2020 could be the year of legislative boom – or bust – for national recycling policy

An influx of legislation in Congress aims to tackle problems facing the recycling industry amid rising public attention. The bills range widely in their industry backers and odds of success.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 29, 2020

Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress

A bipartisan bill supported by the plastics industry calls for nationwide plastic recycling standards, a 30% recycled content rate, and chemical recycling provisions. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated Sept. 20, 2024

Notable waste industry M&A activity continues in 2020

With confirmed deals by GFL Environmental, Waste Connections and Interstate Waste Solutions, the year is off to a busy start. The pending Waste Management-Advanced Disposal deal is among more to come.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 29, 2020

Los Angeles commits to 100% electric sanitation fleet by 2035. Other cities aren't ready to follow

LASAN Director Enrique Zaldivar pledged to procure only electric vehicles in two years and gradually convert the fleet. While the market continues to evolve, adoption is far from widespread.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 29, 2020

Waste Management reports Advanced Disposal acquisition delayed until Q2

The two companies have been working toward federal antitrust approval for many months, with a multi-state divestiture package close to finalized, but COVID-19 is now cited as a delaying factor.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 18, 2020

Every Bottle Back initiative targets multifamily recycling, MRF upgrades in Dallas-Fort Worth

The initiative will partner with city officials to pour $3 million into improvements to a Balcones Resources MRF, in addition to targeting low recycling rates at multifamily housing complexes. 

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 22, 2020

Waste Connections acquires regional hauler and MRF operator Penn Waste

Founded in 2000, Penn Waste has grown to include a collection fleet that services counties throughout South Central Pennsylvania and one of the largest residential MRFs in the United States. This marks the latest in a series of major industry acquisitions.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Jan. 21, 2020

If you're not recycling glass are you really recycling?

As more municipalities drop glass over financial pressure, processors maintain the market is viable. Neil Seldman of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance argues glass is still essential.

By Neil Seldman • Updated Jan. 17, 2020

Southern Recycling ending curbside recycling in Kentucky county, nearby counties face hurdles

Warren County is seeking a replacement program, but it is unclear what commodities will be included. Other local counties are choosing to scrap their programs without immediate replacements on the horizon. 

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 13, 2020

GFL Environmental closes $380M acquisition of Michigan-based American Waste

The deal will expand GFL's presence into northern Michigan with a landfill, MRF, C&D recycling facility, collection fleet and other assets.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Feb. 4, 2020

Disposal capacity crunch paves way for more industry consolidation and price increases, per report

New data from Waste Business Journal projects the $76 billion U.S. waste industry is down to 18 years of remaining landfill capacity on average, with the Northeast among the most constrained regions.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 8, 2020

7 pressing questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2020

The year is shaping up to be a major one for the industry's future. We'll be digging into safety, corporate consolidation, climate commitments, recycling policy, organics, PFAS, politics and more.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • Jan. 6, 2020

Court denies industry appeal over New York transfer station law

A 2018 law designed to address environmental justice concerns around transfer stations has prompted multiple court challenges, and it led the city to cut at least 10,000 tons of permitted capacity so far.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 18, 2020

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

Where curbside recycling programs have stopped and started in the US

One South Carolina sanitation district is calling it quits on recycling collection after March, citing collection and disposal costs that are four times those associated with garbage.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Jan. 9, 2023

BLS: Collection worker fatalities up dramatically in 2018

New data indicates that refuse and recyclable material collectors still have the fifth highest fatality rate in the nation. Multiple fatalities were also reported at landfills and MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 17, 2019

New York closer to citywide commercial organics diversion with latest proposal

The Department of Sanitation's third expansion of commercial rules affects a broad swath of food businesses. Some say it's too fast. Others view it as a needed step toward upcoming market changes.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 16, 2019

GFL Environmental aims to raise more than $1B, keeps IPO door open

One month after backing out of plans to go public, the Canadian agglomerate is looking for new funds through a debt and equity offering. Proceeds will be used for two pending U.S. acquisitions — including County Waste.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 10, 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

The Waste Dive Awards for 2019

From operations to policy, these are some of the top organizations and executives that shaped the waste and recycling industry this year.

Dec. 9, 2019

RECYCLE Act proposes $75M for education, with widespread industry support

The legislation enters an increasingly crowded space of federal recycling policy proposals, but comes with broad consensus among notable stakeholders.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 26, 2019

Electric trucks may be the future, but waste and recycling market still charging up

Looking to move away from diesel and meet climate goals, a growing number of service providers are in the process of testing out models from coast to coast. 

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Nov. 21, 2019

Industry-backed RECOVER Act calls for $500M in recycling infrastructure grants

Key recycling, plastics, and glass industry players back the bipartisan bill, which would establish an infrastructure program in the U.S. EPA. Whether it can break out from the growing number of federal proposals remains to be seen.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 20, 2019

NWRA members granted long-sought exemption to ELD mandate

Following an exemption granted to Waste Management last year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will apply the same terms to all of the more than 100,000 trucks operated by NWRA members.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 20, 2019

Trouble in paradise: Recycling a tough proposition for US territories

Devastating hurricanes have strained weak infrastructure in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Guam has newer infrastructure, but still faces market challenges. All are often overlooked in national recycling discussions.

By Genevieve Glatsky • Updated Nov. 18, 2019