2020 earnings coverage: Casella Waste Systems

This key Northeast company continued growing its dominant presence in the market amid the pandemic, with plans to further expand multiple key landfill assets.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: Republic Services

The industry's second-largest player adapted to the pandemic, completed a busy year of M&A and pushed ahead on fleet electrification plans.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

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

2020 earnings coverage: Waste Management

The North American industry's largest company weathered the pandemic, announced new ESG plans and completed the major acquisition of Advanced Disposal Services.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

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.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 23, 2021

Republic Services reiterates all in on electrification over CNG, Santek close nearing

The second-largest North American waste operator expects economic recovery to continue in 2021, with bullish plans for M&A.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 23, 2021

New year brings string of partnerships on waste fleet electrification

Romeo Power and XL Fleet are among those in the electric vehicle space that have recently gone public via SPACs and are linking up with waste specialists to gain a foothold in the sector.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 22, 2021

Casella moving ahead with multiple Northeast landfill expansions as capacity tightens

With a Connecticut facility expected to close in 2022, and other factors in play, Casella hopes to activate its McKean Landfill in Pennsylvania as a new destination. Expansions are also underway in New York and Vermont.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 19, 2021

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.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 23, 2021

Waste Connections Q4: $180M worth of M&A in 2020 opens new markets

The company highlighted improved solid waste volumes and increased values for recycled commodities and renewable fuels, all of which contributed to a better than expected quarter despite the ongoing pandemic.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 18, 2021

Waste Management CEO says economy 'ready to take off,' major North American M&A likely done

In the first full earnings report since acquiring Advanced Disposal, executives shared updates on integration and pandemic recovery. They also leaned into ESG as an opportunity under the Biden administration.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2021

New action on horizon for sustainable materials management under Biden, experts predict

Recycling market development and food waste are among many issues stakeholders hope will receive renewed federal engagement, despite limited attention in the president's agenda to date.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Feb. 17, 2021

Waste employers prep COVID-19 vaccine plans as most workers still await shots

While not requiring all workers get vaccinated, Waste Management, Republic Services and Casella are among employers working to inform, encourage and properly incentivize extra protection against the virus, once available.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 16, 2021

2021 could be year for packaging EPR, nearly a dozen state bills in play

Lawmakers throughout the U.S. are increasingly interested in shifting more of recycling's financial implications to packaging manufacturers, with many taking a coordinated approach.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Feb. 12, 2021

Waste Management debuts recycled plastic uniforms, downplays landfills at annual ESG event

The national uniform rollout, and plans to invest $100 million in recycling infrastructure, were touted at a climate-focused sustainability forum. The industry's largest landfill company also described disposal as "a last resort."

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 10, 2021

Environmental groups outline $1.3B worth of federal plastics reduction, recycling recommendations

Ahead of potential stimulus legislation, more than 250 groups are calling on the Biden administration and Congress to keep recycling priorities in mind. Proposals include $500 million for "new and improved" MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 5, 2021

Recycling Leadership Council, key senators call for 'national strategy' to fix system

A report from the coalition of packaging companies, brand-backed nonprofits, and researchers, highlights the need for standardization, infrastructure investment and other priorities through legislation and federal funding.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 5, 2021

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."

By Ryan Golden • Updated March 23, 2021

Austin, Texas, pitches customer cost savings as curbside composting reaches over 200K homes

The final phase of Austin Resource Recovery's expansion comes as some other cities pull back on similar programs during the pandemic. Meanwhile, new data shows residential food waste remains a pressing issue.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 4, 2021

7 takeaways on organics recycling trends from COMPOST2021

The U.S. Composting Council event featured perspectives on contamination reduction, market development, climate change and more from WeCare Denali, Waste Management, Recology and Atlas Organics.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Feb. 3, 2021

Buttigieg DOT confirmation boosts hope for massive infrastructure investment

Several officials said the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor's experience in local government will serve him well and have called on him to embrace innovations like autonomous and electric vehicles. 

By Chris Teale • Feb. 3, 2021

Lakeshore Recycling Systems accelerates Midwest expansion following biggest acquisition yet

The Illinois-based company has resurrected a landfill into one of the state's most active disposal sites, recently picked up a sizable independent hauler in the Chicago area and is making moves in Wisconsin.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 2, 2021

CDC publishes vaccination posters, templates for employers with essential workers

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved plans to put essential workers next in line for vaccines, state rollout plans vary.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 1, 2021

WASTECON: Coronavirus underscores shared challenges and adaptations for city leaders

Officials from New York, Toronto, Miami-Dade County, Philadelphia and Baltimore highlighted ongoing budget and staffing challenges nearly a year into the pandemic. Now, they're seizing the moment for long-term changes.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • Feb. 1, 2021

California recycling commission report urges major changes, with many policy implications

To get California back on track toward its environmental goals, a commission of industry experts recently recommended 19 actions around infrastructure, contamination, producer responsibility and more.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 29, 2021

WASTECON: EPA's 50% recycling goal possible, but only with a lot more funding and focus

Panelists from Waste Management, The Recycling Partnership, CalRecycle and New York's Department of Sanitation previewed what it may take to hit the new 2030 target.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 28, 2021