Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity

All American Waste recently acquired a longtime Connecticut hauler; Nexwaste launched with three Texas C&D acquisitions; Casella acquired a New York hauler; Laurel Mountain Capital acquired a Colorado hauler.

Updated April 15, 2025

Redwood Materials partners with Lime to recycle scooter batteries

The companies say the partnership will shore up domestic supply of critical materials and improve battery recycling supply chains. Recyclers hope such partnerships can prevent related fires.

What the pandemic means for waste and recycling five years later

While the “essential worker” spotlight may have faded and business is largely back to normal, certain effects still linger when it comes to labor investments and recycling streams.

Massachusetts EPR commission starting with paint, mattresses, batteries

The MassDEP-led group launched this week with discussions about how to advance legislation in various categories, including packaging.

New York City pauses curbside organics enforcement

The city issued tens of thousands of warnings before enforcement began on April 1, but Mayor Eric Adams has since paused that plan through the end of the year for most building owners.

Updated April 18, 2025

Healthcare packaging an untapped chemical recycling feedstock: report

The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council says its multi-year research into chemical recycling for healthcare packaging shows the material is an untapped feedstock that could help overcome collection and processing hurdles.

Bipartisan groups reintroduce pro-biofuel bills in Congress

One bill would extend the a tax credit through 2034, while another would add a $1-per-gallon tax credit for renewable natural gas sold as fuel. Their reintroduction comes amid division over the future of clean energy credits.

Inside The Recycling Partnership’s policy pivot

Founder Keefe Harrison said the organization’s shift toward recycling policy advocacy has helped spark improvements to recycling systems that can’t be accelerated with grant programs alone.

Arcwood CEO HP Nanda talks rebrand, new incinerators and tariffs

One year after EQT Infrastructure acquired a majority stake in Heritage Environmental Services, the company has rebranded to Arcwood Environmental. It caps off a period of expansion with fresh leadership.

Trump administration ordered to resume IRA funding

The decision, which stated federal agencies lacked authority to pause funding, follows the president’s executive order to freeze the money on his first day in office. 

EPA speeds up West Lake Landfill cleanup timeline after Zeldin visit

The changes mean responsible parties, which include Republic Services, could hire a contractor to begin remediation work 12 to 18 months sooner than previously expected.

EPA confirms SWIFR, REO grant funding disbursement on track

EPA will move forward with awarding the second round of solid waste and recycling grants. The news comes after uncertainty over the status of numerous federal funding opportunities for the waste and recycling sectors.

Trump targets state climate laws, escalates deregulatory agenda

The White House is targeting state laws related to climate and environmental justice, which could ensnare waste laws covering organics or landfills. It also told federal agencies they can repeal certain rules without public comment.

Generate Upcycle takes parting shots at Michigan regulators as digester shuts down

Executives have characterized the state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy as hostile to the Fremont Regional Digester, which Generate Upcycle has owned since 2017.

4 ways tariffs could impact recycled plastic markets

Recycling industry analysts say high-level trends affecting markets and manufacturing will affect recyclers as trade war uncertainties continue.

Updated April 10, 2025

Tracking recycling laws by state

An EPR for packaging bill continues to advance in Washington. A similar bill was recently approved in Maryland and awaits the governor’s signature.

Updated April 16, 2025

Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress

The House reintroduced the bipartisan Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act, a bill that would offer grants to improve recycling access in underserved communities. 

Updated April 11, 2025

Maryland lawmakers vote to end renewable subsidy for incineration

The move to repeal waste incineration from the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard was tucked into a broader energy package. It could cost operators like Win Waste millions in lost subsidies.

New Mexico governor signs 2 laws banning PFAS

The newly signed laws ban PFAS in most products and designate PFAS-containing firefighting foam as a hazardous waste, a move to more tightly regulate PFAS cleanups in the state.

Maryland EPR for packaging bill heads to governor’s desk

The bill calls for reimbursing key recycling collection, transportation and processing costs in the state, including for organics. Maryland would be the sixth state with packaging EPR if Gov. Wes Moore signs the bill. 

USDA tells digester funding applicants to remove diversity, climate language

The announcement means federal funding for anaerobic digesters on dairy farms could be unpaused for applicants willing to change project language.

American Battery reports production milestone, land sale

American Battery said it has reached key recycling milestones and plans to sell 12 acres of property for $6.75 million to help fund the next phase of producing battery-grade critical minerals. 

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.