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Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh confirmed as labor secretary

The leader with union ties emphasized the need for safety standards during his confirmation hearing, calling OSHA "one of the first and top priorities for me."

UPDATED: March 23, 2021 at 8:42 a.m.

Key stories from the New York commercial waste reform saga

The multi-year push to pass and implement a non-exclusive franchise system has been tumultuous and complex. Catch up with Waste Dive's ongoing, in-depth coverage.

UPDATED: March 19, 2021 at 10:19 a.m.

GFL Environmental acquiring Canada's Terrapure, including key Toronto-area industrial landfill

The company pursued the C$927.5 million deal for many years, which will further solidify its presence throughout Canada. The transaction could close by the end of the year and integration of major 2020 deals is ahead of schedule.

Racial justice scorecard says waste companies fall short on providing detailed workplace equity metrics

Waste Management and Republic Services were listed in an As You Sow report calling on S&P 500 companies to acknowledge racism and provide details related to pay equity, promotions, recruitment and retention numbers.

Attorneys anticipate EEOC vaccine incentive guidance 'soon'

The news follows recent efforts by business groups to extract more clarity from the EEOC. The lack of federal guidance has resulted in a "gray area" for employers.

COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the CPG industry, report says

With demand for CPG products expected to stay elevated, manufacturers should mind trends around e-commerce, transparency and sustainability to maximize growth, the Consumer Brands Association says in a recent study.

SEC official: Companies avoiding ESG disclosures 'risk higher costs of capital'

"Arguments in favor of a single global ESG reporting framework are persuasive," said the corporation finance lead at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, adding the agency "should play a leading role" in creating such standards.

How 12 months of the coronavirus pandemic disrupted US waste and recycling service

A year into the pandemic, waste and recycling workers are increasingly gaining access to the COVID-19 vaccine through a range of eligibility categories.

UPDATED: March 15, 2021 at 10:35 a.m.

Garbage bags, minimum recycled content mandates could help drive demand for recycled plastic film

In the search for better end markets for recycled plastic film, trash bags could be an ideal candidate — but only if recycled content laws and public demand also play a role, speakers at a Northeast Recycling Council panel said.

California legislators take aim at plastics with new bill package, including contested producer responsibility plan

The package includes the third attempt at passing SB 54, a bill requiring single-use disposable packaging to be recyclable or compostable by January 2032. Other legislation focuses on labeling and exporting.

Regan confirmed as EPA administrator, after highlighting plastics, PFAS challenges

During his February confirmation hearing, former North Carolina regulator Michael Regan also pledged to take a close look at environmental justice and climate issues, among many priorities.

UPDATED: March 11, 2021 at 9:18 a.m.

Cleveland curbside recycling to be revived through opt-in program

After nearly a year without curbside service, the city recently endorsed a lower-cost-per-household subscription approach. Critics of that model say it can be challenging to do robustly and equitably.

Deep Dive

Renewed focus on landfill calculations as waste industry faces pressure to reduce emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change are under growing scrutiny from regulators and investors alike. Finding the most precise way to measure them remains a complex effort.

CLEAN Future Act leads possible string of bills linking recycling issues to climate efforts

One of several bills expected to tackle waste issues this year drew mixed reactions from industry leaders. Highlights include zero waste grants, a proposed national bottle bill, and a call to pause permitting for plastics manufacturing facilities.

Recology agrees to San Francisco rate settlement worth more than $107M, as competitors circle

The city attorney's office reached the deal while pursuing a broader public corruption investigation. Now, Waste Management, Republic Services and others see a window to revisit the company's local monopoly.

UPDATED: March 5, 2021 at 4:05 p.m.

Workers split on coronavirus vaccine mandates, incentives, survey shows

Employers should engage with employees "at a deep level to understand their views and align decisions with employee preference," said Eagle Hill Consulting's president and CEO.

Waste Connections pursues escalating New York legal fight in face of stiff competition

Subsidiary County Waste sued former owner Scott Earl over alleged unfair practices and issues related to the rise of his new company, Twin Bridges. The two are battling over prices and acquisition targets around the Capital Region.

PPP funds for waste, recycling companies slow to roughly $41M in early 2021

Widening COVID-19 vaccine access and commercial customers reopening portend recovery from some of 2020's unprecedented challenges. Still, seven companies secured loans of over $1 million in January.

Vehicle-related incidents still leading cause of industry worker deaths, SWANA says

Another timely concern raised at the SWANA Safety Summit: fighting the burnout that comes from workers' COVID-19 fatigue.

Stericycle, Clean Harbors, US Ecology see small COVID-related revenue bumps

Despite headwinds in other business streams, Clean Harbors, for instance, completed nearly 14,000 COVID-19 responses and generated $120 million in decontamination-related revenue in 2020 amid the pandemic.

Packaging manufacturers compete for raw materials as takeout shakes up foodservice

The pandemic could have been an excuse for foodservice packaging manufacturers to give up on sustainability goals, but one Sustainable Packaging Coalition lead said that hasn't happened.

2020 earnings coverage for US waste and recycling companies

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly analysis of results from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Covanta and Casella Waste Systems during 2020.

GFL Environmental plans another 'outsized' M&A year, outlines growth through 2023

After a year of significant expansion, the Canadian company is working on another large deal, numerous tuck-ins and potential divestitures. Plus, it's optimistic about benefits in a post-pandemic economy.

Climate leaders herald return to Paris agreement, pledge to halve emissions by 2030

The new "America Is All In" coalition of U.S. communities, businesses and institutions, has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 with support from the federal government. 

Solid waste companies emerge resilient from Q4, with some lingering pandemic effects

Earnings from the industry's publicly traded solid waste companies show the sector has largely rebounded, but is still affected by a slow economic recovery.

UPDATED: Feb. 23, 2021 at 1:21 p.m.