Trump administration ordered to resume IRA funding

The decision, which stated federal agencies lacked authority to pause funding, follows the president’s executive order to freeze the money on his first day in office. 

By Kate Magill • April 16, 2025

Arcwood CEO HP Nanda talks rebrand, new incinerators and tariffs

One year after EQT Infrastructure acquired a majority stake in Heritage Environmental Services, the company has rebranded to Arcwood Environmental. It caps off a period of expansion with fresh leadership.

By Jacob Wallace • April 16, 2025

Inside The Recycling Partnership’s policy pivot

Founder Keefe Harrison said the organization’s shift toward recycling policy advocacy has helped spark improvements to recycling systems that can’t be accelerated with grant programs alone.

By Megan Quinn • April 16, 2025

Trump targets state climate laws, escalates deregulatory agenda

The White House is targeting state laws related to climate and environmental justice, which could ensnare waste laws covering organics or landfills. It also told federal agencies they can repeal certain rules without public comment.

By Jacob Wallace • April 14, 2025

EPA confirms SWIFR, REO grant funding disbursement on track

EPA will move forward with awarding the second round of solid waste and recycling grants. The news comes after uncertainty over the status of numerous federal funding opportunities for the waste and recycling sectors.

By Megan Quinn • April 14, 2025

4 ways tariffs could impact recycled plastic markets

Recycling industry analysts say high-level trends affecting markets and manufacturing will affect recyclers as trade war uncertainties continue.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 10, 2025

Maryland EPR for packaging bill heads to governor’s desk

The bill calls for reimbursing key recycling collection, transportation and processing costs in the state, including for organics. Maryland would be the sixth state with packaging EPR if Gov. Wes Moore signs the bill. 

By Megan Quinn • April 8, 2025

Shareholder advocacy targets flexible packaging, reusables and recycling labels

Coca-Cola, Hyatt, Sealed Air, Starbucks and Wyndham recently reached agreements with shareholder advocates. Proposals remain pending at Amazon, Home Depot, Kraft Heinz, Mondelēz, PepsiCo and Wendy’s.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated April 7, 2025

American Battery reports production milestone, land sale

American Battery said it has reached key recycling milestones and plans to sell 12 acres of property for $6.75 million to help fund the next phase of producing battery-grade critical minerals. 

By Megan Quinn • April 7, 2025

Large plastic and battery recycling projects hit by DOE loan pause, tariffs

Li-Cycle, International Recycling Group and Redwood Materials all received commitments from the federal agency. But a changing financial landscape has led IRG to cancel its project while Li-Cycle struggles to access funds.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated April 7, 2025

Crate idea: Transport packaging made from recycled Tetra Pak cartons

The polymer and aluminum material, polyAl, that gets separated from fiber during carton recycling is a key material for the new transport crates made by Schoeller Allibert. 

By Katie Pyzyk • April 2, 2025

Ideas for easing recycled content woes through policy, packaging

Brand innovations, policy changes and better communication could help ease challenges associated with adding recycled content to packaging, said speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference.

By Megan Quinn • April 2, 2025

Alberta launches EPR for packaging program

The first phase of the program places responsibility on producers to fully fund packaging recycling, a move government officials say will raise recycling rates and decrease costs.

By Megan Quinn • April 1, 2025

MassRecycle urges faster waste reduction action amid climate change

The group’s annual conference included perspective from Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, as well as an update on a possible universal organics disposal ban and efforts to advance EPR for batteries.

By Cole Rosengren • March 31, 2025

Hitting a plateau: Circular packaging designers face flexibles hurdle

Many companies have targets to make 100% of their packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. Now, as they face the hardest categories to transform, some are weighing whether it’s feasible.

By Shefali Kapadia • March 31, 2025

Data, transparency could shed light on curbside collection challenges

To fight decreasing curbside collection volumes, speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference emphasized embracing hard conversations with customers and investing in data collection.

By Megan Quinn • March 28, 2025

US states renew push for tethered bottle caps to help recycling

Since last July, companies selling single-use plastic beverage containers in the EU have had to tether caps or lids. California legislators advanced a similar regulation that beverage makers oppose.

By Maria Rachal • March 27, 2025

Glass Half Full opens facility to boost Southeast glass recycling

The new site offers 30 times more capacity and expands the company’s offerings into the cullet market.

By Megan Quinn • March 26, 2025

AI-enabled MRF technology aids food-grade polypropylene recovery: report

A study led by Closed Loop Partners, in collaboration with Greyparrot, analyzed more than 650 tons of material from four U.S. MRFs. 

By Katie Pyzyk • March 25, 2025

California packaging EPR implementation moves ahead amid regulatory redo

State officials shared updates in the first SB 54 advisory board meeting since Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a regulatory restart. CalRecycle said it will continue working on other statutory requirements in the meantime.

By Megan Quinn • March 24, 2025

Three ways to refresh workplace safety initiatives

Mixing up employee safety programs, taking a fresh look at data and getting leadership more involved can add pep to flagging safety initiatives, said speakers at the Waste Advantage Safety Summit.

By Megan Quinn • March 21, 2025

Waste and recycling is now a $100B industry, report says

The industry continued to see consolidation among public companies, especially in disposal activities, in 2024.

By Jacob Wallace • March 21, 2025

Packaging groups back bipartisan recycling bill in Congress

Ball, Kraft Heinz, SC Johnson and other companies pledged their support. This adds to other packaging-related bills in the 119th Congress, including the Steward Act and the Farewell to Foam Act.

By Maria Rachal • March 21, 2025

Circular Services and Balcones break ground on $61M Texas MRF

The facility is meant to expand Balcones’ MRF operations in the state by entering a region with notable population and business growth.

By Megan Quinn • March 20, 2025

Republic opens Indianapolis plastics complex meant to fuel recycled content markets

This location houses the company’s second polymer center, along with a Blue Polymers facility. Together, they’re expected to process 175,000 pounds of recycled plastic annually.

By Megan Quinn • March 19, 2025