Q1 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2025

Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections and Clean Harbors.

Updated April 30, 2025

Clean Harbors exec says Safety-Kleen business ‘has turned a corner’

Co-CEO Mike Battles said other used oil collectors are following Clean Harbors’ lead on a charge-for-oil model, keeping volumes stable. Elsewhere, executives remain optimistic about the business amid an uncertain economy.

Replenysh raises $8M to expand recycled content and data network

CEO Mark Armen says the company has recently helped expand glass recycling supply chains in California. The company also announced new Chief Operating Officer Andrew Langtry.

WM says tariffs unlikely to affect RNG, MRF plans for 2025

CEO Jim Fish said the quarter exceeded expectations, despite severe weather. The company also reported ongoing progress as it integrates the Stericycle assets.

Tracking GHG emissions of US waste management companies

GreenWaste and VLS released new sustainability reports featuring data from last year. 

Updated April 29, 2025

WM opens $50M MRF in Maryland as part of regional upgrade plan

The new MRF, which can handle 250,000 tons per year, now has the largest capacity of all WM’s recycling centers. That capacity is necessary to serve major cities such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C. 

Washington bill would fine noncompliant landfills; Waste Connections faces lawsuit

Also this month: Two Virginia landfill proposals get different reactions; Arkansas residents sue WM; and Casella sues New Hampshire regulators over permit denial.

WasteExpo moving to biennial schedule amid new plan with NWRA

The National Waste & Recycling Association will host a new event, The Waste Summit, in 2026. WasteExpo will then return in 2027.

Updated April 28, 2025

Republic posts strong start to year amid ambiguity around credits, tariffs

The company reported financials for the first quarter of the year. Executives said their sustainability projects and underlying business were on solid financial footing in Q1 despite macroeconomic uncertainty.

New York announces next waste zones, but pressure for a timeline remains

The city’s sanitation department declined to set dates for implementing of 17 remaining commercial waste zones this week, prompting pushback from industry and the city council.

Waste Connections highlights ‘better than expected’ Q1 amid tariff uncertainty

CEO Ron Mittelstaedt said strong pricing and “outsized” M&A activity continues. The company reiterated its Q2 outlook and said it’s planning to insulate from macroeconomic factors like tariffs.

Washington EPR for packaging bill heads to governor’s desk

Bill sponsors see the packaging EPR program as a way to bring recycling services to more residents and raise recycling rates. Haulers in the state opposed the bill over cost concerns.

FCC Environmental Services acquires Florida WTE facility

This is the company’s first such U.S. facility, though it operates a dozen WTE sites internationally. FCC also has a large presence in Florida via services for commercial and residential customers. 

Washington right-to-repair bills for electronics and wheelchairs head to governor’s desk

It will join five others with laws on consumer electronics and two others with wheelchair repair laws.

State bills tackling PFAS in biosolids advance

A bill in Washington would require wastewater facility operators to test PFAS levels in their biosolids. It’s the latest state legislative effort to address a problem increasingly attracting attention.

Packaging groups support combo EPR, bottle bill legislation in Rhode Island

A commission on plastic bottle waste recommended combo legislation as one path forward. Some packaging and recycling group leaders said in an op-ed that the state “can learn from, and leapfrog, other states” with a new bill.

EPA’s Zeldin says agency will announce PFAS updates in ‘coming weeks’

During a Monday press conference, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said unspecified PFAS announcements were on the way and noted the agency is well aware of waste industry concerns over potential PFAS regulatory impacts.

Colorado draft landfill emissions rule features faster well installation, remote monitoring

The rule would bring Colorado in line with other states that have taken a stronger stance than the federal government on landfill methane emissions.

Redwood Materials partners with Lime to recycle scooter batteries

The companies say the partnership will shore up domestic supply of critical materials and improve battery recycling supply chains. Recyclers hope such partnerships can prevent related fires.

What the pandemic means for waste and recycling five years later

While the “essential worker” spotlight may have faded and business is largely back to normal, certain effects still linger when it comes to labor investments and recycling streams.

Massachusetts EPR commission starting with paint, mattresses, batteries

The MassDEP-led group launched this week with discussions about how to advance legislation in various categories, including packaging.

New York City pauses curbside organics enforcement

The city issued tens of thousands of warnings before enforcement began on April 1, but Mayor Eric Adams has since paused that plan through the end of the year for most building owners.

Updated April 18, 2025

Healthcare packaging an untapped chemical recycling feedstock: report

The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council says its multi-year research into chemical recycling for healthcare packaging shows the material is an untapped feedstock that could help overcome collection and processing hurdles.

Bipartisan groups reintroduce pro-biofuel bills in Congress

One bill would extend the a tax credit through 2034, while another would add a $1-per-gallon tax credit for renewable natural gas sold as fuel. Their reintroduction comes amid division over the future of clean energy credits.

Inside The Recycling Partnership’s policy pivot

Founder Keefe Harrison said the organization’s shift toward recycling policy advocacy has helped spark improvements to recycling systems that can’t be accelerated with grant programs alone.