Environmental groups outline $1.3B worth of federal plastics reduction, recycling recommendations

Ahead of potential stimulus legislation, more than 250 groups are calling on the Biden administration and Congress to keep recycling priorities in mind. Proposals include $500 million for "new and improved" MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 5, 2021

Austin, Texas, pitches customer cost savings as curbside composting reaches over 200K homes

The final phase of Austin Resource Recovery's expansion comes as some other cities pull back on similar programs during the pandemic. Meanwhile, new data shows residential food waste remains a pressing issue.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 4, 2021

7 takeaways on organics recycling trends from COMPOST2021

The U.S. Composting Council event featured perspectives on contamination reduction, market development, climate change and more from WeCare Denali, Waste Management, Recology and Atlas Organics.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Feb. 3, 2021

WASTECON: Coronavirus underscores shared challenges and adaptations for city leaders

Officials from New York, Toronto, Miami-Dade County, Philadelphia and Baltimore highlighted ongoing budget and staffing challenges nearly a year into the pandemic. Now, they're seizing the moment for long-term changes.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • Feb. 1, 2021

California recycling commission report urges major changes, with many policy implications

To get California back on track toward its environmental goals, a commission of industry experts recently recommended 19 actions around infrastructure, contamination, producer responsibility and more.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 29, 2021

WASTECON: EPA's 50% recycling goal possible, but only with a lot more funding and focus

Panelists from Waste Management, The Recycling Partnership, CalRecycle and New York's Department of Sanitation previewed what it may take to hit the new 2030 target.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 28, 2021

Anaergia CEO sees big organics recycling potential after building nation’s largest digester

As the company's California facility enters final commissioning, founder Andrew Benedek previews more to come as the state ramps up for SB 1383 implementation. Potential expansion into the Northeast is next.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 27, 2021

Cleveland seeks roadmap to more circular economy while awaiting curbside recycling reboot

The city is still in the process of deciding how to revamp and restart its long-stalled recycling program. In the meantime, a deep dive into its waste streams may help shape circular economy plans.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2021

9 questions about the future of waste and recycling in 2021

As we gear up for another eventful year, Waste Dive will be focusing on trends around ESG, M&A, recycling policy, market development, PFAS, local budgets, collection technology, safety, diversity and much more.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2021

Recology names new CEO Coniglio, following retirement of longtime leader

Sal Coniglio's elevation to the top job comes six months after he became chief operating officer. This move caps off former CEO Mike Sangiacomo's 37-year stint at the major California-based private company.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2021

How local waste and recycling leaders are grappling with coronavirus-driven budget pressures

Lost revenues, rising operating expenses and limited federal aid have left local leaders looking for creative solutions. In some cases, the pandemic has also created opportunities to update their practices.

By Leslie Nemo • Dec. 22, 2020

5 takeaways on emerging trends from the National Zero Waste Conference

Recycled content, plastics policy, climate connections and racial justice are among top priorities heading into 2021. The event also marked the latest sign of a revived National Recycling Coalition. 

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 16, 2020

2020 shapes up as major year for M&A, consolidation in waste and recycling industry

Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Wheelabrator and many others all had a particularly active stretch of deal-making across numerous states.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 15, 2020

Vanguard Renewables eyes national anaerobic digestion expansion with new alliance

Initial members of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance include Unilever, Starbucks and Dairy Farmers of America, all of which will direct their organics to a rapidly expanding network of Vanguard facilities across the country.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 14, 2020

Organization of the Year: Sanitation Foundation

As New York sanitation workers were caught in the initial epicenter of the pandemic, hundreds were infected and multiple died. A city nonprofit played a key role in supporting them and adapting to a very eventful year.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

The Waste Dive Awards for 2020

During a year of crisis and challenge, these are some of the people, groups and initiatives that met the moment.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Quest CEO talks first acquisition, weathering pandemic and growing demand for sustainability

The "asset-light" company's national platform of commercial accounts took a hit this year, like many others. Leader Ray Hatch, formerly of Oakleaf, sees signs of a recovery and more potential deals ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 30, 2020

Former Recology executive charged with laundering bribes worth more than $1M in San Francisco

The two charges against Paul Giusti stem from alleged attempts to influence former city Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, who was arrested earlier this year, in exchange for his approval of rate increases and other actions.

By Cole Rosengren , Gloria Gonzalez • Nov. 24, 2020

Urgency around climate change, plastics ramps up circular economy interest in US

Georgia Sherwin of Closed Loop Partners highlights how the concept is becoming more tangible for businesses, with a look at implications for reuse models, policies and diversity in the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 19, 2020

EPA sets 2030 national recycling goal, stakeholders call for more federal action

Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a 50% recycling rate target for 2030, while the latest annual data showed a decline to 32.1% and multiple financial pressures continue for the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Ongoing evolution in ESG and climate plans among waste and recycling companies

Companies have been setting more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets and announcing related investments in recent years.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Sept. 22, 2021

Tracking ESG climate targets from US waste and recycling companies

Republic Services is the latest company to report on its emissions reduction goals, but it opted not to update a specific report as it awaits the outcome of a Securities and Exchange Commission climate disclosure rule.

By Nami Sumida, Cole Rosengren, Leslie Nemo • Updated July 27, 2023

Calculating the costs of climate change in the waste, energy sectors

Waste Dive, Utility Dive and Smart Cities Dive teamed up for a series presenting the way their sectors are evaluating the impacts and costs of mitigating climate change.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

US waste and recycling sector faces mounting risks and opportunities from climate change

As the industry increasingly recognizes its contribution to climate change and sees business opportunities in potentially mitigating those effects, the sector could be at a notable inflection point in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Biden's Build Back Better is an opportunity for organics recyclers

Jeremy Brosowsky, CEO of Agricity, makes the case for why food waste reduction and composting should be a key part of the next administration's economic recovery and climate change efforts.

By Jeremy Brosowsky • Nov. 17, 2020