The waste and recycling industry outlook for 2025

EPR implementation, organics requirements, bottle bill updates, PFAS regulation, federal tax credits and M&A are all expected to be key topics for the year ahead.

By Waste Dive Staff • Jan. 31, 2025

WM reports margin milestones for Q4, focuses on Stericycle integration in 2025

WM expects synergies from the Stericycle deal to be about $250 million over a three-year period, with about $100 million of that in 2025. It also expects to complete more RNG facilities this year.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 30, 2025

Zeldin is confirmed as the new EPA administrator. What’s next?

The former New York representative will helm the agency as it navigates executive orders pausing climate programs and reviews pending regulations that could affect the waste and recycling industries.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Updated Jan. 30, 2025

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

D.C.’s proposed bottle bill aims to tackle high-profile pollution in Anacostia River

Bill sponsors say a bottle bill could help alleviate pollution that has long affected communities of color. It calls for a 10-cent deposit starting in 2028, with a recycling rate target of 70% the first year.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 27, 2025

8 Trump actions that could affect waste and recycling

Trump administration executive orders have called for numerous changes related to climate change initiatives, greenhouse gas research, grant funding and potential tariffs.  

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 24, 2025

9 stats about US packaging recycling

A recent pair of reports from the U.S. EPA, released in the prior administration, estimated the agency could take upward of $28 billion to modernize recycling systems and divert more packaging materials from disposal.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 24, 2025

Oregon kicks off mattress stewardship program

The Mattress Recycling Council expects recyclers to process over 374,400 mattresses through 2026 as it rolls out more collection and recycling infrastructure. Connecticut, California and Rhode Island have similar programs.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 22, 2025

Up to $43B needed to modernize recycling infrastructure: Biden EPA

A recent report, spurred by a congressional funding bill, outlined what it would take to surpass a 50% recycling rate by 2030. This comes as the Trump administration seeks to pause certain infrastructure grants.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 22, 2025

Trump freezes IRA and infrastructure law funding

The White House issued a memo to clarify the funding pause, specifying that it pertains only to aspects of the law mentioned in Section 2 of the executive order.

By Kate Magill • Updated Jan. 23, 2025

PFAS and waste solutions funded in final days of Biden EPA

The EPA under former President Joe Biden funded two dozen small businesses working on early-stage environmental technologies that incorporate materials like agricultural waste and wasted glass.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 21, 2025

EPA nominee Zeldin advances out of committee for final confirmation vote

During a prior confirmation hearing, Lee Zeldin highlighted his plan to balance environmental and economic concerns. He also addressed PFAS passive receiver issues and plastics.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Jan. 23, 2025

Following market volatility, will OCC prices return to ‘normal’ in 2025?

OCC prices are down from recent highs in 2024. This plays into packaging producers’ bottom lines as they try to balance economic factors such as input costs and new capacity.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 17, 2025

Life cycle assessments loom large for the outcome of EPR programs

Oregon is currently unique among U.S. states in using this environmental impact tool in its packaging regulation. Experts say the decision comes with many complex considerations, including about plastic.

By Leslie Nemo • Jan. 15, 2025

DTG Recycle restarts Washington C&D landfill, refutes nearly $3.4M hauling allegation

The Macquarie-backed C&D recycler recently reopened its sole landfill under a new name after a permit-related shutdown. In a separate matter, DTG is opposing a penalty from the state’s Utilities and Transportation Commission.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Jan. 21, 2025

5 issues likely to shape the waste and recycling industry in 2025

Plans for the second Trump administration, state EPR implementation, climate policy and PFAS regulation are evolving, as is landfill monitoring technology. Here’s how each could affect the industry in 2025.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Jan. 9, 2025

Canada Plastics Pact sees ‘slower than anticipated’ progress on 2025 goals

CPP's recently released annual report, along with a detailed companion report on recycling rate data, offers insight into managing plastic packaging beyond 2025.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 8, 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

CalRecycle releases source reduction baseline report; updates on foam enforcement

In other SB 54 developments, CalRecycle also updated some recyclability and compostability designations on the covered material categories list.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 6, 2025

New waste, recycling and organics laws have taken effect in 2025

Oregon, Washington and Illinois are among the states enforcing new laws, including right-to-repair and organics disposal updates.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 2, 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

How state EPR for packaging policies advanced in 2024

Minnesota became the latest state to pass a law, while other state legislative efforts stalled or advanced incrementally. Meanwhile, implementation continued in California, Colorado, Maine and Oregon.

By Waste Dive Staff • Dec. 19, 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 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