Biorecycling of plastics shows promise in its research phase. Can it be scaled?

Although still in its infancy, the newest plastics recycling technology could expand options for cleaner, more efficient closed-loop systems — eventually. A recent Government Accountability Office report took a closer look.

By Lela Nargi • Dec. 19, 2022

Senate hearing looks at bottle bills, chemical recycling, other methods to urgently reduce plastic pollution

At the Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on plastics, the Plastics Industry Association’s CEO warmed to the idea of a national bottle bill but clashed with Beyond Plastics on chemical recycling’s risks and merits.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 16, 2022

FTC seeks feedback on recyclability claims as it reviews Green Guides

The commission voted to move forward with its first potential update to the environmental marketing rules in 10 years. The recycling industry says an update is urgently needed to reflect modern conditions.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 15, 2022

WASTECON: Avoiding miscommunication can strengthen MRF partnerships

At the event’s MRF Summit, speakers discussed small ways to boost communication among recyclers, municipalities and the public to reduce contamination and have more effective programs.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 14, 2022

Chicago looks to turn the page on recycling challenges, accelerate progress on waste plan

Stakeholders from the Department of Streets and Sanitation, LRS and the nonprofit Delta Institute weigh in on composting plans and what’s next for a city that has long been portrayed as lagging on recycling. 

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 15, 2022

Garcetti signs plastic reduction ordinance during final days as Los Angeles mayor

Starting in 2023, the law will phase out expanded polystyrene foam containers, tighten single-use plastic bag restrictions and limit waste at city facilities. Mayor Karen Bass is expected to continue a similar focus on environmental issues.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 13, 2022

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.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 13, 2022

Commercial glass recycling program from GPI and GlassKing growing in Chicago

Expanding commercial bottle recycling is a key strategy for the glass packaging industry to reach a 50% recycling rate by 2030. The Arizona-based team behind a recent program in Chicagoland shares its initial results.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 12, 2022

With PFAS rules up in the air, MRF operators seek ways to get ahead of regulations

It’s not yet clear how future PFAS regulations will affect MRFs. Operators that want to plan ahead should keep an eye on local food packaging laws and stormwater regulations, WASTECON speakers said.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 12, 2022

Major Michigan waste and recycling bill package heads to governor’s desk

Eight related bills would overhaul the state’s waste priorities to focus on recycling. The package adds new landfill regulations, characterizes chemical recycling as a manufacturing process and offers grants for local governments. 

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 9, 2022

UN plastics treaty negotiations show initial stances of activists, industry and governments

While a legally binding agreement isn’t expected until 2024, the details diplomatic stakeholders are negotiating are already expected to have implications for the recycling sector.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 7, 2022

Los Angeles and San Diego ban polystyrene foam, other plastic products, on same day

The policies fit into broader state and local laws limiting plastic products, completing an effort in San Diego that a lawsuit previously blocked. Los Angeles will also look to limit waste at city facilities and events.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 7, 2022

PepsiCo aims to double amount of reusable packaging to 20% by 2030

To meet the target, the beverage giant plans to prioritize four areas, including growing the company’s SodaStream platform and expanding its refillable plastic and glass bottle offerings.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 6, 2022

The US waste and recycling industry in 2022 — what you need to know

Stories on M&A, recycling policy and organics recycling expansion — and how the economy and environmental justice considerations are shaping the industry’s path forward — have driven the news this year.

Dec. 5, 2022

New federal bill aims to cut plastics production, favoring reuse and refill strategies

The Protecting Communities From Plastics Act is the latest effort by Democratic lawmakers to target possible environmental justice impacts from plastics and could have implications for chemical recycling.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 5, 2022

Zero waste and job creation go hand in hand, activists say

Zero waste jobs are opportunities to support workers from overburdened communities, according to speakers at the National Zero Waste Conference, but they must prioritize circular economy and environmental justice principles.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 2, 2022

Macquarie fund purchases DTG Recycle, rapidly growing C&D recycler in Washington

DTG, a vertically integrated company, is coming off a period of ongoing acquisition growth fueled by a prior investment from Clairvest Group.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 1, 2022

How local governments are charting the future of zero waste

See Waste Dive’s map of which U.S. communities are pursuing zero waste, plus insights from leaders in the field on the concept’s past, present and future.

Updated Dec. 20, 2022

Mapping zero waste cities: Where local governments are pursuing waste prevention and diversion

Waste Dive is tracking which communities throughout the U.S. have zero waste goals, how they define those efforts and how much progress they’ve made.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren , Julia Himmel • Updated Dec. 22, 2022

Beyond recycling: What’s next for effective zero waste planning

Despite constraints, experts say that bringing more voices to the table, linking efforts to climate and economic resilience goals, pursuing public-private partnerships and looking for non-policy solutions can all advance progress.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 30, 2022

A history of US cities adopting zero waste goals

The concept has become a mainstream part of municipal waste planning, experts say, even as targets largely remain aspirational and some recent efforts have faced pandemic-related setbacks.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 30, 2022

GFL launches first ESG targets, aiming to reduce GHG emissions 15% by 2030

The Canada-based company’s first set of detailed targets comes after its landfill portfolio has doubled in recent years. GFL is focusing on renewable natural gas projects as well as alternative fuel vehicles in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 29, 2022

Seattle plans to move beyond diversion rate goals as it doubles down on waste prevention

Through its current solid waste plan update, Seattle Public Utilities hopes to develop metrics that better reflect the environmental and circular economy benefits from the city’s progress on waste prevention and reuse.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 28, 2022

With $100M in recycling and waste grants now available, EPA schedules info sessions on how to apply

The agency will host multiple workshops about how state, territorial and local governments can make their case for the highly anticipated infrastructure and education funding.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Dec. 21, 2022

3 tips on building more inclusive recycling and waste programs for underserved communities

Speakers at the recent National Recycling Congress shared outreach and funding tips for communities where English is not the primary language, services are inconvenient or nonexistent or other systemic barriers exist.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 23, 2022