Across North America, recycling and waste management facilities are experiencing an increase in reported fires, with 2025 predicted to reach a new annual high. A recent special report by Fire Rover highlights this trend, attributing the record-high reported numbers and escalating financial risks to factors such as lithium-ion batteries, escalating demands from insurers and inadequate control measures.

Across North America, recycling and waste management facilities are experiencing an increase in reported fires, with 2025 predicted to reach a new annual high. A recent special report by Fire Rover highlights this trend, attributing the record-high reported numbers and escalating financial risks to factors such as lithium-ion batteries, escalating demands from insurers and inadequate control measures.

Producer responsibility organization Recycle BC upped its plastic recovery rate in Canada's southwestern province last year, and it managed nearly all of the collected plastic domestically.

Emerging extended producer responsibility programs for packaging are creating demand for more accurate data, higher diversion rates and a flexible infrastructure to handle changing material streams. An equipment supplier recently laid out how its artificial intelligence-equipped sorting systems can meet this need.