Mapping zero waste cities: Where local governments are pursuing waste prevention and diversion

Waste Dive is tracking which communities throughout the U.S. have zero waste goals, how they define those efforts and how much progress they’ve made.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren , Julia Himmel • Updated Dec. 22, 2022

Beyond recycling: What’s next for effective zero waste planning

Despite constraints, experts say that bringing more voices to the table, linking efforts to climate and economic resilience goals, pursuing public-private partnerships and looking for non-policy solutions can all advance progress.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 30, 2022

A history of US cities adopting zero waste goals

The concept has become a mainstream part of municipal waste planning, experts say, even as targets largely remain aspirational and some recent efforts have faced pandemic-related setbacks.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 30, 2022

Seattle plans to move beyond diversion rate goals as it doubles down on waste prevention

Through its current solid waste plan update, Seattle Public Utilities hopes to develop metrics that better reflect the environmental and circular economy benefits from the city’s progress on waste prevention and reuse.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 28, 2022

With $100M in recycling and waste grants now available, EPA schedules info sessions on how to apply

The agency will host multiple workshops about how state, territorial and local governments can make their case for the highly anticipated infrastructure and education funding.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Dec. 21, 2022

3 tips on building more inclusive recycling and waste programs for underserved communities

Speakers at the recent National Recycling Congress shared outreach and funding tips for communities where English is not the primary language, services are inconvenient or nonexistent or other systemic barriers exist.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 23, 2022

San Diego’s Measure B, which would allow waste collection fees, poised to pass

The pending measure would update a 1919 ordinance and allow the city to charge all residents for trash pickup, potentially freeing up funds to help with the implementation of California’s sweeping organics collection law.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 21, 2022

Advocates call for more composting resources in 2023 farm bill reauthorization

Composting grants, education programs and incentives could get a boost in the 2023 farm bill, but only with advocacy help, the U.S. Composting Council and Kiss the Ground said.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 18, 2022

California’s recycling rate fell to 40% in 2021, though organics disposal decreased, CalRecycle says

Recent state funding and new legislation can help reduce disposal and raise recycling rates as part of a broader state circular economy strategy, CalRecycle Director Rachel Machi Wagoner said.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 16, 2022

America Recycles Day 2022: Updates from around the country

This year’s event was marked by the U.S. EPA opening up $375 million in grant funding, President Biden calling on manufacturers to better support reuse and recycling, Colorado’s governor weighing in on EPR and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 17, 2022

Tracking recycling laws by state

The latest update to this tracker is New Hampshire’s governor signing a bill banning certain lithium-ion batteries from disposal. Illinois’ governor also signed a bill requiring large event facilities to recycle and collect organics from events.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Aug. 26, 2024

EPA promises recycling infrastructure funds, new reports coming soon

During the National Recycling Congress, the U.S. EPA’s Nena Shaw said the infrastructure grant funding process is almost ready and previewed work on batteries, data collection and future reports on plastics and food waste.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 15, 2022

Closed Loop launches new recycling company, Circular Services, with $700M investment

Combining the operations of Sims Municipal Recycling, Balcones Resources, Retrievr, HomeBiogas and more, the new company, to be led by Closed Loop CEO Ron Gonen, is being touted as a “holistic” service provider.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 15, 2022

Is California’s 2025 organics diversion target still viable?

An independent commission is now assessing whether course corrections are needed for the state’s landmark SB 1383 law. CalRecycle, WM, Republic Services, Agromin, Anaergia and many others have weighed in.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 14, 2022

What’s next for Veransa, the new company consolidating Florida’s green waste composting market

The private equity-backed company has completed three acquisitions since launching last year. A vice president shares the company's growth agenda and how it has been handling Hurricane Ian debris.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 9, 2022

Elections 2022: Denver greenlights recycling expansion, a close decision on San Diego trash fees and more

Voters in California, Colorado, Michigan, New York and Vermont weighed in on a range of state and local initiatives with implications for waste and recycling as part of Tuesday’s election.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 9, 2022

Is EPR an answer to compostable packaging’s contamination and labeling hurdles?

Extended producer responsibility laws can and should encompass compostable packaging, industry players at a recent Product Stewardship Institute webinar said. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 15, 2022

Where voters will consider waste and recycling initiatives

San Diego and Denver are among the localities with ballot measures, which range from affecting waste fees to recycling facility funding to more access to composting.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 1, 2022

Mattress, textile, organics disposal bans begin in Massachusetts

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection is now requiring local governments and businesses to keep certain materials out of the waste stream.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 1, 2022

Environmental justice voices in the waste and recycling industry

Catch up on these Q&A conversations with experts from the U.S. EPA, Ya Fav Trashman, Detroit Dirt and others on how the waste and recycling industry can play a role in environmental justice efforts.

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 14, 2023

Casella narrows ESG focus to 5 key targets for 2030

The Vermont-based company previously set 10 ESG targets in its 2020 report but has narrowed the focus to five key metrics related to emissions reduction, recycling volumes, fleet efficiency and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 27, 2022

Waste Connections purchasing California company Upper Valley Disposal

Upper Valley provides a range of collection, recycling, composting and disposal services in Napa County. Following the recent death of founder Bob Pestoni, the family decided to sell its multigenerational business.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 19, 2022

Composting in wine country: Napa Valley’s multi-decade circular economy story

California’s organics recycling law is driving new demand for processing infrastructure. Longstanding efforts by Upper Valley Disposal and others to compost grape pomace have given the region a head start.

By Karine Vann • Oct. 19, 2022

New nonprofit Just Zero taking a national approach to zero waste and closing disposal sites

Zero waste advocates formerly with the Conservation Law Foundation say the group will provide local activists with national-level resources for drafting legislation and more.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 18, 2022

What California’s organics recycling law could mean for the future of landfills

As the state looks to dramatically reduce disposal volumes in the coming years, the shift is prompting new questions about the waste industry’s operating model. Orange County is one notable landfill operator pivoting to composting.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 13, 2022