Tracking recycling laws by state

An EPR for packaging bill continues to advance in Washington. A similar bill was recently approved in Maryland and awaits the governor’s signature.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 16, 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

Rubicon pledges ‘progress to profitability’ and shares plans to grow company’s earnings potential

In Rubicon’s first earnings call since going public and seeing its founder step down, CEO Phil Rodoni named “profitability as the core tenet of our strategy and corporate culture going forward” and announced a new company president.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 10, 2022

Injury and illness rates for waste workers hit ‘historic’ low in 2021

SWANA says the decreased rates for workers on collection routes, as well as in MRFs and at landfill sites, are at their lowest since 2006.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 11, 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

Waste execs pull back the curtain on inflation-driven pricing strategies

Leaders from LRS, Casella Waste Systems, Waste Pro, Denali Water Solutions and more shared their strategies during the Corporate Growth Conference.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 8, 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

Top waste companies spent $1.1B on Q3 acquisitions, with more to come

Here’s what executives at the industry’s largest companies had to say about the M&A environment this year — and how much each has spent.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 4, 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

Where voters will consider waste and recycling initiatives

San Diego and Denver are among the localities with ballot measures, which range from affecting waste fees to recycling facility funding to more access to composting.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 1, 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

Waste Connections reports a decline in GHG emissions despite acquisitions, sets new ESG targets

The company plans investments in RNG facilities, MRFs and electric collection vehicles as well as new goals to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 15%, building on a recent decline of 7%, it said in its 2022 sustainability report.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 31, 2022

Q3 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Follow the latest round of financial results from WM, Republic Services, Casella Waste Systems, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and more.

Updated Dec. 1, 2022

Casella reports 13 acquisitions in 2022, sees M&A opportunity in potential recession

The Vermont-based company said its pricing and fee strategy have worked well in a tight economic environment. Executives also previewed upcoming plans for acquisition and landfill expansion spending.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 28, 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

Republic Services pricing at record highs as it fights recycled commodity price declines and cost inflation

The company is still integrating US Ecology while returning M&A focus to solid waste and recycling. Leaders also noted in an earnings call the opportunity to work with BP, which is buying renewable natural gas projects partner Archaea.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 28, 2022

Casella narrows ESG focus to 5 key targets for 2030

The Vermont-based company previously set 10 ESG targets in its 2020 report but has narrowed the focus to five key metrics related to emissions reduction, recycling volumes, fleet efficiency and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 27, 2022

WM spent nearly $200M on acquisitions in Q3, outlines future potential of big ESG investments

Recycling revenues are taking a hit, but executives said their updated contract models will provide insulation. CEO Jim Fish also shared a goal to eventually expand margins via price increases, not just recover costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2022

WM sets new ESG targets for GHG emissions, recycling volumes, diversity and more

The company’s first full-year report since acquiring Advanced Disposal Services shows an emissions uptick, but WM says upcoming investments will reverse that.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2022

Rubicon’s stock has struggled since going public. Is the SPAC trend to blame?

The tech company — which brokers waste and recycling services — rang the opening bell on Wall Street this week after its stock price declined and its founder stepped down as CEO. Analysts say a turnaround is still possible.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 21, 2022

Waste Connections purchasing California company Upper Valley Disposal

Upper Valley provides a range of collection, recycling, composting and disposal services in Napa County. Following the recent death of founder Bob Pestoni, the family decided to sell its multigenerational business.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 19, 2022

Lost carts, heavy volumes: Florida waste haulers get back to work after Hurricane Ian

Waste Pro and WM are among the companies that have worked through heavy waste volumes, long wait times at disposal sites, damaged infrastructure, limited access to certain island areas and other disruptions.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 18, 2022