By the numbers: 2022 waste and recycling trends with implications for 2023

Key data points on some of the top issues — M&A, ESG, inflation and policy — that illustrate another eventful year for the industry.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Jan. 4, 2023

Where recycling and waste laws changed on Jan. 1

California, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, New York and Washington, D.C., are among the jurisdictions enforcing new recycling and waste laws as of Jan. 1, including bag fees, bottle bill updates and organics diversion mandates.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 4, 2023

BP completes $4.1B acquisition of Archaea

The transaction positions BP as a major developer of renewable natural gas projects at U.S. landfills and caps off a rapid rise for Archaea since it became a public company in 2021.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 28, 2022

Tracking PFAS developments in 2023 and beyond

Discussions about how to safely manage PFAS, as well as how they should be disposed of or regulated, have gotten more complex in recent years.

Updated Aug. 17, 2023

Top interviews with waste and recycling leaders in 2022

Read some of the year’s most popular conversations with CEOs from Republic Services, WIN Waste Innovations, LRS and Vanguard Renewables, as well as leaders from WM, the U.S. EPA and other organizations.

Dec. 22, 2022

In PFAS fight, U.S. Composting Council calls for science over ‘unsound policies’

Executive Director Frank Franciosi says federal agencies can help shed light on how these persistent chemicals affect compost and crops while ensuring that new policies don’t hinder progress on organics recycling.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 19, 2022

With safety improvements, waste and recycling collection fell to the 7th deadliest job in 2021: BLS

The rate of fatal injuries decreased in solid waste collection in 2021. Its ranking compared with other dangerous jobs comes after a span as the fifth or sixth deadliest occupation.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Dec. 19, 2022

Archaea shareholders approve $4.1B sale to BP

Recently released proxy filings share new details about joint venture partner Republic Services signing off on the deal. BP’s CEO has described his company as “the natural owner” of Archaea, with exponential growth ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 14, 2022

With PFAS rules up in the air, MRF operators seek ways to get ahead of regulations

It’s not yet clear how future PFAS regulations will affect MRFs. Operators that want to plan ahead should keep an eye on local food packaging laws and stormwater regulations, WASTECON speakers said.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 12, 2022

Major Michigan waste and recycling bill package heads to governor’s desk

Eight related bills would overhaul the state’s waste priorities to focus on recycling. The package adds new landfill regulations, characterizes chemical recycling as a manufacturing process and offers grants for local governments. 

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 9, 2022

The US waste and recycling industry in 2022 — what you need to know

Stories on M&A, recycling policy and organics recycling expansion — and how the economy and environmental justice considerations are shaping the industry’s path forward — have driven the news this year.

Dec. 5, 2022

Zero waste and job creation go hand in hand, activists say

Zero waste jobs are opportunities to support workers from overburdened communities, according to speakers at the National Zero Waste Conference, but they must prioritize circular economy and environmental justice principles.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 2, 2022

Macquarie fund purchases DTG Recycle, rapidly growing C&D recycler in Washington

DTG, a vertically integrated company, is coming off a period of ongoing acquisition growth fueled by a prior investment from Clairvest Group.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 1, 2022

GFL launches first ESG targets, aiming to reduce GHG emissions 15% by 2030

The Canada-based company’s first set of detailed targets comes after its landfill portfolio has doubled in recent years. GFL is focusing on renewable natural gas projects as well as alternative fuel vehicles in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 29, 2022

California’s recycling rate fell to 40% in 2021, though organics disposal decreased, CalRecycle says

Recent state funding and new legislation can help reduce disposal and raise recycling rates as part of a broader state circular economy strategy, CalRecycle Director Rachel Machi Wagoner said.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 16, 2022

Is California’s 2025 organics diversion target still viable?

An independent commission is now assessing whether course corrections are needed for the state’s landmark SB 1383 law. CalRecycle, WM, Republic Services, Agromin, Anaergia and many others have weighed in.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 14, 2022

Archaea revenue grows, RNG output rises ahead of sale to BP

The Texas-based company, which specializes in creating energy from gas at landfills and other sites, continues to ramp up operations. A date has also been set for shareholders to approve its $4.1 billion sale to BP.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 14, 2022

Injury and illness rates for waste workers hit ‘historic’ low in 2021

SWANA says the decreased rates for workers on collection routes, as well as in MRFs and at landfill sites, are at their lowest since 2006.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 11, 2022

Elections 2022: Denver greenlights recycling expansion, a close decision on San Diego trash fees and more

Voters in California, Colorado, Michigan, New York and Vermont weighed in on a range of state and local initiatives with implications for waste and recycling as part of Tuesday’s election.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 9, 2022

Waste execs pull back the curtain on inflation-driven pricing strategies

Leaders from LRS, Casella Waste Systems, Waste Pro, Denali Water Solutions and more shared their strategies during the Corporate Growth Conference.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 8, 2022

More PFAS could fall under future drinking water regulations, EPA says

EPA’s newest drinking water contaminant list is expanding to include groups of PFAS chemicals as candidates for future regulation. It’s still on track to propose standards for PFOA and PFAS by year’s end

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 8, 2022

EPA focused on closing older Puerto Rican landfills to address environmental justice issues

The EPA reports that it's making progress on closing two landfills in Puerto Rico that residents say have long sickened their communities. The work follows a recent visit from the administrator’s Journey to Justice tour.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 7, 2022

Facing falling recycled commodity prices, waste companies pivot in Q3

After enjoying increasing recycled commodity values for the first half of 2022, industry operators faced major commodity price declines.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 4, 2022

Top waste companies spent $1.1B on Q3 acquisitions, with more to come

Here’s what executives at the industry’s largest companies had to say about the M&A environment this year — and how much each has spent.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 4, 2022

Waste Connections says pricing strategy helped achieve solid Q3

Higher activity in waste treatment services related to oil and gas, up 52% from last quarter, was a strong point amid inflation and “precipitous” declines in recycled commodity prices, especially for OCC, CEO Worthing Jackman said.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 3, 2022