Driving Circularity: A Thought Leader Interview with Brent Bell on the Future of Recycling

Thought Leader Interview with Brent Bell VP of Recycling at WM

January 2025

This episode features a compelling conversation with Brent Bell, VP of Recycling and President of Waste Management Recycle America, as he shares his insights on the evolution of the recycling landscape. Learn about WM’s transformative $1.5 billion investment in recycling infrastructure, the shift from dual stream to single stream recycling, and the impact of lightweight packaging on recycling operations.

Explore the challenges and solutions surrounding demand for recycled materials, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and how companies are shifting towards designing for circularity. Brent discusses collaborations with brands to enhance product recyclability and the importance of consumer education in improving recycling rates.

As the episode unfolds, Brent sheds light on WM’s strategies to meet increasing demand, from investing in chemical recycling projects to processing plastic films. Discover how regulatory changes, like minimum content regulations and EPR, are transforming the industry. Join us as we uncover the road ahead for recycling and sustainability.

As President Waste Management Recycle America, Brent Bell has responsibility for recycling operations and the global marketing of recycled materials. Bell started at the company in 1997 and worked at the corporate offices during the USA/Waste Management merger. He began his waste career over twenty years ago with the financial reporting group and has held numerous recycling positions including business partner and director of business development. Bell received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.