Glass Half Full pours efforts into new facility after $6.5M funding round

The Louisiana glass recycler’s funding round, led by Benson Capital, supports construction on the company’s new facility, as well as its expansion into new markets in the Southeast and its pilot of a mixed recycling program.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 14, 2024

Circular Action Alliance names its first CEO

Jeff Fielkow has decades of recycling and packaging experience at Tetra Pak, WM and elsewhere. The producer responsibility organization is ramping up work in Colorado, Oregon and California.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 13, 2024

Redemption rates for many bottle bill states declined in 2023; Massachusetts ranks lowest

The Container Recycling Institute said recent changes to programs in California and Connecticut could help improve numbers, citing promising Q1 data from the latter state this year.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 12, 2024

How Minnesota’s packaging stakeholders got EPR across the finish line

Policy and environmental leads told the story of how compromise led to the latest extended producer responsibility for packaging bill passed into law during a Product Stewardship Institute event.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 9, 2024

Rumpke opens $100M MRF in Ohio to meet rising regional needs

The facility, said to be the largest and most advanced in North America, includes AI-assisted technology and three tipping floors, along with community spaces for education and a training center for employees. 

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 7, 2024

Target still struggles to lower virgin plastic use by 2025 deadline

While the retailer made some progress toward its goal to reduce virgin plastic use in its own-brand packaging 20% by 2025, it’s still using more — not less — than the 2020 baseline.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 6, 2024

Top waste companies spent $835M on Q2 M&A, forecast more to come this year

WM, Waste Connections and GFL Environmental reported notable transactions during the period, while others were less active. Casella’s Q3 totals are expected to be higher due to deals that closed this summer.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn • Aug. 6, 2024

What the Supreme Court’s Chevron reversal could mean for PFAS and labor regulations

Ripple effects of the Chevron doctrine reversal may not affect operations for waste and recycling companies yet but could affect future federal rulemaking and legal challenges. NWRA’s CEO and legal experts weigh in.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 6, 2024

Casella touts key mid-Atlantic acquisitions, facility improvements for strong Q2

Casella offered more details on its acquisitions of Whitetail Disposal and LMR, as well as updates to the rail-served McKean Landfill, all of which support its growing footprint in the broader Pennsylvania area.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 2, 2024

ReMA urges federal court to review EPA’s PFAS hazardous substance designation

ReMA’s petition challenging the CERCLA hazardous substance designation for certain PFAS follows a similar petition from NWRA. Recycling and waste industry groups worry about unintended consequences from the rule.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 1, 2024

GFL has no plans to go private, plans auction of environmental services business

CEO Patrick Dovigi said the company received interest from several buyers for its liquid waste and soil remediation business. A potential sale could reduce leverage while funding stock buybacks and more solid waste M&A.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 1, 2024

Mars doubts it can achieve 2025 sustainable packaging targets

Almost half of Mars’ packaging portfolio is being redesigned or eliminated to align with current or future recycling infrastructure. But infrastructure advancement is taking longer than expected, per its latest sustainability report.

By Maria Rachal • July 31, 2024

3 tips to boost recycled material supply from NERC’s new ‘living resource’

The new guide uses case studies to illustrate how MRFs, nonprofits, government entities and private companies have found solutions to boost recycled materials supplies across the U.S. 

By Megan Quinn • July 31, 2024

Q2 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2024

Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, Clean Harbors and Enviri.

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Aug. 6, 2024

WM highlights M&A ramp-up, investments in recycling and RNG

WM highlighted continued operational efficiencies and receding commodity headwinds as factors powering what executives described as a strong Q2 performance. 

By Megan Quinn • July 25, 2024

Waste Connections touts big M&A growth, ramps up rail tons to Arrowhead Landfill

CEO Ron Mittelstaedt said the company is on track for an annual record in private company acquisition spending. He also touted ongoing improvements in employee retention, recycling earnings and energy waste services.

By Cole Rosengren • July 25, 2024

Republic ups guidance amid stronger commodity prices, despite lower volumes

The company said a weak construction market and the shedding of some contracts will likely lower volumes through 2024. However, underlying financial metrics remain strong thanks to strong pricing growth.

By Jacob Wallace • July 25, 2024

Tomra’s AI-enabled sorter now targeting UBCs at MRFs

Tomra’s updated sorter, designed to spot used beverage cans and reduce reliance on manual sorters, comes as more aluminum can manufacturers are calling for higher recovery rates for the material. 

By Megan Quinn • July 24, 2024

DOE offers ‘game-changer’ $182M loan to IRG plastics recycling project

The Pennsylvania project is expected to be one of the largest plastic recycling facilities in the country. It will mechanically recycle certain plastics and turn the rest into a coking agent for the steel industry.

By Jacob Wallace • July 23, 2024

Eureka Recycling receives over $10M in financing to upgrade MRF

The Minnesota nonprofit aims to increase the amount of PET and aluminum it captures. The funding comes from a loan led by Closed Loop Partners and American Beverage as well as a grant from The Recycling Partnership.

By Cole Rosengren • July 22, 2024

Pay rose for multiple waste and recycling CEOs in 2023, especially GFL

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

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • July 22, 2024

Cyclic Materials receives funding from Microsoft for rare earth minerals recycling

The funding from Microsoft’s climate fund will help Cyclic perfect its newest rare earth metals recycling technology for hard drives, which it is testing at ITAD facilities like Sims Lifecycle Services.

By Megan Quinn • July 19, 2024

Local opposition puts heat on chemical recycling projects in Ohio River Valley

A report from the Ohio River Valley Institute says chemical recycling plans won't deliver economic or environmental promises. The organization calls for more sustainable plastic reduction solutions.

By Megan Quinn • July 18, 2024

Debrand aims to scale textile recycling in US amid growing brand and policy demand

WM-backed Debrand’s expansion into the U.S. aims to strengthen textile sorting and recycling infrastructure in North America. Factors like chemical recycling and EPR could influence the market for textile recycling.

By Megan Quinn • July 17, 2024

Packaging groups engaged on numerous state EPR bills in 2024. What have they learned?

Material and CPG trade groups are growing more accustomed to extended producer responsibility legislation in statehouses. Leaders weighed in on lessons to take forward from Minnesota, New York and other states this year.

By Maria Rachal • July 17, 2024