European Parliament approves 2021 single-use plastics ban

The measure also strengthens extended producer responsibility requirements for certain products and establishes multiple plastic bottle recycling targets.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 29, 2019

Prince William County, Virginia eliminates glass, some plastics from curbside recycling

The county is among several in the Washington metro area suffering from lack of a regional glass processor.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 27, 2019

The realities of rethinking plastic packaging

Sonoco and Walmart discuss their considerations around plastic packaging and the potential consequences of using alternative materials.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • March 26, 2019

Recycling in the US will survive — despite the media narrative

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Center for a Competitive Waste Industry outline why they believe national media outlets are misleading the public on recycling's future.

By Neil Seldman & Peter Anderson • March 26, 2019

Plastics conference acknowledges need for pollution solutions — to a point.

A panel on "anti-plastics sentiment" at the 2019 Plastics Recycling Conference emphasized free-market innovation over greater industry oversight.

By Rina Li • March 25, 2019

Denver could see pay-as-you-throw program happen 'within a year'

Mayor Michael Hancock and all of his election opponents committed to the waste metering system during a recent candidate forum. 

By Cole Rosengren • March 25, 2019

Scrap Collector: Dead whale 'full of plastic — nothing but nonstop plastic'

Plus: Mr. Trash Wheel goes West, and models get down in a New York MRF.

By Rina Li • March 22, 2019

Starbucks announces trials for recyclable cups, lids

The recyclable lids, which will arrive in select cities this summer, will be available in all U.S. stores next year.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 22, 2019

Maryland passes statewide EPS foam ban bill

The legislation will ban foam containers in restaurants and other food service establishments starting next summer.

By Katie Pyzyk , Rina Li • Updated May 28, 2019

'Life After National Sword': domestic market pivot, growing plastics backlash

Last week's Plastics Recycling Conference and Trade Show dedicated a session to exploring the repercussions — and unexpected benefits — of China's scrap import policies.

By Rina Li • March 20, 2019

10 insights from public waste company 10-Ks

We took a deep dive into the annual reports of the five vertically-integrated service providers to assess operational scale, unionization rates, landfill lifespans and more.

By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • March 18, 2019

UN report: Rising consumption rates and 'extract-make-use-dispose' model unsustainable

The new GEO-6 report warns of "potentially irreversible" environmental degradation in the event of continued failure to meet sustainability targets, highlighting waste management improvement as an area of focus.

By Rina Li • March 18, 2019

Scrap Collector: Global brands produce at least 8M metric tons of plastic per year, report reveals

Plus: The perils of space debris, a mammoth discovery in a Mexican landfill and news from the right-to-repair movement.

By Rina Li • March 15, 2019

Coca-Cola continues voluntary producer responsibility approach with $5.4M in new recycling grants

The bulk of the money will go toward a curbside education program in Atlanta that will be run by The Recycling Partnership. Other target cities include Boston, Houston and Orlando.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 14, 2019

Orlando mandating commercial and multi-unit residential recycling by 2023

The new initiative, which marks the first time many of these properties have been required to offer recycling service, will be phased in over a period of four years.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 14, 2019

Oregon DEQ research could definitively reshape how we talk about recycling

Waste Dive spoke to co-author David Allaway on whether terms such as "recyclable," "compostable," "biobased," or "recycled content" consistently generate positive environmental outcomes. 

By Cole Rosengren • March 13, 2019

Ontario's government considers single-use plastic ban

The province is also looking at other options, including a container deposit return program, food waste ban and new producer responsibility requirements.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 12, 2019

Arkansas latest in a slew of states to see bottle bill proposal

A bill introduced yesterday would phase in a new system over multiple years and establish a 5 cent deposit on a wide range of beverage containers.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 13, 2019

Scrap Collector: What's the world's 'absolute worst' trash?

Plus: California river floodwaters leave toxic "flood crud," and new report reveals less-than-ideal Australian recycling rates.

By Rina Li • March 8, 2019

India extends timeline for plastic scrap import ban

India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has clarified the policy won't take effect until later this summer.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated March 12, 2019

NWRA seeks Trump's help in reversing China's scrap ban

While the trade association's latest letter urges the President to "seek a mutually beneficial compromise" on China's ban, some of its largest members — and other industry groups — have emphasized the need to move on.

By Rina Li • March 7, 2019

How Phoenix's multimillion-dollar recycling investment will place them in 'catbird seat'

The Phoenix Public Works Department leadership team has outlined plans to increase monthly revenue by as much as $250,000 and halve residual rates at one of the city's two MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • March 7, 2019

Nespresso collaborates with Sims, NYC on curbside coffee pod recycling

The company has committed $1.2 million toward finding recycling solutions for difficult-to-recycle aluminum products.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 5, 2019

SWANApalooza: Marine plastic pollution requires more research, investment

A keynote session at last week's conference highlighted lingering questions and possible solutions around the growing crisis.

By Rina Li • March 5, 2019

How to manage your e-waste liability and avoid becoming the next cautionary tale

With environmental and legal consequences catching up to more e-waste processors, Rich Thompson offers tips on finding a responsible recycling partner.

By Rich Thompson • March 4, 2019