Waste Management Services NAICS 562

Aug 22, 2025 - Improvements Could Reduce Landfill Emissions

• Municipal solid waste landfills in the US could cut methane emissions in half compared to a 2023 baseline, and biogas revenue could more than cover implementation costs, according to a recent study by nonprofit Energy Vision and reporting by Waste Dive. Adding gas collection and control systems in landfills would cost an estimated $1.3 billion but could yield about $1.9 billion in biogas revenue. The proposed improvements include early gas collection, real-time monitoring, and targeting high-emitting landfills lacking controls. These upgrades would reduce emissions significantly, even with complete food waste diversion. While federal regulations have eased, states like California and Colorado are tightening rules, and operators are pursuing biogas opportunities.
• In August, prices for curbside recyclable materials continued to decline across most categories, according to RecyclingMarkets.net. The US average natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) price fell 18.1% from July but rose 10.1% over August 2024. Prices for post-consumer PET bottles and jars dropped 43.7% month-over-month and were down 68.5% year-over-year. Color HDPE declined 28.1% from July and fell 71.4% compared to a year earlier. Polypropylene prices dipped 5.2% month-over-month and were down 20.5% year-over-year. Prices for old corrugated containers (OCC) used to manufacture new containers fell 3.6% from July and were down 36.3% from August 2024. Aluminum can prices declined 6.3% month-over-month but rose 3.3% year-over-year. Sorted residential paper prices dropped 4.5% from July and were down 38.2% compared to a year earlier.

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed by President Trump in early July, includes provisions that could benefit some firms in the waste management industry, according to Waste Dive. The legislation extends the section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit through the end of 2029. The tax credits incentivize fuel production from non-petroleum sources, including landfills, and they are transferable, which allows fuel producers to sell the credits to others wishing to reduce their federal taxes. The 45Z credits were created under the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act, but the new law extends them an additional two years. Waste haulers and other firms that operate vehicles could benefit from the OBBBA making permanent a bonus depreciation provision that allows businesses to pay fewer taxes on new purchases, including vehicles.
• The Cultivating Investment in Recycling and Circular Local Economies (CIRCLE) Act proposes a 30% investment tax credit—phased out over 10 years—for private and municipal recycling infrastructure, according to Waste Dive. Co-sponsored by Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), CIRCLE aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing, reduce environmental impact, and save local governments billions. The bipartisan bill garners broad support across industry and environmental groups and targets investments in recycling machinery, software, and facilities. Proponents cite its potential to divert 169 million tons of recyclables, create up to 200,000 jobs, and enhance supply chain resilience, while complementing state-level initiatives like extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs.