The Latest

  • 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

    VLS Environmental acquired AA Sydcol and Industrial Waste Utilization. Northstar Recycling acquired Waste Technology Services, and FV Recycling acquired Mid America Paper Recycling.

    Updated Oct. 16, 2025
  • A small locking waste bin with the Compost Crew and Mill logos sits on a curb. A worker walks behind a collection truck toward the bin.
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    Permission granted by Mill
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    Mill partners with DC hauler to take the ‘ick’ out of curbside organics

    Mill will offer its devices to customers who sign up for a collection contract with Compost Crew starting at $39 per month. The latter company, based in Maryland, will collect the organic waste and compost it at its existing facilities.

  • A rear view of multiple people pushing shopping carts next to a display case in a grocery store
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    USDA and FDA food recalls are on the rise. What happens to the waste?

    The Food and Drug Administration recalled nearly 85 million units through the first half of the year and managing this organic waste can be complicated. Misfits Market is one company focused on upcycling safe, edible food.

  • Pile of grape pomace at California compost facility, mountains in background
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    Karine Vann/Waste Dive
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    California governor signs organics, glass recycling market bills into law

    Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills meant to expand composting options for certain growers, extend recycled glass market incentives for beverage bottle production and clarify the role of RNG in state diversion goals.

  • Gavin Newsom speaking on stage in business attire during a conference
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    Yana Paskova via Getty Images
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    Newsom blocks bill that would further limit PFAS in packaging

    While packaging groups opposed the PFAS bill, it was ultimately derailed by pushback from the restaurant industry. The California governor also vetoed a bill to further limit plastic microbeads in certain products.

    Updated Oct. 16, 2025
  • an overhead shot of people standing near the open door of a recycling facility.
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    Courtesy of Apex Waste Solutions
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    Apex, WM and others upgrade MRFs, spurred by EPR

    Recyclers have invested millions this fall on projects in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Oregon. Glacier, Waste Connections and BLT Enterprises are other companies with recent upgrades.

  • an exterior photo of VLS's Deer Park, Texas, facility.
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    Courtesy of VLS
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    VLS Environmental ramping up elemental mercury disposal site in Texas

    The company says it now has the only facility in the U.S. capable of providing disposal for the element, which cannot be exported due to a 2013 law. It has experience managing 70 million gallons of other types of mercury waste.

  • Commercial waste truck in New York
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    Getty Images
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    Waste software company Sourgum looks to expand nationwide in 2026

    The company was started in 2022. Joe DiNardi-Mack, its co-founder and a fourth-generation waste industry member, said he hopes to enable small and large haulers alike to better connect with customers through the platform.

  • An industrial facility with a smokestack is viewed from a distance.
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    [Photograph]. Retrieved from Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority.
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    Palm Beach County, Florida, approves $1.5B plan for second incinerator

    The facility will replace an aging refuse-derived fuel plant operated by Reworld. Pinellas County also approved an operations contract with FCC.

    Updated Oct. 14, 2025
  • Refurbished Waste Pro truck
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    Permission granted by Waste Pro
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    Waste Pro reports $170M in M&A for 2025, ‘record year’ for municipal contracts

    The Florida-based company logged 24 acquisitions and focused on growing its disposal and processing capabilities. It also noted significant municipal contracts worth $520 million in major Florida counties.

  • 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 Oct. 10, 2025
  • 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.