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On electric truck transition, SWANA recommends wait-and-see approach

The research analysis of compressed natural gas, electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric-powered refuse trucks comes as fleet managers navigate a growing array of alternative fuel options.

Inflation may have reduced food waste, but food banks worry about lower donation supply

During a recent ReFED webinar, speakers from Feeding America, BlueCart and Purdue University said they see opportunities for partnerships to further reduce food waste during times when inflation affects donations.

Total Reclaim CEO acquires majority stake after buying out convicted former owners

Bobby Farris joined the Washington-based electronics recycler as CEO in 2019. This transaction marks the official exit of former leaders who were convicted on federal fraud charges.

Updated indictment could be coming in alleged bribery case of former Recology employee

John Porter, former vice president and manager of Recology’s San Francisco group, was indicted earlier this summer. He is one of two former Recology employees charged in a much broader corruption investigation.

Ragin’ Raccoon’s plan to conquer a niche waste market: vacation rentals

The new startup, which provides “white glove” collection service for short-term rental properties, is looking to make its mark in areas including Philadelphia; Annapolis, Maryland; and Telluride, Colorado.

Republic Services expands Colorado footprint with two hauling acquisitions

The purchases of Monument Waste Services and Rocky Mountain Sanitation give the company a larger presence in the state’s Western Slope region. One company also operates a newer landfill in that market.

Waste Connections purchases A.J. Blosenski, one of Pennsylvania’s largest independent haulers

The multigenerational company has a large collection fleet, a rail-served C&D transfer facility and a dual-stream MRF. The transaction is seen as a logical expansion following Waste Connections’ purchase of Penn Waste.

Model legislation for postconsumer recycled content in plastic packaging aims to ‘harmonize’ state policy

The Northeast Recycling Council and Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association also note that any legislation should be paired with supporting efforts to boost recycling collection and infrastructure.

US job growth tempered in August as waste management and remediation added 2.3K employees

After big increases in July, the pace of U.S. job growth in August slowed, and overall unemployment grew. For waste collection, MRFs and landfill workers, month-to-month results in August remained stronger than average.

Bio-based packaging companies say mushrooms and seaweed are the next alternatives to plastic

In a recent webinar, companies made their case for “bioregenerative” packaging that uses renewable, compostable materials with the same properties as plastic. Markets and supply chains are still warming to it.

NLRB proposes return to broad joint employer rule

The regulation, which stems from organizing efforts at a Republic Services MRF, has been the subject of a political ping-pong match for years.

WM acquires Ray’s Trash, the largest private hauler in the Indianapolis area

Ray’s, a family-run business since 1965, comes with hundreds of trucks and multiple transfer or recycling facilities. This is the first larger acquisition for WM since it bought Advanced Disposal Services in 2020.

California bottle bill adds wine and spirits, plus last-minute funding for glass markets and recycling

The state’s largest recyclers and companies including Anheuser-Busch and Ball Corp. supported the measure, but it lost backing from environmental advocacy groups in the final stages due to cost concerns.

WM buys central Virginia hauler and recycler in latest sign of M&A return

Green Earth, a company based in Harrisonburg that offers collection services and container rentals throughout the Shenandoah Valley, announced its sale in a letter to customers.

‘Like holding a bronco back’: Pro Disposal charts a path for controlled growth in South Carolina

President Alex Cano and investors explained how a new disposal acquisition sets the company up for further growth in the Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia, corridor.

California closes another banner year for waste and recycling legislation with numerous bills

New action on the state’s container redemption program, diversion credits for waste-to-energy facilities and recycled content standards for thermoform plastic all passed at the end of the session.

With $335M to invest in lithium-ion battery recycling, the Biden administration asks for guidance

Building on prior announcements, the agency is seeking ideas on “collection, transportation, processing, and recycling of batteries and scrap materials” that are used in electric vehicles.

California legislature advances battery EPR and takeback bills, aiming to avert facility fires

The bills, supported by solid waste districts and haulers like Republic Services, intend to make battery recycling more convenient for consumers while improving safety along collection routes and in recycling or transfer facilities.

Updated Sept. 1, 2022

Divert seeks to scale food waste prevention tech, recycling platform with $100M investment

CEO Ryan Begin said the company is coming out of stealth mode after cultivating a large retail client base. He discussed rethinking the food recovery hierarchy and previewed multiple new digester projects.

LRS CEO outlines how M&A and sustainability are creating a Midwest powerhouse

One year into Macquarie’s ownership of LRS, CEO Alan Handley shared what’s next for the company’s expansion, talked plans to hit a $600 million revenue run rate, previewed a new Chicago MRF and more.

Plugging $1B for alternative fuel vehicles, EPA head test-drives electric garbage truck

Inflation Reduction Act funding will be available “to replace dirty heavy-duty trucks with zero-emission models,” a recent video with EPA Administrator Michael Regan highlighted.

As EPA seeks to label certain PFAS hazardous, landfill operators worry about cost, liability

The federal government is targeting PFOA and PFOS, two of many “forever chemicals,” for inclusion under the Superfund law. Landfill operators want a targeted exemption, citing significant legal liability and costs.

Jersey City mapping food rescue opportunities with support from NRDC grant

Jersey City’s public works and health and human services departments are working to better map and distribute food resources as part of a broader focus on reducing food waste that is saving $1 million per year so far.

3 takeaways from Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech

The central bank chief hinted at continued aggressive interest rate hikes, said "some" economic pain now was preferable to more of it later, and invoked his predecessors in a warning about expectations.

With sponsored CDL training, city waste leaders hope ‘if you build it, they will come’

Facing significant vacancies in public works roles, Indianapolis and Lubbock, Texas, are some of the latest cities to pay for CDLs, GED completion or other training for job requirements.