Organics


  • Garbage truck empties cart into back.
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    Anton Novikov via Getty Images
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    Q4 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2024

    Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Clean Harbors, Waste Connections, Casella Waste Systems and Enviri.

    By Waste Dive Staff • Feb. 18, 2025
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    Courtesy of Maas Energy Works
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    Biogas project investment increased 40% in 2024, industry group says

    The agricultural sector is now moving faster than landfills to bring facilities online, but landfills account for 72% of total U.S. biogas production capacity, according to a new report from the American Biogas Council.

    By Feb. 18, 2025
  • Brooke Rollins
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Brooke Rollins confirmed to lead Department of Agriculture

    Rollins was formerly president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute. She has previously opposed climate policies, but said she would support biofuel-friendly measures.

    By Feb. 13, 2025
  • An illustration of a waste diversion campus
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    Permission granted by Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables
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    Wisconsin officials seek partnerships for waste diversion business park

    The proposed campus would bring together new and ongoing waste diversion projects. The county is soliciting ideas for recycling, reuse and diversion businesses.

    By Feb. 12, 2025
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    Permission granted by Brian Paganini/Quantum Organics
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    Closed Loop continues growth with new investment, organics acquisition

    Closed Loop announced new funding from Capricorn. Meanwhile, CEO Ron Gonen said Circular Services is expanding into organics with its acquisition of North America’s longest continually operating digester.

    By Feb. 10, 2025
  • A VW Double Cab with the words "Compost Stuff" and the "Save That Stuff" logo
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    Permission granted by Save That Stuff
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    Casella acquires longtime Boston recycler Save That Stuff

    Save That Stuff, founded in 1990, comes with a collection fleet and a recycling facility. The company exited a joint venture arrangement to service Boston’s curbside organics program ahead of the transaction.

    By Feb. 4, 2025
  • The flag of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hangs outside the agency building in Washington, D.C.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Federal funding pause, confusion hits environmental program funding

    Affected programs include the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling and Recycling Education and Outreach grant programs. EPA employees fear reprisal if they speak to grantees, according to advocates. 

    By Feb. 3, 2025
  • stacks of blue bags filled with recycled beverage containers
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    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
  • A hand brushes organic materials like vegetable scraps off a plate and into a bin
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    svetikd via Getty Images
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    What’s in store for organic waste in 2025

    Shifting power in Washington may not be an obstacle for groups advocating for favorable organic waste policies. But composters and anaerobic digester developers are navigating an evolving business environment this year. 

    By Jan. 29, 2025
  • Two tractors scooping compost
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    Courtesy of Agromin
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    California law aims to expand options for compost procurement under SB 1383

    The state’s organics law requires jurisdictions to procure a certain amount of organic material, but some have struggled. A recent law expands the options and could boost categories such as vermicomposting or edible food recovery.

    By Mary Catherine O’Connor • Jan. 28, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    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 Jan. 22, 2025
  • Trump holds up an executive order after signing it on at a post-inauguration parade in Capital One Arena
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    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
  • The front of the EPA building
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    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 Jan. 21, 2025
  • EPA warns of PFAS exposure from biosolids in long-awaited report

    Farmers could be at risk due to the chemicals leaching into food and water, the agency said in its draft risk assessment, which is now open for comment. EPA noted plans to focus enforcement upstream on industrial sources like landfills.

    By Jan. 15, 2025
  • 4 finalists vying for Connecticut compost project

    WeCare-Denali, Blue Earth Compost, Black Earth Compost and CWPM were among the bidders. The project is envisioned as a hybrid system using both aerated static pile and windrow systems. 

    By Jan. 14, 2025
  • DOE doles out $6.9M for organic waste-to-biofuels projects

    Nine projects funded through the program are expected to process food waste, dairy manure or products of municipal wastewater treatment plants into transportation fuels.

    By Jan. 10, 2025
  • Former President Donald Trump sits in the cab of a garbage truck emblazoned with his campaign's logo as reporters look on.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    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 , , Jan. 9, 2025
  • a close-up of food scraps in a compost collection bin in Washington, D.C.
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    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 Jan. 2, 2025
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    photovs via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    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 , , Dec. 20, 2024
  • Two piles of brown material, labeled "Finished Compost" and "Almost Done!" are separated by cinderblocks on a concrete pad outside.
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    Courtesy of Rhode Island Food Policy Council
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    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 Dec. 18, 2024
  • Three people in suits and ties sit in chairs at a Congressional event
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Federal budget proposal with $136M in recycling and composting bills stalls

    The Recycling and Composting Accountability Act and Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act were initially part of a deal to fund the federal government, but that plan has been scrapped.

    By Updated Dec. 20, 2024
  • Vermont landscape, with red building in foreground, digester tanks in the middle and forest/skyline in the back.
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    Courtesy of Vanguard Renewables
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    Vanguard Renewables names new CEO as owner BlackRock looks for growth

    The anaerobic digestion company’s former CEO, who held the role since before Vanguard was purchased by a division of BlackRock Real Assets, has departed, the company confirmed.

    By Dec. 17, 2024
  • A person wheels a cart through an airport terminal
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    Courtesy of Denver International Airport
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    Denver airport’s diversion pilot program tackles waste through ‘valet’ service

    The Zero Waste Valet program, run by compost company Scraps, aims to raise the airport's diversion rate. It diverted more than 69 tons of material in the first six months.

    By Dec. 17, 2024
  • A compost pile in front of green background
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    berkah jaya via Getty Images
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    US Composting Council executive director to step down

    Frank Franciosi announced he will leave his position next year, and will be succeeded by the organization’s deputy director, Linda Norris-Waldt.

    By Dec. 16, 2024
  • Overview of Fulcrum's Sierra BioFuels Feedstock Processing System in Nevada
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    Courtesy of Fulcrum Bioenergy
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    WM buys Fulcrum BioEnergy site in Nevada via bankruptcy process

    A judge recently approved WM’s purchase of a feedstock processing facility adjacent to one of the company’s landfills. Fulcrum’s biorefinery, which sought to convert waste to fuel, went to a different company.

    By Dec. 12, 2024