White House accelerates plans for zero-emission trucks

The Biden administration announced new grant funding for manufacturers and a proposed rule to dramatically curb nitrogen oxide emissions by 2031.

By Jim Stinson • March 7, 2022

Bonuses, balance and respect: What will it take to attract more waste and recycling job applicants?

Industry employers Republic, Casella and WIN Waste, as well as recruiters and other partners, talked through the do's and don'ts of job postings, hiring processes and creating attractive workplaces during recent SWANA events.

By Maria Rachal • March 7, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

The Rise of Recycling AI

Artificial intelligence has become increasingly common at MRFs, in collection trucks and even as a tool for consumer education at the point of generation.

By Waste Dive staff

FCC Environmental makes first US acquisition, forecasts 'many more'

The Spanish company's U.S. division recently purchased a Texas hauler to help densify its commercial routes. CEO Inigo Sanz discusses other recent developments as the operation works toward $300 million in revenue.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 25, 2022

City Haul: Labor constraints lead waste agencies to get creative

New adaptations, collaborations and resilience planning can help municipalities avoid service cutbacks when they face worker or equipment shortages, explain waste leaders from Alabama, Arizona, Texas, Virginia and elsewhere.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 24, 2022

Q4 earnings: Waste companies close out 2021 with inflation offset plans, sizable M&A activity, ESG spending

Pricing strategies are helping mitigate inflationary pressures, labor remains a challenge, MRF investment is growing and renewable natural gas projects at landfills are on the rise. Catch up on our takeaways from key public companies.

By The Waste Dive Team • Feb. 18, 2022

Casella lays out 2024 strategy, touts Northeast disposal projects and Boston MRF upgrade

After years of M&A, the Vermont-based company is on track to approach $1 billion in revenue for 2022. Executives said they have wide flexibility to adjust prices amid inflation and outlined multiple areas for growth.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2022

Republic Services CEO talks what's next after the US Ecology transaction

Jon Vander Ark elaborated on Republic's environmental services expansion in terms of next steps to close the deal, a strategic review of market areas, potential capital investments, PFAS opportunities, future M&A and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2022

Waste Connections closes 2021 with more than $1B in M&A spending, sees path to $10B in revenue

The company says it's prepared to handle pressures around inflation, labor and other issues. It also closed 30 deals last year and sees more to come, following an active start to 2022.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 17, 2022

WM drops 'waste' from its name, frames ESG approach at annual sustainability forum

The newly rebranded industry giant described itself as a "circular logistics operator" that is part of a "renewable energy revolution." Plus, panelists spoke on economics, circularity, climate justice, diversity, leadership and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2022

WIN Waste Innovations acquires New England recycler plus GFL-owned Georgia landfill

The purchase of two affiliated operations in Massachusetts further expands the company's transfer station network, including rail capabilities. The December acquisition of a southern rail-served landfill is also notable.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 15, 2022

Republic Services highlights 'both and' approach to grow solid waste, environmental solutions segments

On its fourth quarter and full-year 2021 earnings call, the industry's second-largest player touted a bundled services approach as part of the pending US Ecology buyout and said spending will continue across both businesses.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 11, 2022

GFL Environmental spinning off infrastructure division into new 'GFL 2.0,' says plenty more M&A ahead

GFL closed out its second year as a public company with sizable increases in revenue, fueled in part by spending CA$2.3 billion on 46 acquisitions. The Canadian company is eyeing dozens of new deals and more growth this year.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 10, 2022

EPR remains top item in state recycling policy debate, but bottle bills and plastic bans also in play

After a "breakthrough" in 2021, legislators and supporters aim to pass more laws in 2022 they say will improve recycling systems and curb litter. Competing stakeholder perspectives could complicate the finish line for many bills.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Feb. 10, 2022

Republic Services closes $2.2B acquisition of US Ecology in major hazardous waste expansion

The deal fits into Republic's ongoing goal of expanding its environmental services business. US Ecology is the industry's largest hazardous waste landfill operator by volume.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated May 2, 2022

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2022

Get up to speed on what may be coming next around M&A, labor solutions, ESG investment trends, federal regulation, state policy, environmental justice, local programs and more.

By The Waste Dive Team • Feb. 9, 2022

Workforce questions set to dominate waste collection’s evolution in 2022, with fleet tech still catching up

As 2022 begins, collection workers may have greater leverage on pay and benefits while employers face continuing high inflation. More automation and alternative fuel vehicles are likely to come.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 9, 2022

10 questions with Gold Medal Environmental on its strategic transformation

CEO Darren Gruendel and new President John Doyen talked about culture integration challenges after M&A, plans for Mid-Atlantic growth beyond an estimated $92 million in revenue, how they've maintained operations despite labor limitations and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 8, 2022

FMCSA's driver training rule will eliminate 'CDL mills,' association says

The federal government delayed implementation of the Entry-Level Driver Training regulation for two years, which many states generally supported, but it's now taking effect.

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 4, 2022

Federal bills advance to improve rural recycling, explore national composting strategy

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works reported both bills favorably on Thursday. Supporters see the bipartisan legislation as a medium-term step to diverting more waste in the U.S.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 7, 2022

New York City mayor elevates environmental justice in climate approach

Eric Adams announced the launch of a Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice. "We intend on holding the mayor's office accountable to that title," said the head of one key EJ advocacy organization.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 3, 2022

Waste Management planning $1.6B in ESG investments, says automation and attrition could phase out upward of 7,000 jobs

Executives closed out a turbulent 2021 with solid earnings, despite inflation, and shared plans for greater spending on recycling and renewable energy, which they expect to have better returns than solid waste acquisitions.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 2, 2022

Glass recycling revival relies on a growing number of specialty drop-off and collection programs

Recyclers in areas such as Kansas City, New Orleans and beyond are bringing new energy to glass recycling after a period of market pressures. Source separation and high quality remain key drivers of their success.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 31, 2022

Waste industry M&A spree shows no sign of slowing in 2022, prompting exit of longtime operators

Pandemic exhaustion, labor strain, capital costs and high valuations are among the factors companies give for selling. Now, the dealmaking activity is beginning to rival historic levels of spending and consolidation.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 27, 2022

As federal vaccine mandate stalls, challenging January continues for waste services

The omicron surge put waste workers and collection service challenges back in the national spotlight. While infections appear to be on the decline in many cities, reports of new or ongoing disruptions continue.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 26, 2022

OSHA pulls temporary vaccine rule, says permanent mandate is in the works

At the agency's request, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed challenges to the ETS as moot.

By Kate Tornone • Updated Feb. 18, 2022