Waste Regulations: What's Changing
Waste and recycling are some of the most heavily regulated services a business or household buys. Rules change at the federal level (the EPA, the Federal Register) and state by state — and when they change, what providers can do, and what they charge, changes with them.
This page is a living tracker: we monitor the Federal Register and the industry press, surface the items that matter, and link each one to its primary source so you can verify it. We analyze and cite — we never republish the original articles.
Tracking 34 regulation-tagged items as of 2026-06-08T13:28:39+00:00. Showing the 18 most relevant below.
What's changing now
How Communities Are Tackling Litter and a Study that Tells a National Story
As summer warms Minnesota, litter-lined roadsides transform into busy “sorting floors.” Bands of locals in bright orange vests sweep across the grass, their grabbers plucking plastic, glass, and stray debris they stuff into giant yellow bags.
Read the source: Waste360
SMA applauds recent White House moves
The Steel Manufacturers Association says increased customs agency enforcement and defense spending can be good for recycled-content steelmakers.
Read the source: Recycling Today
Commentary: China’s next solar bet isn’t manufacturing. It’s recycling.
China’s focused efforts signal the country’s view that solar panel recycling is a strategic approach to building a pipeline of critical materials to drive economic development and prepare for the next phase of the energy transition.
Read the source: Recycling Today
New York EPR bill won’t move forward this year
Other waste and recycling bills, including bottle bill updates and a street sweeper trash collection bill supported by DSNY, are not expected to pass. June 5 is the last day of the legislative session.
Read the source: Waste Dive
Cirba Solutions Collaborates with Industry Coalition Behind Colorado's Nation-Leading EV Battery Recycling Law
Cirba Solutions, the largest and most experienced battery recycling materials and management company in North America, played a key role in an industry collaborative approach to help shape one of the most significant pieces of battery recycling legislation in U.S. history.
Read the source: Waste360
This Week in Waste: Top Stories June 1 – June 4
This week's top stories featured a duo of industry acquisitions, a new column here at Waste360 covering policy, a look at PFAS, and key points from a recent SWANA guide.
Read the source: Waste360
Environmental Groups Sue to Defend California’s Groundbreaking Plastic Pollution Reduction Law
Environmental groups filed a lawsuit this week against CalRecycle’s regulations to implement the state’s landmark single-use packaging and foodware law
Read the source: Waste360
California textile EPR program sets registration deadline for producers
Textile producers must register with Landbell USA, the state-approved PRO, by July 1.
Read the source: Recycling Today
Lindemann Metal Recycling launches NxtCut Mover
The mobile shear delivers 600 metric tons of cutting force and can cut material into predefined lengths of as small as 10 centimeters.
Read the source: Recycling Today
Bill would initiate investigations into US aluminum scrap exports
ReMA says it hopes to engage with lawmakers to ensure discussions are informed by a complete understanding of aluminum recycling, domestic market dynamics and exports.
Read the source: Recycling Today
Judge restricts radioactive waste at Republic landfill; Colorado offers landfill grants
Landfill operators across the country continue to adjust to new regulations and court orders. Other landfills are pursuing expansions in Washington, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Hawai’i.
Read the source: Waste Dive
Maryland recyclers eye potential economic boosts
At the Maryland Recycling Network conference in Baltimore, recyclers focused on economic factors that could bring brighter days, such as improved commodity markets, new PET demand and upcoming EPR policies.
Read the source: Waste Dive
EPA reveals new superfund cleanup initiative
Initiative designed to accelerate cleanups of contaminated superfund sites nationwide through streamlined decision-making.
Read the source: Recycling Today
BIR spring convention 2026: BIR shows "relevance, resilience and responsibility"
Susie Burrage, BIR president, was joined by other association representatives in detailing the association's role and its growth over the last year.
Read the source: Recycling Today
How PFAS Continues Moving Through Landfills, Wastewater, and Farmland
PFAS contamination, biosolids land application and emerging chemicals like MCCPs are creating a circular system of pollution that moves through landfills, wastewater plants, farmland and drinking water supplies. As fertilizer costs rise, experts warn that increased biosolid use could deepen the nation’s forever chemical challenge.
Read the source: Waste360
City’s Fleet of Natural Gas Solid Waste Trucks Paying Off Big
As fuel prices soar, the City of Spokane’s Solid Waste Collections department is realizing millions of dollars in cost savings thanks to its adoption of compressed and renewable natural gas fuel for its fleet of collection trucks.
Read the source: Waste360
New Hampshire waste policy evolving with disposal fee, organics ban
A new disposal surcharge generated more than $1 million during its first quarter for local reimbursements and grant funding. The recent NH Recycles conference featured updates on the state’s latest initiatives.
Read the source: Waste Dive
Maine becomes first state to enact EPR for vapes
The law will establish more collection, recycling and disposal options for vape pens, which recycling industry groups say are a major cause of facility fires. A producer responsibility organization must now create collection infrastructure.
Read the source: Waste Dive
What a rule change means for you
A new disposal restriction, manifest rule, or emissions standard rarely makes the news as "your dumpster just got more expensive" — but that's often the downstream effect. The old way, you'd find out when the invoice arrived.
WastePlace is built so a regulation change never becomes a surprise on your bill. As the independent marketplace — not a hauler — we surface vetted providers who already comply, with real upfront prices you can compare. You shop, you choose your preferred provider, and you book with just 10% down. If a provider can't fulfill, the 20% Booking Guarantee has you covered. The rules are complicated; choosing a compliant provider shouldn't be.