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

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

Covanta exploring multiple potential divestitures, sees UK as 'primary growth avenue'

A strategic review led by Covanta's new CEO will be completed mid-year, as the company prepares to shop assets and consider cost reductions. Four of its upcoming U.K. projects are expected to be increasingly profitable.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 19, 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

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

Regan confirmed as EPA administrator, after highlighting plastics, PFAS challenges

During his February confirmation hearing, former North Carolina regulator Michael Regan also pledged to take a close look at environmental justice and climate issues, among many priorities.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Updated March 11, 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

Court throws out rule delaying implementation of EPA landfill emissions regulation

EPA asked the court in March to vacate the rule in order to further review it and other environmental policies set during the Trump administration.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 6, 2021

Landfill operators weigh next steps for PFAS regulation, research and opportunity

Top companies recently weighed in on where they think policy could be heading — as the Biden administration is expected to designate certain chemicals as hazardous — and raised outstanding questions around leachate monitoring.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 22, 2021

Environmental efforts key for Biden, but industry expects limited recycling policy movement in 2021

While existing initiatives such as a national recycling goal are likely to make headway, and Democratic majorities in Congress could affect legislation, trade groups don't anticipate major changes due to a crowded agenda.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 20, 2021

9 questions about the future of waste and recycling in 2021

As we gear up for another eventful year, Waste Dive will be focusing on trends around ESG, M&A, recycling policy, market development, PFAS, local budgets, collection technology, safety, diversity and much more.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2021

Interim EPA guidance on PFAS disposal, destruction still leaves many questions

A report assessed possible environmental impacts of managing waste with these "forever chemicals" through deep well injection, landfilling or thermal treatment. The Biden administration is expected to take more concrete steps.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 11, 2021

Covanta's $60M ash processing contract in Honolulu signals next step in closing local landfill

The project involves construction of a processing facility that will divert an estimated 60% of incinerator ash from Oahu's only MSW landfill, which is slated to close by 2028.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 6, 2021

Recology names new CEO Coniglio, following retirement of longtime leader

Sal Coniglio's elevation to the top job comes six months after he became chief operating officer. This move caps off former CEO Mike Sangiacomo's 37-year stint at the major California-based private company.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2021

Waste industry secured nearly $812M in first batch of PPP loans, as stimulus bill sets up second round

Rubicon led the pack with a nearly $9.78 million loan in the Paycheck Protection Program's first round, which helped the sector retain more than 66,000 jobs. The new package puts a fresh $284 billion up for grabs.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 23, 2020

How local waste and recycling leaders are grappling with coronavirus-driven budget pressures

Lost revenues, rising operating expenses and limited federal aid have left local leaders looking for creative solutions. In some cases, the pandemic has also created opportunities to update their practices.

By Leslie Nemo • Dec. 22, 2020

Biden taps North Carolina environmental secretary Regan for EPA

Under Michael Regan's watch at the Department of Environmental Quality, Duke Energy agreed to the largest coal ash cleanup in U.S. history. If confirmed by the Senate, he will be the first Black man to lead the agency.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2020

Collection worker fatalities fell in 2019, rank as 6th deadliest job: BLS

It's the first time since 2012 refuse and recycling collectors haven't landed in the top five most fatal occupations, as tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fatal transportation incidents fell dramatically after a 2018 spike.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 17, 2020

2020 shapes up as major year for M&A, consolidation in waste and recycling industry

Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Wheelabrator and many others all had a particularly active stretch of deal-making across numerous states.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 15, 2020

New England M&A heats up as Wheelabrator, Boston Carting Services expand

The private equity-backed players are just two examples of companies making moves in a region many view as primed for consolidation. As other companies expand their footprints, there may be more to come.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 15, 2020

EPA proposes Texas be allowed to operate its own coal ash management program

If approved, Texas would be the third state to run or partially run its own permitting program for coal ash management.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 9, 2020

People of the Year: Waste and recycling workers

The entire industry has stepped up during a significantly challenging year, but none of it would be possible without the frontline workers who put themselves at risk to keep it all running.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

The Waste Dive Awards for 2020

During a year of crisis and challenge, these are some of the people, groups and initiatives that met the moment.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

ESG Action of the Year: New Jersey's environmental justice law

The law offers an example of stakeholders uniting on key ESG considerations such as potential emissions and pollution benefits, racial justice and evolving corporate policies impacting such issues.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020