Organization of the Year: SWANA

The association's profile continues to rise on recycling, safety and international issues. Sweeping structural changes and growing membership position it for more to come.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 9, 2019

The Waste Dive Awards for 2019

From operations to policy, these are some of the top organizations and executives that shaped the waste and recycling industry this year.

Dec. 9, 2019

Veolia North America's new CEO outlines big plans for waste growth

Brian Clarke is charged with spending recent divestment proceeds on expanding the French company's waste network. Priorities include hazardous waste, plastics recycling, PFAS treatment and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 5, 2019

Ann Arbor, Michigan approves new contract to reopen long-idled MRF

After previously prevailing over a larger company that would have processed the material elsewhere, nonprofit Recycle Ann Arbor has received a 10-year deal to revitalize the facility.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated July 22, 2020

Connecticut authority reassesses $333M WTE renovation plan

A potential deal with the Sacyr Rooney Recovery Team had faced local pushback and recent cost pressures due to the pandemic. The Materials Innovation Recycling Authority anticipates it could begin exporting waste to landfills without a new plan. 

By E.A. Crunden • Updated May 6, 2020

Santa Fe, New Mexico reopens idled MRF under new recycling contract

The city-owned plant is now being run by Town Recycling after sitting unused for four years. Given rising prices with Albuquerque-based Friedman Recycling, the move is seen as more cost-effective.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 27, 2019

How businesses can use EPR as a competitive advantage

Gina Lee of the Upcyclers Network makes a case for why manufacturers should come around to extended producer responsibility, citing two longtime examples in the ceiling panel and irrigation sectors.

By Gina Lee • Nov. 27, 2019

What circular economy proponents can learn from lead batteries

Kevin Moran and Woodrow Clark highlight why they view circular economy plans as the key resilience solution for California’s climate goals, with the nation's most highly recycled product as a model.

By Kevin Moran and Woodrow Clark • Nov. 27, 2019

RECYCLE Act proposes $75M for education, with widespread industry support

The legislation enters an increasingly crowded space of federal recycling policy proposals, but comes with broad consensus among notable stakeholders.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 26, 2019

Philadelphia reports 50% diversion rate, ongoing 'zero waste' progress

Despite high-profile recycling issues earlier this year, the city says its plans are still on track. Waste reduction and organics recycling are among the top priorities moving forward.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 25, 2019

Industry-backed RECOVER Act calls for $500M in recycling infrastructure grants

Key recycling, plastics, and glass industry players back the bipartisan bill, which would establish an infrastructure program in the U.S. EPA. Whether it can break out from the growing number of federal proposals remains to be seen.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 20, 2019

EPA Recycling Summit emphasizes need for urgent action, shies away from regulatory changes

Officials and industry representatives touted ongoing progress, including plans for new voluntary recycling goals, but generally expressed confidence that the market can handle this evolution with minimal policy interference.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 19, 2019

Trouble in paradise: Recycling a tough proposition for US territories

Devastating hurricanes have strained weak infrastructure in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Guam has newer infrastructure, but still faces market challenges. All are often overlooked in national recycling discussions.

By Genevieve Glatsky • Updated Nov. 18, 2019

Sims expands aluminum recycling in New York with Nespresso funding

Funding from Nespresso allowed the MRF operator to add a new nonferrous line for capturing lightweight materials that will also clean up its glass stream.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 18, 2019

Wheeler: EPA will set national recycling goals in 2020

The administrator told Waste Dive to expect multiple voluntary goals, but no new regulation, as part of increased agency engagement in the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 15, 2019

How recycling has changed in all 50 states

The most comprehensive tracker of local recycling program changes, cancellations and solutions in the U.S. from November 2017 to November 2019. 

By Cole Rosengren • Updated June 5, 2019

EPA: National recycling rate 35% in 2017, composting at record high

New figures show overall MSW volumes increased, with total recycling volume declining slightly. The agency also resumed its focus on greenhouse gas emissions reduction benefits.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 14, 2019

California city finds local recycling solution for 30K unwanted carts at fraction of prior cost

It wasn't entirely clear why recycling facilities weren't interested in these carts, which are often reground and repurposed into new ones. Waste Dive tracked down manufacturer Bonar Plastics to learn more. 

By Leslie Nemo • Updated Jan. 15, 2020

Keep on recycling, America. But companies must do their part too

The new Association of Mission-Based Recyclers – including Eco-Cycle, the Ecology Center, Eureka Recycling and Recycle Ann Arbor – calls on packaging companies to start working collaboratively.

By Association of Mission-Based Recyclers • Nov. 13, 2019

Phoenix City Council preserves curbside recycling with rate increase

The city, viewed as a model for circular economy efforts, had run into financial challenges due to a turbulent recycling market and growing population. This will be its first residential rate increase since 2009.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated Feb. 12, 2020

Adam Minter on why secondhand markets are the true circular economies

Waste Dive spoke with the "Junkyard Planet" author about what the waste industry can learn from the reuse sector, textile recycling trends and misconceptions about e-waste he discovered writing the new book "Secondhand."

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 12, 2019

New D.C. zero waste bill would have major implications for composting and recycling

The bill would establish EPR programs for sharps and batteries, impose organics diversion requirements on many businesses, and establish a surcharge based on contamination levels in recyclables. 

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 11, 2019

New Hampshire legislators call for major changes to meet modern 'realities' of waste and recycling

A legislative committee set out to examine the state of New Hampshire's recycling, but ended up writing a broad report about underlying infrastructure and policy challenges.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 11, 2019

Rising BLS injury, illness rate for collection workers troubles industry

Incidence rates were up for collection employees in 2018, to more than double the national average, but declined at both landfills and MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 8, 2019

DTG acquires first landfill amid rapid Northwest expansion

The landfill marks a new frontier for DTG, the largest recycler of C&D in the region. The company told Waste Dive it is eyeing further expansion.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 8, 2019