The Latest

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  Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A boom

  Catch up on the latest transactions involving Frontier Waste Solutions in Texas, CARDS Recycling in Arkansas, Capital Waste Services in South Carolina, GFL Environmental in Wisconsin and more.

  Updated March 20, 2023

  Mergers and Acquisitions

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  CARDS Recycling acquired by private equity firm Kinderhook Industries

  The Arkansas-based hauler and transfer station operator, which was founded in 2017, has expanded to reach five states via acquisitions. An influx of private equity capital is expected to accelerate that growth.

  Mergers and Acquisitions

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  Closed Loop’s Circular Services expands investment with funding from major CPGs

  Microsoft, Nestlé, PepsiCo, SK Group, Starbucks and Unilever recently joined Brookfield Renewables in making unspecified investments in the platform behind Sims Municipal Recycling and Balcones Resources.

  Recycling

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  Refill and reuse sectors strive for scale to upend single-use packaging’s stronghold

  Changing consumer perceptions about convenience and value will be important to achieve greater market dominance, according to speakers from Loop, Clorox and other companies at the Sustainability in Packaging US event.

  Environmental, Social and Governance

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  Q&A

  GreenWaste CEO envisions ‘stronger presence’ for company in California following private equity investment

  Over a year after selling to a Macquarie fund, CEO Tracy Adams reports a “great partnership.” He discusses the company’s targeted acquisition strategy, the state’s SB 1383 organics recycling law and more.

  Mergers and Acquisitions

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  Chemical recycling facility bill in Illinois highlights tensions around future permitting

  The bill would extend the timeline for an unnamed facility to start construction, after the state previously passed a supportive law. It has also kicked off debate around a proposed expanded polystyrene foam ban.

  Recycling

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  LRS’ new $50M Chicago MRF is heavy on automation, with room for expansion

  The MRF can handle nearly twice the material as the one LRS opened in a Chicago suburb just six years ago. The company “invested on the front end to reduce labor” amid a tight employment market the last few years.

  Recycling

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  6 types of PFAS included in EPA’s long-awaited drinking water regulations

  The EPA’s proposal covers a broader range than previously expected. The rule could become important in how waste facilities monitor or handle PFAS-containing material as well as present possible disposal opportunities.

  Landfill

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  SWANA to hire new CEO, citing ‘changing vision,’ as Biderman departs

  David Biderman joined the group in 2015 and helped grow its focus on safety, among other issues. SWANA has begun its search for a replacement.

  Updated March 15, 2023

  Workforce

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  Tracking PFAS developments in 2023 and beyond

  Discussions about how to safely manage PFAS, as well as how it should be disposed of or regulated, have gotten more complex in recent years.

  Updated March 14, 2023

  Recycling

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  Innovation takes center stage at Sustainability in Packaging conference

  Speakers came at sustainability from all angles, including equipment digitization and debating the nagging question of whether consumers will pay more for products containing PCR.

  Recycling

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  Waste and recycling companies seemingly unscathed by SVB collapse but continue to monitor fallout

  Initial reports indicate the industry’s largest companies, as well as tech-focused startups with a history of venture funding, aren’t directly affected. Questions remain around what implications the incident will have on access to capital.

  Collections & Transfer

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  Q&A // Environmental justice conversations

  How environmental justice efforts could bolster New York City’s organics program expansion

  Lonnie Portis, an environmental policy and advocacy coordinator with WE ACT for Environmental Justice, discusses what it will take for the city’s zero waste efforts to reach their full potential in all types of neighborhoods.

  Organics

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  WM acquires large Minnesota composting company as part of Midwest organics recycling growth

  WM says its purchase of Specialized Environmental Technologies positions the company to meet rising demand in the Twin Cities area, where local policies are requiring diversion.

  Mergers and Acquisitions

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  Washington’s WRAP Act, including EPR and bottle bill plans, won’t move forward this year

  The legislation gained attention as a significant overhaul to Washington’s recycling system, but waste industry opposition contributed to it failing to receive a House vote before a key deadline.

  Updated March 13, 2023

  Recycling

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  Lawmakers press for answers on hazardous waste facilities involved in Norfolk Southern derailment cleanup

  During a Thursday Senate committee hearing, lawmakers said they want timelines and locations for sites that are handling material from East Palestine, Ohio. Shipments to a Republic Services site remain paused.

  Landfill

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  Daylight saving time: What HR should keep in mind

  Changing the clocks is more than just a frustration or a boon; it can cause problems with payroll and workplace safety.

  Workforce

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  Rubicon doubles down on higher-margin software business in ongoing push to boost profitability

  After weathering challenges and executive changes, the tech-focused waste broker projects a turnaround. In addition to noting price increases on waste accounts, Rubicon touted a software expansion for commercial fleets.

  Collections & Transfer

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  Plastics recyclers examine influence of secondary sortation, legislation and flexible packaging on PCR markets

  Speakers from Republic Services, AMP Robotics, IHS Markit, NOVA Chemicals, Eunomia and others discussed how to advance their efforts at this week’s Plastics Recycling Conference.

  Recycling

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  Major solid waste and recycling companies spent nearly $6.3B on acquisitions in 2022

  The multiyear trend of heightened deal spending continues. Catch up on financial details and 2023 M&A outlooks from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

  Mergers and Acquisitions

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  WIN Waste partnering with Baltimore organics recycler on food waste collection pilot

  WIN Waste Innovations, through its predecessor company Wheelabrator, has long operated the WTE facility in Baltimore. The new partnership comes as non-governmental entities fill a void in addressing the city’s waste issues.

  Updated March 10, 2023

  Organics

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  Powell says Fed may hike rates more than forecast

  Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told a Senate committee on Tuesday that reducing inflation to the central bank’s 2% target may not lead to widespread layoffs.

  Workforce

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  4 ways the waste and recycling industry can build relationships with lawmakers

  A range of industry professionals with legislative backgrounds shared advice at this week’s Plastics Recycling Conference about how to help the sector’s issues get attention.

  Recycling

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  RoadRunner Recycling lays off 10% of its workforce

  The Pittsburgh-based waste and recycling technology company, which raised $90 million and acquired Compology last year, is scaling down to weather a more challenging business environment, it said.

  Workforce

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  Colorado’s lead composter imposes stricter accepted materials rules to curb contamination

  A1 Organics says contamination rates are growing as curbside composting programs expand. Even items labeled "compostable" no longer will be accepted.

  Organics

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