Deep Dive: Page 5
Industry insights from our journalists
-
How recycling has changed in all 50 states
The most comprehensive tracker of local recycling program changes, cancellations and solutions in the U.S. from November 2017 to November 2019.
Cole Rosengren • Updated June 5, 2019 -
Burned by lithium battery surge, recyclers seek solutions
Lithium batteries are increasingly popular because of their powerful punch, but that also makes them a risk when mismanaged. Safety and recycling programs are on the rise to survive the trend.
Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 9, 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.
Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 9, 2019 -
Recycling industry split on California bills that pave way for packaging EPR
Major legislation that could reshape how consumer products are designed and recycled far beyond California has become a national focal point for manufacturers, retailers and recyclers alike.
Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 16, 2019 -
What's next for California container recycling after rePlanet's closure?
Losing the state's largest recycling center operator in one fell swoop could challenge California's redemption program. Supporters and critics alike offer ideas for stabilization.
Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 28, 2019 -
How one island territory is getting creative with upcycling and reuse
The British Virgin Islands experienced recycling challenges long before commodity market shifts. Now, the failure of a critical incinerator has prompted a whole new materials management plan.
Genevieve Glatsky • July 31, 2019 -
Why are fashion supply chains so wasteful?
Consumer textile waste may be the larger problem, but the pre-consumer supply chain has its own wasteful practices built in to the way garments are designed and produced.
Emma Cosgrove • July 23, 2019 -
Reduce, reuse, rescoot? A look at e-scooters' long-term sustainability
Scooters are touted as a clean, low-cost form of transportation, but their lifespan is far from sustainable — and their parts could pose a danger to recycling facilities.
Katie Pyzyk • July 17, 2019 -
Disputed ground: The future of landfill gas-to-energy
Gas capture at landfills creates electricity and revenue, but also has economic and environmental disadvantages.
Max Witynski • July 12, 2019 -
Sorting out the future of mixed paper
Amid the current focus on plastics, market issues for fiber tend to get overshadowed. What does the future hold for all the mail, magazines and small shipping boxes still inundating MRFs?
Mary Catherine O'Connor • Updated June 28, 2019 -
What recycling end market development looks like in 2019
What was once a public sector-driven effort has more private interest. Now, industry professionals say, there are more players on the field — and they're better at working together.
Katie Pyzyk • May 8, 2019 -
Toxins in the ground: Inside America's most polluted coal ash site and industry's struggle with federal rules
A Texas family's legal battle with an electric cooperative over contaminated land is a microcosm of a larger national debate on how to handle the toxic byproduct of burning coal.
Catherine Morehouse • May 6, 2019 -
Uncontained: The complex link between retail and packaging
Retailers know that the environmental effects of packaging are weighing on consumers' minds. But experts say it's not just about getting rid of plastic.
Kaarin Moore • April 22, 2019 -
10 insights from public waste company 10-Ks
We took a deep dive into the annual reports of the five vertically-integrated service providers to assess operational scale, unionization rates, landfill lifespans and more.
Cole Rosengren and Rina Li • March 18, 2019 -
Is New York's 2030 'zero waste' goal receding from reach?
Three key initiatives — single-stream recycling, curbside organics expansion and "save-as-you-throw" — are on hold indefinitely. Now, both skeptics and boosters are questioning whether it's practical or possible to hit the mark.
Cole Rosengren • Feb. 20, 2019 -
How small cities around the country are fighting to save recycling
Solutions to preserve access and reduce contamination are emerging from municipalities, partners and citizen-led efforts in states such as Oregon, Virginia and New Hampshire.
Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 28, 2019 -
6 key questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2019
We'll be keeping an eye on recycling, climate change, landfills, alternative technologies, corporate consolidation, labor issues and much more in the year ahead.
Cole Rosengren • Jan. 9, 2019 -
EPA Recycling Summit highlights lack of national responsibility
The America Recycles Day event was considered historic for the breadth of stakeholders it assembled — but with so many different ideas of success, will it be possible to make meaningful change?
Cole Rosengren • Nov. 29, 2018 -
7 key questions about New York's unique franchise plan
Now that the proposal is out, debate over ending the largest commercial open market system in the country will only heat up heading into 2019. Waste Dive read through all 100-plus pages to suss out what comes next.
Cole Rosengren • Nov. 13, 2018 -
Next up for the RecycLA experiment — optimization
Updates from key players in the Los Angeles franchise program — including four haulers — about how they're adapting to commodity markets, organics diversion and a uniquely ambitious facility certification program.
Cole Rosengren • Oct. 25, 2018 -
As New Jersey rethinks food waste policy, role of landfills a key question
Between an overdue reduction plan and a proposed diversion mandate that would consider landfills with gas capture an appropriate destination, the state is on a different path than many of its Northeast neighbors.
Cole Rosengren • Oct. 15, 2018 -
Why aren't wages rising? An analysis
The economy has held steady for years and the market continues to tighten, yet massive market responses have not materialized. So what’s going on?
Kathryn Moody • Oct. 1, 2018 -
Inside Rubicon's voluminous ambitions
An exclusive interview with Rubicon Global's leadership team on how three new broker acquisitions fit into their master plan.
Cole Rosengren • Aug. 17, 2018 -
Paid leave: How do the new proposals stack up?
Employers and their advocates say businesses are generally open to paid leave, but can't cope with a patchwork of requirements. Stakeholders are searching for a middle ground.
Jennifer Carsen • Aug. 7, 2018 -
How the UK is thinking about plastics in market downturn
As marine litter gains attention and export markets shrink, more countries are forced think about creating their own circular economies.
Maxine Perella • July 24, 2018