Recycling
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Data, transparency could shed light on curbside collection challenges
To fight decreasing curbside collection volumes, speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference emphasized embracing hard conversations with customers and investing in data collection.
By Megan Quinn • March 28, 2025 -
Thomas Faull via Getty Images
US states renew push for tethered bottle caps to help recycling
Since last July, companies selling single-use plastic beverage containers in the EU have had to tether caps or lids. California legislators advanced a similar regulation that beverage makers oppose.
By Maria Rachal • March 27, 2025 -
Courtesy of Glass Half Full
Glass Half Full opens facility to boost Southeast glass recycling
The new site offers 30 times more capacity and expands the company’s offerings into the cullet market.
By Megan Quinn • March 26, 2025 -
AtlasStudio via Getty Images
AI-enabled MRF technology aids food-grade polypropylene recovery: report
A study led by Closed Loop Partners, in collaboration with Greyparrot, analyzed more than 650 tons of material from four U.S. MRFs.
By Katie Pyzyk • March 25, 2025 -
The image by Jimmy Emerson, DVM is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
California packaging EPR implementation moves ahead amid regulatory redo
State officials shared updates in the first SB 54 advisory board meeting since Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a regulatory restart. CalRecycle said it will continue working on other statutory requirements in the meantime.
By Megan Quinn • March 24, 2025 -
xphotoz via Getty Images
Three ways to refresh workplace safety initiatives
Mixing up employee safety programs, taking a fresh look at data and getting leadership more involved can add pep to flagging safety initiatives, said speakers at the Waste Advantage Safety Summit.
By Megan Quinn • March 21, 2025 -
Permission granted by Capital Waste Services
Waste and recycling is now a $100B industry, report says
The industry continued to see consolidation among public companies, especially in disposal activities, in 2024.
By Jacob Wallace • March 21, 2025 -
Getty Images via Getty Images
Packaging groups back bipartisan recycling bill in Congress
Ball, Kraft Heinz, SC Johnson and other companies pledged their support. This adds to other packaging-related bills in the 119th Congress, including the Steward Act and the Farewell to Foam Act.
By Maria Rachal • March 21, 2025 -
Courtesy of Circular Services
Circular Services and Balcones break ground on $61M Texas MRF
The facility is meant to expand Balcones’ MRF operations in the state by entering a region with notable population and business growth.
By Megan Quinn • March 20, 2025 -
Courtesy of Republic Services
Republic opens Indianapolis plastics complex meant to fuel recycled content markets
This location houses the company’s second polymer center, along with a Blue Polymers facility. Together, they’re expected to process 175,000 pounds of recycled plastic annually.
By Megan Quinn • March 19, 2025 -
Retrieved from Plastic Ingenuity on March 19, 2025
PET thermoform recycling is rising, but still not matching PCR demand
Only 54% of U.S. residents with recycling programs have access to thermoform recycling. That must increase to meet growing postconsumer recycled content demand, according to the National Association for PET Container Resources.
By Katie Pyzyk • Updated March 20, 2025 -
Retrieved from Brightmark on March 18, 2025
Brightmark files for bankruptcy at Indiana chemical recycling facility
The Ashley pyrolysis facility is expected to remain in operation as it undergoes a possible sale process. The facility is only at 5% capacity, according to court documents.
By Megan Quinn • March 18, 2025 -
Tomohiro Ohsumi via Getty Images
Toyota subsidiary to acquire Radius Recycling in $907M deal
The deal is expected to expand Toyota’s closed loop system for materials like steel, precious metals and batteries used by automotive manufacturers.
By Jacob Wallace • March 17, 2025 -
Courtesy of Greyparrot
Recyclers give packaging designers a glimpse into limitations, opportunities in today’s MRFs
Leaders from Republic Services, Rumpke Waste & Recycling and elsewhere discussed their role in recycling plastics at the Sustainability in Packaging US conference.
By Maria Rachal • March 17, 2025 -
Maria Rachal/Waste Dive
LRS breaks into Indianapolis market with new collection contract
The Midwest company will take over collection contracts currently held by Republic Services and WM. LRS will also help roll out citywide recycling collection services in 2028.
By Megan Quinn • March 14, 2025 -
The image by Jimmy Emerson, DVM is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Navigating next steps on EPR in California and beyond
CalRecycle said it will revise the regulations and associated documents, and initiate a new formal rulemaking process, starting with a 45-day public comment period.
By Maria Rachal • Updated March 13, 2025 -
Courtesy of Walmart
Walmart says it’s unlikely to meet 2025 plastic, recycling targets
The largest U.S. retailer discussed challenges to increasing PCR adoption. More than two-thirds of its global private-brand packaging was recyclable, reusable or industrially compostable in 2023, according to a company update.
By Maria Rachal • March 12, 2025 -
Courtesy of State Sen. Ben Allen
Newsom sends California back to the drawing board on EPR implementation
Following public input, multiple revisions and a missed deadline to finalize SB 54 rules, one state Democrat called progress “significantly delayed.” Some environmental advocates say they would again consider a ballot initiative.
By Maria Rachal • March 10, 2025 -
(2025). [photo]. Retrieved from PPL Group.
Texas MRF operator for sale amid $8M loan dispute, possible asset liquidation
Independent Texas Recyclers, which once served some 1 million Houston households, allegedly missed payments on equipment and later discontinued operations.
By Megan Quinn • Updated March 24, 2025 -
gregobagel via Getty Images
Maryland’s recycling needs assessment sheds light on possible EPR impacts
A newly released assessment, along with a recommendation report from a stakeholder group, could both help shape EPR for packaging legislation this year.
By Megan Quinn • March 6, 2025 -
Courtesy of Interstate Waste Services
Interstate Waste Services opens $30M MRF to take on NYC commercial volumes
IWS designed the MRF to accommodate specific volumes from New York City’s commercial waste zones, while also allowing the company to internalize volumes it once sent to other recyclers.
By Megan Quinn • March 5, 2025 -
Permission granted by LRS
LRS sells its Wisconsin assets to GFL Environmental
LRS will exit the Wisconsin market, including a MRF contract, to focus on organic growth in its other core regions, CEO Matt Spencer said. The company also sold a small business in Illinois.
By Megan Quinn • March 4, 2025 -
Anton Novikov via Getty Images
Major public waste companies spent nearly $11B on M&A in 2024
WM drove major spending with its $7.2 billion Stericycle deal in 2024. Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems also completed numerous deals during the year.
By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace , Cole Rosengren • March 3, 2025 -
Courtesy of PureCycle Technologies
PureCycle reports ‘significant progress’ toward profitability in Q4
The company reported $346.6 million in debt for 2024. It expects upcoming deals with consumer goods companies will drive resin sales, while plant improvements aim to raise production volumes.
By Megan Quinn • Feb. 28, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Waste companies plan continued fees, tech investments to offset 2025 commodity dips
To mitigate possible commodities-related headwinds in 2025, major waste companies will continue to fine-tune their ongoing automation investments, fee-for-service programs and involvement in EPR contracts.
By Megan Quinn • Feb. 26, 2025
