With $100M in recycling and waste grants now available, EPA schedules info sessions on how to apply

The agency will host multiple workshops about how state, territorial and local governments can make their case for the highly anticipated infrastructure and education funding.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Dec. 21, 2022

What analyzing National Sword can teach us about optimizing US plastics recycling

The dust has yet to settle from the major reckoning the U.S. plastics recycling system faced, but three notable factors have the potential to change the status quo going forward, write researchers from the University of California, Berkeley.

By Jessica Heiges and Kate O’Neill • Nov. 16, 2022

Tracking recycling laws by state

An EPR for packaging law in Maryland awaits the governor’s signature. In Washington, an EPR for packaging bill passed the Senate and is on to the House.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 11, 2025

EPA promises recycling infrastructure funds, new reports coming soon

During the National Recycling Congress, the U.S. EPA’s Nena Shaw said the infrastructure grant funding process is almost ready and previewed work on batteries, data collection and future reports on plastics and food waste.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 15, 2022

The next frontier in e-commerce packaging: reusable bags and boxes

Online ordering spiked during the pandemic — and so did the waste it creates. As Cyber Monday approaches, startups such as Returnity and Trashless are developing ways to offer consumers and retailers an alternative.

By Lela Nargi • Nov. 15, 2022

Closed Loop launches new recycling company, Circular Services, with $700M investment

Combining the operations of Sims Municipal Recycling, Balcones Resources, Retrievr, HomeBiogas and more, the new company, to be led by Closed Loop CEO Ron Gonen, is being touted as a “holistic” service provider.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 15, 2022

Is California’s 2025 organics diversion target still viable?

An independent commission is now assessing whether course corrections are needed for the state’s landmark SB 1383 law. CalRecycle, WM, Republic Services, Agromin, Anaergia and many others have weighed in.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 14, 2022

Elections 2022: Denver greenlights recycling expansion, a close decision on San Diego trash fees and more

Voters in California, Colorado, Michigan, New York and Vermont weighed in on a range of state and local initiatives with implications for waste and recycling as part of Tuesday’s election.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 9, 2022

Upstream CEO talks about the role of EPR in expanding reuse-refill, ‘golden opportunity’ for recycling industry

The reuse-refill sector has become increasingly mainstream, as shown by the nonprofit’s Reusies award event. Matt Prindiville shares his latest outlook on where it’s going next and how the traditional waste industry can be involved.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 7, 2022

Plastic markets fall, EPA urged to update policies and other top recycling stories from October

The month’s notable recycling headlines include recent plastic market trends, questions about the United States' long-held waste hierarchy and calls to standardize recycling bin labels.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 2, 2022

Is EPR an answer to compostable packaging’s contamination and labeling hurdles?

Extended producer responsibility laws can and should encompass compostable packaging, industry players at a recent Product Stewardship Institute webinar said. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 15, 2022

Mattress, textile, organics disposal bans begin in Massachusetts

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection is now requiring local governments and businesses to keep certain materials out of the waste stream.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 1, 2022

Environmental justice voices in the waste and recycling industry

Catch up on these Q&A conversations with experts from the U.S. EPA, Ya Fav Trashman, Detroit Dirt and others on how the waste and recycling industry can play a role in environmental justice efforts.

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 14, 2023

San Antonio targets demolition waste, spurs material reuse with deconstruction ordinance

In linking a waste reduction effort with other priorities, like affordable housing — a concern in one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities — San Antonio hopes to send less to landfills and make progress on zero waste aspirations.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 25, 2022

Could the EPA’s preference for ‘energy recovery’ change as it evaluates waste hierarchy, other tools?

The agency is reevaluating its longstanding materials management hierarchy and waste reduction model as part of broader research efforts. Advocacy groups have pushed to reduce any emphasis on incineration.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 24, 2022

Composting in wine country: Napa Valley’s multi-decade circular economy story

California’s organics recycling law is driving new demand for processing infrastructure. Longstanding efforts by Upper Valley Disposal and others to compost grape pomace have given the region a head start.

By Karine Vann • Oct. 19, 2022

New nonprofit Just Zero taking a national approach to zero waste and closing disposal sites

Zero waste advocates formerly with the Conservation Law Foundation say the group will provide local activists with national-level resources for drafting legislation and more.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 18, 2022

Zero-waste online grocer The Rounds raises $38M

The newly announced Series A financing follows a $4 million seed round at the start of this year for the scaling grocery refill delivery service.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 12, 2022

Reuse tech startup Rheaply targets C&D waste with Materials Marketplace acquisition

CEO Garry Cooper says adding the platform from the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development will expand Rheaply’s reach and allow existing customers to exchange items more broadly.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 10, 2022

RoadRunner Recycling buys Compology to scale AI, metering in collection service

RoadRunner, which provides service through third-party haulers, has raised nearly $130 million to date as it scales quickly. Compology’s AI and camera capabilities will expand its data offerings for ESG-driven customers.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 6, 2022

Zero waste should be an important part of climate plans, GAIA urges

Through food waste prevention, single-use plastics bans, robust composting and recycling, and other strategies, the waste sector can support the Paris Agreement’s targeted limit to global warming, a new report said.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 5, 2022

To fight US plastic pollution, California AG calls for more resources and more accountability

The federal government should act more quickly to address plastic pollution and hold polluters responsible, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said during a recent seminar.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 30, 2022

California’s last 2 WTE facilities under pressure following new state law

Now that jurisdictions can no longer count waste sent to “transformation” facilities toward their recycling targets, Covanta-operated sites in Long Beach and Stanislaus County may see a shift.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2022

Zero waste advocates: California is making strides, but more action needed beyond EPR

Longtime zero waste advocates Ruth Abbe, Rick Anthony and Neil Seldman weigh in on implications from the state’s busy legislative session and how they hope producer responsibility systems can evolve nationally.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 28, 2022

City Haul: Making yard waste programs more resilient

Despite staffing shortages, contamination challenges and other issues, municipal waste leaders are working to better serve residents and help diversion goals by making programs more consistent and expansive.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 26, 2022