Oregon kicks off mattress stewardship program

The Mattress Recycling Council expects recyclers to process over 374,400 mattresses through 2026 as it rolls out more collection and recycling infrastructure. Connecticut, California and Rhode Island have similar programs.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 22, 2025

Up to $43B needed to modernize recycling infrastructure: Biden EPA

A recent report, spurred by a congressional funding bill, outlined what it would take to surpass a 50% recycling rate by 2030. This comes as the Trump administration seeks to pause certain infrastructure grants.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 22, 2025

Trump freezes IRA and infrastructure law funding

The White House issued a memo to clarify the funding pause, specifying that it pertains only to aspects of the law mentioned in Section 2 of the executive order.

By Kate Magill • Updated 14 hours ago

PFAS and waste solutions funded in final days of Biden EPA

The EPA under former President Joe Biden funded two dozen small businesses working on early-stage environmental technologies that incorporate materials like agricultural waste and wasted glass.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 21, 2025

EPA nominee Zeldin advances out of committee for final confirmation vote

During a prior confirmation hearing, Lee Zeldin highlighted his plan to balance environmental and economic concerns. He also addressed PFAS passive receiver issues and plastics.

By Megan Quinn • Updated 14 hours ago

Following market volatility, will OCC prices return to ‘normal’ in 2025?

OCC prices are down from recent highs in 2024. This plays into packaging producers’ bottom lines as they try to balance economic factors such as input costs and new capacity.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 17, 2025

Life cycle assessments loom large for the outcome of EPR programs

Oregon is currently unique among U.S. states in using this environmental impact tool in its packaging regulation. Experts say the decision comes with many complex considerations, including about plastic.

By Leslie Nemo • Jan. 15, 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

Canada Plastics Pact sees ‘slower than anticipated’ progress on 2025 goals

CPP's recently released annual report, along with a detailed companion report on recycling rate data, offers insight into managing plastic packaging beyond 2025.

By Megan Quinn • 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

CalRecycle releases source reduction baseline report; updates on foam enforcement

In other SB 54 developments, CalRecycle also updated some recyclability and compostability designations on the covered material categories list.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 6, 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

How state EPR for packaging policies advanced in 2024

Minnesota became the latest state to pass a law, while other state legislative efforts stalled or advanced incrementally. Meanwhile, implementation continued in California, Colorado, Maine and Oregon.

By Waste Dive Staff • Dec. 19, 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

EPA to grant millions to local waste resilience projects

The U.S. EPA announced recipients of a fresh wave of funding through the Community Change Grants Program, several of which plan to expand compost and recycling services.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 18, 2024

What’s next now that Oregon has adopted final EPR for packaging rules

Finalized rules include new permitting and living wage requirements for MRFs, as well as new fees the PRO will be expected to pay certain recyclers.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 18, 2024

Federal budget proposal with $136M in recycling and composting bills stalls

The Recycling and Composting Accountability Act and Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act were initially part of a deal to fund the federal government, but that plan has been scrapped.

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

Maryland late on EPR recommendations, continuing work into 2025

The advisory council says it needs information from a recycling needs assessment to move forward on extended producer responsibility for packaging legislation recommendations that were originally due Dec. 1.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 11, 2024

Aluminum can recycling in US at lowest point in decades: report

A 2030 target to achieve a 70% aluminum beverage can recycling rate is unachievable based on the current state of U.S. recycling systems and policies, the Can Manufacturers Institute and Aluminum Association reported.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Dec. 11, 2024

Maine adopts final rules for EPR for packaging law

The finalized rules come after months of public comments and stakeholder meetings. Certain stakeholders voiced concerns over costs, and some waste groups questioned a disposal reimbursement provision.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn • Dec. 6, 2024

Massachusetts governor signs law to form EPR commission for packaging, other categories

A special commission, led by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, will report back to the legislature by early 2026. It marks incremental progress in a state known for legislative inaction on waste issues.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 5, 2024