The Latest
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Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity
Miller Environmental has a new private equity owner; ABC Waste acquired a glass recycler; Davidson Environmental reported two prior deals; and Texas Pride Disposal acquired a hauler in Odessa, Texas.
Updated Sept. 12, 2024 -
EPA says it has no obligation to regulate PFAS in biosolids in federal lawsuit
The agency filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by farmers in Texas who allege they’ve been harmed by PFAS contamination from the spreading of sewage sludge, or biosolids, on agricultural land.
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Ontario scales coffee cup and aluminum pod recycling as part of EPR program
As of this summer, residents can recycle drink cups and Nespresso coffee pods. The Canadian government’s goal to reduce plastic waste is also playing out at the provincial level with Ontario’s Blue Box program.
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MRF and mill advances expected to fuel North American recovered fiber demand, Fastmarkets says
Analysts highlighted tight OCC and mixed paper supply, as well as ongoing demand from mills willing to pay for cleaner recovered paper material from higher-tech MRFs, during a recent webinar.
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Bootstrap Compost pursues bond program to strengthen New England presence
The New England organics hauler, known for its focus on residential and smaller-scale commercial accounts, has a goal of eventually raising $750,000. This comes as the market is evolving in Massachusetts and neighboring states.
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New York awards organics contracts to WM, Denali, American Recycling worth $96M
The contracts will add processing capacity for source-separated organics just as the city rolls out its residential collection program in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island.
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One Austin sports stadium’s zero waste solution: build a mini MRF
Texas Disposal Systems custom-built the MRF for a cramped space inside Q2 Stadium to help the facility divert 90% of waste and achieve a key zero waste building certification.
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Q&A
New compost program framework offers a starting point for local officials
Resources released by the Composting Consortium, a project from Closed Loop Partners, and Eco-Cycle seek to close the knowledge gap for local officials looking to begin an organics recycling program in their town.
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Keurig Dr Pepper to pay $1.5M to settle charges about K-Cup recyclability
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission says the beverage company omitted from filed documents some important information about testing the curbside recyclability of its K-Cup coffee pods.
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Fulcrum BioEnergy files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
The company is seeking to restructure after shutting down its Nevada facility in May. WM and Marathon, former partners in the company’s vision to create aviation fuel from waste, are listed as creditors.
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Waste Connections buys NYC company in first major deal after zone contracts
Royal Waste Services, one of the city’s larger privately owned haulers, has key post-collection facilities. This comes as companies begin implementing service in the city’s first commercial waste zone this month.
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Casella expanding in New York and Connecticut with latest acquisition
The family-owned businesses, Royal Carting and Welsh Sanitation, are expected to generate over $90 million in annualized revenues.
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What are the federal government’s waste and recycling priorities for the rest of 2024?
The U.S. EPA released its schedule of regulatory actions for the remainder of the year. Plus, food waste, recycling data, and other topics Congress and President Biden could address by 2025.
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Tribal projects to reduce waste receive millions in EPA, NOAA funding
The EPA announced $300 million for tribal climate change programs, including $21 million in waste-related initiatives. NOAA also announced $23 million in grants for marine debris mitigation efforts.
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WM-Stericycle acquisition
Stericycle’s $7.2B sale to WM clears DOJ antitrust review
This development follows shareholder approval in August and clears the way for the transaction to potentially close in Q4. A prior securities filing shows that Stericycle had been considering a transaction for years.
Updated Sept. 6, 2024 -
Research shows RNG industry consolidating, as major players announce new or completed projects
A report from WoodMackenzie found that market consolidation could lead to greater efficiencies and drive technology upgrades at landfills. Meanwhile, WM and Waste Connections shared progress on their RNG projects.
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Kentucky’s first dedicated glass recycling program partners with growing spirits industry
O-I Glass will purchase cullet from the new program run by workforce development nonprofit Workwell Industries. The glass comes from distilleries in the region, which also invested in the project.
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Myplas film recycling plant in Minnesota to reopen under new ownership
GDB Circular plans to upgrade the facility and improve operations at the film recycling plant, which opened in December but idled soon after due to financial issues.
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GFL to limit PFAS pollution from North Carolina landfill in proposed agreement
The consent decree between GFL and the Southern Environmental Law Center will lower PFAS contamination levels in leachate to levels the EPA set in its drinking water standard earlier this year.
Updated Sept. 5, 2024 -
California legislature passes textile EPR, SB 1383 updates and much more
If the bill is signed, California could become the first state to adopt a textile extended producer responsibility program. Lawmakers also approved program updates for paint, carpet and marine flares.
Updated Sept. 4, 2024 -
OSHA sets late December comment deadline for extreme heat standard
The agency’s proposed rule would require employers to develop heat injury and illness prevention plans, among other actions.
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Tracker
Tracking GHG emissions of US waste management companies
Clean Harbors, Synagro and Recology recently shared their 2023 sustainability reports. Compare their progress with other major waste companies, including WM, Republic Services, Enviri, Stericycle and more.
Updated Aug. 30, 2024 -
How did Recology’s hydrogen fuel cell truck pilot go?
CEO Sal Coniglio shared exclusive details about the pilot Recology conducted with Hyzon and New Way's hydrogen fuel cell refuse collection vehicle in San Francisco.
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Clean Harbors nears $5M agreement with DOJ to clean up Louisiana site contaminated with PCBs
The agreement, subject to final court approval, would see Clean Harbors conduct remediation work at a site first opened in 1969. Clean Harbors gained control of the site from Safety-Kleen in 2002.
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How Boston University manages the disposal chaos of move-out season
One of the largest universities in Massachusetts diverted an estimated 113 tons of material from disposal as students left in May. The school partnered with Casella, Goodwill, Helpsy and others to make it happen.