Reuse rebounds: National Zero Waste Conference highlights policy potential in 2022

After early coronavirus fears halted many reuse efforts, year two of the pandemic saw new investments in reuse systems and a desire to circumvent supply chain disruptions in disposable packaging.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Dec. 13, 2021

Chemical recycling leaders tout circular economy role at SERDC meeting

PureCycle and Eastman said planned expansions in the Southeast will boost recycling and reduce virgin plastic use, but policy discussions and environmentalists' concerns may impact the technology's future.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 10, 2021

New York sanitation experts urge incoming mayor to rethink, modernize collection system

The city's sidewalks are infamous for their mountains of garbage bags and rodents. A new "Put Waste to Work" campaign says containerization, route optimization and organics collection should be top priorities.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 6, 2021

City Haul: How leaders navigate turbulent recycling narratives

Market changes in recent years created new challenges and opportunities for cities seeking to encourage good recycling habits among residents. City leaders and industry experts share how they're approaching the issue.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 1, 2021

As circular economy momentum builds, Rheaply seeks to grow reuse connections

With new funding and award recognition, the Chicago-based startup's goals include quantifying the savings from reuse and having more large enterprises adopt its platform.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 29, 2021

Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity

All American Waste recently acquired a longtime Connecticut hauler; Nexwaste launched with three Texas C&D acquisitions; Casella acquired a New York hauler; Laurel Mountain Capital acquired a Colorado hauler.

By Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn • Updated April 15, 2025

The EPA wants to fix US recycling. Start by making it simpler.

Geoff Freeman, who leads the Consumer Brands Association, makes the case that standardizing definitions is key to improving both packaging design and education to reduce contamination.

By Geoff Freeman • Nov. 19, 2021

Plastic resin buyers struggle with high prices and short supply

Businesses have stockpiled product, used fewer materials and bolstered internal manufacturing to cope in a tight market.

By Meena Thiruvengadam • Nov. 18, 2021

Incoming EPA assistant administrator touts 'back to basics' approach to climate change, circular economy

Carlton Waterhouse, nominee to lead the Office of Land and Emergency Management, says the EPA will tackle its 2030 recycling goals by focusing more on source reduction and funding materials management infrastructure.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 18, 2021

New York aims to launch commercial waste zones in 2022, sector's largest change in decades

A long-anticipated RFP kicks off a process that could see coveted 10-year contracts awarded by next summer. Fifty companies have qualified to bid, including Waste Management, Waste Connections and Action Environmental.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 17, 2021

EPA's 2030 recycling strategy turns focus to circular economy and environmental justice

The long-awaited master plan focuses on steps to achieve a 50% recycling rate by 2030, but regulators promise it's just "part one" of a larger effort to tackle climate change on a higher level, and more details will follow.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 16, 2021

Aluminum can recyclers call for federal and state 'bottle bills' to hit 2030 target

The Can Manufacturers Institute recently announced that it will lobby for container deposit laws at the state and federal levels to bring UBC recycling rates up to 70% by 2030.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 15, 2021

How US recycling programs make it work from coast to coast

Professionals working in multifamily city buildings, drop-off sites in tribal nations and programs in more isolated island areas weigh in on what's working, and what's still challenging, when it comes to recycling in 2021.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn • Nov. 15, 2021

Biden signs infrastructure bill with more than $350M for recycling, but local effects still years away

Recycling stakeholders have asked the EPA to keep them involved as it works to implement numerous grants the infrastructure bill contains, including from the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and RECYCLE Act.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 15, 2021

The imperative for a reuse economy and culture

Linda Pouliot, CEO of reusable dishware delivery service Dishcraft, shares lessons learned from the early stages of California's shift toward reuse systems for food service packaging.

By Linda Pouliot • Nov. 10, 2021

Solid waste collection, landfill workers saw injury rate drop in 2020: BLS data

Focus on infection prevention in the coronavirus pandemic's first year, when illness cases spiked, may have increased attention to everyday safety messages as well. At the same time, incidence rates for MRF workers rose.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 4, 2021

GFL Environmental on track to close 40 acquisitions this year, ramping up RNG and MRF projects

Having acquired assets worth an estimated C$735 million in annual revenue to date, GFL intends to keep up its pace for the foreseeable future and raised 2021 guidance.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 4, 2021

2021 earnings coverage: GFL Environmental

In its second year as a public company, GFL continued an aggressive expansion pace throughout North America, including multiple large acquisitions such as Terrapure and PDC.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 10, 2022

Massachusetts banning disposal of textiles, mattresses and more organics in 2022

The state's Department of Environmental Protection has finalized a plan that calls for a 30% reduction in disposal volumes by 2030. Even if it hits that target, local disposal capacity will still be very constrained.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 3, 2021

Could better recycling logistics solve EPR challenges?

More flexible collection systems may be a solution to packaging issues — regardless of the regulatory landscape — writes Ryan Smith, CEO and founder of startup Recyclops.

By Ryan Smith • Nov. 3, 2021

What's next for HDPE, PET, OCC and mixed paper markets

Paper & Plastic Recycling Conference speakers predicted mostly favorable near-term demand for commodities due to e-commerce trends and brand commitments. Yet some worried new PCR laws may overly pressure pricing.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 2, 2021

Tracking the industry: US waste and recycling info hub

Follow some of the most essential developments around M&A, ESG pledges, federal and state policy, PFAS regulations, quarterly earnings results and more with Waste Dive's unique trackers and ongoing in-depth coverage.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 23, 2021

2021 earnings coverage for US waste and recycling companies

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly analysis of results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and others during 2021.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 18, 2022

2021 earnings coverage: Waste Connections

For the industry's third-largest company, 2021 continued a trend of heightened M&A activity, new ESG investments and ongoing pandemic recovery.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 17, 2022

2021 earnings coverage: Republic Services

Revisit Waste Dive's coverage of Republic's earnings reports from an eventful year, which featured ramped up spending on ESG efforts and M&A, including the acquisitions of Santek Waste Services and ACV Enviro.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 11, 2022