The Latest

  • Aerial view of a collection truck picking up waste or recyclables in a residential area
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    RichLegg via Getty Images
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    Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity

    Republic Services acquired Kentucky-based Green River Waste; Ally Waste Services acquired multifamily service provider WeDoTrash; and private equity investor TorQuest bought a stake in Waste Solutions Canada.

    Updated Sept. 10, 2025
  • Stacks of black plastic food containers being packaged
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    sergeyryzhov via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Can recycling advancements get black rigid plastics off packaging’s blacklist?

    More MRFs are adding technologies to sort the material, but some brands and manufacturers are still switching away from the color. As black plastic reaches a tipping point, end market challenges create uncertainty about its future.

  • The flag outside the United States Environmental Protection Agency building is seen on August 21, 2024 in Washington, DC.
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    Tierney L. Cross via Getty Images
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    EPA opens up $20M in SWIFR grant funding for tribes and intertribal consortia

    The Trump administration plans to select 20 grantees in the latest funding round. It also says the selection process for a $58 million funding round for communities, states and territories is ongoing.

  • A tractor is seen spreading manure-based fertilizer on a field.
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    fotokostic via Getty Images
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    Massachusetts next in list of states debating PFAS limits in biosolids

    A bill set for debate Wednesday would enact a series of restrictions related to PFAS exposure in the environment. A dozen states have debated such proposals this year.

  • The exterior of the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C.
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    EPA’s new agenda includes actions on PFAS, incinerators and more

    In a calendar update, the federal agency announced timelines for many of its deregulatory priorities.

  • four blue recycling carts stand next to each other
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    Thomas Demarczyk via Getty Images
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    To raise recycling rates, look to system design: SWANA

    Tailored programs and systems that consider human habits can help boost recycling rates, said design engineers and landfill operators at SWANA’s Pennsylvania chapter conference.

  • The GFL Environmental logo decal on the door of a large garbage truck
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    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
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    GFL’s infrastructure spinoff completes deal valuing business at nearly $3.1B

    A transaction finalized with Energy Capital Partners marks a significant milestone following the 2022 spinoff. GFL will receive a cash infusion through its minority stake.

    Updated Sept. 4, 2025
  • A container ship on the water is emblazoned with the words "CMA CGM" and "LNG Powered"
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    Courtesy of CMA CGM
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    Landfill biogas sees steady growth, plus RNG news from Anaergia, Vanguard, Montauk Renewables

    Investment in landfill biogas capacity has topped $1 billion for two straight years. New policies drove announcements in August, including for shipping fuel.

  • Industrial equipment and conveyors process materials for recycling.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Waste Dive
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    Wisconsin updates MRF operations requirements for first time in 20 years

    An update to the state’s recycling program rules means MRFs will need to meet new residual limits and glass recycling rates and start budgeting for specific cleanup and closure costs.

  • An aerial view of three waste trucks in a landfill site; the surrounding area contains waste and dirt.
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    Alamy
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    Deep Dive

    Waste and the economy: 4 areas to watch for the rest of 2025

    The waste and recycling industry has adapted to a changing economy this year, including effects from a lucrative new tax law, M&A, tariffs and commodity markets.

  • A screenshot of a digital tool to make educational campaign flyers.
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    Screenshot: Foodservice Packaging Insitute/YouTube

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    Adding new commodities brings recycling education challenges

    The Foodservice Packaging Institute updated its toolkit to help create recycling education campaigns. Stakeholders underscore the need for collaboration and taking a “careful step-by-step approach” when adding new items.

  • A small green bucket that says "Garbage to Garden" sits in the forefront of a street, with a large black bin and cars in the background.
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    Somerville latest to join list of Massachusetts cities with organics programs

    Garbage to Garden will launch a targeted pilot, focused on new customers, in an area known for rodent issues. The region’s most densely populated city follows dozens of others pushing to realize the state’s waste reduction goals.

    Updated Sept. 2, 2025
  • A Maas Energy Works anaerobic digestion lagoon
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    Courtesy of Maas Energy Works
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    NWRA among groups pushing back on RFS proposal

    The EPA said it needed to reduce production targets as the transportation market for RNG had become saturated. But industry groups say that misses the point of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.

  • California state flag and state capitol building in Sacramento
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    DustyPixel via Getty Images
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    Circular Action Alliance taps new California executive director

    The role was vacated earlier this year by former CalRecycle director Rachel Wagoner. The new appointment comes as SB 54 rules are still being hashed out and CAA wants producers to report supply data by Nov. 15.

  • The exterior of Alterra's liquefaction plant in Akron, Ohio.
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    Courtesy of Alterra
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    Alterra withdraws plan to build chemical recycling plant in Pennsylvania

    Environmental groups had long opposed the proposal, but Alterra says it ultimately halted plans due to a landowner's decision. Alterra intends to search for another site in the region.

  • a forklift lifts construction materials
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    Courtesy of WM
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    Recycled content roofing facility reopens in Iowa under new ownership

    The Everboard product’s original founder is back at the helm as part of a new joint venture, which took over for WM-backed Continuus after the facility closed in November. A new California facility will also open soon.

  • A row of partially assembled trash and recycling bins in a warehouse
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    Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
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    How Bigbelly reshored its waste and recycling bin operations from Mexico

    What started as a college idea about solar compactors has evolved into one of the more recognizable public space waste container brands. Bigbelly doubled production in recent years and sees more growth ahead.

  • A truck with Stericycle branding sits among cars on the road with a tall office building behind it.
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    Jacob Wallace/Waste Dive
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    Stericycle to pay $2M settlement in New York overbilling complaint

    A New York City Business Integrity Commission audit investigation found the company overcharged "multiple customers" in the city. Stericycle hired a consultant to bring contracts into compliance.

    Updated Aug. 26, 2025
  • A wide view of a landfill site with grassy and dirt-covered hills, construction equipment, and a blue truck driving along a dirt road at the top of a slope. The foreground includes a paved access road with red-and-white barriers, utility poles with overhead wires, a small white pickup truck near a fenced area, and several warning signs along the road.
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    Alamy
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    Colorado landfill regulation vote delayed until December

    Commissioners heard hours of testimony on the wide-ranging proposal last week. They said they need more time to review feedback on the regulation, as Colorado intends to go beyond federal standards.

  • Illustration of heavy equipment at a landfill
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    Danielle Ternes/Waste Dive
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    Tracker

    Tracking GHG emissions of US waste management companies

    Denali reported its scope 1 and 2 emissions, and Synagro reported progress on energy efficiency measures in 2024.

    Updated Aug. 27, 2025
  • Several people holding or wearing signs stand shouting in front of a garbage truck, watched by two police officers in high-visibility vests.
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    Marilyn Humphries/Newscom

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    Deep Dive // Republic-Teamsters strike

    Teamsters v. Republic: Behind the largest sanitation strike in decades

    The two sides have been locked in a dispute that has rippled out from the Boston area since July 1. The struggle signals a contentious new era of labor relations has arrived to the waste and recycling industry.

  • Oregon State capitol
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    "Oregon Capitol" by ZehnKatzen is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    Wholesalers shed more light on Oregon packaging EPR legal challenge

    Oregon agencies received an extension to respond to the lawsuit until mid-September, per an update Friday. In the meantime, wholesalers are analyzing potential legal issues with EPR laws in other states.

  • A close up of the WM - Waste Management logo
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    WM announces CFO Devina Rankin to retire

    The CFO is leaving the company after nearly 23 years. David Reed, vice president and business partner for WM’s West Tier operations, will take over the position.

  • A close up of a tool touching the inside of a hard disk for repair
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    Sasirin Pamai via Getty Images
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    Texas law showed electronics repair is bipartisan. What’s next?

    Some manufacturers and tech companies such as Google are starting to shift their thinking on right-to-repair laws for consumer electronics, farm equipment and other categories as the policy passes in more states.

  • a group of people hold signs behind a pile of discarded plastic
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    Courtesy of NSAC
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    Lawmakers, recyclers call for SB 54 regulations that reflect intent of EPR law

    CalRecycle is expected to open the 45-day public comment period on SB 54 rulemaking soon. Stakeholders say some draft revisions undermine the law's ability to hold producers responsible for litter.