DOE announces $192M for battery recycling, including a focus on consumer electronics

Rapid growth in the U.S. lithium battery market is being driven by growing adoption of electric vehicles and the need for stationary storage, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

By Robert Walton • June 13, 2023

Casella Waste to acquire New York-based Twin Bridges in $219M deal

Casella’s second major acquisition planned this year aims to enhance the company’s New York presence and add high-tech MRF and transfer station assets to its portfolio.

By Megan Quinn • June 13, 2023

Momentum may be slowing for new packaging EPR laws in 2023, but states still pursue study bills

Four states enacted extended producer responsibility for packaging laws in the past two years, though 2023 may not see similar activity. Follow the latest outcomes from Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland and New York.

By Cole Rosengren • June 12, 2023

EPR for packaging bill fails to pass in New York before legislative deadline

Despite last-minute changes meant to drum up support, the bill did not make it to a vote. An amended bottle bill update and a mattress EPR bill also failed to pass before the end of the session.

By Megan Quinn • June 12, 2023

Houston, DOJ reach settlement over alleged environmental justice violations in illegal dumping case

Houston will implement a $17.8 million cleanup plan and undergo federal monitoring and training, among other agreements. Some residents applauded the development, but others worry it won’t lead to long-term changes. 

By Megan Quinn • June 9, 2023

Contentious Connecticut waste and recycling bill heads to governor’s desk, without EPR

Legislators cut packaging EPR details from a sweeping bill that includes requirements for recycled content and organics diversion, as well as initial plans for new in-state processing capacity.

By Megan Quinn • June 8, 2023

Stellantis forms joint venture for end-of-life vehicle recycling

The company will partner with Belgium-based recycling company Galloo to recover used vehicles and components from automakers for reuse, recycling and remanufacturing.

By Eric Walz • June 8, 2023

Massachusetts to consider numerous packaging-related bills, with a focus on plastic reduction

A recent National Caucus of Environmental Legislators forum in Boston sought to garner support for a bill that would limit the sale of plastic carryout bags, food service ware, water bottles, miniature alcohol bottles and more.

By Cole Rosengren • June 7, 2023

Recycling stakeholders report minor progress in second round of UN plastic pollution talks

Recyclers, plastic industry groups and environmentalists agree that plastic pollution must end, but UN talks in Paris show that groups still disagree on the path to get there. A draft agreement won’t be ready until November.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • June 7, 2023

Harsco, now Enviri, looks to growth in Clean Earth business and sale of rail to recover from tough year

Harsco, a 170-year-old company, is rebranding to Enviri as it looks to double down on environmental solutions and dig itself out of a debt hole.

By Jacob Wallace • June 7, 2023

GFL closes sale of Colorado assets to Republic; its Casella divestiture gets DOJ approval

GFL Environmental expects to complete its broader divestiture campaign by the end of June, netting gross proceeds of about $1.6 million (Canadian). This specific package covers Denver and other key Colorado markets.

By Jacob Wallace • June 5, 2023

Numerous waste and recycling bills, including right-to-repair and EPR for EV batteries, still in play in California

A right to repair bill, plus a bottle bill update and a hauler work stoppage bill, survived a key legislative crossover deadline.

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 7, 2023

EPA memo clarifies handling and permitting requirements for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion battery disposal should be managed as hazardous waste, according to the U.S. EPA — a clarification it said is needed as more of the batteries are produced and more companies expand to manage the end-of-life material.

By Megan Quinn • June 2, 2023

AMP Robotics settles into new Colorado headquarters as it eyes future MRF tech and AI plans

AMP recently moved into its nearly 84,000-square-foot headquarters with plans to ramp up innovation and get more involved in both primary and secondary sorting. CEO Matanya Horowitz outlined future plans during a recent tour.

By Megan Quinn • May 31, 2023

General Mills, Horizon Organic to add QR codes with location-specific recycling information

The Recycling Partnership’s new tool is meant to provide location-specific information and complement existing labeling programs, namely GreenBlue’s How2Recycle and the Consumer Brands Association’s SmartLabel.

By Maria Rachal • May 31, 2023

Closed Loop Partners fund gets $10M investment for PE, PP recycling initiatives

The investment from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. comes amid national discussions over how to handle less commonly recycled plastics such as flexibles and film.

By Megan Quinn • May 30, 2023

As Sen. Carper plans retirement, trade groups reflect on his longtime environmental advocacy

Industry players say Carper is a “true believer” who includes the waste and recycling industry in environmental initiatives. His retirement in January 2025 will leave the chair of a Senate environmental committee open.

By Megan Quinn • May 25, 2023

Minnesota governor signs bills with statewide waste reduction goal, right-to-repair law for electronics

A sweeping state budget bill contains a new waste reduction goal of 90% by 2045. A detailed report explaining how to get there is due in 2024.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 24, 2023

Debates emerge as FTC reassesses packaging recyclability claims under Green Guides

Chemical recycling, access to recycling as a key metric and the potential for national rulemaking were some of the areas that divided expert panelists at a Federal Trade Commission workshop Tuesday.

By Maria Rachal • May 24, 2023

Pay continued to grow for many top waste and recycling CEOs in 2022

See the latest compensation data for executives at WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, Harsco, Casella Waste Systems and Rubicon in our fifth annual report.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023

WIN Waste Innovations’ first sustainability report touts material recovery, avoided emissions

The Northeast-based company’s initial report includes statistics on the overall amount of material being recycled and managed, though it isn’t disclosing greenhouse gas emissions data yet.

By Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023

US waste and recycling industry worth $91B in 2022, landfill capacity consolidation continues

The latest Waste Business Journal data shows growing revenue and disposal prices, along with an ongoing decline of municipal market share. WM now accounts for more disposal volume than all local governments combined.

By Cole Rosengren • May 19, 2023

Candidate who pledged to restore Philadelphia’s Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet wins mayoral primary

Cherelle Parker, a former city council member and state representative, is considered the likely favorite to become the city’s 100th mayor. Her campaign included a focus on street cleanliness and litter issues.

By Cole Rosengren • May 17, 2023

Reports recommend packaging changes ahead of next global plastics treaty negotiations

The UN Environment Programme and WWF dug into areas for intervention across the product life cycle, like designing for circularity, substituting other materials for plastics, EPR for packaging, reuse and deposit return systems.

By Maria Rachal • May 17, 2023

EPA seeks feedback on its new interactive recycling market mapping tool

The U.S. EPA wants its new map, which shows numerous details like recycling infrastructure locations, to be a comprehensive resource for the country. It says it needs help from the industry to make it more accurate.

By Megan Quinn • May 17, 2023