Recycling

  • Casella collection truck
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Casella Waste Systems
    Image attribution tooltip

    Casella updates outlook amid positive pricing and acquisitions in Q1

    During an earnings call on Friday, executives offered updates on the Star Waste deal, tech upgrades and landfill permitting progress.

    By • May 1, 2026
  • Waste Connections truck in Brooklyn, NY
    Image attribution tooltip
    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Q1 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2026

    Catch up with the latest results from Casella, Waste Connections, WM and GFL Environmental.

    By Waste Dive Staff • April 30, 2026
  • Plastic waste is carried out on conveyor belts in a modern industrial recycling plant. The interior is a maze of green and yellow metal structures, including stairs, bins and rooms. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alamy
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Navigating Modern MRF Operations

    Recycling facility operators are increasingly investing in new technology to keep up with evolving regulations and customer demands.

    By Waste Dive staff
  • View of an alley in Providence, Rhode Island, with dumpsters
    Image attribution tooltip
    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Providence, Rhode Island, updates recycling, organics with $3.6M in grants

    A combination of EPA and USDA funding has resulted in numerous changes throughout the city, including free commercial recycling service, residential recycling carts, and organics collection and processing infrastructure.

    By • April 29, 2026
  • A close up of the WM - Waste Management logo
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    WM’s mixed Q1 led by strong core business trends, health care improvements

    Company executives noted operational improvements in the healthcare sector and advancements in sustainability infrastructure, but lower overall volumes due to severe winter weather. 

    By • April 29, 2026
  • A box of e-waste including an old keyboard and cords
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The US wants to shore up critical mineral supplies. A new tool aims to measure it.

    With few options to assess how critical minerals are diverted from disposal, e-Stewards and Bloom ESG aim to offer granular data.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • Aerial view of an industrial facility with a smokestack on the bank of a river.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Arcwood Environmental
    Image attribution tooltip

    Arcwood Environmental eyes 2030 target in sustainability report

    The company said it plans to “responsibly manage” 50% more waste by 2030 versus a 2024 baseline. The company also reported rising carbon intensity but noted investment in sustainability projects.

    By • April 23, 2026
  • Waste Connections truck in Brooklyn, NY
    Image attribution tooltip
    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Waste Connections notes positive Q1 despite rising fuel prices

    The company insulated itself somewhat from higher fuel costs through hedging and surcharges. It is also seeing benefits from AI-related cost savings, recovering recycled commodities prices and RNG activity.

    By • April 23, 2026
  • A view of the Houston skyline shows a park and buildings
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Houston expands multifamily recycling pilot

    About half of Houston residents live in apartments, but most lack recycling access. A pilot supported by The Recycling Partnership and Alliance to End Plastic Waste aims to change that.

    By • April 22, 2026
  • Plastic Coca-Cola bottles lined up inside a refrigerated case
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Navigating PCR procurement? A new tool could help.

    Given recent shifts in recycling markets, the Northeast Recycling Council hopes the PCR Material Demand Hub will help organizations with purchasing, explained Executive Director Megan Schulz-Fontes.

    By Marissa Heffernan • April 21, 2026
  • recycled plastic
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Colorado mass balance debate underscores industry faultlines

    The American Chemistry Council withdrew a lawsuit, but the larger question on recycled content verification remains.

    By Marissa Heffernan • April 17, 2026
  • Massachusetts State House dome behind container of waste
    Image attribution tooltip
    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Massachusetts Senate passes bill with numerous waste, packaging impacts

    A broader $3.6 billion bond bill includes paint EPR, but no policy for batteries as the waste industry hoped. Meanwhile, it also seeks to limit plastic bags, provides funding for state waste projects and targets a select transfer station.

    By • April 16, 2026
  • Recycling Partnership CEO Keefe Harrison stands behind a podium on a small stage in front of a crowd of seated people
    Image attribution tooltip
    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Keefe Harrison stepping down as CEO of The Recycling Partnership

    This summer, Harrison will leave the organization she founded 12 years ago. TRP will conduct a search for its next CEO.

    By , • April 15, 2026
  • A worker separates out recycling at a machine
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of TerraCycle
    Image attribution tooltip

    TerraCycle launches $75M funding round to fuel expansions

    The company, known for managing niche waste streams like cigarette butts and cosmetics, has its eye on future M&A and a possible plan to go public.

    By • April 15, 2026
  • a worker disassembles a mattress in a warehouse filled with mattresses
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Mattress Recycling Council
    Image attribution tooltip

    Virginia Gov. Spanberger vetoes mattress recycling bill

    Spanberger criticized the proposed recycling fee consumers would pay when buying a new mattress, saying it would make the products more expensive.

    By • April 14, 2026
  • Close up of dentist hands in white sterile gloves holding dental tools for surgical use packed in a protective foil at dental office
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Next step in recycling more healthcare plastics: Better labeling

    Leaders of a Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council project in 2026 want to empower hospitals to divert more material through clearer, more standardized labeling of packaging flowing through healthcare settings.

    By • April 13, 2026
  • a close-up of recycled consumer batteries
    Image attribution tooltip
    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wisconsin, Kentucky governors latest to approve battery EPR laws

    Both plans cover certain medium-format and rechargeable batteries, including some lithium-ion types, but Kentucky’s is unique because the program is voluntary.  

    By • April 13, 2026
  • Workers hold large scissors to cut a ribbon inside a recycling facility. Bales of recycled plastics can be seen in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Republic Services
    Image attribution tooltip

    MRF upgrades from Republic, WM and Athens target efficiency in fast-growing regions

    As state and local diversion laws get stricter, companies continue centering building plans on newer, faster automation meant to help process larger volumes and get cleaner end products.

    By • April 10, 2026
  • Bales of crushed plastic bottles, most of them green in hue.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A

    NH Recycles looks to continue recycling work with fresh leadership

    NH Recycles, the oldest organization of its kind, is designed for the long game, said Reagan Bissonnette, the outgoing executive director, and Andrea Folsom, who will take on the role in May.

    By • April 9, 2026
  • four blue recycling carts stand next to each other
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Oregon packaging EPR funds its first recycling improvements with cart program

    Circular Action Alliance projects spending up to $123 million from producer funding for recycling projects through 2027, including money for new recycling carts, collection trucks and facility upgrades.

    By • April 8, 2026
  • One person stands at a podium, with three seated, in front of a crowd of attendes at a MassRecycle event.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Charles Tyler
    Image attribution tooltip

    What’s next for Massachusetts waste reduction funding, EPR and organics

    MassRecycle’s annual conference included updates about industry-backed efforts to pass a battery EPR law. MassDEP also recently previewed its policy, program and funding plans to help achieve a 2030 waste reduction goal.

    By • April 8, 2026
  • The facade of the Oregon Capitol Building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    AF&PA can’t join NAW’s Oregon EPR lawsuit, judge rules

    The American Forest & Paper Association, which has noted higher-than-anticipated fees, “remains fully committed to pursuing all available legal and strategic options” to protect members.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • stacks of used hard drives
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of HyProMag
    Image attribution tooltip

    Rare earth magnet recycler plans US facility openings with new separation tech

    HyProMagUSA aims to open a recycling facility in Texas in 2027, with locations in Nevada and South Carolina to follow. It aims to make a name for itself with robotics-assisted separation tech.

    By • April 7, 2026
  • President Donald Trump
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Trump’s 2027 budget again aims to halve EPA spending

    The president envisions steep cuts to environmental programming and waste-related activities in an echo of his proposal last year. The final tally will likely change following negotiations with Congress.

    By • April 6, 2026
  • Landfill
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Global waste generation could rise 50% by 2050: World Bank

    Inequities in waste collection and funding are a major global issue, according to an updated report. Upfront investments today will mitigate future expenses that impact climate change and global health, the report states.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • Paint cans sit on shelves
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of PaintCare
    Image attribution tooltip

    Maryland rolls out new paint stewardship program

    The state plans to collect 350,000 gallons in the first year. The program comes a few months after Illinois launched its own PaintCare system and New Hampshire vetoed a plan for a similar program.

    By • April 1, 2026