Bioplastics industry hopes farm bill can address Biden’s plastic replacement goal

Product manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Composting Council and others discussed investment priorities at the Plant Based Products Council’s first conference on Tuesday.

By Jacob Wallace • March 29, 2023

Waste industry groups call for Congressional support against looming PFAS regulations

NWRA, EREF and members of several solid waste and composting groups said in a briefing that anticipated hazardous substance designations for PFAS under the Superfund law could make liability risks and costs skyrocket.

By Megan Quinn • March 28, 2023

New York City to roll out yard waste separation mandate in all five boroughs by 2024

The Department of Sanitation’s yard waste diversion proposal follows a high-volume organics collection pilot in Queens and the recent announcement of a universal organics collection program.

By Jacob Wallace • March 27, 2023

Republic Services acquires first anaerobic digester as California organics recycling market heats up

The facility, located about 70 miles north of Sacramento, allows the company to further vertically integrate its collection services. Republic has been scaling its infrastructure as the state mandates organics recycling.

By Jacob Wallace • March 27, 2023

Connecticut bill overhauling state waste management practices could see big changes

Pressure from stakeholders could mean the removal of MSW disposal fee and delay an EPR for packaging provision, but organics separation and recycled content sections could remain.

By Megan Quinn • March 24, 2023

Denali says $3.7M microgrid project makes organics site more resilient as California ramps up diversion

A solar array and microgrid project with battery storage recently debuted at an Imperial Western Products location. Denali says this will reduce emissions from creating animal feed and biodiesel at the facility.

By Cole Rosengren • March 24, 2023

Bioenergy Devco receives $30M investment as it ramps up US anaerobic digestion efforts

The infusion from a Maryland-based investor allows the firm to expand in a market it sees as ripe for investment.

By Jacob Wallace • March 23, 2023

New York reports ‘substantial’ need for more organics recycling capacity after mandate passed

Despite a noticeable uptick in available facilities, the Department of Environmental Conservation sees room for growth. At the same time, the agency reported positive trends in edible food recovery efforts.

By Jacob Wallace • March 22, 2023

GreenWaste CEO envisions ‘stronger presence’ for company in California following private equity investment

Over a year after selling to a Macquarie fund, CEO Tracy Adams reports a “great partnership.” He discusses the company’s targeted acquisition strategy, the state’s SB 1383 organics recycling law and more.

By Cole Rosengren • March 16, 2023

How environmental justice efforts could bolster New York City’s organics program expansion

Lonnie Portis, an environmental policy and advocacy coordinator with WE ACT for Environmental Justice, discusses what it will take for the city’s zero waste efforts to reach their full potential in all types of neighborhoods.

By Megan Quinn • March 14, 2023

WM acquires large Minnesota composting company as part of Midwest organics recycling growth

WM says its purchase of Specialized Environmental Technologies positions the company to meet rising demand in the Twin Cities area, where local policies are requiring diversion.

By Megan Quinn • March 13, 2023

WIN Waste partnering with Baltimore organics recycler on food waste collection pilot

WIN Waste Innovations, through its predecessor company Wheelabrator, has long operated the WTE facility in Baltimore. The new partnership comes as non-governmental entities fill a void in addressing the city’s waste issues.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated March 10, 2023

Colorado’s lead composter imposes stricter accepted materials rules to curb contamination

A1 Organics says contamination rates are growing as curbside composting programs expand. Even items labeled "compostable" no longer will be accepted.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 6, 2023

Afresh Technologies moves beyond fruits and vegetables in food waste reduction plans

The San Francisco-based startup has started offering its reduction technology to grocers for use in their meat, seafood, deli and foodservice sections.

By Sam Silverstein • March 3, 2023

Divert teams with Enbridge for $1B plan to scale anaerobic digesters and RNG volumes

The organics recycling company, which has private equity backing, aims to reach “every major geographic region” of the U.S. with this deal. Canada-based Enbridge will get a 10% stake as part of its investment.

By Cole Rosengren • March 1, 2023

Compost Crew, leading Mid-Atlantic organics recycler, sees record growth in 2022

The Maryland-based company expanded with a $5.5 million series A funding round last year. CEO Ben Parry talks about the company’s growth, becoming a public benefit corporation, installing modular composting sites and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 28, 2023

How the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard program changes could be a boon for landfill and AD operators

The program’s biggest change to date would set long-term renewable natural gas targets, add credits for powering electric vehicles and much more. WM, Republic Services, Anaergia, Covanta and others weigh in on what it means.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2023

Waste and recycling industry leaders discuss the operational impact of corporate ESG trends

LRS CEO Alan Handley and Vanguard Renewables Chief Sustainability Officer David Darr recently joined Waste Dive for a live discussion about investment trends, sustainability reporting, customer expectations and more.

By Waste Dive Staff • Feb. 15, 2023

With federal agencies still falling behind on PFAS deadlines, activists seek lawmakers’ help

The Environmental Working Group and Safer States say the U.S. EPA is moving too slowly on setting standards for PFAS in water, packaging and more. They’re pushing Congress and state legislatures to act as well.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 10, 2023

Boston touts initial success of composting program as it plans expansion to 20K households

The city has about 98% participation and has collected over 500 tons since last summer's launch. Save That Stuff and Garbage to Garden share how they’re collecting with custom-built vans and eyeing further route density.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 9, 2023

Toledo, Ohio, advances plan to build new MRF by 2025

Lucas County will partner with a yet-to-be-named MRF operator to build the site on 15 acres. The county anticipates the project can reduce transportation costs and boost local jobs.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 8, 2023

Denali Water Solutions promotes Todd Mathes to CEO

The fast-growing organics recycler's founder and previous CEO, Andy McNeill, will focus on long-term strategy and acquisitions as the private equity-backed company continues to expand.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 7, 2023

Minnesota renewable energy bill that could boost landfill gas, anaerobic digestion heads to governor’s desk

If the bill gets enacted, power from incinerators operating in environmental justice areas would not count toward the state’s renewable energy goals, but that from landfill gas and anaerobic digestion would.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 7, 2023

Federal lawmakers reintroduce bills calling for billions in food waste recycling and prevention grants

Sponsors of the COMPOST Act and Zero Food Waste Act say an injection of federal funding over 10 years will help scale up local projects. These bills failed to pass last session.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 3, 2023

WTE facility in Long Beach, California, will remain open into 2024 following Covanta contract update

The city’s Southeast Resource Recovery Facility has seen steep tonnage and revenue declines following the passage of a recent state law. Covanta is now assuming financial risks and revenues to avoid its imminent closure.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 3, 2023