Thailand to ban plastic scrap imports in 2025, following multiple other Asian countries

Thailand’s move will fully take effect by 2025 in an effort to curb plastic pollution. The volumes of U.S. plastic scrap exports to the country had already been declining for multiple years.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 5, 2022

Zero waste should be an important part of climate plans, GAIA urges

Through food waste prevention, single-use plastics bans, robust composting and recycling, and other strategies, the waste sector can support the Paris Agreement’s targeted limit to global warming, a new report said.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 5, 2022

Waste Connections acquires Rogue Disposal & Recycling, notable southern Oregon company

The transaction gives the company a foothold in the region, with a range of franchise hauling operations, a transfer station, composting facility, CNG fueling station and a large landfill.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 5, 2022

EPA action plan details environmental justice efforts across waste programs

A report from the Office of Land and Emergency Management details how the agency will consider disadvantaged communities in projects related to waste and recycling, including through grants from the infrastructure law.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 4, 2022

Where Cyclyx, ExxonMobil, McKinsey and Casella see chemical recycling going next

During a recent MIT event, the CEO of the Cyclyx consortium said waste companies and MRF operators could play a key role in supporting a transition toward chemical recycling.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 30, 2022

To fight US plastic pollution, California AG calls for more resources and more accountability

The federal government should act more quickly to address plastic pollution and hold polluters responsible, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said during a recent seminar.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 30, 2022

California’s last 2 WTE facilities under pressure following new state law

Now that jurisdictions can no longer count waste sent to “transformation” facilities toward their recycling targets, Covanta-operated sites in Long Beach and Stanislaus County may see a shift.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2022

Zero waste advocates: California is making strides, but more action needed beyond EPR

Longtime zero waste advocates Ruth Abbe, Rick Anthony and Neil Seldman weigh in on implications from the state’s busy legislative session and how they hope producer responsibility systems can evolve nationally.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 28, 2022

Strategic Materials acquires Ripple Glass, plans to grow collection beyond current Midwest footprint

SMI, North America’s largest glass recycler, sees Ripple as an expert in engaging residents. Started by a Kansas City, Missouri, brewery in 2009, Ripple has since grown to offer services in multiple states.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 28, 2022

With more solar panels entering the US waste stream, EPR policy and standards emerge

A Northeast Recycling Council webinar covered how manufacturing and standards must converge to handle this growing material stream. An upcoming EPR program in Washington was highlighted as one example.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 27, 2022

Could plastic beer can carriers be a gateway to the reuse economy?

The HDPE carriers for many craft beers are made from recycled content, but they aren’t widely accepted for curbside recycling. From California to Vermont, people are creating systems to keep them in circulation.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 23, 2022

Domino’s and WestRock launch initiative to boost pizza box recycling

Recyclers have debated how to handle the greasy boxes for years, but industry research indicates this may no longer be an issue. The pizza chain and box maker are now asking customers to “Do Their Slice” by recycling.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 22, 2022

How the Inflation Reduction Act is heating up an already active market for critical metals in EV batteries

Domestic sourcing requirements in the law have further highlighted supply gaps in the electric vehicle battery production chain. Experts say recycling is imperative because “we can’t mine our way out of this.”

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 22, 2022

Resurgent recycling market development programs from South Carolina and Goodwill

A recent Southeast Recycling Development Council webinar highlighted “renewed interest” in market opportunities, with a focus on success stories that have emereged from creative business partnerships.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 21, 2022

Jackson, Mississippi, water crisis prompts PET bottle surge and recycling efforts

The city has been inundated with water bottles but lacks a recycling program. As studied in Flint, Michigan, emergency response groups may not always consider waste management issues in their advance planning.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 21, 2022

Council hearing features ideas to boost New York City’s stagnant diversion rate

During a public hearing on Tuesday, residents urged the Department of Sanitation to direct more time and resources to organics programs, education efforts and outreach to overlooked communities.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 21, 2022

US Plastics Pact launches program to boost reuse and refill concepts

Members of the brand-backed group aim to make their plastic packaging 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, but the current scope of U.S. reuse systems remains limited.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 20, 2022

California Gov. Newsom vetoes bill to set recycled content standards for plastic thermoforms

The bill could have interfered with a broader extended producer responsibility law he signed this summer, Newsom said in a veto message. Bill supporters disagreed, while plastics industry groups applauded the decision.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 20, 2022

California Gov. Newsom signs many recycling and waste bills, vetoes two

Bills concerning the state’s container redemption program, incineration rules, battery recycling programs, plastic bag regulations and organic waste diversion were among those Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Oct. 3, 2022

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.”

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 19, 2022

US Senate passes bill to maximize EV battery recycling for federal fleet vehicles

Sponsors of the bipartisan bill say the federal government needs a plan to bolster recycling and reuse of EV batteries to lessen U.S. dependence on international markets for battery components.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 16, 2022

US Plastics Pact activators see federal policy as key to achieving 2025 packaging reduction goals

During a recent webinar, speakers from Mars and Keurig Dr Pepper outlined incremental progress on rethinking their packaging strategies and called for further federal action to accelerate this shift.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 15, 2022

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.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 14, 2022

WM’s VP of recycling discusses what the Avangard acquisition means for plastic markets

WM has invested in secondary processing ventures before, but VP Brent Bell said the market conditions make this round different. He also shared what the deal could mean for a Honeywell chemical recycling proposal and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 14, 2022

WM to acquire majority stake in plastic film recycling business Natura PCR from Avangard

North America’s largest MRF operator intends to focus on recycling commercial films and shrink wraps, with a goal of producing 400 million pounds of PCR per year. This follows its investment in mixed plastics recycler Continuus Materials.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 13, 2022