Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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photovs via Getty Images
By the numbers: 2024 waste and recycling trends
Reflect on the year through key data points about labor, the economy, M&A, federal and state policy, recycling trends and more.
Megan Quinn, Cole Rosengren and Jacob Wallace • Dec. 20, 2024 -
Permission granted by New Mexico Recycling Coalition
EPA grant recipients share what it takes to make rural recycling work
The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling program has directed millions to rural areas around the country. Professionals from Alaska, Missouri, New Mexico and Virginia share tips for success.
Leslie Nemo • Nov. 13, 2024 -
Biosolids and PFAS questions are rippling to other states after Maine’s land application ban
The U.S. EPA has yet to offer guidance on how to address forever chemicals in the organic material from wastewater treatment facilities. States around the country are implementing their own policies to fill the gap.
Jacob Wallace • Nov. 4, 2024 -
Courtesy of NatureWorks
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.
Mary Catherine O'Connor • Oct. 9, 2024 -
Courtesy of MethaneSAT
Satellite and flyover tech advances for landfill methane as industry seeks more clarity
WM is testing a range of emissions detection options as it works to solidify a measurement system by next year. This comes as more groups are launching satellites and asking the U.S. EPA to update its regulations.
Leslie Nemo • July 9, 2024 -
The image by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
How California Treasurer Fiona Ma became ‘obsessed’ with waste and recycling
That obsession could affect the industry if Ma wins her bid for lieutenant governor. She has received backing from state waste companies over the years but has not always aligned with them on policy.
Mary Catherine O'Connor • Updated Sept. 3, 2024 -
Retrieved from U.S. EPA.
Hazardous waste incinerators see PFAS disposal opportunity, emissions questions remain
The U.S. EPA’s latest destruction and disposal guidance provides updated data on incineration's effectiveness, while noting the need for more research about the products of incomplete combustion.
April Reese • June 5, 2024 -
Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
Battery electric, hydrogen or CNG trucks? WasteExpo attendees say all of the above
As fleet operators try to keep up with federal and state emissions reduction requirements, the technology available to them is advancing quickly. Executives discussed key themes related to range, cost and infrastructure in Las Vegas.
Cole Rosengren • May 22, 2024 -
Permission granted by Renüable
South Florida composters eye opportunities as region faces disposal crunch
A growing number of subscription haulers in Miami-Dade, Broward and other counties are signing up residential and commercial customers as local officials debate landfill and incinerator expansions.
Cole Rosengren • May 6, 2024 -
Industry Dive; Keith Srakocic/AP
Chemical recycling plants are on the rise. What does it mean for MRF operators?
Chemical recyclers see MRFs and specialty collection partnerships as important feedstock sources to fulfill production promises, but experts say it’s too early to determine how they could influence recycled plastic markets.
Megan Quinn and Shaun Lucas • April 1, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Does the EPA’s Waste Reduction Model favor landfills or incineration?
After the EPA released a new version of WARM and held a public comment period, stakeholders across the spectrum of materials management believe there’s room for improvement.
Jacob Wallace • Updated March 21, 2024 -
Permission granted by Clean Energy Fuels
How a new wave of clean fuels bills could spur a biogas boom
New Mexico became the fourth state to enact a program, which has the potential to give biogas projects from landfills and on-farm digesters a boost. Could more states soon follow?
Jacob Wallace • March 13, 2024 -
Extreme-Photographer via Getty Images
5 issues to watch as New York reshapes its commercial waste system
Many questions remain about how companies were selected, how much recycling investment will occur, how soon companies get electric vehicles, when implementation will begin and more.
Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2024 -
Sean Pavone via Getty Images
Who came out on top with New York commercial waste zone contracts?
The 65 contracts awarded to provide service in the five boroughs effectively reset the market. Major companies such as Action Environmental and Waste Connections did well; others are left with tough choices.
Cole Rosengren • Feb. 13, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
EPR, bottle bills and right-to-repair legislation make a return in 2024 with nuanced new details
New state legislation for EPR, bottle bills and right-to-repair will become more complex in 2024, but lawmakers are playing a long game to build consensus around such involved bills, experts say.
Megan Quinn • Jan. 29, 2024 -
Courtesy of Archaea Energy
RNG industry expects voluntary agreements, new credits to spur growth in 2024
The renewable natural gas industry saw more than 60 projects come online last year. This year, it’s expecting to build on that growth as the industry matures.
Jacob Wallace • Jan. 22, 2024 -
photovs via Getty Images
By the numbers: Key 2023 waste and recycling trends
Look back on the year through data points on issues such as labor, M&A, federal funding, state policy and commodity pricing.
Jacob Wallace, Megan Quinn and Cole Rosengren • Dec. 22, 2023 -
Courtesy of Recology
Compostable packaging’s contested, complicated past doesn’t determine its future
Composters can struggle to manage the wide variety of new packaging entering the market, leading to greater calls for labeling guidelines and testing. Cities like San Francisco and Minneapolis offer case studies in how to make it work.
Mary Catherine O'Connor • Dec. 7, 2023 -
viavado via Getty Images
Has the waste and recycling industry’s multiyear M&A boom peaked?
Experts from Stifel, Houlihan Lokey, Comerica Bank, Raymond James, Waste Connections and others weigh in on the latest trends involving valuations, private equity, environmental services, antitrust and more.
Cole Rosengren • Nov. 27, 2023 -
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
Chemical recycling aims to scale fast in effort to manage plastic waste, even as questions remain
Chemical recycling proponents are investing in major projects to scale up the technology. Yet lingering policy, permitting and business factors will affect the trajectory of this fast-developing recycling sector.
Megan Quinn • Oct. 9, 2023 -
(2018). "Baltimore Food Waste & Recovery Strategy" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Baltimore Office of Sustainability.
With a $4M EPA grant, Baltimore looks to chart a fresh course on organics
The city's organics infrastructure is getting a jolt from the new funding. Composting advocates hope broader changes laid out in the city’s draft waste plan will follow.
Jacob Wallace • Sept. 26, 2023 -
(2016). Retrieved from Baltimore Department of Public Works.
Baltimore faces expensive road ahead for collection and disposal infrastructure
Despite pressure from advocacy groups, the city's 10-year waste plan anticipates landfill and incineration assets will continue to serve a key role as the city works to increase recycling.
Jacob Wallace • Sept. 18, 2023 -
Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images; Federal Trade Commission
Taming the wild west of environmental marketing: A Green Guides history
More than 30 years after state attorneys general pushed for scrutiny of marketing claims, the packaging landscape is as complicated as ever, and opinions vary about whether the guides served their original purpose.
Mary Catherine O'Connor • Updated Sept. 6, 2023 -
sebasnoo via Getty Images
Demand for recycled plastic in packaging is growing. So are concerns about potential health risks.
Recent studies have raised questions about health effects from plastic, including recycled material, as companies and regulators increasingly look at ways to advance the use of recycled resin in food-grade packaging.
April Reese • June 28, 2023 -
Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
Waste industry braces for ‘bumps and bruises’ in EV rollout as California sets the pace
Haulers and vehicle manufacturers at WasteExpo said they expect a potential collision between regulation-fueled demand and limited supply of battery-electric trucks. Charging infrastructure is also a growing concern.
Jacob Wallace • May 10, 2023
