Shareholder advocacy targets flexible packaging, reusables and recycling labels

Coca-Cola, Hyatt, Sealed Air, Starbucks and Wyndham recently reached agreements with shareholder advocates. Proposals remain pending at Amazon, Home Depot, Kraft Heinz, Mondelēz, PepsiCo and Wendy’s.

Updated April 7, 2025

Large plastic and battery recycling projects hit by DOE loan pause, tariffs

Li-Cycle, International Recycling Group and Redwood Materials all received commitments from the federal agency. But a changing financial landscape has led IRG to cancel its project while Li-Cycle struggles to access funds.

Updated April 7, 2025

Waste groups promote direct vision fleets on new safety council

Together for Safer Roads has launched a leadership group meant to advocate for integrating direct vision trucks into fleets to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities. IWS, NWRA, McNeilus, Dennis Eagle and others are on board.

Ares launches Sagepoint RNG developer, plus news from Opal, EnVitec, Nexus

Sagepoint’s CEO, a former leader of Kinetrex Energy and Kinder Morgan’s RNG unit, describes the new company’s growth path. Other biogas companies advanced projects and inked offtake agreements.

Republic to up landfill odor measures in California; Seneca Meadows expansion debate

Elsewhere, WM’s Florida expansion faces opposition, Republic is looking to expand a Colorado landfill and an Illinois landfill is set to close.

Ideas for easing recycled content woes through policy, packaging

Brand innovations, policy changes and better communication could help ease challenges associated with adding recycled content to packaging, said speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference.

Crate idea: Transport packaging made from recycled Tetra Pak cartons

The polymer and aluminum material, polyAl, that gets separated from fiber during carton recycling is a key material for the new transport crates made by Schoeller Allibert. 

New Mexico advances heat safety rule

If passed, the state would be the sixth to implement its own heat-related guidance, after a federal standard appears to have lost steam.

Quest CEO: ‘Next stage requires a change in culture’

Perry Moss, appointed CEO last month, said in an interview that he would bring a new “process-oriented” perspective to the company that would resolve some of its mistakes last year.

Alberta launches EPR for packaging program

The first phase of the program places responsibility on producers to fully fund packaging recycling, a move government officials say will raise recycling rates and decrease costs.

MassRecycle urges faster waste reduction action amid climate change

The group’s annual conference included perspective from Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, as well as an update on a possible universal organics disposal ban and efforts to advance EPR for batteries.

Hitting a plateau: Circular packaging designers face flexibles hurdle

Many companies have targets to make 100% of their packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. Now, as they face the hardest categories to transform, some are weighing whether it’s feasible.

Data, transparency could shed light on curbside collection challenges

To fight decreasing curbside collection volumes, speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference emphasized embracing hard conversations with customers and investing in data collection.

After the fires: Managing piles of ash and lost homes in California

The Los Angeles County fires destroyed thousands of properties. Local residents, including a National Recycling Coalition member, now face cleanup and rebuilding decisions.

Fort Worth, Texas, ends Synagro’s biosolids contract early

The city council voted to terminate their 10-year contract with Synagro early and will take over a biosolids drying facility. The decision comes amid questions over PFAS contamination and responsibility in the region.

California poised to ramp up landfill emissions regulations

The state just announced a new satellite monitoring program, and key officials are lining up in support of a new landfill methane rule. Advocates are eager for that process to start.

US states renew push for tethered bottle caps to help recycling

Since last July, companies selling single-use plastic beverage containers in the EU have had to tether caps or lids. California legislators advanced a similar regulation that beverage makers oppose.

Glass Half Full opens facility to boost Southeast glass recycling

The new site offers 30 times more capacity and expands the company’s offerings into the cullet market.

Trump nominates former Florida Highway Patrol chief as FMCSA head

The trucking industry had lobbied for Derek Barrs' nomination to lead the safety regulator. 

What a new ‘waters of the United States’ rule could mean for waste facilities

The U.S. EPA plans to solicit feedback and tighten the language on its “waters of the United States” definition, which guides federal water permits. Changes could ease the permitting process for waste facilities.

AI-enabled MRF technology aids food-grade polypropylene recovery: report

A study led by Closed Loop Partners, in collaboration with Greyparrot, analyzed more than 650 tons of material from four U.S. MRFs. 

Breaking down what deregulation means for landfills

The U.S. EPA has already issued new language regarding enforcement of landfill emissions rules and reporting requirements. Experts say other impacts could take months or years to unfold.

Updated March 24, 2025

Packaging groups back bipartisan recycling bill in Congress

Ball, Kraft Heinz, SC Johnson and other companies pledged their support. This adds to other packaging-related bills in the 119th Congress, including the Steward Act and the Farewell to Foam Act.

California packaging EPR implementation moves ahead amid regulatory redo

State officials shared updates in the first SB 54 advisory board meeting since Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a regulatory restart. CalRecycle said it will continue working on other statutory requirements in the meantime.

Three ways to refresh workplace safety initiatives

Mixing up employee safety programs, taking a fresh look at data and getting leadership more involved can add pep to flagging safety initiatives, said speakers at the Waste Advantage Safety Summit.