US Plastics Pact activators see federal policy as key to achieving 2025 packaging reduction goals

During a recent webinar, speakers from Mars and Keurig Dr Pepper outlined incremental progress on rethinking their packaging strategies and called for further federal action to accelerate this shift.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 15, 2022

Inflation may have reduced food waste, but food banks worry about lower donation supply

During a recent ReFED webinar, speakers from Feeding America, BlueCart and Purdue University said they see opportunities for partnerships to further reduce food waste during times when inflation affects donations.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 12, 2022

Bio-based packaging companies say mushrooms and seaweed are the next alternatives to plastic

In a recent webinar, companies made their case for “bioregenerative” packaging that uses renewable, compostable materials with the same properties as plastic. Markets and supply chains are still warming to it.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 6, 2022

California closes another banner year for waste and recycling legislation with numerous bills

New action on the state’s container redemption program, diversion credits for waste-to-energy facilities and recycled content standards for thermoform plastic all passed at the end of the session.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 1, 2022

New York commercial waste haulers hold their breath after submitting bids for 10-year contracts

Bids are in to operate in the Department of Sanitation’s upcoming commercial waste zone system. Haulers of all sizes are waiting to learn their fates while operating under lingering pandemic and inflationary pressures.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 24, 2022

Ya Fav Trashman fights illegal dumping with cleanups and social media

Terrill Haigler, a former Philadelphia sanitation worker, has become a rising star in the waste world. He discusses his new children’s book about the profession, “I’m Cool Too,” and how street cleanliness is an environmental justice issue.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 23, 2022

Lawmakers, environmentalists say 2032 phase-out target for single-use plastics in national parks is too distant

Rep. Mike Quigley and other members of Congress are calling on the Department of the Interior to reassess its timeline to cut back on the use of plastic beverage containers, straws, cups, cutlery and bags.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 17, 2022

Seeking funding and connections, recyclers turn to business incubator NextCycle

Recyclers and other businesses in Michigan, Colorado and Washington, the states where NextCycle operates, discussed the program’s impact on their circular economy goals during a Northeast Recycling Council webinar.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 12, 2022

New York City rolling out ‘largest curbside composting program in the nation’ with Queens expansion

After years of budget cuts and political shifts, the Department of Sanitation says this latest organics recycling iteration will be its most cost-effective and efficient approach yet. Drop-off bins are also being added in other boroughs.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 9, 2022

SWEEP sustainability standard pilot moving forward after pandemic slowdowns

Numerous companies and municipalities in the pilot are about halfway through their certification process. There’s flexibility in the work-at-your-own-pace model, but COVID-19 and staff turnover have slowed progress.

By Maria Rachal • July 26, 2022

Reusables player r.Cup expanding in Seattle, adding central washing infrastructure

As the reusables system rolls out at event venues in the Pacific Northwest city, r.Cup is eyeing operating in “a dozen or more markets” by the end of 2023 working through public-private partnerships.

By Maria Rachal • Updated July 21, 2022

EPA chemical recycling debate heats up with letters from lawmakers, activists and industry pushback

Some environmentalists and lawmakers want pyrolysis and gasification units to remain regulated as waste combustion, but the plastics industry says the label doesn’t apply to most chemical recycling. EPA will consider new rules.

By Megan Quinn • July 19, 2022

Gainesville, Florida, seeks to be Southeast leader with major EV deployment, zero-waste policies

The college town is aiming to be a regional leader when it comes to reuse, edible food recovery and other areas. An upcoming contract with GFL Environmental also calls for dozens of electric collection vehicles.

By Maria Rachal • July 19, 2022

EPA seeks feedback on environmental justice action plan, equitable use of infrastructure funds

At a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, participants urged the agency to approve recycling projects, funded with infrastructure grant money, that avoid creating further environmental harm to disadvantaged communities. 

By Megan Quinn • July 14, 2022

San Francisco Bay Area, inspiration for California’s organics law, offers recycling lessons and limitations

Organics recycling has been the norm in San Francisco, Oakland and other jurisdictions for years. Part 5 of our series explores how some are trying to elevate their diversion efforts with residual waste sorting and other strategies.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 12, 2022

Zara parent Inditex invests $30M in textile waste company Circ

The fashion company joined Bill Gates-founded Breakthrough Energy Ventures in a Series B funding round.

By Dani James • July 12, 2022

What’s still on California’s legislative agenda for waste and recycling

Single-use plastics in e-commerce, state purchasing requirements, diversion credits from waste-to-energy facilities and a bottle bill expansion for wine are still in play before lawmakers end their session.

By Megan Quinn • July 11, 2022

How 3 Southern California programs are ramping up organics recycling

Preparing for SB 1383’s recycling requirements is a bigger lift for areas that didn’t already collect food scraps. Program officials in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino County share their stories in Part 4 of our series.

By Cole Rosengren • July 7, 2022

California Gov. Newsom signs nation's most comprehensive paper and plastic packaging EPR bill

The landmark legislation sets ambitious recycling and reduction rate targets for plastic and other types of packaging. Its passage averts a plastics fee ballot initiative and comes after years of stalled legislative efforts.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Updated July 1, 2022

Future of troubled Renovare unclear after West Virginia facility closure, surprise merger reversal

The company — formerly known as BioHiTech Global — has seen its stock price plummet following financial, operational and legal issues. Former partner Entsorga sees a path forward for its shuttered showcase plant.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 1, 2022

California EPR bill passes state Assembly, final vote must happen immediately

After four years of attempts, this major legislation could finally pass. The bill must now make it through the state Senate and reach the governor’s desk by the end of June to avert a competing plastics ballot measure.

By Megan Quinn • June 30, 2022

Congress makes moves on recycling funding, single-use plastic reduction

A rural recycling infrastructure bill gets a House version, efforts to reduce plastic packaging at the U.S. Capitol move forward, and USAID tackles ocean plastic with new Save Our Seas funding.

By Megan Quinn • June 29, 2022

Clock ticking for contentious California EPR bill to avert plastics ballot measure

SB 54 is supported by major recyclers, including Republic Services, but it is drawing opposition from key environmental groups. It must pass by the end of this month to stop an upcoming plastics fee ballot initiative.

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 27, 2022

California's local governments grapple with financial and logistical demands of organics recycling law

Regulations weren’t finalized for years, and the pandemic delayed many plans. New state grants worth $180 million will help, but more will be needed to meet this unfunded mandate. Read Part 3 of our series.

By Cole Rosengren • June 23, 2022

Surveying the corporate-controlled EPR landscape in 2022

Amid new producer responsibility action in states such as Colorado, New York and Hawaii, Neil Seldman of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance weighs in on the best way to approach this policy going forward.

By Neil Seldman • June 22, 2022