As federal vaccine mandate stalls, challenging January continues for waste services

The omicron surge put waste workers and collection service challenges back in the national spotlight. While infections appear to be on the decline in many cities, reports of new or ongoing disruptions continue.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 26, 2022

US Plastics Pact releases anticipated 'problematic' materials list

The plastics management network aims to phase out packaging containing PVC, PS and PFAS, among others, by 2025. Some applaud the list as a positive step, but others say it's counterproductive and too subjective.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 25, 2022

What’s on the Biden administration’s waste and recycling to-do list in 2022

One year in, the administration has started work on a range of climate and environmental justice initiatives. Catch up on what's next from the EPA and others on the circular economy, PFAS, grant funding and more.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 24, 2022

New York Gov. Hochul's budget proposal calls for packaging EPR by 2026

The budget provision on EPR for packaging calls for producers to create their own plan for meeting state metrics. A separate budget item would prohibit PFAS in most packaging.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 21, 2022

Waste Connections poised to grow New England footprint with another sizable acquisition

The pending sale of ABC Disposal Service and its affiliated operations would come with substantial new hauling, transfer and MRF capacity in the southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 20, 2022

8 questions about the top trends shaping waste and recycling in 2022

Waste Dive is watching how much longer heightened M&A activity lasts, what it will take to maintain the workforce in a tough market, where organics infrastructure is growing, what's next for recycling and more.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2022

New Jersey governor signs ambitious recycled content bill into law

The bill sets incremental standards for minimum recycled content in beverage bottles, takeout bags and more. Supporters see the bill as a boon for regional recycling markets, but critics say it passed without adequate market analysis. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated Jan. 18, 2022

RTS acquires Elytus, making it one of the industry's largest waste brokers

The New York-based company has picked up an estimated 12,000 service locations and is going national with its biggest transaction to date. CEO Greg Lettieri shares how this fits into its growth plans for 2022.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 10, 2022

Omicron spread disrupts US waste and recycling operations as 2022 begins

Unlike previous COVID-19 surges that struck more regionally, the latest wave appears to be wreaking havoc on staff availability across the country. Dallas and Detroit are among the latest cities affected.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Jan. 7, 2022

We must invest in compost infrastructure to match growing demand for sustainable products

Jessica Bowman, executive director of the Plant Based Products Council, points to new consumer survey data as another reason to evolve materials management options and pass the national COMPOST Act.

By Jessica Bowman • Jan. 5, 2022

FCC Environmental awarded California mixed waste contract worth up to $1.5B

Placer County's process is an example of how jurisdictions are preparing for major changes under California's SB 1383 organics recycling regulations. FCC won out over GreenWaste, Recology-affiliated Nortech and others.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated April 28, 2022

With $45M Closed Loop deal, Sims Municipal Recycling to expand and compete for more contracts

The recent sale of a stake in the Australian scrap giant's U.S. curbside recycling division is called a "game-changer" as the company aims to pursue more municipal contracts and make new products from the recycled material.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 2, 2022

EPA action and US recycling policy during Biden's 1st year in office

2021 brought a new EPA administrator, a nominee to lead the agency's waste efforts that is vocal on PFAS and environmental justice, the long-anticipated National Recycling Strategy and recycling funds in the infrastructure package.

Dec. 23, 2021

How the pandemic impacted waste and recycling workforces in 2021

The arrival of vaccines brought new considerations for employees and employers, while shifts in the broader U.S. workforce created new challenges for hiring and retention.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 23, 2021

By the numbers: 2021's waste and recycling trends

Take a look back through the key data points that shaped the conversations around some of the top issues — M&A, ESG, policy and workforce challenges — in an eventful year.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Dec. 23, 2021

Roundup: Waste Dive's 2021 Q&A's with waste and recycling leaders

From Waste Management's first chief sustainability officer to the Biden administration's pick to lead U.S. EPA waste policy, look back on the year's conversations with execs, authors, investors, entrepreneurs and regulators.

Dec. 22, 2021

Dual-stream recycling proponents feel vindicated after converted communities see financial benefits

Recent years of commodity market turbulence emphasized the value of clean material. Now, recycling program managers in Pennsylvania, Florida and elsewhere are touting results from ditching the common single-stream system.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 15, 2021

Reuse rebounds: National Zero Waste Conference highlights policy potential in 2022

After early coronavirus fears halted many reuse efforts, year two of the pandemic saw new investments in reuse systems and a desire to circumvent supply chain disruptions in disposable packaging.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Dec. 13, 2021

Chemical recycling leaders tout circular economy role at SERDC meeting

PureCycle and Eastman said planned expansions in the Southeast will boost recycling and reduce virgin plastic use, but policy discussions and environmentalists' concerns may impact the technology's future.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 10, 2021

New York sanitation experts urge incoming mayor to rethink, modernize collection system

The city's sidewalks are infamous for their mountains of garbage bags and rodents. A new "Put Waste to Work" campaign says containerization, route optimization and organics collection should be top priorities.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 6, 2021

City Haul: How leaders navigate turbulent recycling narratives

Market changes in recent years created new challenges and opportunities for cities seeking to encourage good recycling habits among residents. City leaders and industry experts share how they're approaching the issue.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 1, 2021

As circular economy momentum builds, Rheaply seeks to grow reuse connections

With new funding and award recognition, the Chicago-based startup's goals include quantifying the savings from reuse and having more large enterprises adopt its platform.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 29, 2021

Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity

In Oklahoma, Cards Recycling acquired National Waste and Disposal and Valicor Environmental Services acquired NewGen Resources.

By Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn • Updated July 7, 2025

The EPA wants to fix US recycling. Start by making it simpler.

Geoff Freeman, who leads the Consumer Brands Association, makes the case that standardizing definitions is key to improving both packaging design and education to reduce contamination.

By Geoff Freeman • Nov. 19, 2021

Plastic resin buyers struggle with high prices and short supply

Businesses have stockpiled product, used fewer materials and bolstered internal manufacturing to cope in a tight market.

By Meena Thiruvengadam • Nov. 18, 2021