Where right-to-repair legislation is heating up in 2025

Advocates say it’s an active year for legislation that covers consumer electronics, automobiles and new “repair indexes” for consumers. Advocates say such bills divert material from disposal and help prevent battery fires.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 10, 2025

New officials named as upheaval in EPA’s environmental justice office, federal workforce continues

The U.S. Senate confirmed leaders of multiple agencies this week, some of which have connections to waste. Meanwhile, officials are putting funding for programs at USAID and elsewhere up in the air.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn • Feb. 7, 2025

Where Trump officials stand on RNG; plus news from WM, Chevron and more

Newly confirmed agency heads have committed to working with Congress on biofuels, though some supportive federal programs may be at risk. Meanwhile, companies like Waga Energy and BerQ RNG are growing their portfolios.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 4, 2025

Recycling, waste groups voice concerns over proposed tariffs’ business impacts

U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China could hamper infrastructure investments, affect commodity prices and impact significant trade relationships, recycling and waste groups say.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 4, 2025

Federal funding pause, confusion hits environmental program funding

Affected programs include the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling and Recycling Education and Outreach grant programs. EPA employees fear reprisal if they speak to grantees, according to advocates. 

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 3, 2025

Zeldin pledges to visit Missouri landfill; Hawai’i landfill debate reaches state house

Elsewhere, landfill permit denials occurred in Virginia and Michigan, while a landfill odor lawsuit continues in Illinois, and landfill expansion plans in Mississippi remain on hold.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 31, 2025

The waste and recycling industry outlook for 2025

EPR implementation, organics requirements, bottle bill updates, PFAS regulation, federal tax credits and M&A are all expected to be key topics for the year ahead.

By Waste Dive Staff • Jan. 31, 2025

WM reports margin milestones for Q4, focuses on Stericycle integration in 2025

WM expects synergies from the Stericycle deal to be about $250 million over a three-year period, with about $100 million of that in 2025. It also expects to complete more RNG facilities this year.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 30, 2025

Miami-Dade County mayor backs off incinerator, proposes new $556M landfill

The Florida mayor said the threat of legal challenges and other expenses made building a new waste-to-energy facility too difficult. She now recommends landfilling to meet long-term capacity needs.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 27, 2025

D.C.’s proposed bottle bill aims to tackle high-profile pollution in Anacostia River

Bill sponsors say a bottle bill could help alleviate pollution that has long affected communities of color. It calls for a 10-cent deposit starting in 2028, with a recycling rate target of 70% the first year.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 27, 2025

Groups urge New York DEC to require on-site landfill leachate treatment

Toxic pollutants like PFOA and PFOS are being released into drinking water through the practice of shipping leachate for disposal in wastewater treatment plants ill-equipped to handle the contamination, they say.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 23, 2025

DTG Recycle restarts Washington C&D landfill, refutes nearly $3.4M hauling allegation

The Macquarie-backed C&D recycler recently reopened its sole landfill under a new name after a permit-related shutdown. In a separate matter, DTG is opposing a penalty from the state’s Utilities and Transportation Commission.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Jan. 21, 2025

5 issues likely to shape the waste and recycling industry in 2025

Plans for the second Trump administration, state EPR implementation, climate policy and PFAS regulation are evolving, as is landfill monitoring technology. Here’s how each could affect the industry in 2025.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Jan. 9, 2025

Waste Connections sees landfill progress in New York; Win Waste faces pushback in Ohio

Other landfill regulations or projects had notable updates in Hawai’i, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio and Texas.

By Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • Jan. 8, 2025

GFL CEO intends to kick-start solid waste M&A spending in ‘2025 and beyond’

The company had slowed its M&A spending to focus on reducing debt, but CEO Patrick Dovigi said during an investor call that the pending sale of a stake in its environmental services business will change that.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 7, 2025

RNG tax credit impacts spill into new year; plus news from Waga, Clean Energy Fuels

The RNG industry closed 2024 out on a strong note with new investment tax credit language. Industry leaders expect to continue fighting for favorable policy into the new year.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 6, 2025

Waste Pro CEO previews another busy M&A year following $140M in 2024

CEO Sean Jennings said the pipeline of potential deals is strong following a year of 15 acquisitions. He also discussed ongoing efforts to increase the share of revenue from open market and post-collection business.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 6, 2025

Waste Connections closes embattled Chiquita Canyon Landfill in California

The site, which was the second-largest active landfill in Los Angeles County, faced years of legal and regulatory pressure. County officials are now focused on regional cost and environmental implications.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 2, 2025

New waste, recycling and organics laws have taken effect in 2025

Oregon, Washington and Illinois are among the states enforcing new laws, including right-to-repair and organics disposal updates.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 2, 2025

By the numbers: 2024 waste and recycling trends

Reflect on the year through key data points about labor, the economy, M&A, federal and state policy, recycling trends and more.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • Dec. 20, 2024

Waste and recycling collection was fourth deadliest occupation in 2023: BLS

The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows an increase in the rate of fatalities for the refuse and recyclable materials collection occupation. The total number of fatalities in MRFs also increased.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 20, 2024

Denver airport’s diversion pilot program tackles waste through ‘valet’ service

The Zero Waste Valet program, run by compost company Scraps, aims to raise the airport's diversion rate. It diverted more than 69 tons of material in the first six months.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 17, 2024

Aspen Waste announces organic expansion into Colorado, bucking M&A trend

Family-owned Aspen Waste enters the Colorado market during a time of consolidation in the region. It aims to offer a customer service-focused choice as the state prepares to implement its EPR for packaging law.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 16, 2024

Casella-operated New York landfill to close in 2028; Republic appeals Tennessee expansion denial

Current or proposed landfills in Arizona, Hawai’i, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia had recent updates on permitting and other projects. This includes sites operated by WM, GFL Environmental and others.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Dec. 13, 2024

Crystal Clean ‘all in’ on PFAS remediation services amid shifting regulatory landscape

Crystal Clean’s Darci Ackerman said the company is expanding its PFAS remediation services, researching new options for treatment and calling for more research into soil remediation and other PFAS science. 

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 10, 2024