The Latest
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Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A boom
Catch up on the latest deals, including a newly formed hauler in Delaware and an acquisition by Cards Recycling in Missouri. Plus, follow transactions involving Titan Environmental Solutions, E-Box and and more.
Updated May 26, 2023 -
Pay continued to grow for many top waste and recycling CEOs in 2022
See the latest compensation data for executives at WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, Harsco, Casella Waste Systems and Rubicon in our fifth annual report.
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Minnesota governor signs bills with statewide waste reduction goal, right-to-repair law for electronics
A sweeping state budget bill contains a new waste reduction goal of 90% by 2045. A detailed report explaining how to get there is due in 2024.
Updated May 24, 2023 -
Tracker
Tracking notable recycling laws by state
Governors of Maryland, Oregon, Washington and Maine signed bills into law studying state recycling needs, banning foam food containers, creating an EPR program for batteries and raising bottle bill handling fees.
Updated May 15, 2023 -
As Sen. Carper plans retirement, trade groups reflect on his longtime environmental advocacy
Industry players say Carper is a “true believer” who includes the waste and recycling industry in environmental initiatives. His retirement in January 2025 will leave the chair of a Senate environmental committee open.
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California commission recommends a pause on SB 1383 organics law, industry disagrees
The Little Hoover Commission, a bipartisan group appointed by state officials, found that California is “poised to miss” its 2025 organic waste reduction targets. Companies such as Republic Services said it’s too late to turn back.
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Debates emerge as FTC reassesses packaging recyclability claims under Green Guides
Chemical recycling, access to recycling as a key metric and the potential for national rulemaking were some of the areas that divided expert panelists at a Federal Trade Commission workshop Tuesday.
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(2023). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment.
Sale of Arkansas landfill to LRS stuck in limbo amid local and state opposition
Despite a recently-signed emergency law that places new restrictions on shuttered landfills, officials are still divided over how and whether to proceed with a sale to LRS.
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Rubicon sees ‘record high’ profit margin as its efforts continue to bolster company finances
While the company is still working to complete a refinancing plan and improve liquidity, executives said the high-margin software business and their price increase plans will further improve earnings by Q4.
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Waste Connections discusses PFAS leachate remediation deal with Altra Sanexen
The company sees PFAS as an urgent issue at its landfills and says remediation services, such as this effort at two Minnesota sites, are an early way to manage the chemicals as the industry awaits federal regulations.
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WIN Waste Innovations’ first sustainability report touts material recovery, avoided emissions
The Northeast-based company’s initial report includes statistics on the overall amount of material being recycled and managed, though it isn’t disclosing greenhouse gas emissions data yet.
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US waste and recycling industry worth $91B in 2022, landfill capacity consolidation continues
The latest Waste Business Journal data shows growing revenue and disposal prices, along with an ongoing decline of municipal market share. WM now accounts for more disposal volume than all local governments combined.
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EPA mapping tool shows how rising sea levels could affect hazardous waste facilities
The federal agency wants such facilities to more quickly prepare for increased flooding and says a new interactive map will help with planning.
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Environmental Integrity Project urges EPA to adopt better landfill emissions accounting in new report
The EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program doesn’t know which landfills are subject to which regulations, according to a new report. That could change with a newly circulated rule, but advocates want the EPA to go further.
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PFAS prevention legislation model aims to get Northeast lawmakers on the same page
The Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association’s draft PFAS legislation aims to guide lawmakers who want to ban or curb production of PFAS-containing products. It’s the latest waste group to call for more direct action on PFAS.
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Retrieved from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
EPA seeks feedback on its new interactive recycling market mapping tool
The U.S. EPA wants its new map, which shows numerous details like recycling infrastructure locations, to be a comprehensive resource for the country. It says it needs help from the industry to make it more accurate.
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Anaergia shifting to ‘capital-light’ strategy amid feedstock challenges for anaerobic digesters
Projects in California and Italy have ramped up slower than planned, prompting financial challenges. CEO Andrew Benedek urged investors not to “give up hope” on the company, citing the tailwinds behind RNG in its core markets.
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Candidate who pledged to restore Philadelphia’s Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet wins mayoral primary
Cherelle Parker, a former city council member and state representative, is considered the likely favorite to become the city’s 100th mayor. Her campaign included a focus on street cleanliness and litter issues.
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Continued labor challenges are leading top waste and recycling execs to innovate
Recruitment and retention were key topics at this month’s WasteExpo. Catch up on perspectives from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems and more.
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How a pivotal Philadelphia election could shape the city’s future waste policy
Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary features a tight race among multiple candidates. The Waste Free Philly coalition has asked them to go big and rethink local services.
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Reports recommend packaging changes ahead of next global plastics treaty negotiations
The UN Environment Programme and WWF dug into areas for intervention across the product life cycle, like designing for circularity, substituting other materials for plastics, EPR for packaging, reuse and deposit return systems.
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Retrieved from Sunshine Canyon Landfill Local Enforcement Agency.
Republic Services sues landfill gas operator over missed payments in California
The suit alleges that Sunshine Gas Producers stopped making payments after agreeing to use excess gas for an RNG facility, which has not been built so far.
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Vermont bottle bill expansion bill up in the air as session ends
The bill would add more types of containers, introduce a producer responsibility organization and raise handling fees. Supporters say the changes are long overdue, but Casella says it would hurt recycling systems in the state.
Updated May 16, 2023 -
GFL Environmental’s sale of Colorado assets to Republic Services is pending
This large piece of GFL’s $1.6 billion (Canadian) divestiture package includes post-collection, recycling and hauling assets in key markets such as Denver and Colorado Springs.
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Biogas groups, lawmakers jockey for changes as EPA nears final rule on eRIN market
The EPA could create a lucrative new credit market with its final Renewable Fuel Standard rule in June. But biogas groups and WTE supporters are battling Republican opposition that could delay or shut down the proposal.