7 pressing questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2020

The year is shaping up to be a major one for the industry's future. We'll be digging into safety, corporate consolidation, climate commitments, recycling policy, organics, PFAS, politics and more.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • Jan. 6, 2020

New toolkit provides guidance on composting food scraps at yard trimming sites

A new resource from BioCycle and the Center for EcoTechnology outlines potential to utilize existing sites amid growing demand for organics processing infrastructure.

By Rachel Perlman • Dec. 23, 2019

Court denies industry appeal over New York transfer station law

A 2018 law designed to address environmental justice concerns around transfer stations has prompted multiple court challenges, and it led the city to cut at least 10,000 tons of permitted capacity so far.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 18, 2020

Climate change becomes widely recognized corporate factor for waste and recycling

While many of the largest companies have been releasing sustainability reports for years, 2019 marked a potential turning point in the level of detail and acknowledgment for this looming issue.

Dec. 20, 2019

New Jersey Assembly passes organics diversion mandate without landfill exemption

Following Gov. Phil Murphy's conditional veto of a contentious bill earlier this year, legislators are moving ahead with a bill intended to spur organics recycling. Landfill operators with gas-to-energy systems remain displeased.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 19, 2019

New York closer to citywide commercial organics diversion with latest proposal

The Department of Sanitation's third expansion of commercial rules affects a broad swath of food businesses. Some say it's too fast. Others view it as a needed step toward upcoming market changes.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 16, 2019

Vanguard Renewables will operate digesters around US in $200M Dominion deal

Proposed projects in five states will trap methane from cow manure to create renewable natural gas offer "a new way to improve on farm economics."

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Dec. 13, 2019

Climate Solution of the Year: California's SB 1383

The Golden State's plan to curb waste could have implications for the whole country as it offers sweeping opportunities for infrastructure expansion while combating climate change. 

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 9, 2019

The Waste Dive Awards for 2019

From operations to policy, these are some of the top organizations and executives that shaped the waste and recycling industry this year.

Dec. 9, 2019

Philadelphia reports 50% diversion rate, ongoing 'zero waste' progress

Despite high-profile recycling issues earlier this year, the city says its plans are still on track. Waste reduction and organics recycling are among the top priorities moving forward.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 25, 2019

Funding advances for 3 Mid-Atlantic anaerobic digestion projects

New announcements from RNG Energy Solutions and Bioenergy DevCo are the latest sign of an uptick in financing interest for organics processing infrastructure.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 22, 2019

Trouble in paradise: Recycling a tough proposition for US territories

Devastating hurricanes have strained weak infrastructure in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Guam has newer infrastructure, but still faces market challenges. All are often overlooked in national recycling discussions.

By Genevieve Glatsky • Updated Nov. 18, 2019

EPA: National recycling rate 35% in 2017, composting at record high

New figures show overall MSW volumes increased, with total recycling volume declining slightly. The agency also resumed its focus on greenhouse gas emissions reduction benefits.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 14, 2019

Phoenix City Council preserves curbside recycling with rate increase

The city, viewed as a model for circular economy efforts, had run into financial challenges due to a turbulent recycling market and growing population. This will be its first residential rate increase since 2009.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated Feb. 12, 2020

New Hampshire legislators call for major changes to meet modern 'realities' of waste and recycling

A legislative committee set out to examine the state of New Hampshire's recycling, but ended up writing a broad report about underlying infrastructure and policy challenges.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 11, 2019

Scaling up organics recycling and biogas projects, in the Midwest and beyond

The BioCycle REFOR19 conference in Madison, Wisconsin covered how both local governments and private enterprise can optimize their efforts with projects that fit regional needs.

By Max Witynski • Updated Nov. 7, 2019

What cities can learn from Phoenix's circular economy experiments

Home to a unique incubator, the fast-growing Arizona city has embarked on multiple new ventures in recent years. WASTECON panelists shared economic, logistical and political advice.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 1, 2019

Key stories from the New York commercial waste reform saga

The multiyear push to implement a nonexclusive franchise system has been tumultuous and complex. Follow along with Waste Dive’s in-depth coverage.

Updated Nov. 20, 2024

Federal government and food industry take aim at organic waste with formal commitment

A senior EPA official told Supply Chain Dive the effort is intended to change industry "attitudes and apathy" around the issue of food waste and relieve some confusion around food recovery and donation liability. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 30, 2019

New York City Council advances commercial zone bill, opponents make final push

The successful vote came after 13 council members endorsed a letter requesting more time to consider a proposal that will dramatically reshape the city's open market system. A final vote is scheduled for Oct. 30.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 29, 2019

New York commercial waste zone bill finalized ahead of imminent vote

Aside from new language on labor retention, the version council members will be asked to vote on remains largely unchanged from a prior draft. A vote is expected Oct. 30.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 23, 2019

Who comes out on top if New York passes commercial waste zones?

How many local haulers will be left to win franchise contracts, and whether any new entrants join the fray, all comes down to how legislative negotiations play out.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 9, 2019

Massachusetts raises 2050 waste reduction target, may expand organics ban

The Department of Environmental Protection's new solid waste master plan draft indicates support for new packaging policies, additional waste bans and future infrastructure as disposal capacity shrinks.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2019

Philadelphia solicits bids for new compost facility with statewide implications

The city aims to expand organics processing infrastructure via a public-private partnership that could reduce annual food waste by nearly 150 tons as part of its 2035 "zero waste" goals.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 26, 2019

In fight against food waste, EPA and corporate leaders focus on business case

Administrator Wheeler, ReFED and others held a Sunday roundtable to discuss waste reduction progress. They agreed measurement is a crucial first step to move beyond just philanthropic actions.

By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 24, 2019