Notable waste and recycling conferences in 2025

Organizers have already begun planning conferences for 2025, with new locations announced for events by SWANA and ReFED. See details about next year’s events covering business trends, organics, plastic recycling and more.

Updated Oct. 4, 2024

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.

Tracking GHG emissions of US waste management companies

Casella Waste Systems recently shared its 2023 sustainability report. Compare its emissions reporting with other major waste companies, including Veolia North America, WM, Republic Services, Clean Harbors, Stericycle and more.

Updated Sept. 24, 2024

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.

California’s organics diversion mandate enters its ‘adolescent age,’ updated with new laws

The law requiring jurisdictions to divert organic waste from landfills has survived years of difficulty. Some newly passed tweaks for rural areas and composters look to move it beyond its growing pains. 

Lawsuits from California AG and others take aim at ExxonMobil’s chemical recycling claims

Coordinated lawsuits target the company’s role in pollution and describe the limitations of mechanical and advanced recycling to manage waste. Packaging companies have partnered with ExxonMobil to source recycled plastics.

DOE’s $3B funding round includes battery recycling projects

American Battery Technology Co., Ascend Elements, Cirba Solutions, Clarios Circular Solutions, Li Industries and others will use the funding for facilities to recycle and process critical materials needed for new battery manufacturing.

Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress

A bipartisan bill supported by the plastics industry calls for nationwide plastic recycling standards, a 30% recycled content rate, and chemical recycling provisions. 

Updated Sept. 20, 2024

Reworld sued again over decommissioned WTE facility in Connecticut

Country Holding alleges Covanta, now Reworld, unnecessarily decided to demolish the facility, which it had agreed to purchase, rather than leave assets to be upgraded or repurposed. Reworld argues it acted within the sale contract.

New and upcoming recycling facility projects boost regional capabilities

Cards Recycling, WM, Aurubis and a waste authority in Alabama have all invested in recent facility upgrades that could have implications for regional curbside programs or hard-to-recycle materials.

California closes reusable plastic carryout bag loophole

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 1053, a law that will eliminate plastic bags as an option at store checkouts. Retailers will still be allowed to sell certain recycled paper bags.

Veolia North America sets baseline GHG emissions, touts PFAS work

The French company released a global sustainability report and companion data for North America. It recently had its decarbonization targets verified by the Science-Based Targets initiative and set an emissions reduction road map.

WM to close Maryland MRF and reduce temp workforce as part of upgrade plan

The Elkridge facility’s closure is the latest development in WM’s efforts to invest more than $1 billion in new and upgraded recycling facilities across the US through 2026.

Northeast MRFs saw 40% jump in commodity values in a year: NERC report

Recent earnings calls for waste companies have reflected the trend of increased values identified in the report. NERC is seeking more MRFs to contribute data for its anonymous quarterly report.

Miami-Dade County, Florida, postpones vote on new incinerator due to siting concerns

The county mayor and board chair appeared to have different opinions about the best site, while commissioners said they need more time to weigh their options for the planned 4,000-ton-per-day facility.

EPA waste office unlikely to get a Senate-confirmed leader before Biden term ends

After prior nominee Carlton Waterhouse withdrew in 2023, the U.S. EPA hasn’t updated the status of the assistant administrator role at the Office of Land and Emergency Management. Nominees could reflect new administration priorities.

EPA announces $117M worth of recycling grant opportunities with organics focus

The new opportunities build on a historic amount of infrastructure funding the Biden administration has awarded for recycling projects since last year, as well as efforts to build a circular economy for organics and other materials.

EPA says it has no obligation to regulate PFAS in biosolids in federal lawsuit

The agency filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by farmers in Texas who allege they’ve been harmed by PFAS contamination from the spreading of sewage sludge, or biosolids, on agricultural land.