Why more water utilities are turning to design-build for critical infrastructure projects

Aging infrastructure. Rising pressure. Why water utilities are reconsidering project delivery.

June 15, 2026

The waste industry spent a record amount on federal lobbying last year

The nation’s top waste and recycling players are seeing more action on Capitol Hill than they have in a generation. Their lobbying disclosures reveal where they’re most eager to influence policy.

By Jacob Wallace • June 11, 2026

California advances compostables, recycled content labeling bills

The legislation divided major recyclers, organics recyclers and trade groups over mass balance accounting, plastics in compost and more.

By Maria Rachal • May 29, 2026

California’s SB 54 kicks off a fresh look at reuse and refill collection

Source reduction reports outlined steep costs to redesign packaging and invest in new systems. While haulers weren’t part of CalRecycle’s study, Recology and the City of Berkeley offer a preview of how they could fit in.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • May 26, 2026

Maryland battery commission to continue work on fire safety efforts

The commission will renew its research later this year after meeting a short deadline for its first report. It advocates for battery EPR and will also research recycling regulations, insurance complications and transportation safety. 

By Megan Quinn • May 22, 2026

EPA to formally rescind certain PFAS drinking water regulations

The agency proposed two rules: one to rescind drinking water standards for four PFAS and another to allow some water utilities to delay enforcement on PFOS and PFOA until 2031. A hearing is set for July 7.

By Megan Quinn • May 19, 2026

Jury says Texas Disposal CEO Gregory should pay $23.7M in family dispute

The decision says Bob Gregory arranged deals that caused $91 million in harm to the company and froze his brother Jimmy out of compensation. Bob Gregory said in an interview that company operations won’t be affected.

By Megan Quinn • May 15, 2026

WM names sustainability officer Hemmer as next COO

Tara Hemmer will continue to oversee recycling and renewable energy initiatives. Previous COO John Morris will remain president and assume responsibility for WM’s healthcare solutions business due to another departure.

By Megan Quinn • May 13, 2026

The US wants to shore up critical mineral supplies. A new tool aims to measure it.

With few options to assess how critical minerals are diverted from disposal, e-Stewards and Bloom ESG aim to offer granular data.

By Megan Quinn • April 28, 2026

A year after EJScreen shut down, researchers envision better tools

At DC Climate Week, researchers, activists and former EPA employees discussed options to take the place of the agency's old environmental justice mapping tool previously used by the waste industry and others.

By Megan Quinn • April 27, 2026

NH Recycles looks to continue recycling work with fresh leadership

NH Recycles, the oldest organization of its kind, is designed for the long game, said Reagan Bissonnette, the outgoing executive director, and Andrea Folsom, who will take on the role in May.

By Megan Quinn • April 9, 2026

EPA proposes adding microplastics to list of drinking water contaminants

At an EPA event on Thursday, Administrator Lee Zeldin called the proposal a “major step forward” for providing regulators with better research into microplastics’ health impacts.

By Megan Quinn • April 3, 2026

States, cities sue EPA over endangerment finding repeal

A dozen cities and counties join 24 states in challenging EPA’s rescission of a cornerstone climate rule, which leaves cities “to bear the costs of hotter summers, dirtier air, and extreme weather,” Denver’s mayor said.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • March 20, 2026

Vaulted Deep bets carbon storage can enable a waste solution

The company is using injection well technology developed in oilfields for long-term disposal of organic waste. With roughly $56 million raised, it’s looking to pitch its services around the country.

By Jacob Wallace • March 10, 2026

Safety-Kleen to pay $175K federal fine for maintenance, storage violations

Safety-Kleen, a division of Clean Harbors, has since remedied issues at its Linden, New Jersey facility. That included fixing leaking equipment and properly storing waste, the U.S. EPA said. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 10, 2026

EPA delays greenhouse gas reporting as it moves to shut down program

Covered entities for the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program will not be required to submit 2025 emissions data until October. By then, the agency may have already repealed the requirement.

By Jacob Wallace • March 4, 2026

CARB approves California’s climate disclosure regulations

The California Air Resources Board, tasked with enforcing the state’s climate disclosure laws, will require companies to report scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by August this year.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 27, 2026

Waste facilities expected to escape effects from federal climate rollback, for now

Regulations surrounding landfills are unlikely to be affected by Thursday’s “endangerment finding” rollback. But a warming climate brings broader dangers for the industry and its workers.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 17, 2026

EPA says Deere can’t cite Clean Air Act to limit farm equipment repairs

The agency’s guidance is a direct response to the tractor maker’s request last summer on how manufacturers should interpret the law when it comes to repairs.

By Nathan Owens • Feb. 3, 2026

Landfill solar projects still have bright future, but face practical limitations

The United States now has hundreds of installations on closed landfills, though the remaining sites may be limited by shifting federal policy, remediation costs and geography.

By Leslie Nemo • Feb. 2, 2026

New Jersey court upholds key environmental justice law

Recyclers argued the state's Department of Environmental Protection overstepped its authority and blocked business operations. But an appeals court said DEP appropriately applied the EJ law.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 7, 2026

By the numbers: What impacted waste and recycling in 2025

Take a look back at the year's notable data points on policy, regulation, labor, recycling trends and more.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace , Cole Rosengren • Dec. 23, 2025

Virginia to update state solid waste plan for first time in 46 years

The draft plan aims to modernize the state’s waste strategy with an emphasis on better data collection, diversion and economic growth efforts. That might include pursuing an EPR for packaging law.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 15, 2025

Waste companies have opportunity to address scope 3 emissions, EREF finds

A new report finds upstream transportation and purchased goods were some of the largest categories of scope 3 emissions among waste companies. But their facility portfolio plays the biggest role in their overall climate impact.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 3, 2025

Veolia to acquire Enviri’s Clean Earth for $3B

The deal will help double Veolia’s U.S. footprint in the hazardous waste space. Enviri will also spin out Harsco Environmental and Harsco Rail into a new company.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 21, 2025