From schools to stadiums: Tips for zero waste at large venues

Speakers at the National Zero Waste Conference last week discussed ways to incorporate reusable products in places where people gather, displacing a single-use status quo.

Clorox says 2023 cyberattack hurt progress on 2030 plastic, waste reduction goals

Data shows the company stagnated on lowering virgin material and upping PCR in packaging. It also disclosed the estimated potential costs from extended producer responsibility policies.

Coalition in EPR-friendly British Columbia reports increased collection volumes in 2023

Stewardship Agencies of British Columbia said residents are recycling more beverage containers and batteries than before. The coalition aims to increase collection rates on more items through coordinated programs.

Terex completes $2B purchase of Environmental Solutions Group

The deal valued Environmental Solutions Group, which includes brands like Heil and Soft-Pak, at 8.4 times its expected earnings for the year. Terex noted expected growth in the refuse vehicle market as one of its motivations.

Updated Oct. 9, 2024

Inside the debate over PLA, the packaging industry’s favorite bioplastic

Polylactic acid has been around for decades, but it only became popular as an option for compostable packaging more recently. While some environmental groups question its credentials, the packaging sector expects demand to grow.

Reworld to shut down California’s last MSW incinerator

The decision to close the Stanislaus County facility comes two years after California removed incentives for jurisdictions to route their waste to incineration. Reworld said it will focus on business opportunities elsewhere.

NWRA CEO Hoffman says ‘playing offense’ is key to better industry representation

Michael E. Hoffman discusses his first few months on the job and the association’s outlook on important policy and regulatory changes related to EPR, climate and the upcoming election.

Nation’s largest curbside organics collection program rolls out across New York City

The New York City Sanitation Department will now collect food waste from residents in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island after previously rolling out the service to Brooklyn and Queens. 

NYC market continues to consolidate, leading to new questions for waste zone system

Waste Connections’ purchase of a fellow awardee has left potential openings for competitors after it exceeded a 15-zone threshold. Meanwhile, Interstate Waste is buying up haulers, and others could become subcontractors.

Recology has satisfied requirements of San Francisco deferred prosecution agreement, DOJ says

The federal government is seeking to close out a three-year agreement that stemmed from the company’s role in a major public corruption scandal. Two executives have been sentenced and multiple others have left the company.

Key stories from the New York commercial waste reform saga

The multiyear push to implement a nonexclusive franchise system has been tumultuous and complex. Follow along with Waste Dive’s in-depth coverage.

Updated Oct. 7, 2024

Recycling industry eyes export improvements after port strike resolution

Ports important to recycled commodities trade are expected to reopen now that a labor strike is tentatively resolved, but some residual logistics and commodity price impacts could linger due to backlogs.

Treasury’s missing RNG credit guidance, plus news from Opal Fuels and more

The federal agency has yet to provide guidance on potentially lucrative tax credits passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Nevertheless, companies like WM and Opal Fuels continued to progress on new projects.

LRS releases first sustainability report, unveils emissions reduction plan

LRS’ sustainability report offers baseline greenhouse gas emissions data and a general plan for reducing emissions from landfills and fleet vehicles while maintaining recycling rates and continuing to improve safety rates.

Reworld to get new minority owner as EQT strikes deal with GIC

The transaction would increase the stake of investor GIC, which manages the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund. It would also infuse Reworld’s growth plans with fresh capital, executives said.

What’s next now that California’s EPR for textiles law has passed

CalRecycle is expected to start working on regulations early next year. Recycling and waste groups say the law should divert more textiles, which can be problematic to process, into reuse or repair end markets instead of landfills.

9 federal recycling and waste grants to apply for in 2024

Grant applications are due soon for numerous waste, recycling and organics programs funded by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The How2Recycle label is getting a new look

The campaign to transform the instructional label program involves a refreshed design, plans for greater investment in consumer education, enhanced data sources and partners handling different aspects of the system.

Compostable packaging’s relationship status with organics recyclers: ‘It’s complicated’

The BPI Summit highlighted tension and complexity around how to handle this growing category of packaging. The California Compost Coalition, Athens Services, Dirt Hugger, A1 Organics, Moonshot Compost and others weighed in.

Updated Oct. 1, 2024

California Gov. Newsom signs textile EPR bill into law; vetoes and signs other recycling bills

Newsom also signed laws updating PaintCare, carpet stewardship and organics procurement programs. He vetoed bills related to marine flares and vehicle traction battery management.

Updated Sept. 30, 2024

Michigan towns sue Republic Services subsidiary to prevent interstate shipment of hazardous waste

A site owned by Republic Services in Wayne County, Michigan, was set to receive radioactive waste from New York this fall before towns sued the company, seeking to halt the disposal plan.

How to handle the global issue of election waste

Local governments are preparing to deal with high volumes of yard signs, mailers and campaign material as the fall election season ramps up. Programs in Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida and elsewhere encourage recycling and reuse.

EPA warns landfill owners to meet gas monitoring and collection obligations amid noncompliance

The federal agency issued alerts that revealed its findings from over 100 inspections. It noted the climate impact of failing to control methane pollution and warned landfill owners that the agency would hold them accountable. 

Oregon multifamily recycling report calls for better funding, access

The report outlines well-known recycling challenges for people living in multifamily housing, such as lack of access and space constraints. It calls for a producer responsibility organization to dedicate funding for improvements.

San Francisco’s BottleBank aims to help in a state with limited container deposit options

California is set to invest millions in innovations meant to make its container deposit return system operate more efficiently. BottleBank shares lessons from its first two years in operation as a mobile bag drop program.