California's local governments grapple with financial and logistical demands of organics recycling law

Regulations weren’t finalized for years, and the pandemic delayed many plans. New state grants worth $180 million will help, but more will be needed to meet this unfunded mandate. Read Part 3 of our series.

By Cole Rosengren • June 23, 2022

EPA aims to disburse $375M in waste and recycling funds from infrastructure bill by spring 2023

Stakeholders have called for the EPA to move quickly on implementing funding from grants and initiatives that the agency says represent its “largest investment in recycling in 30 years.”

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 15, 2022

California’s high-stakes experiment to cut organic waste disposal 75% by 2025

Waste companies and local governments in the state are making massive investments and operational changes to meet the demands of SB 1383. Explore the implications with our ongoing series.

Updated Nov. 14, 2022

Expecting food waste 'tsunami,' California recyclers focus on infrastructure and end markets

As the state rolls out universal organics collection, major companies such as Agromin, Anaergia, GreenWaste Recovery, Recology, Republic Services and WM are expanding to meet demand. Learn more in Part 2 of our series.

By Cole Rosengren • June 9, 2022

San Francisco voters approve reform measure in wake of Recology corruption scandal

The first major change to the local refuse ordinance in 90 years will update a rate-setting process that resulted in significant overcharges. It could also affect the company’s lock on hauling permits, pending further legislative action.

By Cole Rosengren • June 8, 2022

Ambitious policy makes California a crucible for investments in organics collection and recycling

SB 1383, a sweeping law that calls for a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal by 2025 to reduce methane emissions, has spurred a flurry of activity. Is the state's current infrastructure ready to meet the moment? 

By Cole Rosengren • June 3, 2022

States take new PFAS policy steps as waste industry awaits federal guidelines

Upcoming laws and regulatory actions target "proactive" reductions of PFAS in packaging, clothing and biosolids.

By Megan Quinn • June 1, 2022

EPA’s Carlton Waterhouse: Environmental justice means thinking beyond regulatory requirements

The EPA official previewed a new recycling infrastructure map, more data and updates on grants to help facilities "green" their operations. He also urged facility operators to invest in their communities.

By Megan Quinn • May 31, 2022

City Haul: Federal pandemic funds offer rare opportunity for waste and recycling investments

Climate and cleanliness goals, plus worker safety concerns, help sanitation projects compete for flexible American Rescue Plan funds, as localities also await next steps on the rollout of recycling grants through the infrastructure law.

By Maria Rachal • May 24, 2022

WasteExpo highlights big ideas for solving food waste, recycling, data and infrastructure problems

Speakers from Recology, ERI, Generate Upcycle, Orlando and the state of California shared advice on how to advance waste, recycling and organics operations.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Updated May 23, 2022

The methane emissions crisis demands a faster transformation in how we handle organic waste

The waste sector presents some of the best opportunities to reduce methane emissions and global warming through organic waste prevention, source separation and composting, writes John Ribeiro-Broomhead.

By John Ribeiro-Broomhead • May 11, 2022

Minneapolis shares its years of organics collection expertise as other major cities consider new efforts

The Minnesota city has over 50% program participation after going citywide around 2015. Meanwhile, Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C., are among the cities eyeing expansions to collection options.

By Maria Rachal • May 3, 2022

Boston curbside composting pilot to begin service in August

Garbage to Garden and Save That Stuff will jointly provide collection service. Food waste will be sent to local composting and codigestion facilities.

By Maria Rachal • Updated May 27, 2022

Denver City Council greenlights pay-as-you-throw system for 2023

Officials voted Monday to implement volume-based pricing for trash, expand recycling pickups and provide weekly compost collection at no added cost.

By Maria Rachal • Updated June 28, 2022

After years of growing awareness, ReFED director sees a 'rubber-meets-the-road moment' for food waste

The U.S. government's 2030 food loss and waste reduction goal is fast approaching, and food prices are on the rise. Dana Gunders discusses what this all means for ongoing efforts to reduce, recover and recycle wasted food.

By Cole Rosengren • April 6, 2022

Latest UN climate change report highlights urban mitigation strategies, circular materials management

Reducing food waste and increasing plastics recycling and materials reuse all came up as potential strategies, as the world must implement changes more rapidly to alter the course of global warming.

By Maria Rachal • April 5, 2022

Dramatic expansion potential for waste projects seen by RNG Coalition CEO as climate efforts intensify

RNG projects at North American landfills, anaerobic digesters and other sites are set to grow exponentially in the coming years. Johannes Escudero breaks down what's ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • April 1, 2022

Walmart signs up for West Coast food waste-reduction project

As a member of the Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment, the retailer will provide data that will help give a more precise estimate of waste across the retail sector and identify key "hot spots" to focus on.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • March 22, 2022

Washington governor signs bill calling for 75% reduction of organic waste disposal by 2030

The law is seen as a natural evolution from the state's recent work on recycling and climate change. Organics recyclers are especially focused on new compost procurement rules and first-in-the-nation compostable product guidelines.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 25, 2022

Waste Dive Live: What's next for waste and recycling in 2022?

Watch the videos from our Feb. 10 virtual event to hear perspectives from the Waste Dive team, The Recycling Partnership and Reloop.

By The Waste Dive Team • March 9, 2022

CEO says longevity sets Ameresco apart in the landfill gas-to-energy space

A 20-plus-year reputation and broad range of clients — including municipalities, military bases and private companies — will keep the company going as competition ramps up in the waste sector, executives said.

By Megan Quinn • March 2, 2022

3 takeaways from GWMS on the future of environmental justice, greenhouse gas emissions and leachate at landfills

Landfill operators, consultants and researchers shared the latest trends they're following at last week's biennial event. Microplastics were called out as an emerging contaminant of concern, akin to how PFAS science has evolved.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 23, 2022

As compost volumes grow, policy and research help boost market expansion

Composters are continuously exploring market options as organics recycling expands. Transportation projects, carbon sequestration, green roofs and cannabis farming are among many opportunities.

By Leslie Nemo • Feb. 14, 2022

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2022

Get up to speed on what may be coming next around M&A, labor solutions, ESG investment trends, federal regulation, state policy, environmental justice, local programs and more.

By The Waste Dive Team • Feb. 9, 2022

10 questions with Gold Medal Environmental on its strategic transformation

CEO Darren Gruendel and new President John Doyen talked about culture integration challenges after M&A, plans for Mid-Atlantic growth beyond an estimated $92 million in revenue, how they've maintained operations despite labor limitations and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 8, 2022