Competing EPR bills are stalled in Hawai’i this year, but proponents are playing the long game

A bill got close to passing last year, but two proposals are stuck in committee amid opposition from packaging groups. Stakeholders say the legislation symbolizes the state’s willingness to make major waste management changes.

By Megan Quinn • April 20, 2023

Boston ‘reconsidering everything’ for its next residential collection contract

Boston’s Public Works Department aims to rethink setout times, containerization, competition and more before awarding a 2024 contract. Meanwhile, the city’s recycling and disposal contracts could be extended.

By Cole Rosengren • April 12, 2023

MassRecycle pushes back on narrative of recycling as ‘a hoax,’ touts education efforts

In the wake of critical reports from advocacy groups and media outlets, the state’s public and private recyclers are updating their messaging. Brooke Nash, a retiring MassDEP official, shared her unfiltered view at a recent event.

By Cole Rosengren • April 5, 2023

Covanta enters deal with Kinderhook to acquire Circon, its largest acquisition in decades

The private equity-backed firm is adding more than 20 facilities to its portfolio, expanding its geographic reach as well as its environmental services business.

By Jacob Wallace • April 3, 2023

UN secretary general says waste is ‘a killer’ of the planet on first International Zero Waste Day

Spearheaded by Turkey last year, the event brought high-level attention to efforts to build a circular economy.

By Jacob Wallace • March 31, 2023

Refill and reuse sectors strive for scale to upend single-use packaging’s stronghold

Changing consumer perceptions about convenience and value will be important to achieve greater market dominance, according to speakers from Loop, Clorox and other companies at the Sustainability in Packaging US event.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 17, 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

EPA announces $250M for curbing climate pollution, advancing environmental justice

Each of the 67 most-populated U.S. metropolitan areas is eligible for $1 million in planning grants, which the agency will follow with $4.6 billion to help cities and states implement their plans later this year.

By Michael Brady • March 2, 2023

US Plastics Pact makes varied progress on circular packaging; 2025 targets may be out of reach

Executive Director Emily Tipaldo praised data collection that’s occurred since 2020, even as maximizing reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging has run into barriers.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 27, 2023

What’s in store for state recycling policy in 2023?

Recycling policy experts from Colorado, Connecticut, Michigan and Washington predicted the legislative season’s biggest trends in a live panel discussion with Waste Dive.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 15, 2023

Lawmakers call for EPA to more tightly regulate plastic production and cut ties with chemical recycling

In a letter, lawmakers urged Administrator Michael Regan to carry out provisions first outlined in last year’s Protecting Communities from Plastic Act, saying the agency can do more to curb plastic pollution.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 14, 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

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

EPR still top recycling issue for state policymakers, but plastics and repair laws also on the horizon

While federal action is uncertain, multiple state governors and policy advocates aim to build on the momentum of producer responsibility laws for packaging this year. Numerous other bills are also expected to get consideration.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 30, 2023

Analysis of local climate action plans and solid waste planning shows overlapping opportunities

Environmental services firm HDR examined hundreds of solid waste-related actions across city and county climate action plans, noting a common interest around action on organics, among a range of other ideas.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 26, 2023

Los Angeles launches citywide organics service, awards compost contracts worth up to $1.67B

Commingled green and food waste collection is now available to an estimated 740,000 residential accounts. WM, Recology and Athens Services are composting the material, with the potential for Anaergia to get a future contract.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 25, 2023

NRDC is seeking new cities to join its food waste reduction program

The Food Matters initiative, first launched in 2015, can provide technical assistance and small amounts of funding for a range of local efforts. Previous participants include Baltimore, Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville and Phoenix.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 23, 2023

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2023

What you need to know on industry trends to watch, the hiring landscape, fleet maintenance and more to come as the new year gets underway.

By The Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 15, 2023

New York Mayor Adams signs ‘skip the stuff’ bill for foodware items

The law to prohibit foodservice establishments from automatically including plastic cutlery and other items is meant to cut down on waste. It’s the latest in the city’s recent laws banning certain single-use foodware.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Feb. 2, 2023

Virginia state task force calls for more recycling business opportunities, possible EPR policies

A group with recycling industry representation offered recommendations to divert more waste from landfills, but stopped short of recommending EPR for packaging or reaching consensus on a possible bottle bill.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 18, 2023

Nashville launching $4.8M curbside recycling expansion

The Recycling Partnership, which is providing a grant, predicts that a shift to biweekly collection in the fast-growing Tennessee city could generate 156 million new pounds of recyclables over the next decade

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 18, 2023

6 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2023

The effects of ongoing M&A, the biogas boom, and regulatory and financial debates around plastics are among the most complex topics on Waste Dive’s radar in the new year.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 12, 2023

New York Gov. Hochul says EPR for packaging a major priority in 2023

Hochul announced Tuesday she would introduce EPR for packaging legislation for the second time. Multiple efforts to pass versions of the policy through the state budget and legislative process failed in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 11, 2023

Loop touts retail store expansion as standalone e-commerce program sunsets

The TerraCycle-backed reusable container program is now working with 37 U.S. retail stores, including Fred Meyer, Giant Food and Walmart.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 10, 2023