Waste industry a 'vital area' for improving climate, EPA nominee says at SWANA landfill summit

Landfill operators must be proactive about PFAS and methane issues to position themselves as responsible material handlers amid new and forthcoming regulations, ​speakers at the June 17 event said.

By Megan Quinn • June 21, 2021

2021 state waste and recycling policy highlights

Catch up on legislative coverage of EPR, recycled content mandates, product bans and market development plans from California to Maine.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Dec. 21, 2021

City budget season brings new waste initiatives in DC, Baltimore, elsewhere

Also in this week's municipal news roundup: a major recycling facility fire in Phoenix, additional reports of service disruptions stemming from worker shortages, and more updates from around the country.

By Maria Rachal • June 10, 2021

California eyes efforts to spur US ratification of Basel Convention

State lawmakers and activists in California want the Biden administration to prioritize a treaty to curb waste dumping in developing countries. Meanwhile, Palo Alto is struggling to account for where exported waste ends up.

By Megan Quinn • June 4, 2021

Roundup: 'Recycling is infrastructure too,' Twin Cities poised for landfill expansion

Plus: Driver shortages impact garbage, recycling, yard and bulk pickups in multiple states, and Georgia, South Carolina and Colorado see legislative actions on single-use plastics, tires and recycling access.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • June 3, 2021

With landfill emissions regulation, EPA enforces once-delayed methane pollution rule

The EPA's final rule on municipal solid waste landfill emissions starts the clock for operators to comply with federal requirements as the Biden administration and activists urge swifter climate action.

By Megan Quinn • May 24, 2021

Roundup: Driver shortages hamper local waste collection, US recycling infrastructure begs $17B expansion

Plus: California's budget surplus yields $130 million proposal for recycling infrastructure, New York City progresses on solutions for its curbside trash problem, and more municipal news from around the U.S.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • May 20, 2021

Roundup: New York City clears legislative hurdle on plastics reduction

The city council passed a bill meant to limit use of straws, a potential sign of growing acceptance for plastics reduction policies. Elsewhere, an American Biogas Council event spurred discussion of codigestion.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • May 14, 2021

Q1 earnings: Waste companies putting pandemic behind them, anticipate more economic rebound coming

Outside of Canada, the majority of local economies have reopened and volumes are bouncing back. Catch up on results and takeaways on the first quarter of 2021 from the industry's largest solid waste operators.

By Waste Dive Team • May 10, 2021

Solid waste companies talk disposal pricing, ESG and Biden in Q1 earnings outlooks

Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Covanta and Casella Waste Systems leaders commented on pandemic recovery trends and other pressing topics.

By Cole Rosengren • May 10, 2021

GFL Environmental reports positive volume outlook despite Canadian lag, closes 10 acquisitions

While Canada's pandemic restrictions continue to affect GFL's business, U.S. recovery trends and past acquisitions are providing a boost. Ample M&A opportunity remains due in part to potential tax changes, the company said.

By Cole Rosengren • May 6, 2021

Republic ups guidance as Santek acquisition is finalized, CEO handoff on horizon

Even after a long approval process for the just-closed Santek purchase the company is "not deterred" from pursuing larger M&A deals and intends to invest $600 million in acquisitions this year, said incoming CEO Jon Vander Ark.

By Maria Rachal • May 6, 2021

Covanta intends to close multiple plants in coming years, divestitures still possible

Through its strategic review, the company anticipates $30 million in annual cost savings by 2023 and plans to exit certain operating contracts. Meanwhile, a new U.K. plant will begin receiving waste within weeks.

By Cole Rosengren • April 30, 2021

Roundup: Food waste back in the spotlight

This year’s Stop Food Waste Day drew attention from national and local leaders fighting hunger and climate change. Plus, new data on waste diversion in Colorado, and recycling initiatives launching in Houston and Milwaukee.

By Maria Rachal • April 30, 2021

Waste Connections Q1: Landfill volumes 'above pre-COVID levels'

Amid pandemic recovery, in March the company had its largest hiring levels since September 2019. It reported better commodity pricing and solid waste volumes even in regions hit hardest by COVID-19.

By Megan Quinn • April 29, 2021

Waste Management raises guidance as pandemic recovery accelerates, predicts possible labor headwind

Pricing and the Advanced Disposal acquisition were key first quarter boosts. Executives also announced a new chief sustainability officer and weighed in on the Biden administration's infrastructure proposal.

By Cole Rosengren • April 27, 2021

Roundup: Stimulus funding for city waste initiatives, DC and NY inch toward zero waste goals

The week of Earth Day saw news on zero waste plan reassessments, organics program expansions, reuse pilots and more. Catch up on updates from New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and other cities around the country.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 23, 2021

New York to revive curbside organics service amid criticism of lagging zero waste progress

The Department of Sanitation announced the return of multiple programs affected by pandemic budget cuts, following a council hearing about codifying the city's 2030 goal, but critics say more action is needed.

By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2021

Roundup: Recology corruption charges mount in SF, NYC's waste neighbors propose a change

A second former Recology employee is charged in the ongoing corruption investigation, communities receiving New York City's waste push back, certification organizations seek additional city partners, and more local news.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • April 16, 2021

New York City's waste future could be shaped by the closure of an island jail

Closing Rikers Island as a jail offers an opportunity to change aspects of New York's waste management infrastructure and potentially rethink expanding the city's role in overseeing it, former DSNY official Robert Lange writes.

By Robert Lange • April 15, 2021

Ron Gonen on 'waste profiteers,' transforming the recycling industry and getting serious about ESG

The Closed Loop Partners CEO and author of new book "The Waste-Free World" shares his views on how CPG companies, service providers, local governments and consumers must adapt to build a more circular economy.

By Cole Rosengren • April 8, 2021

Roundup: Biden infrastructure plan light on waste details, report highlights recycling data gap

The sector reacts to the president's $2 trillion proposal, Eunomia digs into state recycling performance, organics pilots are on the rise, New York City is tackling litter and more local stories from around the country

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 1, 2021

Republic closes acquisition of Santek, following DOJ divestiture agreement

A settlement includes collection and disposal assets in four Southeast states going to portfolio companies of Kinderhook Industries and Texas routes going to Waste Connections.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated May 5, 2021

Republic Services names Vander Ark new CEO, Slager retiring

The long-anticipated elevation of Jon Vander Ark, currently the company's president, takes effect in June. Don Slager, a multi-decade industry veteran, will continue in a consulting role through the end of the year.

By Cole Rosengren • March 31, 2021

LIFT America Act's infrastructure proposals list landfill gas among renewable energy sources

The wide-ranging bill, which calls for numerous energy grid improvements, names landfill gas and municipal solid waste as renewable energy resources. It's one of multiple new federal proposals with waste implications.

By Megan Quinn • March 24, 2021