EPR and bottle bills enter a crowded legislative agenda in 2025

Extended producer responsibility and bottle bills will continue to influence recycling policy at the state level, even as federal priorities could shift. Other bills for batteries or mattresses could also make an appearance in 2025.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 29, 2025

Sean Duffy confirmed as Transportation secretary

The former congressman will now lead agencies responsible for regulating vehicle safety and funding infrastructure projects.

By David Taube • Jan. 29, 2025

RTS raises $40M, sues investor K1 over alleged takeover plan

The waste broker and tech company’s latest funding round, led by Edison Partners, is described as a way to keep growing the business. It comes days after a lawsuit alleging interference by K1 Investment Management.

By Jacob Wallace , Cole Rosengren • Updated Jan. 24, 2025

Stericycle to pay $9.5M penalty for RCRA violations by former hazardous waste business

The U.S. EPA and DOJ said Stericycle lost track of hazardous waste shipments or failed to document them for years, until the business unit was sold in 2020. It could be one of the largest civil penalties ever paid for RCRA violations.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 21, 2025

Rubicon names former Circulus head Dulin as new CEO

Michael Dulin is the second executive to join Rubicon’s C-suite from Circulus, a plastics recycler that Dow acquired last year. Dulin reunites with CFO Eric Bauer.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Jan. 16, 2025

California withdraws Advanced Clean Fleets EPA waiver request

The proposed rule would have required manufacturers to phase out diesel trucks by 2036.

By Colin Campbell • Jan. 15, 2025

GFL CEO intends to kick-start solid waste M&A spending in ‘2025 and beyond’

The company had slowed its M&A spending to focus on reducing debt, but CEO Patrick Dovigi said during an investor call that the pending sale of a stake in its environmental services business will change that.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 7, 2025

Hyzon lays off workers, plans to liquidate business

The hydrogen truck company previously touted big plans to scale, including through multiple partnerships with waste companies in California.

By David Taube • Jan. 7, 2025

Waste Pro CEO previews another busy M&A year following $140M in 2024

CEO Sean Jennings said the pipeline of potential deals is strong following a year of 15 acquisitions. He also discussed ongoing efforts to increase the share of revenue from open market and post-collection business.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 6, 2025

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.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • Dec. 20, 2024

Waste and recycling collection was fourth deadliest occupation in 2023: BLS

The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows an increase in the rate of fatalities for the refuse and recyclable materials collection occupation. The total number of fatalities in MRFs also increased.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 20, 2024

EPA grants California waiver for low-NOx truck emissions rule

The rule had been adopted by nine states in anticipation of the waiver. But President Trump previously sparred with California over waivers for its emissions rules, and many expect him to do so again in his second term.

By Colin Campbell • Dec. 19, 2024

EPA to grant millions to local waste resilience projects

The U.S. EPA announced recipients of a fresh wave of funding through the Community Change Grants Program, several of which plan to expand compost and recycling services.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 18, 2024

What’s next now that Oregon has adopted final EPR for packaging rules

Finalized rules include new permitting and living wage requirements for MRFs, as well as new fees the PRO will be expected to pay certain recyclers.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 18, 2024

Denver airport’s diversion pilot program tackles waste through ‘valet’ service

The Zero Waste Valet program, run by compost company Scraps, aims to raise the airport's diversion rate. It diverted more than 69 tons of material in the first six months.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 17, 2024

Aspen Waste announces organic expansion into Colorado, bucking M&A trend

Family-owned Aspen Waste enters the Colorado market during a time of consolidation in the region. It aims to offer a customer service-focused choice as the state prepares to implement its EPR for packaging law.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 16, 2024

Textile takeback company Trashie expands into electronics recycling

The textile processing company, which rewards consumers who send in old clothing, sees fast-growing opportunities in the electronics recycling sector.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 4, 2024

DSNY plans to award more commercial waste zone contracts following market consolidation

The recent sale of Royal Waste Solutions led to openings in two zones and a changed ownership structure for a joint venture with Cogent Waste. Meanwhile, advocates want the city to move faster on zone implementation.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 20, 2024

Trade groups urge US House to pass recycling infrastructure, data bills

A broad coalition of organizations are giving a final push to the bills as one of the lead co-sponsors, Sen. Tom Carper, prepares to retire. Both bills have already passed the Senate.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 20, 2024

Trump’s DOT secretary nominee would support trucking priorities, groups say

Former U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy understands trucking issues and will be an ally of the industry, according to multiple trucking industry groups.

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 19, 2024

Boston requests new waste and recycling ideas ahead of 2027 contract expirations

Collection and disposal, waste prevention and recycling, data and analytics, and policy and behavior change are among the topics for which the city wants input. It reupped many existing contracts to buy more time to craft RFPs.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 13, 2024

Textile recycling efforts pick up steam in LA, New York and beyond

WM, Goodwill and researchers in California and New York are working on sortation pilots, partnerships with apparel companies and research projects to gain insight into material flows.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 13, 2024

Major waste companies spent $1.45B on Q3 M&A, up from modest Q2

Waste Connections spent the most in Q3 and is on track for an annual company record in 2024, while North American industry peers reported plans to focus on tuck-ins or ease off major spending.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Nov. 11, 2024

Injury rates for waste industry workers fell in 2023, but illnesses rose

Injury rates still haven’t fallen back to historically low 2021 levels. Meanwhile, solid waste collection workers experienced significantly more illnesses than in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 8, 2024

NWRA challenges EPA emissions method; landfill operators report initial hurricane effects

Plus, WM, Republic Services and Rumpke Waste & Recycling continued landfill expansion efforts in multiple states. Multiple publicly owned landfills also reported closure and expansion news.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Nov. 8, 2024