RNG industry expects voluntary agreements, new credits to spur growth in 2024

The renewable natural gas industry saw more than 60 projects come online last year. This year, it’s expecting to build on that growth as the industry matures.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 22, 2024

WM, Waste Connections pitch waste-to-rail in Miami-Dade County, Florida

The county’s interest in waste-to-rail has proven popular with three waste companies, but officials said they’re still assessing their options amid rising costs.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 19, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2022

Get up to speed on what may be coming next around M&A, labor solutions, ESG investment trends, federal regulation, state policy, environmental justice, local programs and more.

By Waste Dive staff

EPR, multifamily improvements could boost stagnant 21% residential recycling rate, TRP says

The Recycling Partnership’s latest report says “every material type is under-recycled” and calls for local and state policies, along with MRF improvements and other strategies, to improve residential rates.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 19, 2024

Lawmakers call for EPA to update MSW landfill emission standards

A recent letter sent by 21 U.S. representatives noted the agency has acted on methane from other sectors and that its regulations could be updated to reflect new landfill technologies.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 18, 2024

New York solid waste plan calls for disposal surcharge, expanded food diversion requirements

The new plan includes several focus areas and recommendations to reach a goal of 85% recycling of the total waste stream, as well as lower waste emissions, by 2050. It also supports extended producer responsibility laws.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 17, 2024

Long Island, New York, landfill closure extended as officials search for ash solutions

The Brookhaven Landfill is scheduled to stop accepting C&D waste at the end of 2024, but it may accept incinerator ash into 2028. In the meantime, rail transfer proposals continue to receive attention as one future option.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 16, 2024

Selecting the appropriate PFAS treatment technology: An overview of solutions for landfill leachate

Landfill operators have a challenging decision when identifying appropriate technologies for PFAS management. Learn about new PFAS destruction technologies and compare them to the traditional removal and disposal options.

By Julie Bliss Mullen • Jan. 16, 2024

Republic Services to pay $671K fine, update gas control system for New York landfill

The U.S. EPA found that the Niagara Falls landfill, operated by a Republic subsidiary, had been exceeding emissions limits since at least 2009 but had yet to install a proper gas collection and control system. 

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 10, 2024

5 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2024

The evolving M&A market, the rise of EPR, pending PFAS regulations, renewable natural gas and methane reduction are some of the biggest issues facing the industry this year.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2024

New Hampshire Supreme Court rules in favor of Casella on landfill expansion permit

The state’s top court ruled that Casella’s 2020 permit to expand the Bethlehem, New Hampshire, landfill was issued legally, reversing a prior decision made on an appeal from the Conservation Law Foundation.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 4, 2024

Proposed Washington landfill methane rule adds gas collection, reporting requirements

The rule would lead to further collection of landfill methane emissions, which are responsible for about 80% of the state’s industrial methane pollution. 

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 2, 2024

Here’s where waste, recycling and organics laws changed on Jan. 1

California, Connecticut, Washington and Rhode Island are among the jurisdictions enforcing new laws, including bottle bill updates and organics mandates.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 2, 2024

By the numbers: Key 2023 waste and recycling trends

Look back on the year through data points on issues such as labor, M&A, federal funding, state policy and commodity pricing.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Dec. 22, 2023

Los Angeles commercial waste system at a crossroads amid contract renegotiation

The recycLA program has seen positive results, but haulers are lagging on diversion targets and organics service. The city, while trying to amend the program, could issue a new RFP or even take over service itself.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 21, 2023

Republic Services returns to Austin, Texas, market in deal with Integrated Waste Solutions Group

Eight years after the permit for its Sunset Hills Landfill expired, Republic now owns the recently opened 130 Environmental Park Landfill and one of the last independent haulers in the Austin market, Central Texas Refuse.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 21, 2023

Waste industry kick-starts RNG projects in 2023

Numerous companies secured financing and announced plans for building and expanding landfill or anaerobic digestion RNG projects in 2023.

By Waste Dive Staff • Dec. 21, 2023

Waste worker fatality rate decreased in 2022, but waste remains seventh deadliest job: BLS

It’s the third year in a row that fatality rates for the sector decreased, though MRF fatalities increased in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 20, 2023

EPA’s historic year of multi-million-dollar investments in recycling and organics projects

The U.S. EPA announced grants in 2023 meant to boost infrastructure projects, recycling education, environmental justice initiatives and more. 

By Waste Dive Staff • Dec. 20, 2023

Kansas landfill becomes first to agree to use methane drone in EPA settlement

Hamm proposed using drones from Sniffer Robotics to monitor its landfill in Lawrence, Kansas. The settlement comes after inspectors reported that the landfill had violated the Clean Air Act.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 18, 2023

Shareholder resolution calls for tobacco company to pay to clean up plastic cigarette filter litter

As You Sow says tobacco company Altria must take financial responsibility for cleanup of cigarette butt litter. The shareholder advocacy group is also pushing for EPR policies that cover these items.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 15, 2023

Federal methane strategy calls for improved, cost-effective landfill emissions tracking technologies

The strategy says existing monitoring practices do not account for anomalous emissions events. It calls for research and funding to improve measurements and modeling, including work with agencies such as NASA.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Dec. 14, 2023

Miami-Dade County, Florida, approves $65M contract toward WTE plant

The Board of County Commissioners approved an early design contract for a new mass burn waste-to-energy facility. But other decisions, including the facility’s location, remain.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 13, 2023

Heritage Environmental Services selling majority stake to EQT Infrastructure

The Indiana-based environmental services company provides a range of options for hazardous and non-hazardous waste, including at multiple disposal sites. This follows Sweden-based EQT’s recent investment in Covanta.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 13, 2023

Waste Connections acquiring 30 Canadian E&P facilities from Secure Energy Services

The deal includes numerous oil and gas landfills, injection wells and treatment and disposal facilities. The Canadian government required Secure to divest these assets following its merger with Tervita.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 11, 2023

EPA says final PFAS drinking water regulation and hazardous designations on the horizon

The agency previewed a busy winter of new regulations and disposal guidelines that will have implications for many waste industry operators. This includes a delay for eagerly awaited drinking water standards.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 11, 2023