US Plastics Pact advises on role of mass balance in PCR certification

As the role chemical recycling will play in packaging evolves, the group aims to address questions and spur demand for postconsumer recycled content.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 27, 2023

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.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 27, 2023

Colorado’s NextCycle business incubator looks to kick-start new projects in the state

The recycling, reuse and organics projects it supports are important for reaching the state’s waste diversion goal, according to its program manager.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 27, 2023

EPA announces $2B in environmental justice grants, including for waste projects

The Community Challenge Grants program, which is accepting applications for the next year, has multiple categories that could offer funding for composting, recycling, household hazardous waste management and other initiatives.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 22, 2023

Big things for small packages: Working to capture tiny recyclables

Small-format plastic packaging can’t be properly recycled via conventional residential systems. Representatives from Estée Lauder, Ulta and MIT discussed potential solutions at the Packaging Recycling Summit.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 22, 2023

EPR policies must make space for climate change measures, working group says

A white paper from the West Coast Climate and Materials Management Forum offers suggestions for policymakers to “go beyond recycling” to consider how to make EPR policies more climate friendly.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 22, 2023

Waste Connections’ Mittelstaedt talks industry changes, improvements during time away from CEO job

Ron Mittelstaedt discussed how trends in sustainability, technology and investor interest are “rapidly changing” the waste industry during a session at the Corporate Growth Conference.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 21, 2023

EPA’s $33M in recycling education grants will boost programs in New York, California and more

The funding will support 25 local recycling and organics programs nationwide. Many of the selected programs support training and multilingual resources.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 20, 2023

US recycling rates have stagnated. Can collaborative packaging solutions turn them around?

Speakers from consumer brands like Coca-Cola and recyclers like Rumpke discussed how to send more recyclables to MRFs at the Packaging Recycling Summit.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 17, 2023

Let’s keep paper recycling strong amid ‘significant risk’ from EPR policies: AF&PA

Heidi Brock, CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association, says that a one-size-fits-all approach to extended producer responsibility proposals could affect “the long-term success of paper recycling.”

By Heidi Brock • Nov. 15, 2023

What is recycling, anyway?

The definition of recycling is different depending on who you ask. For America Recycles Day, trade groups, government agencies and industry pros weigh in on what it really means in 2023.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 15, 2023

Biden touts recycling’s ‘critical role’ in fighting climate change, awards $93M in EPA grants

In an America Recycles Day proclamation, President Biden called on businesses and the public to make recycling a priority. He acknowledged the disproportionate impacts of pollution on low-income communities.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 15, 2023

Reloop report offers 10 ideas for passing more bottle bill laws in U.S.

The report aims to “create a bridge between theory and action” to get more state bills past the standstill that often occurs due to competing interests among producers, recyclers and government entities.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 14, 2023

Austin, Texas, releases zero waste plan as population booms

The city’s goal of achieving a 90% diversion rate by 2040 remains ambitious, but Austin Resource Recovery is planning new infrastructure and expanded collections to help bridge the gap.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 10, 2023

WM’s chief sustainability officer on the future of recycling

Tara Hemmer sees WM’s recycling investments as key to its overall sustainability strategy. Technology will allow WM to respond to customers’ changing sustainability needs in coming years, she said.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 10, 2023

Rubicon marks progress 1 year after profitability plan, including contract with Austin, Texas

The waste broker and technology company said it has reduced expenses by $55 million on an annualized basis, among other trends that executives described as promising. Earnings are still on track to turn positive in Q4.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 9, 2023

Injury rates for waste industry workers rose in 2022

Injury rates rose just a year after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the lowest rates since 2006. Solid waste collection workers reported slightly fewer illnesses in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 9, 2023

NERC event highlights 3 trends to watch in EPR implementation

Eco-modulation, harmonizing definitions and expanding recycling infrastructure are all key themes. Speakers from state agencies in California, Colorado and Maine discussed the issues in Providence, Rhode Island.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 8, 2023

Leading waste and recycling companies spent $986M on M&A in Q3

WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems recently reported spending totals and shared their outlooks on the deal environment heading into 2024.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 7, 2023

Stericycle announces ‘workforce reduction’ plan, lowers guidance

Stericycle expects future efficiencies from its new ERP system but is facing headwinds from commodity volatility. It also divested businesses in the Netherlands and UAE.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 6, 2023

Will the fashion industry outgrow PET bottles if chemical recycling for textiles takes off?

As concerns about fast-fashion waste gain more attention, well-funded startups and longstanding chemical companies are starting to scale up the textile recycling market.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Nov. 6, 2023

Casella reports ‘pivotal and exciting’ Q3 due to recent acquisitions and strong pricing

Casella raised revenue guidance and predicted a strong Q4 due to its retrofitted Boston MRF and operations it acquired from GFL.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 3, 2023

Clean Harbors revises down guidance but expects better results in 2024

A difficult year for base oil pricing has dragged down the overall business, but executives are optimistic about continued margin expansion in environmental services and the upcoming completion of a major new project.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 2, 2023

Beyond Plastics report slams chemical recycling as a ‘dangerous deception’

The report says the 11 operating chemical recycling facilities in the U.S. are hazardous and ineffective. Beyond Plastics and IPEN do not want chemical recycling to be part of UN plastic treaty discussions.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 1, 2023

What’s in the box? Maybe a gift of recovering corrugated demand.

Containerboard demand remains down year over year, but it is ending October in a less scary position than previous quarters, according to newly released data from the American Forest & Paper Association.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 1, 2023