Compost groups say EPA's new PFAS report misses the mark

The compilation of research on PFAS in compost and digestate underscores regulators' concern about potential health impacts, but compost experts say the agency and manufacturers should do more to curb the chemicals.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 7, 2021

Raven SR's waste-to-hydrogen project with Republic Services could have implications beyond California

Creating green hydrogen from organics is one way to meet the state's SB 1383 goals, but Raven's CEO said he hopes this process can be a competitive way to handle waste streams in any state.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 31, 2021

Resource Recycling Conference highlights role of markets, labor and climate in municipal recycling

Panelists at last week's virtual event discussed how positive market shifts for certain postconsumer plastics and fiber grades are influencing MRF investment decisions, while labor availability is a key issue in servicing local programs.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • Aug. 10, 2021

House passes infrastructure bill, including key recycling provisions

President Joe Biden is expected to soon sign the bill, which features the text of the RECYCLE Act, funding for Save Our Seas 2.0 and battery recycling provisions.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 8, 2021

GFL launches renewable energy platform, forecasts ample M&A opportunities

While Canada's economic recovery is expected to roll into next year, the company is already seeing pre-pandemic volumes in other areas and big free cash flow gains. A new focus on landfill gas projects may boost that trend.

By Cole Rosengren • July 29, 2021

Waste Management's first chief sustainability officer aims to expand recycling, organics revenue

In her first Waste Dive interview since starting the new role, Tara Hemmer describes sustainability as a "growth lever" for the industry giant. She also weighs in on the landfill emissions debate, plastics and waste reduction.

By Cole Rosengren • July 26, 2021

SWEEP adds Bay Area partners to growing SMM certification pilot

Also in this week's municipal news roundup: recycling and organics program developments from Cleveland, New York City and Rochester, New York, and still more labor shortages disrupting collection services.

By Maria Rachal • July 23, 2021

Progress report: State waste and recycling policies gain notable traction this year

State lawmakers have made significant headway on laws about EPR, recycled content mandates and plastic products. Other bills are still in play, and experts anticipate even more possible changes in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • July 19, 2021

City hiring woes and solutions; New $16B pitch for recycling infrastructure

In this week’s municipal news roundup: Denver and St. Louis feel the effects of labor shortages, and leaders in Portland, Oregon, seek to widen their worker candidate pools.

By Maria Rachal • July 16, 2021

Chicago exploring organics and textile recycling, commercial waste zones through new strategy

Chicago has one of the lowest diversion rates among major U.S. cities. Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar said it would be "a big leap" to set any type of zero waste target and the city is focused on "interim steps."

By Maria Rachal • July 15, 2021

'The strongest have survived': Anaerobic digestion companies see clear path to scaling up

Anaergia, BDC, Generate Capital and Vanguard Renewables believe they're poised to expand food waste recycling around the country. ESG trends, rising disposal tip fees and state or local policies are all key drivers.

By Cole Rosengren • July 12, 2021

Cities tackle illegal dumping, ongoing hauler labor shortages

In this week's municipal news roundup: more methods to reduce roadside trash, plus ongoing waste collection issues and new compost initiatives.

By Megan Quinn • July 9, 2021

Top stories from 2021's WasteExpo

Catch up on event coverage and interviews about the labor shortage, emerging ESG pressures, fleet technology, organics recycling, PFAS and more.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Sept. 17, 2021

What the industry is saying about 5 key topics in waste and recycling

At WasteExpo, executives, vendors and regulators were vocal on everything from policy to PFAS and plastics, to the problem of not being able to hire enough workers.

By Waste Dive Team • July 7, 2021

Expanding curbside recycling after a tumultuous few years

The Recycling Partnership and Recyclops share how they're working with municipalities to expand the scope of U.S. curbside recycling. Also in this week's municipal news roundup, truck news from Alaska and South Carolina.

By Maria Rachal • June 24, 2021

Nearly 50 companies, including Waste Management, pursuing New York commercial waste contracts

The city aims to release the next part of a waste and recycling zone RFP within two months. Waste Connections, Interstate Waste Services, Winters Bros. Waste Systems and other local companies are among the high-profile bidders.

By Cole Rosengren • June 23, 2021

Atlanta and San Francisco's food waste wisdom; how the pandemic affected recycling education

SWANA's Sustainable Materials Management Summit and the NYC Food Waste Fair brought together local leaders from Florida to Maryland and Georgia to California. Catch up in this week's municipal news roundup.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • June 17, 2021

EPA explores aligning 2030 food waste goal with UN target, official says

Preventing food waste at the source remains a priority over simply diverting it from disposal, panelists said during a discussion on setting and reaching national food waste targets, part of this week's NYC Food Waste Fair.

By Maria Rachal • June 15, 2021

2021 state waste and recycling policy highlights

Catch up on legislative coverage of EPR, recycled content mandates, product bans and market development plans from California to Maine.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Dec. 21, 2021

City budget season brings new waste initiatives in DC, Baltimore, elsewhere

Also in this week's municipal news roundup: a major recycling facility fire in Phoenix, additional reports of service disruptions stemming from worker shortages, and more updates from around the country.

By Maria Rachal • June 10, 2021

Roundup: 'Recycling is infrastructure too,' Twin Cities poised for landfill expansion

Plus: Driver shortages impact garbage, recycling, yard and bulk pickups in multiple states, and Georgia, South Carolina and Colorado see legislative actions on single-use plastics, tires and recycling access.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • June 3, 2021

Roundup: Driver shortages hamper local waste collection, US recycling infrastructure begs $17B expansion

Plus: California's budget surplus yields $130 million proposal for recycling infrastructure, New York City progresses on solutions for its curbside trash problem, and more municipal news from around the U.S.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • May 20, 2021

Roundup: New York City clears legislative hurdle on plastics reduction

The city council passed a bill meant to limit use of straws, a potential sign of growing acceptance for plastics reduction policies. Elsewhere, an American Biogas Council event spurred discussion of codigestion.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • May 14, 2021

Boston expanding textile and organics recycling as it ramps up zero waste plan

Efforts to hit an 80% recycling rate by 2035 were delayed in part by the pandemic, but moves to expand drop-off programs show new momentum. Curbside organics collection remains an unresolved priority.

By Cole Rosengren • May 13, 2021

Composting infrastructure coalition seeks hundreds of millions for federal grants, loans

Given the Biden administration's focus on climate, environmental justice and infrastructure investment, advocates and trade groups view now as an apt time to pursue $200 million across a decade to help expand U.S. composting.

By Maria Rachal • May 11, 2021