Deep Dive: Page 2
Industry insights from our journalists
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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 -
HaizhanZheng via Getty Images
New York’s Brookhaven Landfill is closing soon. Is Long Island ready?
A prime destination for incinerator ash and C&D will soon be out of capacity. Winters Bros. Waste Systems has acquired rail transfer assets with plans to build a new site and is looking to play a lead role in the region’s next chapter.
Cole Rosengren • April 26, 2023 -
Permission granted by Casella Waste Systems
Some landfills will begin treating PFAS on-site as regulators move to adopt new limits
Companies such as Casella Waste Systems and Waste Connections are building their own wastewater treatment plants for leachate and testing a range of technologies as the industry awaits federal standards.
April Reese • Jan. 17, 2023 -
Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
The fragile ecosystem of Massachusetts C&D recycling
The state’s construction recycling requirements have spurred a wave of new infrastructure investments and led to more acquisitions. Some say they’ve also constrained capacity, all while the region’s building boom continues.
Cole Rosengren • Jan. 11, 2023 -
Permission granted by Rabbit Recycling
Specialty recycling pick-up services flip the script on items accepted curbside
Services from Ridwell, Rabbit Recycling, TerraCycle, Casella Waste Systems and others are seeing growth as consumers want more options for hard-to-recycle products. Yet some are also navigating cost and legal challenges.
Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 13, 2022 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Is California’s 2025 organics diversion target still viable?
An independent commission is now assessing whether course corrections are needed for the state’s landmark SB 1383 law. CalRecycle, WM, Republic Services, Agromin, Anaergia and many others have weighed in.
Cole Rosengren • Nov. 14, 2022 -
Permission granted by OC Waste & Recycling
What California’s organics recycling law could mean for the future of landfills
As the state looks to dramatically reduce disposal volumes in the coming years, the shift is prompting new questions about the waste industry’s operating model. Orange County is one notable landfill operator pivoting to composting.
Cole Rosengren • Oct. 13, 2022 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Los Angeles had a rocky commercial waste zone rollout but is seeing results. What’s in store for New York?
New York has big goals for its zone system to boost diversion rates, infrastructure investment and labor standards. First, the city and haulers must navigate a transition process that one LA official called “six months of hell.”
Cole Rosengren • Sept. 19, 2022 -
Natalie Behring via Getty Images
National Sword kicked off a wave of MRF investments. 5 years later, tech and funding continue to advance.
While the initial shock led facility operators to scramble, many have since invested millions in new equipment to improve material quality. Now, brand commitments and state policies are expected to be the next big market drivers.
Megan Quinn • Sept. 14, 2022 -
Courtesy of Boro-Wide Recycling
New York commercial waste haulers hold their breath after submitting bids for 10-year contracts
Bids are in to operate in the Department of Sanitation’s upcoming commercial waste zone system. Haulers of all sizes are waiting to learn their fates while operating under lingering pandemic and inflationary pressures.
Cole Rosengren • Aug. 24, 2022 -
VCG via Getty Images
Domestic destinations for recycled paper and plastic are growing. Is National Sword the reason?
A wave of investments occurred in the U.S. over the last five years, but experts debate how much is due to China's scrap import restrictions versus other economic, environmental and geopolitical factors.
Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 22, 2022 -
bunhill via Getty Images
Can carbon capture make incinerators a net-zero solution? European operators aim to find out.
Climate goals are inspiring European operators to explore new technologies for their emissions, yet the environmental and financial outcomes remain to be seen. Skeptics say reduction, reuse and recycling are still the best options.
Leslie Nemo • July 26, 2022 -
Elizabeth Gribkoff/Waste Dive
As organics depackager equipment market grows, so do concerns over microplastics contamination
Companies like Vanguard Renewables are investing millions to facilitate commercial organics recycling as researchers and state regulators work to keep PFAS and microplastics out of the equation.
Elizabeth Gribkoff • July 18, 2022 -
Melpomenem via Getty Images
San Francisco Bay Area, inspiration for California’s organics law, offers recycling lessons and limitations
Organics recycling has been the norm in San Francisco, Oakland and other jurisdictions for years. Part 5 of our series explores how some are trying to elevate their diversion efforts with residual waste sorting and other strategies.
Cole Rosengren • Updated July 12, 2022 -
Permission granted by City of San Diego
How 3 Southern California programs are ramping up organics recycling
Preparing for SB 1383’s recycling requirements is a bigger lift for areas that didn’t already collect food scraps. Program officials in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino County share their stories in Part 4 of our series.
Cole Rosengren • July 7, 2022 -
Courtesy of Entsorga West Virginia
Future of troubled Renovare unclear after West Virginia facility closure, surprise merger reversal
The company — formerly known as BioHiTech Global — has seen its stock price plummet following financial, operational and legal issues. Former partner Entsorga sees a path forward for its shuttered showcase plant.
Cole Rosengren • Updated July 1, 2022 -
DustyPixel via Getty Images
California's local governments grapple with financial and logistical demands of organics recycling law
Regulations weren’t finalized for years, and the pandemic delayed many plans. New state grants worth $180 million will help, but more will be needed to meet this unfunded mandate. Read Part 3 of our series.
Cole Rosengren • June 23, 2022 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Expecting food waste 'tsunami,' California recyclers focus on infrastructure and end markets
As the state rolls out universal organics collection, major companies such as Agromin, Anaergia, GreenWaste Recovery, Recology, Republic Services and WM are expanding to meet demand. Learn more in Part 2 of our series.
Cole Rosengren • June 9, 2022 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Ambitious policy makes California a crucible for investments in organics collection and recycling
SB 1383, a sweeping law that calls for a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal by 2025 to reduce methane emissions, has spurred a flurry of activity. Is the state's current infrastructure ready to meet the moment?
Cole Rosengren • June 3, 2022 -
Natalie Behring via Getty Images
Big Food's sustainable packaging goals hit supply and demand reality
As consumer packaged goods companies set targets to cut virgin plastic use, the pandemic, poor weather and war have complicated their timelines.
Samantha Oller • May 25, 2022 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Is jet fuel from waste finally ready for takeoff?
Multiple projects to create sustainable aviation fuel from waste are underway, including a Fulcrum BioEnergy plant a decade in the making. Questions remain about whether it will be a scalable, viable success for the circular economy.
Danielle Beurteaux • March 23, 2022 -
Jeremy Christensen via Getty Images
As compost volumes grow, policy and research help boost market expansion
Composters are continuously exploring market options as organics recycling expands. Transportation projects, carbon sequestration, green roofs and cannabis farming are among many opportunities.
Leslie Nemo • Feb. 14, 2022 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
EPR remains top item in state recycling policy debate, but bottle bills and plastic bans also in play
After a "breakthrough" in 2021, legislators and supporters aim to pass more laws in 2022 they say will improve recycling systems and curb litter. Competing stakeholder perspectives could complicate the finish line for many bills.
Megan Quinn • Updated Feb. 10, 2022
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