Scrap Collector: Does WTE have a role in NYC's 'zero waste' goal?

Plus: Entrepreneurs pitch sustainable floating city concept at UN, and Detroit lawmakers pushing for statewide incineration ban.

By Rina Li • April 5, 2019

New regional campaign looks to boost recycling in 10 Texas cities

A recent study by Burns & McDonnell found that $122 million worth of recyclables are being sent to area landfills each year. A regional campaign led by The Recycling Partnership aims to address this gap.

By Catelyn Scholwinski • April 2, 2019

New York passes statewide organics mandate, plastic bag ban

Legislated as part of the new FY20 state budget, both policies have been years in the making. An industry-opposed proposal to expand the state's container deposit program did not make the cut.

By Cole Rosengren • April 1, 2019

Why BioCycle views food waste recycling as a 'no regrets' climate solution

As one of the recycling world's oldest publications celebrates its 60th year, editor Nora Goldstein spoke about the evolution of organics recycling and its role in the climate crisis.

By Cole Rosengren • March 26, 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

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

Some facilities stop accepting compostable packaging as contamination debate persists

The 2019 US Composting Council Conference featured the latest in a long-running dialogue about how composters handle the material at their sites — and whether it's unfairly blamed for quality issues.

By Cole Rosengren • March 8, 2019

Compostable food service ware may have challenges — but don't give up on it

Rubicon Global's Ryan Cooper outlines the factors service providers, customers and recyclers should keep in mind when determining how to approach this complex material.

By Ryan Cooper • March 8, 2019

Connecticut's first anaerobic digester adding depackaging facility

Quantum Biopower, which has seen more packaged material than expected from throughout the Northeast, recently received initial approval for a new expansion.

By Cole Rosengren • March 4, 2019

Pneumatic tubes with local AD get wave of political support in New York

A long-discussed concept to get trucks and bags off the streets around the 1.5-mile High Line Park corridor is taking shape. Now, the team behind it wants key backing from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 28, 2019

Exclusivity question hangs over NYC franchise zone plan in latest step forward

A draft environmental impact statement from the city's Department of Sanitation offers fresh data about whether non-exclusive zones are the right move, along with commentary from Waste Connections and other companies.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 27, 2019

Advanced Disposal caps off 'solid' 2018, projects M&A uptick

While the company's core solid waste business remains stable, CEO Richard Burke projects continued price hikes related to recyclables collection — even for customers that have already seen an initial round of increases.

By Rina Li • Feb. 25, 2019

Restaurants save $7 for each $1 invested in cutting food waste, report shows

Businesses that scaled back food production, placed smaller orders and upcycled excess food into new meals could reduce waste by 26% after one year, the study found. 

By Kevin Whiteley • Feb. 22, 2019

Is New York's 2030 'zero waste' goal receding from reach?

Three key initiatives — single-stream recycling, curbside organics expansion and "save-as-you-throw" — are on hold indefinitely. Now, both skeptics and boosters are questioning whether it's practical or possible to hit the mark.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 20, 2019

Report shows two straight years of flat financing for WTE, biogas in US

While five farm-based anaerobic digesters came online in 2018, there were few other notable waste-related projects, according to the 2019 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook.

By Cody Ellis • Feb. 19, 2019

Los Angeles City Council approves RecycLA settlement with seven service providers

A new contract amendment will bring a number of changes to the major franchise program — including city funding to cover controversial recycling service fees and a higher contamination threshold.

By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • Updated Feb. 20, 2019

Inside Republic's recycling messaging, and an Arizona MRF, with two VPs

Pete Keller and Richard Coupland, the company's primary public faces on recycling, recently met with Waste Dive to talk contract pricing, GHG calculations, end markets and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 14, 2019

Waste Management CEO talks climate change, ocean plastic and 'zero waste'

Waste Dive sat down with Jim Fish for an exclusive interview at the company's sustainability forum in Phoenix to parse out its latest environmental messaging.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 6, 2019

Inside Vanguard Renewables, the Northeast's biggest food waste recycler

The Massachusetts company recently opened its latest farm-based anaerobic digester, with seven more on the way. Waste Dive sat down with CEO John Hanselman to learn why his business works where others have failed.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 31, 2019

Report: Sensors and other tech could reduce food waste by 7%

According to the World Economic Forum, multiple innovations in the food supply chain can help improve traceability and identify where losses may be occurring.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 30, 2019

New Washington state bill sets 2030 food waste goal

The bill, which calls for Washington to achieve a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030, would require the adoption of "a state wasted food reduction and food waste diversion plan" by October 2020.

By Rina Li • Jan. 24, 2019

The value of math-driven organics policy in three different states

A recent webinar from The Composting Collaborative explored how carefully analyzing data before implementing new regulations can reduce costs and increase efficiencies for food waste diversion programs.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 23, 2019

Recology leans into recycling solutions with $33M San Francisco upgrades

The improvements include seven optical sorters (including three new units from France) and expanded capacity for organics at a local transfer station.

By Rina Li • Jan. 22, 2019

Vermont may walk back statewide organics collection requirement

The Agency of Natural Resources recommends haulers only be required to collect organics from multi-family and commercial sites, but still wants to enact a universal food waste disposal ban by 2020.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 17, 2019

Food waste doesn't have to be expensive: 4 cost-effective recycling strategies

Rubicon Global's Ryan Cooper breaks down the many factors – waste audits, transportation logistics, local markets and more – that can make organics recycling viable even without regulatory drivers.

By Ryan Cooper • Jan. 14, 2019