How 3 large states want to address waste with federal climate funding

The U.S. EPA received 45 state priority climate action plans, the first step in accessing Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding.

By Jacob Wallace • March 21, 2024

Environmental justice funding and recycling resources top of mind at NRC conference

National Recycling Congress participants such as Reloop and the the U.S. EPA delved into the roles both small community groups and large federal agencies play in advancing environmental justice initiatives. 

By Megan Quinn • March 13, 2024

LASAN putting recycLA commercial waste program out to bid, ending contract extension talks

LA Sanitation and Environment officials hope that a reconfigured “recycLA 2.0” can yield better environmental outcomes and more competitive pricing by 2027. The move affects haulers such as Athens Services, WM and Republic Services.

By Cole Rosengren • March 8, 2024

How federal attention to methane and retailer relationships are benefitting Divert

Vice President Chris Thomas discusses how the U.S. EPA’s support for anaerobic digestion and Divert’s large customer base can allow the company to expand despite broader market challenges.

By Jacob Wallace • March 5, 2024

Negotiation stalemate pushes Los Angeles to verge of rebidding commercial waste contracts

Haulers such as WM and Republic Services say they need more time to discuss a contract amendment. LA Sanitation staff and elected officials appear ready to put the whole recycLA franchise system back out to bid.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 26, 2024

D.C. updates strategy to reach ‘zero waste’ by 2040, including many policy proposals

The plan extends the deadline for an 80% diversion rate to 2040. It calls for actions such as building a MRF, implementing commercial waste zones and banning certain items from disposal.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 22, 2024

Rheaply eyes expansion plans in multiple cities to reuse more furniture amid office rethink

The Chicago-based startup aims to bring more businesses onto its reusable materials exchange platform to divert items from disposal.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 21, 2024

5 issues to watch as New York reshapes its commercial waste system

Many questions remain about how companies were selected, how much recycling investment will occur, how soon companies get electric vehicles, when implementation will begin and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2024

Long Beach, California, advances Bioenergy Devco plans in shift from WTE to digestion

Following negotiations, an anaerobic digester is set to replace a mass burn facility in Long Beach. The transition occurs amid significant regulatory shifts for such facilities in California over the past decade.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 15, 2024

SWEEP certifies first company for environmental achievement

Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery is the first in a pilot cohort to receive certification under the standard, which recognizes achievement in sustainable materials management practices.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 9, 2024

Zero-waste advocates see opportunity in EPA’s $4.6B GHG reduction grants

The U.S. EPA is offering funding for states, municipalities and tribes to implement major climate projects. Advocates say that interested groups need to be part of local plans by March 1.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 25, 2024

New York solid waste plan calls for disposal surcharge, expanded food diversion requirements

The new plan includes several focus areas and recommendations to reach a goal of 85% recycling of the total waste stream, as well as lower waste emissions, by 2050. It also supports extended producer responsibility laws.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 17, 2024

5 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2024

The evolving M&A market, the rise of EPR, pending PFAS regulations, renewable natural gas and methane reduction are some of the biggest issues facing the industry this year.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2024

By the numbers: Key 2023 waste and recycling trends

Look back on the year through data points on issues such as labor, M&A, federal funding, state policy and commodity pricing.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Dec. 22, 2023

Los Angeles commercial waste system at a crossroads amid contract renegotiation

The recycLA program has seen positive results, but haulers are lagging on diversion targets and organics service. The city, while trying to amend the program, could issue a new RFP or even take over service itself.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 21, 2023

EPA’s historic year of multi-million-dollar investments in recycling and organics projects

The U.S. EPA announced grants in 2023 meant to boost infrastructure projects, recycling education, environmental justice initiatives and more. 

By Waste Dive Staff • Dec. 20, 2023

U.S. EPA announces draft national food waste prevention strategy at COP28

The strategy cites ongoing commitments to building out organic waste recycling infrastructure, including on-farm anaerobic digestion and decentralized community composting programs.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 6, 2023

New co-presidents to lead Eureka Recycling in Minnesota

Miriam Holsinger and Katie Drews will advance Eureka’s zero-waste mission while fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, the nonprofit recycler announced. Drews is the first woman of color in the role.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 30, 2023

Synagro acquires Massachusetts-based biosolids processor with 5 facilities

The deal increases Synagro’s reach in the biosolids world, where it managed 6.5 million tons of material last year. It’s one of the company’s largest-ever acquisitions.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 29, 2023

EPA announces $2B in environmental justice grants, including for waste projects

The Community Challenge Grants program, which is accepting applications for the next year, has multiple categories that could offer funding for composting, recycling, household hazardous waste management and other initiatives.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 22, 2023

Proposed NYC budget cuts ‘devastating’ for community composters

Cuts to the New York City Sanitation Department could lead to dozens of layoffs, the closure of several mid-sized community composting facilities and the delayed rollout of curbside organics service in two boroughs.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 22, 2023

Recyclers urge collaboration with brands, end of ‘Franken-plastics’ to boost circularity

Speakers from LRS, Myplas, P&G, PMMI, Rumpke and more connected at the Packaging Recycling Summit to hash out ways to improve recycling and product recyclability as “really, really rapid” packaging changes occur.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 15, 2023

Austin, Texas, releases zero waste plan as population booms

The city’s goal of achieving a 90% diversion rate by 2040 remains ambitious, but Austin Resource Recovery is planning new infrastructure and expanded collections to help bridge the gap.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 10, 2023

WM’s chief sustainability officer on the future of recycling

Tara Hemmer sees WM’s recycling investments as key to its overall sustainability strategy. Technology will allow WM to respond to customers’ changing sustainability needs in coming years, she said.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 10, 2023

California projects emphasize zero waste equity by keeping marginalized groups at the center

An equitable zero waste future means partnering with businesses, unhoused people, waste workers and grassroots groups, speakers from San Francisco and Los Angeles said at the National Zero Waste Conference. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 6, 2023