As state PFAS in packaging laws loom, restaurants mull serviceware alternatives

During a recent webinar, attorneys at the firm Lathrop GPM outlined how restaurant franchisors can adapt with multiple state bans on the way. The waste and recycling industry has long advocated for this type of upstream action.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 23, 2022

Archaea talks expanding RNG venture with Republic, significant implications of new federal tax credits

During a Tuesday earnings call, executives discussed their growing joint venture with Republic Services and newly attractive carbon sequestration and hydrogen projects supported by the Inflation Reduction Act.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 17, 2022

Biden signs Inflation Reduction Act with waste implications and $369B for climate efforts

Groups representing companies that produce RNG from waste touted the law as a major step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The president called it “one of the most significant laws in our history.”

By Megan Quinn • Updated Aug. 17, 2022

Massachusetts climate bill includes anaerobic digesters in state peak energy incentive program

A major bill recently signed by Gov. Charlie Baker has implications for digesters as well as landfill gas facilities. The National Waste & Recycling Association and Vanguard Renewables supported the provisions.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 16, 2022

Seeking funding and connections, recyclers turn to business incubator NextCycle

Recyclers and other businesses in Michigan, Colorado and Washington, the states where NextCycle operates, discussed the program’s impact on their circular economy goals during a Northeast Recycling Council webinar.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 12, 2022

Republic Services ESG reports call out growing risks from extreme heat, rainfall

These chronic climate risks could interrupt business, diminish productivity, risk worker safety and damage facilities, according to analysis in two 2021 ESG reports the company recently released.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 12, 2022

How WIN Waste Innovations’ unique set of WTE, landfill and rail assets positions it for industry expansion

In an exclusive interview at its headquarters a little over a year after the company's formation, CEO Robert Boucher discussed a possible IPO, upcoming ESG initiatives and the outlook for legacy Wheelabrator facilities.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 11, 2022

Public waste companies have spent nearly $3.9B on M&A so far this year

WM plans to get back in the mix with a greater level of spending, while Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems remain quite active. 

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 10, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act heads to House with biogas and fleet provisions intact

Tax credits to build biogas projects and expand alternative fuel vehicles remain part of a major climate bill that could see a final vote this week. New language taxing stock buybacks would affect large waste companies, but minimally.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 10, 2022

Republic Services eyes $600M in 2022 acquisition spending outside of US Ecology

With the recently purchased environmental solutions business delivering on planned cost savings, Republic’s future pipeline will focus primarily on recycling and solid waste transactions, execs said during their earnings call.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 5, 2022

What the Inflation Reduction Act proposal means for biogas producers and alternative fuel vehicles

Supporters such as the American Biogas Council and RNG Coalition say several provisions could help grow RNG markets, but the National Waste & Recycling Association says a corporate tax hike will hurt business.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 4, 2022

Q2 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Catch up on the latest round of financial results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, Clean Harbors and Stericycle.

Updated Aug. 10, 2022

Waste Connections expects to acquire at least $470M in revenue this year, pricing drives Q2 results

CEO Worthing Jackman previewed what he estimates will be “double-digit revenue growth in 2023” due to further M&A activity, solid waste pricing increases and revenues from E&P waste services. 

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 3, 2022

Clean Harbors says industrial reshoring is helping waste pipeline, reports Georgia acquisition

The environmental services company saw significant growth in its latest results, touting signs it thinks will continue in the months ahead. During their earnings call, executives also discussed capacity expansion, PFAS and ESG impacts.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 3, 2022

Rubicon on track to close $1.7B SPAC deal, go public this month following favorable shareholder vote

The Kentucky-based technology company is forecasting $736 million in revenue for the year, with big plans to expand organically and through acquisitions of other brokers once it finally goes public.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 3, 2022

Biogas included in investment tax credit provisions of Inflation Reduction Act

The language, part of $369 billion in climate provisions, could apply to landfill gas projects as well as anaerobic digesters. Proponents have long called for more parity with credits given to other renewables, like wind and solar.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 2, 2022

Casella hits $1B in annual revenue, updates guidance for second time this year

CEO John Casella attributed the “best quarter in company history” to pricing programs that covered cost inflation and growth from 11 acquisitions this year. Recycling and disposal capacity projects are also progressing.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 1, 2022

Houston residents welcome DOJ environmental justice investigation but say more work is needed

Activists say the EJ investigation is a “step in the right direction” but doesn’t get to the heart of other systemic issues, such as their concerns on landfill expansions being ignored.

By Megan Quinn • July 29, 2022

GFL Environmental largely overcomes inflation through pricing and fuel charges, raises 2022 revenue guidance

Executives outlined ongoing efforts to recover direct fuel costs, similar to existing programs by major competitors, and shared an updated outlook on acquisition strategy given the inflationary environment.

By Cole Rosengren • July 28, 2022

WIN Waste Innovations buys Ohio hauler, creating platform for further regional expansion

Following WIN’s purchase of Waste Away Systems, CEO Robert Boucher says more Ohio acquisitions are likely as the Northeast company looks to expand its collection footprint and internalize volumes at two landfills in the state.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 28, 2022

WM raises 2022 guidance, plans to restart notable M&A spending

CEO Jim Fish said during the company’s July 27 earnings call that even if an economic slowdown occurs, WM is well-positioned to gain market share. New investments in RNG projects and MRF automation are also progressing.

By Cole Rosengren • July 27, 2022

Connecticut's MIRA WTE facility finally closes, leaving many questions about regional capacity

The aging facility was handling 720,000 tons per year of waste, much of which is now getting landfilled. A legislative task force is assessing what comes next for the authority that operated it for decades.

By Cole Rosengren • July 27, 2022

Can carbon capture make incinerators a net-zero solution? European operators aim to find out.

Climate goals are inspiring European operators to explore new technologies for their emissions, yet the environmental and financial outcomes remain to be seen. Skeptics say reduction, reuse and recycling are still the best options.

By Leslie Nemo • July 26, 2022

Vanguard Renewables CEO on $700M sale to BlackRock, digester expansion and landfill competition

Neil Smith, who joined Vanguard after leading an energy company during a similar period of expansion, breaks down what the sale means for the company’s efforts to launch dozens of RNG-producing facilities.

By Cole Rosengren • July 25, 2022

Houston under DOJ investigation for alleged environmental justice violations around illegal dumping

Latino and Black residents say the city ignored repeated calls to clean up illegal dumping in their area. The DOJ investigation is notable for its rare focus on a municipal solid waste department, but the city calls the accusations “baseless.”

By Megan Quinn • July 25, 2022