The Latest

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    Photo Illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Tracker

    Tracking notable recycling laws by state

    Colorado’s right-to-repair expansion bill has passed the House and Senate and is now headed to Gov. Jared Polis for signature.

    Updated 5 hours ago
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    Sliveoak via Getty Images
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    Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity

    Read the latest on acquisitions by Meridian Waste, WM, CARDS and GFL as well as the acquisition of Strategic Materials.

    Updated 8 hours ago
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    Courtesy of Casella Waste Systems
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    Casella highlights pricing growth, infrastructure project progress in Q1

    The Northeastern company detailed plans for fleet optimization, M&A positioning and major mid-2024 facility projects related to rail and RNG improvements.

  • A driver stands next to a shredding truck.
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    Courtesy of Stericycle
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    Stericycle reports progress on workforce and fleet optimization plan, touts new document service

    The company reported margin improvement from various cost saving measures, and shared construction updates for an upcoming incinerator project in Nevada.

  • Industrial building with numerous pipes and components for processing biogas
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    Courtesy of Archaea Energy
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    RNG news updates from the waste industry

    Renewable natural gas facilities have become a growing part of waste and energy companies’ portfolios. Follow developments from WM, Republic Services, Waga Energy, Ameresco, BP’s Archaea Energy and more.

  • A group of people, including NWRA CEO Michael Hoffman, stands in front of the U.S. Capitol
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    Permission granted by National Waste & Recycling Association
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    NWRA hires industry veteran Hoffman as next CEO

    Michael E. Hoffman, a longtime financial analyst who currently works at Stifel, is taking on the lead role at the industry’s largest trade association.

  • Recycling sorter at Waste Management MRF
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    Courtesy of Waste Management
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    WM credits cost savings, strong EBITDA margins for positive Q1

    CEO Jim Fish said the company “outperformed our own high expectations” for Q1 through cost savings in labor and operations. Expiring RNG tax credits and anticipated MRF upgrade costs are expected to become headwinds.

  • Waste Connections truck on display at WasteExpo 2022
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    Maria Rachal/Waste Dive
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    Waste Connections seeing labor retention improvements as it eyes ‘record’ M&A year

    The company reported better-than-expected revenue for a quarter which included a sizable acquisition in Indiana. CEO Ron Mittelstaedt also shared updated thoughts on how PFAS regulations will affect the sector.

  • Vanguard Renewables anaerobic digester in Haverhill, Massachusetts
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    Permission granted by Vanguard Renewables
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    Vanguard, TotalEnergies announce joint venture for at least 10 RNG facilities

    The companies left open the possibility to expand their partnership to up to 60 organic-waste-to-RNG facilities. The first three facilities will be built on farms in Wisconsin and Virginia.

  • Large bundles of plastic bags, cans and milk containers await processing at a recycling center.
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    shaunl via Getty Images
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    Chemical recycling updates from Brightmark, Encina and ExxonMobil

    Brightmark recently announced plans for a Georgia project with capacity to process 400,000 tons of plastic per year. Meanwhile, Encina is scrapping plans for a facility in Pennsylvania.

  • A close-up of the creamy exterior of the Department of Labor building.
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    Caroline Colvin/Waste Dive
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    Labor Department will raise overtime salary threshold to $44K in July, $59K next year

    The final rule expands overtime pay eligibility to millions of U.S. workers, the department said, and covers employees working in the waste management sector.

  • The Colorado flag waves in the breeze in front of an American flag.
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    rarrarorro via Getty Images
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    Colorado legislature greenlights ‘medium’ scenario for EPR implementation

    A revised needs assessment showed that the producer-funded program cost come 2035 could range between $190 million and $310 million. An estimate shows the recycling rate could reach 58% by that year.

  • The flag of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hangs outside the agency building in Washington, D.C.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Tracking PFAS developments in 2024

    The EPA designated certain PFAS hazardous, set drinking water standards for some of the chemicals and updated destruction and disposal guidance. Follow Waste Dive’s ongoing coverage of what it will mean for the industry.

  • The front of the EPA building
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Waste industry groups still seeking legislative exemption to PFAS hazardous substance designation

    NWRA, SWANA, USCC and others say the EPA didn’t go far enough to protect the waste and composting industries from Superfund liability. They see federal legislation as their next step in cementing liability protections.

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    Courtesy of Battelle/Revive Environmental
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    EPA’s latest PFAS guidance offers more data but it raises new questions about destruction and disposal

    The agency’s first update since 2020 discusses the many considerations involved with handling the chemicals via different categories of landfills, incinerators, injection wells and other technologies.

  • A person silhouetted against a hazy city skyline
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    Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    The data on climate change’s link to employee deaths, injuries

    Exposure to extreme heat, ultraviolet radiation and air pollution poses a serious threat to workers globally, the International Labour Organization said.

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    AlexLMX via Getty Images
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    Former Eureka Recycling leader joins TRP as chief policy officer

    Kate Davenport will advocate for extended producer responsibility and other policies related to recycling access and viability in her new role.

  • The exterior of US EPA headquarters in Washington, DC
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    crbellette via Getty Images
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    US EPA designates PFOS, PFOA as hazardous substances

    The waste industry has long worried that the hazardous substance designation would create costly liability issues. The U.S. EPA says it won’t focus on enforcement at municipal landfills, water utilities or farms that apply biosolids.

  • Incinerator stacks with steam and emissions coming out
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    bunhill via Getty Images
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    EPA agrees to finalize emissions enforcement plan for commercial and industrial incinerators

    The Sierra Club has argued that dozens of incinerators are following decades-old standards because the EPA failed to implement a federal plan. The decree would force a final plan.

  • Aerial view of a composting facility
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    Permission granted by Convertus
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    Canadian organics processor kick-starts US expansion with Virginia deal

    Convertus primarily has been expanding in Canada since it was formed via a private-equity backed merger. Now it’s eyeing several U.S. markets for expansion.

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    OperationShooting via Getty Images
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    REMADE conference explores the future of the circular economy

    The conference aimed to translate scientific research into tangible circular economy solutions for the researchers, government officials and private companies in attendance.

  • Aerial view of an industrial building with smoke stack
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    Courtesy of Florida Waste-to-Energy Coalition
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    Covanta announces rebrand to Reworld

    The new branding marks a shift in the company as it attempts to bolster its environmental services and sustainable materials management services.

  • A volunteer packs a box of donated food.
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    DjordjeDjurdjevic via Getty Images
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    Pacific Coast grocers reduce wasted food tonnage by nearly 25% over 4 years

    The reductions came via a public-private partnership among stakeholders across the food supply chain to share best practices to reduce food loss and waste 50% by 2030.

  • A white Stericycle truck is parked on the street
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    Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
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    Q&A

    Stericycle executive talks sustainability, long-term efficiency plans

    Cory White, Stericycle’s chief commercial officer, says data insights and customer demand are driving the company’s long-term sustainability strategy, including through fleet optimization, recycling and other efficiencies.

  • A Recology employee collects green curbside compostable material bins.
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    Permission granted by Recology
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    Compostables break down in real-world conditions, but more work needed: report

    The Composting Consortium, which is managed by the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, calls this study the largest known North American field test of certified compostable packaging.