Deep Dive: Page 2

No 'green halo' for renewables: Veolia, First Solar, others tackle wind and solar environmental impacts

From manufacturing effects to the difficulty of recycling PV panels and turbine blades, solar and wind in particular can spur consequences the industries are trying to reduce.

Lynn Freehill-Maye • Dec. 18, 2020

US waste and recycling sector faces mounting risks and opportunities from climate change

As the industry increasingly recognizes its contribution to climate change and sees business opportunities in potentially mitigating those effects, the sector could be at a notable inflection point in the years ahead.

Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Diversity efforts taking shape at waste industry's big companies, but serious work remains

Public companies are increasing their focus on diversity and inclusion, from the frontlines to the boardroom, following national attention on racism. Nearly 74% of sector executives or senior managers are White males, per federal data.

Cole Rosengren • Nov. 2, 2020

Election 2020: Climate policy faces a tough road through Congress regardless of electoral outcomes

A Democratic Senate will attempt to pass Joe Biden's clean energy standard in the face of an expected Republican filibuster, while bipartisan support exists for more R&D spending on carbon-cutting technologies.

Matthew Bandyk • Oct. 26, 2020

'We can never get to zero': Organics recyclers face hard choices in responding to PFAS contamination

Composting and biosolids stakeholders worry regulations will decimate their industry, while environmental and health groups say action is critical.

E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020

Burning 'forever chemicals' emerges as industry flash point

Sending PFAS to incinerators is drawing lawmaker scrutiny and public outcry, but some experts say it may be the only realistic solution.

E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020

Toxic PFAS waste that lasts 'forever' poses financial, logistical challenges for landfills

Some worry PFAS could have National Sword-level implications for landfills. Stakeholders are aiming to avoid blame for contamination, while seeking out solutions to address the mounting crisis.

E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020

Calls for e-cigarette legislation increase amid growing fire hazard to waste and recycling industry

The proliferation of vape pens for nicotine and cannabis is the latest example of how embedded lithium-ion batteries are creating a safety risk for the sector. Advocates hope national and state policy proposals can change that.

Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 22, 2020

Loop's quest for reuse dominance has only gotten more ambitious during the pandemic

Some refill systems took a hit due to initial virus concerns, but the TerraCycle-backed platform's sales rose. Now, CEO Tom Szaky could be poised to set new sanitary standards and gain market share for years to come.

Karine Vann • Aug. 19, 2020

New Jersey governor signs landmark environmental justice bill with big permit implications

The long-anticipated legislation had key backing from community groups. Despite some business opposition and industry trepidation, waste and recycling stakeholders also expressed support.

E.A. Crunden • Updated Sept. 18, 2020

Renewed interest in automated side loaders driven by pandemic concerns, persistent safety issues

ASLs have become increasingly popular with some predicting they could see more interest due to pandemic safety concerns. But tighter capital budgets may be a short-term challenge.

Leslie Nemo • Updated July 23, 2020

Risk and race concerns fuel ongoing debate around hazard pay during pandemic

Sanitation workers have held numerous strikes and demanded concessions including hazard pay, frequently linking their fight to movements like Black Lives Matter. But the issue remains a contentious one for the waste industry.

Cole Rosengren and E.A. Crunden • July 9, 2020

Can textile recycling be the next 'zero waste' frontier?

Clothes comprise a notable chunk of the waste stream, and can have valuable second lives, but market dynamics are complex. Recent pandemic disruptions haven't helped.

Karine Vann • June 16, 2020

Connecticut policy to limit landfilling faces pivotal moment as major WTE project stalls

An aging RDF facility that handles one-third of Connecticut's waste could begin exporting to out-of-state landfills unless an agreement can be reached between the local authority, developer and state officials in less than three months.

Cole Rosengren • June 11, 2020

Carton manufacturers invested big in attaining 'recyclable' status, but can they sustain it?

By funding education, sorting technology and end markets, the industry-backed Carton Council earned highly-sought federal recyclability status. Yet some MRFs and governments question if this packaging is worth the effort.

Leslie Nemo • Updated May 13, 2020

Puerto Rico's yearslong debate over WTE continues as the island's landfill issues mount

After a proposed incinerator project stalled in 2018, the territory's long-term plan remains uncertain as noncompliant landfills are reaching capacity. Meanwhile, recycling programs and waste reduction efforts are still evolving.

Genevieve Glatsky • May 1, 2020

Pandemics were not part of most contingency plans, but waste and recycling industry proving resilient

Precautions previously in place for industry disruptions did not account for a coronavirus-induced economic disruption. Companies and public sector consultants discuss what's next more than a month in.

Cole Rosengren and E.A. Crunden • April 17, 2020

As some MRFs close during the pandemic, more adapt and carry on

Social distancing has become a challenge, PPE is in high demand and staffing availability is shifting. While MRFs in some states have closed, the industry's biggest residential recyclers report their facilities are still largely operational.

Cole Rosengren • April 8, 2020

Uncharted waters: Waste and recycling companies adapting to the coronavirus economy

Commercial volumes are down dramatically in many markets, employee hours are being cut and contract terms are tested. How service providers respond could have lasting reputational and financial implications.

Cole Rosengren • March 31, 2020

How the REMADE Institute hopes to reshape manufacturing with recycling in mind

Grand plans of recyclability and reuse often fall short of real-life implementation. REMADE wants to close that gap, and quickly, with industry input along the way.

Leslie Nemo • Feb. 5, 2020

2020 could be the year of legislative boom – or bust – for national recycling policy

An influx of legislation in Congress aims to tackle problems facing the recycling industry amid rising public attention. The bills range widely in their industry backers and odds of success.

E.A. Crunden • Jan. 29, 2020

7 pressing questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2020

The year is shaping up to be a major one for the industry's future. We'll be digging into safety, corporate consolidation, climate commitments, recycling policy, organics, PFAS, politics and more.

Cole Rosengren and E.A. Crunden • Jan. 6, 2020

Can Loop disrupt society's packaging habit? Inside TerraCycle's grand experiment

The reusable shopping platform, which launched with big hype and is now eyeing retail, has already raised one key question in its early days: What are the true costs of convenience?

Karine Vann • Updated Dec. 23, 2019

Robots move in

More MRFs are turning to automation and advanced technology to fill gaps and boost efficiencies, especially in light of market changes, but a full replacement of human labor isn’t here yet.

Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 11, 2019

On the line in California

The state may have a reputation for progressive recycling policies, but industry workers still face numerous hazards. Here are two of their stories.

Susie Neilson • Dec. 11, 2019