Ongoing evolution in ESG and climate plans among waste and recycling companies

Companies have been setting more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets and announcing related investments in recent years.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Sept. 22, 2021

US waste and recycling sector faces mounting risks and opportunities from climate change

As the industry increasingly recognizes its contribution to climate change and sees business opportunities in potentially mitigating those effects, the sector could be at a notable inflection point in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Recology COO discusses how the West Coast company is weathering a year of wildfires, pandemic disruptions

Sal Coniglio – recently promoted to one of the company's top jobs – talks future plans, COVID-19 business effects and how previous fires taught the company to stock up on masks.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 11, 2020

Republic Services Q3: Annual M&A spend now on track for up to $900M

Driven by the pending acquisitions of Santek Waste and Randy's Environmental, Republic is on track for a big year. The company also reported sequential pandemic recovery in multiple lines of business.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 6, 2020

GFL Q3: CEO rebukes short-seller report, outlines tuck-ins following two big deals

With integration underway for WCA Waste, and divested assets from Waste Management and Advanced Disposal, the Canadian company sees dozens of tuck-in opportunities ahead. 

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 5, 2020

BLS data shows higher injury, illness rate for landfill workers in 2019

The annual data showed rates remaining relatively flat for collection workers (tracking with national workforce trends), while ticking up at landfills and improving at MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 5, 2020

Waste industry donates $4.6M during 2020 campaign cycle; vast majority goes to Republicans

Campaign finance disclosures show Waste Management, Republic Services and the National Waste & Recycling Association, among others, have been active leading up to the Nov. 3 election.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 3, 2020

Waste Management Q3: Executives optimistic about pandemic recovery, Advanced synergy savings

Executives reiterated cost saving expectations following the marathon deal process, highlighted incremental volume improvements, shared ESG spending updates and discussed the potential effects of a Biden victory.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 2, 2020

How the 2020 election could impact the waste and recycling industry

The outcome could affect major issues like climate change, PFAS, taxes, M&A, recycling policies and more. 

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 2, 2020

Top waste companies report further recovery in Q3, ongoing pandemic effects

The second full quarter to reflect the pandemic's effects showed ongoing recovery of overall volumes and stronger commodity pricing. See results from Waste Management, Republic, Waste Connections, GFL, Covanta and Casella.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 6, 2020

Waste Connections Q3: Pandemic recovery plateauing, $500M ESG plan launched

Business is still rebounding from shutdown levels, and M&A activity continues across North America, but unknowns also remain ahead of the election and a rising coronavirus caseload.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 29, 2020

EPR-style legislation draws ongoing state-level interest despite pandemic setbacks

At this year's virtual Northeast Recycling Coalition conference, state officials and EPR proponents highlighted possible traction in Maine, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, among other states.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 27, 2020

Waste Management completes $4.6B acquisition of Advanced Disposal, following regulatory approval

The news caps off a more than 18-month process, with substantially more divestitures than originally planned. The sale to GFL Environmental of divested assets in 10 states is now complete.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 30, 2020

EPA expands coal ash storage options for utilities in move NGOs say violates DC Circuit ruling

The power industry says the rule is based on a record EPA has built since 2015, and will apply to only a narrow subset of facilities.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 20, 2020

Burning 'forever chemicals' emerges as industry flash point

Sending PFAS to incinerators is drawing lawmaker scrutiny and public outcry, but some experts say it may be the only realistic solution.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020

Toxic PFAS waste that lasts 'forever' poses financial, logistical challenges for landfills

Some worry PFAS could have National Sword-level implications for landfills. Stakeholders are aiming to avoid blame for contamination, while seeking out solutions to address the mounting crisis.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020

Disposing 'forever' toxics: How the waste and recycling industry is tackling the PFAS chemicals crisis

Found everywhere from Arctic seawater to the blood of most humans, PFAS are inevitable in the waste stream. With the prospect of regulations and litigation mounting, the industry is figuring out how to handle one of its most difficult issues in years.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020

Casella receives expansion approval for New Hampshire landfill facing lawsuit

The company can now expand its North Country Environmental Services solid waste landfill in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. That site is dealing with ongoing litigation related to the Clean Water Act. 

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 15, 2020

Waste Management updates sustainability plan with 2025 targets focused on climate

Existing 2038 sustainability goals haven't changed, but executives recognized the need for more near-term progress. Procuring more renewable energy and reducing recycling contamination are among the newly announced priorities.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 15, 2020

Recycling policy landscape shifts as major groups float disposal surcharges, packaging fees

Recycling Partnership and American Chemistry Council plans are the latest ideas for new funding. The National Waste & Recycling Association critiqued disposal charges but now supports recycled content mandates.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 8, 2020

Shreveport, Louisiana contract impasse and MRF closure pauses multiple recycling programs

The city could become one of the nation's largest to lose curbside recycling service following failed negotiations with Pratt Industries and Republic Services. Some Waste Management operations in Texas are also affected.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2020

Top stories from 2020's WasteExpo

Catch up on coverage of sessions about federal elections, evolving approaches to technology, PFAS regulations, recycling technology, policy and more.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Sept. 30, 2020

Waste industry figures see major election consequences for taxes and regulation

WasteExpo speakers, including Ron Mittelstaedt, said national Democratic victories could lead to an emphasis on climate and PFAS regulations. Corporate and capital gains tax rates could also rise, with M&A implications.

By E.A. Crunden • Sept. 21, 2020

'Challenging regulatory framework' for PFAS unfolding nationwide, with waste implications

Speakers at WasteExpo said surface water regulations for PFAS are next on the horizon, with scrutiny of stormwater and landfill gas not far off. 

By E.A. Crunden • Sept. 18, 2020

Citing age and costs, Florida county shutting down incinerator in 2021

Bay County commissioners recently voted to wind down operations at the facility and will shift disposal to a county-owned landfill. This marks the latest closure of an older facility as new mass burn capacity is slow to materialize.

By E.A. Crunden • Sept. 9, 2020