Education, transparency key to improving New York City’s recycling system, experts say

Recycling capture rates declined from 2017 to 2023 in New York City. Critics say DSNY is losing its focus on waste reduction and should redouble its efforts to get recycling and organics collection right.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated April 11, 2024

LRS hires more C-suite execs as company refocuses under new leadership

LRS also underwent a recent round of layoffs, citing "ongoing integration efforts." The changes come after the Macquarie-backed company completed restructuring plans following a period of rapid growth through acquisitions.

By Megan Quinn • April 4, 2024

GFL acquires sizable Florida C&D company Angelo’s Recycled Materials

The family-run operation includes a C&D landfill and multiple locations. GFL Environmental CEO Patrick Dovigi previously said the deal would constitute about half of the company’s spending on M&A for the year.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated April 4, 2024

Circular Action Alliance is lone PRO to submit program plan for Oregon EPR

The brands-led group, which is already active in Colorado, California and Maryland, is eyeing end-of-year approval for its plan, as 2025 recycling changes loom.

By Maria Rachal • April 3, 2024

Domestic PCR-virgin resin battle faces global headwinds but finds local remedies

PCR markets are still facing competition with virgin resin and oversupply headwinds, but future recycled content policy impacts and changes to contracts could help, said speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference.

By Megan Quinn • April 3, 2024

DOE awards $62M in grants for consumer battery collection and recycling

AMP, the New York Department of Sanitation, ERI, Call2Recycle and researchers from numerous state labs are among the recipients of the grants, meant to increase domestic collection and recycling of consumer batteries.

By Megan Quinn • April 2, 2024

Legislation, film plastics and data collection take center stage at Plastics Recycling Conference

Attendees brainstormed ways to remedy the supply and demand mismatch for recycled plastic, grow film and chemical recycling opportunities and take advantage of plastic waste’s attention-grabbing moment in policy.

By Megan Quinn • April 1, 2024

Chemical recycling plants are on the rise. What does it mean for MRF operators?

Chemical recyclers see MRFs and specialty collection partnerships as important feedstock sources to fulfill production promises, but experts say it’s too early to determine how they could influence recycled plastic markets.

By Megan Quinn , Shaun Lucas • April 1, 2024

Massachusetts recyclers look to take their programs to the next level

MassRecycle is looking beyond its decades-old name, “expanding our scope to match the multitude of possibilities available in sustainable materials management,” the nonprofit’s president said at an event this month.

By Cole Rosengren • March 27, 2024

PCR procurement platform Circular eyes expansion with $10.5M in funding

Circular plans to expand internationally, add employees and introduce materials besides plastics to the platform.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 27, 2024

UBQ Materials eyes Northeast for its first waste-to-thermoplastic US facility

The Israel-based startup, which makes thermoplastics from mixed waste, is looking to bring its first facility to North America. This follows the recent launch of a facility in the Netherlands and a $70 million funding round.

By Cole Rosengren • March 26, 2024

Mayor Adams says Otto’s NYC Bins set to roll out in November

The Adams administration has proposed a rule requiring certain building owners to acquire the “official NYC Bin” by Nov. 12. Otto is expected to provide rolling bins for roughly 765,000 residential buildings across the city.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated July 9, 2024

New book tackles waste crisis at the personal and policy levels

Author Edward Humes’ new book, “Total Garbage,” aims to serve as a how-to guide for reducing waste in everyday life while advocating for changes in U.S. waste policy through EPR and other means.

By Megan Quinn • March 25, 2024

Collection trucks get AI upgrades to fight contamination

Truck-mounted, AI-enabled cameras are helping haulers identify and measure recycling contamination in real time, allowing them to communicate directly with customers on how to improve. Many haulers, including WM, use the tech.

By Megan Quinn • March 22, 2024

CMI calls for bottle bill policies that prioritize EJ, informal recycling communities

A Can Manufacturers Institute report calls for container deposit systems that are convenient and inclusive for more kinds of users, particularly informal recyclers, unhoused people and immigrants.

By Megan Quinn • March 20, 2024

SWANA CEO envisions collaborative environment to build safety, culture

Amy Lestition Burke, SWANA’s new CEO, says building partnerships can make the industry and the organization stronger and better resourced to take on climate change and an evolving workforce.

By Megan Quinn • March 19, 2024

Textile recycling company Infinited Fiber closes $43.8M funding round

Funding comes from companies such as Inditex, H&M and Adidas. The news comes after Renewcell, its competitor in the recycled materials space, filed for bankruptcy due to lack of funding.

By Laurel Deppen • March 18, 2024

Keurig brewing up compostable K-Rounds as alternative to plastic coffee pods

The company is still in the process of testing the rounds, which have a seaweed-derived coating. Keurig also plans to launch a mail-back program for its polypropylene K-Cups, which are not going away.

By Maria Rachal • March 15, 2024

Environmental justice funding and recycling resources top of mind at NRC conference

National Recycling Congress participants such as Reloop and the the U.S. EPA delved into the roles both small community groups and large federal agencies play in advancing environmental justice initiatives. 

By Megan Quinn • March 13, 2024

California opens public comment period on draft EPR regulations

The public comment period will run until April 23, when CalRecycle will host a public hearing. The agency estimates more than 13,000 producers would be affected by the regulation.

By Maria Rachal • March 13, 2024

DOE’s $4M e-scrap recycling prize seeks recovery and reuse innovations

The three-phase competition aims to bolster critical materials recovery from electronics. The DOE will offer technical support as well as a $50,000 cash prize for the first round of winners. 

By Megan Quinn • March 12, 2024

Stakeholders call for more details on Maine’s latest EPR rules draft

Ameripen, AF&PA, Aroostook Waste Solutions and others called for a more comprehensive needs assessment, technical assistance for municipalities and flexibility for producers.

By Megan Quinn • March 11, 2024

LASAN putting recycLA commercial waste program out to bid, ending contract extension talks

LA Sanitation and Environment officials hope that a reconfigured “recycLA 2.0” can yield better environmental outcomes and more competitive pricing by 2027. The move affects haulers such as Athens Services, WM and Republic Services.

By Cole Rosengren • March 8, 2024

Rubicon reports further progress on profitability plan during 2023

The company reported improvements in metrics such as adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA due to higher-margin business with multiple clients, but it did not provide financial guidance for the year.

By Cole Rosengren • March 8, 2024

5 themes from the Senate hearing on packaging EPR

The Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works gathered comments from SC Johnson, Ameripen and World Wildlife Fund.

By Maria Rachal • March 7, 2024