The Latest

  • United States map with recycling arrows superimposed on top
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    Photo Illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Tracker

    Tracking recycling laws by state

    Colorado’s Senate passed a stewardship bill for electric vehicle batteries, while the state Senate in Alaska approved a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics.

    Updated 21 hours ago
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    Adobe Stock

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    Sponsored by RouteSmart – A FedEx Company

    When route knowledge walks out the door: The hidden risk in waste collection operations

    When experienced drivers or route planners leave, that loss quickly turns into missed pickups, rising costs and service disruptions.

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

    Arcwood Environmental acquired Alabama-based Safeway, Apollo acquired Noble Environmental in Pennsylvania and Hoffman Sanitation Services continued its rollup of Oklahoma haulers.

    Updated May 13, 2026
  • The state capitol in Augusta, Maine
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    Getty Images
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    Maine’s packaging EPR implementation lags

    The Maine Department of Environmental Protection still expects producers will owe money this year. But the process of contracting with a stewardship organization has repeatedly been pushed back.

  • Stacks of upside down paper cups with integrated brown holders.
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    Getty Images
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    20% of US residents can now recycle paper cups, FPI says

    Paper cup recycling access has nearly quadrupled during the last decade, according to FPI. But more work is needed, including on end markets as some mills that accepted the material have recently left the pool.

  • A Republic Services truck and dumpster.
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    Courtesy of Republic Services
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    Republic Services beats headwinds to deliver growth in Q1

    The company grew key financial metrics despite headwinds from commodity prices, fuel costs and extreme weather in the first quarter. Executives said the environmental services business would also strengthen as the year goes on.

  • A worker sorts paper at a MRF
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    Courtesy of Recology
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    CAA seeks to standardize responsible end market requirements

    CAA seeks public comments on a proposed REM standard meant to be cohesive across packaging EPR states. It ensures materials are handled in an environmentally sound way.

  • A stainless steel machine with a handle and the Mill logo sits in the middle of a busy kitchen.
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    Courtesy of Mill Commercial
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    Mill strikes deal with Compass Group to enter commercial kitchens

    The company has partnered with Google and Amazon as it develops a commercial-sized machine. Mill is planning significant growth for its food waste processors in the commercial space.

  • Waste Connections truck in Brooklyn, NY
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Q1 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2026

    Catch up with the latest results from Republic Services, Casella, Waste Connections, WM and GFL Environmental.

    Updated May 12, 2026
  • A truck dumps bales of plastic at a construction site.
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    Courtesy of Light House
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    Could construction sites be the next source for recycled plastic?

    Canadian researchers with Light House found that 77% of plastic collected at construction sites was recyclable. It recommends parallel investments in end markets and recycling infrastructure.

  • A blue Republic Services garbage truck is driving on a city street past beige buildings and storefronts. The side of the truck features a large white and red star logo with text. The truck also displays the number 2237 and “Clean Air Vehicle.”
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    Alamy
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    Republic Services completes acquisition of Robinson Waste in Utah

    The family-run hauler received an investment from ERA Partners in 2024. Its collection and transfer assets further densify Republic’s position in the Salt Like City region.

    Updated May 8, 2026
  • Metal sign that says Environmental Protection Agency on stone wall of building.
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    Getty Images
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    EPA promotes chemical recycling amid polarizing public comment period

    Stakeholders are split on an EPA proposal to remove pyrolysis from an air emissions rule, a move that will have direct implications for the chemical recycling industry.

  • Clean Harbors at household hazardous waste collection event in Abington, Pennsylvania.
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    The image by Montgomery County Planning Commission is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Clean Harbors raises guidance after record-high Q1 revenue

    The company said landfill volumes increased 34% year over year in part due to PFAS-related project work. Other segments also outperformed expectations, prompting Clean Harbors to raise full-year guidance.

  • View looking over a landfill landscape
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    [Photograph]. Retrieved from Orange County Waste & Recycling.
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    EPA fines California landfills; Orange County faces disposal crunch

    WM and Sacramento County each were fined over alleged landfill gas violations, which EPA says they have since resolved. Elsewhere, public officials weigh difficult decisions amid declining capacity.

  • Tennessee state Sen Heidi Campbell speaks on stage
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    Permission granted by GreenBlue
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    5 predictions as US packaging EPR progresses

    The last 18 months “feels sort of like 18 years,” said Circular Action Alliance’s CEO. Political, PRO and packaging leaders discussed where EPR is headed, including implications for data and design and how to measure success.

  • A fuel pump in focus in front of a line of waste trucks.
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    Permission granted by Clean Energy Fuels
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    Cummins engine could fuel the RNG market; Biogas news from Vanguard, Opal

    Early adopters of the X15N engine have seen positive results, which may translate to additional fuel demand, according to the latest State of Sustainable Fleets report. Natural gas vehicle adoption also grew in 2025.

  • California state flag and state capitol building in Sacramento
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    Getty Images
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    At long last, California publishes SB 54 EPR rules

    The milestone gives way to next compliance steps for the sweeping extended producer responsibility and source reduction law. Circular Action Alliance also published estimated fees for obligated producers.

  • The U.S. Capitol building
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    Heather Diehl via Getty Images
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    Farm bill passes House with added compost language

    The bill, which sets the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget, now goes to the Senate. New language would ensure farmers can be reimbursed for using compost as a soil amendment, unlocking more business for composters.

  • A worker rolls a trash cart to a trash truck on the street
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    WM completes acquisition of Waste Resources in California

    The company, which offers residential and commercial hauling in parts of Southern California, has franchise agreements in several cities that provided approval to change contracts over to WM service.

    Updated May 4, 2026
  • Casella collection truck
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    Courtesy of Casella Waste Systems
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    Casella updates outlook amid positive pricing and acquisitions in Q1

    During an earnings call on Friday, executives offered updates on the Star Waste deal, tech upgrades and landfill permitting progress.

  • A wood grinder sits between two piles of organic material.
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    Retrieved from Southeast Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Authority.
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    Connecticut’s first publicly-owned compost facility nears construction

    The Southeast Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Authority is contracting with a local firm to build its composting facility. Black Earth Compost and the authority are nearing final terms to operate it.

  • The exterior of a garbage truck with the GFL Environmental logo
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    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
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    GFL defends Secure M&A plan amid strong quarter

    Executives again highlighted the upside of the proposed Secure Waste acquisition during the company’s earnings call, as the underlying business showed strength. They also noted plans to double revenue in Texas.

  • A worker rolls a trash cart to a trash truck on the street
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Former WM CFO to women: Don’t wait for perfect

    The importance of extending grace is one of the lessons Devina Rankin shared as she reflected on a decades-long career at the Houston-based company.

  • View of an alley in Providence, Rhode Island, with dumpsters
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Providence, Rhode Island, updates recycling, organics with $3.6M in grants

    A combination of EPA and USDA funding has resulted in numerous changes throughout the city, including free commercial recycling service, residential recycling carts, and organics collection and processing infrastructure.

  • A close up of the WM - Waste Management logo
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    WM’s mixed Q1 led by strong core business trends, health care improvements

    Company executives noted operational improvements in the healthcare sector and advancements in sustainability infrastructure, but lower overall volumes due to severe winter weather. 

  • Aerial view of Divert's Longview facility, which features an industrial shed and large cylindrical tower and a pipe system.
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    Permission granted by Divert
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    Divert opens Washington digester as financial backing grows

    Company leaders joined local officials in Longview to celebrate the grand opening of the anaerobic digestion facility. It comes as Divert secures backing from Mitsubishi for its aggressive growth strategy.

    Updated May 1, 2026