Can Loop disrupt society's packaging habit? Inside TerraCycle's grand experiment

The reusable shopping platform, which launched with big hype and is now eyeing retail, has already raised one key question in its early days: What are the true costs of convenience?

By Karine Vann • Updated Dec. 23, 2019

Climate change becomes widely recognized corporate factor for waste and recycling

While many of the largest companies have been releasing sustainability reports for years, 2019 marked a potential turning point in the level of detail and acknowledgment for this looming issue.

Dec. 20, 2019

Philadelphia's first 'Pitch & Pilot' seeks tech to reduce waste

The initiative is part of a strategy to improve government services with private sector partnerships and community engagement, rather than a top-down approach. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 17, 2019

Blue Bottle, aiming for 'zero waste' in 2020, could eliminate to-go coffee cups

The upscale coffee chain's goals mirror a larger shift as more and more companies target their waste footprints. The cup pilot will begin in two California locations.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 13, 2019

Disruptor of the Year: New York City Council

The council's Oct. 30 vote to pass a commercial waste zone system was among the most consequential legislative moves for any local market this year – and that was the point.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 9, 2019

Climate Solution of the Year: California's SB 1383

The Golden State's plan to curb waste could have implications for the whole country as it offers sweeping opportunities for infrastructure expansion while combating climate change. 

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 9, 2019

Philadelphia reports 50% diversion rate, ongoing 'zero waste' progress

Despite high-profile recycling issues earlier this year, the city says its plans are still on track. Waste reduction and organics recycling are among the top priorities moving forward.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 25, 2019

Adam Minter on why secondhand markets are the true circular economies

Waste Dive spoke with the "Junkyard Planet" author about what the waste industry can learn from the reuse sector, textile recycling trends and misconceptions about e-waste he discovered writing the new book "Secondhand."

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 12, 2019

New D.C. zero waste bill would have major implications for composting and recycling

The bill would establish EPR programs for sharps and batteries, impose organics diversion requirements on many businesses, and establish a surcharge based on contamination levels in recyclables. 

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 11, 2019

What cities can learn from Phoenix's circular economy experiments

Home to a unique incubator, the fast-growing Arizona city has embarked on multiple new ventures in recent years. WASTECON panelists shared economic, logistical and political advice.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 1, 2019

Beverage giants pledge $100M to capture more PET bottles with major recycling groups

Amid growing attention around single-use plastic waste, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper are funding a new voluntary effort. The Recycling Partnership and Closed Loop Partners will manage the initiative. 

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 30, 2019

Faced with market turmoil, public sector leaders seek new approaches for waste and recycling

At this year's WASTECON, officials from around the country laid out their vision for working through market challenges, collaborating with others and addressing climate change.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 29, 2019

Increasingly popular single-use bans pose hurdle for plastics industry

Growing awareness about the potential environmental effects of plastics is powering state and local bans, to the consternation of companies who argue the trend is short-sighted. 

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 25, 2019

These 3 circular economy principles can help combat the climate crisis

Transitioning to a circular economy will take "concerted action from multiple stakeholders," according to a report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Material Economics.

By Andrew Urevig • Oct. 21, 2019

New York commercial waste zone bill finalized ahead of imminent vote

Aside from new language on labor retention, the version council members will be asked to vote on remains largely unchanged from a prior draft. A vote is expected Oct. 30.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 23, 2019

Who comes out on top if New York passes commercial waste zones?

How many local haulers will be left to win franchise contracts, and whether any new entrants join the fray, all comes down to how legislative negotiations play out.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 9, 2019

Massachusetts raises 2050 waste reduction target, may expand organics ban

The Department of Environmental Protection's new solid waste master plan draft indicates support for new packaging policies, additional waste bans and future infrastructure as disposal capacity shrinks.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2019

Philadelphia solicits bids for new compost facility with statewide implications

The city aims to expand organics processing infrastructure via a public-private partnership that could reduce annual food waste by nearly 150 tons as part of its 2035 "zero waste" goals.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 26, 2019

Kroger expands line of Apeel produce to tackle food waste

After a pilot in Cincinnati, the grocer will stock the long-lasting avocados in 1,100 stores with plans to add asparagus and limes to some locations later this fall.

By Jennifer Sweeney • Sept. 18, 2019

My first Loop: Early days in the circular shopping platform

A growing number of consumers have placed orders for common household items from the new e-commerce site that attempts to eliminate single-use packaging. Here's one reporter's experience.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 11, 2019

Scrap Collector: Plastic makes its way into oceans – and 2020 climate forum

Plus: California county settling landfill employee racial discrimination suit, and UK waste management giant Biffa pleading not guilty to export charges.

By Rina Li • Sept. 6, 2019

Scrap Collector: Australia's recyclable export ban creates domestic opportunities — including incineration

Plus: Lion King collectibles get the landfill treatment, and Modi calls for Indian single-use plastics ban.

By Rina Li • Aug. 16, 2019

Why every business should have a 'zero waste' goal

Elytus President Matthew S. Hollis makes the case for why reaching sustainability goals can be an incremental process, and how service providers can help customers achieve them.

By Matthew S. Hollis • Aug. 13, 2019

Kroger cut food waste 9% in 2018

The company's latest report on its Zero Hunger Zero Waste initiative also shows notable progress toward reducing plastics, conserving energy and diverting supermarket waste.  

By Lauren Manning • Aug. 13, 2019

Hawaii plastics ban legislation 'watered down' to working group

According to Surfrider Oahu Chapter Coordinator Doorae Shin, the plastics reduction working group — which is "heavily stacked with industry representatives" — is "certainly not an environmental victory."

By Rina Li • Aug. 5, 2019