growing and bringing new data on fugitive landfill emissions. Their owners hope the technology can play a central role in landfill gas monitoring.

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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Aluminum can recycling in US at lowest point in decades: report

    A 2030 target to achieve a 70% aluminum beverage can recycling rate is unachievable based on the current state of U.S. recycling systems and policies, the Can Manufacturers Institute and Aluminum Association reported.

    Updated Dec. 11, 2024
  • The state capitol in Augusta, Maine
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    aimintang via Getty Images
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    Maine adopts final rules for EPR for packaging law

    The finalized rules come after months of public comments and stakeholder meetings. Certain stakeholders voiced concerns over costs, and some waste groups questioned a disposal reimbursement provision.

  • Several large pipes criss-cross between industrial buildings, including a large tank-like structure.
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    Courtesy of Divert
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    Biogas investment tax credit finalized with favorable language for RNG

    The final rule includes properties that convert biogas into renewable natural gas in a lucrative credit program designed to boost investment in clean energy. Developers are expected to rush to qualify before the end of the year.

  • Maura Healey, seated at a table, holds up a climate law, surrounded by a group of people clapping.
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    Retrieved from X.
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    Massachusetts governor signs law to form EPR commission for packaging, other categories

    A special commission, led by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, will report back to the legislature by early 2026. It marks incremental progress in a state known for legislative inaction on waste issues.

  • A multi-story production facility with a large, tall smokestack depicted in a picture taken from the air on a sunny day.
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    [Photograph]. Retrieved from Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County.
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    Delayed Miami-Dade incinerator plan draws Trump attention while other Florida projects advance

    Commissioners in Miami-Dade County again postponed a decision on building a new combustion facility. Meanwhile, projects in Lee, Palm Beach and Pasco counties are taking steps forward.

  • Large bundles of plastic bags, cans and milk containers await processing at a recycling center.
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    shaunl via Getty Images
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    California PRO names former CalRecycle director as state lead

    Rachel Wagoner, former director of CalRecycle, will become CAA’s executive director for the state, where she will help oversee the rollout of an EPR for packaging law.

  • A pile of older cell phone devices
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    Chris Jackson via Getty Images
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    Textile takeback company Trashie expands into electronics recycling

    The textile processing company, which rewards consumers who send in old clothing, sees fast-growing opportunities in the electronics recycling sector.

  • Bottles of Coca-Cola products are displayed on a store shelf on July 14, 2023 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Coca-Cola lowers ambition with new 2035 packaging sustainability targets

    The new goals cover packaging design and collection. The move follows an August statement that it was “behind plan” to meet certain 2030 goals.