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Florida recyclers take a 'back to basics' approach to public education

To achieve Florida's 75% recycling rate goal, clear, consistent messaging to residents must be part of the effort, speakers at a Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation event said.

Maryland governor signs recycling market development bill

The legislation, met with broad bipartisan support, aims to connect more recyclables with end markets, bolster efforts to use recyclable products and help reduce contamination.

UPDATED: May 19, 2021 at 8:49 a.m.

OSHA to review safety guidance, directs employers to follow CDC mask update

Employers can still voluntarily opt to require social distancing and masks for their workers, attorneys say.

Washington governor signs minimum recycled content bill

Washington will become the second state to set requirements for the makeup of plastic beverage containers and trash bags. It will also become the latest state to pass a ban on expanded polystyrene containers this year.

UPDATED: May 18, 2021 at 9:41 a.m.

Roundup: New York City clears legislative hurdle on plastics reduction

The city council passed a bill meant to limit use of straws, a potential sign of growing acceptance for plastics reduction policies. Elsewhere, an American Biogas Council event spurred discussion of codigestion.

Boston expanding textile and organics recycling as it ramps up zero waste plan

Efforts to hit an 80% recycling rate by 2035 were delayed in part by the pandemic, but moves to expand drop-off programs show new momentum. Curbside organics collection remains an unresolved priority.

FTC report, Arkansas law could help boost electronics refurbishing sector

Manufacturers are unfairly restricting consumers from repairing their own products, according to a new Federal Trade Commission report. A newly passed law in Arkansas also streamlines electronics recycling.

Georgia on track for new recycling funds following ballot measure and state law

A new law, spurred by a constitutional amendment, ensures revenue generated from tire sales and disposal tip fees would go toward waste and recycling programs as intended rather than largely getting shifted to the general fund.

UPDATED: May 12, 2021 at 10:18 a.m.

Composting infrastructure coalition seeks hundreds of millions for federal grants, loans

Given the Biden administration's focus on climate, environmental justice and infrastructure investment, advocates and trade groups view now as an apt time to pursue $200 million across a decade to help expand U.S. composting.

Solid waste companies talk disposal pricing, ESG and Biden in Q1 earnings outlooks

Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Covanta and Casella Waste Systems leaders commented on pandemic recovery trends and other pressing topics.

Waste companies putting pandemic behind them, anticipate more economic rebound coming

Outside of Canada, the majority of local economies have reopened and volumes are bouncing back. Catch up on results and takeaways on the first quarter of 2021 from the industry's largest solid waste operators.

Companies ignoring ESG may become 'uninvestable,' says investment bank chief

Interest in sustainability goals is growing "enormously," and companies that ignore the trend risk rejection by investors, according to Larry Wieseneck, co-president of investment bank Cowen.

Roundup: City reopenings portend commercial waste shifts

A string of recent state announcements will ease business restrictions in the coming weeks and months in the Northeast. Plus, state and local policy updates from Florida, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, California and more.

Republic ups guidance as Santek acquisition is finalized, CEO handoff on horizon

Even after a long approval process for the just-closed Santek purchase the company is "not deterred" from pursuing larger M&A deals and intends to invest $600 million in acquisitions this year, said incoming CEO Jon Vander Ark.

GFL Environmental reports positive volume outlook despite Canadian lag, closes 10 acquisitions

While Canada's pandemic restrictions continue to affect GFL's business, U.S. recovery trends and past acquisitions are providing a boost. Ample M&A opportunity remains due in part to potential tax changes, the company said.

Analysts tout positive cardboard markets, note post-consumer plastic complexities at ISRI convention

U.S. cardboard markets will stay positive in the near term, market experts at ISRI's convention said. Meanwhile, infrastructure issues could impede efforts to collect enough plastic to meet brand owners' future packaging demands.

Environmental justice and diversity should be priorities for recyclers, ISRI panelists say

Speakers at ISRI's annual convention stressed the importance of fostering meaningful relationships in environmental justice communities where they operate, both to mitigate harm and to prepare for potential regulation.

Republic closes acquisition of Santek, following DOJ divestiture agreement

A settlement includes collection and disposal assets in four Southeast states going to portfolio companies of Kinderhook Industries and Texas routes going to Waste Connections.

UPDATED: May 5, 2021 at 5:38 p.m.

As litter balloons, local governments and residents try new approaches

Litter and city cleanliness issues seemed to worsen during the pandemic, prompting numerous solutions. “When it's sort of everybody's responsibility, it's nobody's priority,” one anti-litter specialist said.

Covanta intends to close multiple plants in coming years, divestitures still possible

Through its strategic review, the company anticipates $30 million in annual cost savings by 2023 and plans to exit certain operating contracts. Meanwhile, a new U.K. plant will begin receiving waste within weeks.

Roundup: Food waste back in the spotlight

This year’s Stop Food Waste Day drew attention from national and local leaders fighting hunger and climate change. Plus, new data on waste diversion in Colorado, and recycling initiatives launching in Houston and Milwaukee.

Waste Connections Q1: Landfill volumes 'above pre-COVID levels'

Amid pandemic recovery, in March the company had its largest hiring levels since September 2019. It reported better commodity pricing and solid waste volumes even in regions hit hardest by COVID-19.

State legislatures busy with plastics policy on shampoo bottles, chemical recycling and preemption

While many of the legislative season's highest-profile bills are still pending, recently passed measures in New York, Arizona, Arkansas and elsewhere show a divergent range of approaches to managing plastics.

It's game on for packaging procurement as lead times lengthen. Can supplies keep up?

Stadiums and concessions anticipate surging demand as events resume. Recent pandemic effects have shifted ordering for food trays, clamshells, compostable packaging and more.

Waste Management raises guidance as pandemic recovery accelerates, predicts possible labor headwind

Pricing and the Advanced Disposal acquisition were key first quarter boosts. Executives also announced a new chief sustainability officer and weighed in on the Biden administration's infrastructure proposal.