Iowa waste authority approves $10.9M equipment contract for new MRF

The Metro Waste Authority is moving ahead with plans to construct its own recycling facility that will handle up to 45,000 tons per year and use equipment from CP Group.

By Cole Rosengren , Katie Pyzyk • Updated Aug. 22, 2019

Why one California facility gladly processes mixed plastics and MRF residuals

Titus MRF Services has run a prototype of its "secondary MRF" concept in Los Angeles for years and aspires to build a network of facilities along the West Coast.

By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2019

Uncontained: The complex link between retail and packaging

Retailers know that the environmental effects of packaging are weighing on consumers' minds. But experts say it's not just about getting rid of plastic.

By Kaarin Moore • April 22, 2019

Apple expands electronics recycling, opens material recovery lab

The company reportedly diverted 48,000 metric tons of e-waste from landfill in 2018 and is working to do more — but its policies around product obsolescence and reparability remain a concern to some.

By Cody Ellis • April 22, 2019

Nestlé Waters North America striving for '100% recycling,' wary of plastic backlash

Waste Dive sat down with CEO Fernando Mercé at ISRI 2019 — where he accepted a recycling design award — to discuss plans for greater rPET usage, water bottles becoming a target for activism and more.

By Cole Rosengren • April 17, 2019

Report: Residential recycling rules more confusing than Ikea furniture or tax prep

A new survey from the Grocery Manufacturers Association highlights pervasive confusion among consumers about recycling symbols, rules and benefits.

By Catelyn Scholwinski • April 17, 2019

Unpacking the international business potential of China's scrap import ban

Closed Loop Partners' Chris Cui spoke with Waste Dive about National Sword's impact on the Chinese recycling industry — and potential opportunities for U.S. stakeholders in the policy's wake.

By Rina Li • April 17, 2019

Brightmark Energy closes $260M financing for Indiana plastics-to-fuel facility

The commercial-scale facility will process 100,000 tons of plastic a year into fuel products and wax using technology from RES Polyflow.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 16, 2019

Unilever packaging to contain 50% recycled material by year end

The company also plans to partner with Walmart to educate consumers on how to dispose of or recycle packaging. 

By Matt Leonard • April 15, 2019

Starbucks launches £1M 'Cup Fund' for UK recycling programs

Launched in partnership with environmental charity Hubbub, the fund will offer individual grants of up to £100,000 to support paper cup recycling initiatives in at least 10 UK locations.

By Rina Li • April 15, 2019

Big Waste stocks downgraded over lingering recycling headwinds

Stifel downgraded the industry's top four public companies from "buy" to "hold" ahead of Q1 earnings reports due in part to tough pricing for paper.

By Cole Rosengren • April 12, 2019

Closed Loop report calls for increased investment in chemical recycling

The study, conducted by the Center for the Circular Economy, identifies 60 technology providers developing solutions to return waste plastics to material supply chains in the U.S. and Canada.

By Rina Li • April 10, 2019

ISRI2019: Recycled paper mill cost structure 'probably never looked better'

Historically low prices for OCC and mixed paper have created a new boom time for mill operators, according to a managing director with BMO Capital Markets.

By Cole Rosengren • April 10, 2019

Texas recycling industry backing legislation to boost domestic markets

Legislation advancing in the state legislature, which would launch a new wave of research and collaboration around capturing more feedstock, has amassed support from more than 60 companies and organizations.

By Catelyn Scholwinski • Updated May 21, 2019

The power of 'strange bedfellows' for solving plastic pollution

The recently launched Plant Based Plastics Council makes its case for why alternative products are needed to meet corporate goals, government sustainability targets and consumer demands.

By Mary Solecki • April 9, 2019

Tips for sustainable recycling contracts from private, local and state perspectives

As recycling costs rise in many parts of the country, the contract negotiation process has gotten even more complex than usual. Recently, three stakeholders offered their advice at MassRecycle 2019.

By Cole Rosengren • April 9, 2019

FCC Environmental officially kicks off Houston recycling contract

The opening of the new MRF marks a major shift in local recycling — including the return of glass — after a protracted bidding process. Meanwhile, another company that was passed over continues its court case against the city.

By Cole Rosengren • April 8, 2019

Phoenix awards contract to Renewlogy for chemical recycling project

Set to operate on the city's Resource Innovation Campus, this joint venture is expected to create a new market for mixed plastics in the Valley region.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 5, 2019

Scrap Collector: Does WTE have a role in NYC's 'zero waste' goal?

Plus: Entrepreneurs pitch sustainable floating city concept at UN, and Detroit lawmakers pushing for statewide incineration ban.

By Rina Li • April 5, 2019

Study: Up to $2.5T lost to marine plastics each year

According to a Plymouth Marine Laboratory-led research team, ocean plastics add up to an annual cost of $500 billion to $2.5 trillion in damaged or lost resources.

By Rina Li • April 4, 2019

What does ‘recycling’ actually mean?

We've collected technical definitions, reader submissions, academic excerpts and more that seek to untangle this widely-used term.

By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • Updated April 17, 2019

Massachusetts, Vermont could be next to ban single-use plastic bags

What's next after New York's new ban? Multiple states are seriously considering bag bans, with at least two close to finalizing preemption laws.

By Cody Ellis • April 3, 2019

New regional campaign looks to boost recycling in 10 Texas cities

A recent study by Burns & McDonnell found that $122 million worth of recyclables are being sent to area landfills each year. A regional campaign led by The Recycling Partnership aims to address this gap.

By Catelyn Scholwinski • April 2, 2019

Is right to repair finally having a national moment?

Policy proposals from Sen. Elizabeth Warren and new internal documents from Apple suggest a policy to reduce e-waste could be gaining steam.

By Cody Ellis • Updated April 2, 2019

New York passes statewide organics mandate, plastic bag ban

Legislated as part of the new FY20 state budget, both policies have been years in the making. An industry-opposed proposal to expand the state's container deposit program did not make the cut.

By Cole Rosengren • April 1, 2019