New Georgia bill would require coal ash to be treated like MSW

The proposed legislation would impose stricter regulations on coal ash cleanup. Waste Management is among the companies that have pointed to coal ash as a potentially lucrative waste stream. 

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 17, 2020

New Jersey passes recycling market bill; organics diversion and bag ban stalled

Legislation to establish a Recycling Market Development Council has been signed into law. Sponsors have pledged to revive efforts on other bills when they return for a new session later this month.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Jan. 22, 2020

Casella granted key permits for controversial C&D landfill expansion in New York

Residents have expressed repeated concerns over a potential increase in radioactive fracking material at the site. But Casella argues the Hakes Landfill is safe and in full environmental compliance. 

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 14, 2020

Republic landfill expansion moves ahead in California after failed appeal

The Forward Landfill's lifespan will be extended to 2036 under the plan. The move comes as the state launches a major organics diversion initiative and seeks sweeping waste reduction goals. 

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 10, 2020

GFL Environmental closes $380M acquisition of Michigan-based American Waste

The deal will expand GFL's presence into northern Michigan with a landfill, MRF, C&D recycling facility, collection fleet and other assets.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Feb. 4, 2020

Disposal capacity crunch paves way for more industry consolidation and price increases, per report

New data from Waste Business Journal projects the $76 billion U.S. waste industry is down to 18 years of remaining landfill capacity on average, with the Northeast among the most constrained regions.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 8, 2020

House passes sweeping new PFAS bill with waste implications

The legislation could establish disposal regulations for "forever chemicals." While some in the industry are apprehensive, others see opportunity. President Trump has already signaled strong opposition.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated Jan. 10, 2020

7 pressing questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2020

The year is shaping up to be a major one for the industry's future. We'll be digging into safety, corporate consolidation, climate commitments, recycling policy, organics, PFAS, politics and more.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • Jan. 6, 2020

Connecticut approves $750K for landfill cleanups as PFAS lawsuit continues

Connecticut is facing PFAS contamination issues at two closed sites, with work underway to improve leachate filtration systems. Issues at one site have spurred legal action from a regional wastewater treatment entity.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 3, 2020

Duke agrees to largest coal ash cleanup in US after years of fighting with environmentalists

The utility plans to excavate 80 million tons of coal ash in North Carolina, although some will remain at the Marshall Steam Station and the Roxboro Plant.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 3, 2020

Illinois escalates fight with Waste Connections landfill over air pollution violations

The state attorney general's office updated its complaint against the Winnebago landfill. Illinois is already suing the site over numerous violations, but Waste Connections has said it is working to address the problems. 

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 2, 2020

EPA makes Georgia 2nd state to operate coal ash program, proposes 'efficient' rule for other 48

Both moves are part of EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler's broader goal to give states more "flexibility" in their management of coal ash disposal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 23, 2019

Covanta will set 'science-based' emissions reduction target by 2022 as part of climate focus

Covanta's new sustainability report argues incineration can play a key role in diverting waste from landfills, a major source of methane, and previews a growing focus on climate concerns.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 23, 2019

Climate change becomes widely recognized corporate factor for waste and recycling

While many of the largest companies have been releasing sustainability reports for years, 2019 marked a potential turning point in the level of detail and acknowledgment for this looming issue.

Dec. 20, 2019

Developing stories on PFAS, the ‘forever chemicals’ looming large for the waste industry

Figuring out how to mitigate contamination and safely dispose of the chemicals is a rapidly evolving issue. Read Waste Dive's coverage from 2018-2021.

Updated Dec. 22, 2022

New Jersey Assembly passes organics diversion mandate without landfill exemption

Following Gov. Phil Murphy's conditional veto of a contentious bill earlier this year, legislators are moving ahead with a bill intended to spur organics recycling. Landfill operators with gas-to-energy systems remain displeased.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 19, 2019

Planning ahead for mounting challenges of special waste at landfills

Rich Thompson evaluates the steps required in managing these difficult streams as increased recycling rates begin to change the chemistry of landfills. 

By Rich Thompson • Dec. 18, 2019

BLS: Collection worker fatalities up dramatically in 2018

New data indicates that refuse and recyclable material collectors still have the fifth highest fatality rate in the nation. Multiple fatalities were also reported at landfills and MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 17, 2019

Wisconsin waste coalition forms to combat negative PFAS reputation

Local solid waste professionals say they are working to face the issue head-on at a time of growing concern over contamination. Meanwhile, the topic is increasingly on the national industry's radar.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 17, 2019

Blue Bottle, aiming for 'zero waste' in 2020, could eliminate to-go coffee cups

The upscale coffee chain's goals mirror a larger shift as more and more companies target their waste footprints. The cup pilot will begin in two California locations.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 13, 2019

Waste Management scores Supreme Court win in long-running fight over New Orleans landfill

The nation's highest court declined to block the company's lawsuit alleging bribery by a rival. Waste Management argues River Birch sought to edge the company out of the post-Hurricane Katrina market in Louisiana.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 11, 2019

GFL Environmental aims to raise more than $1B, keeps IPO door open

One month after backing out of plans to go public, the Canadian agglomerate is looking for new funds through a debt and equity offering. Proceeds will be used for two pending U.S. acquisitions — including County Waste.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 10, 2019

Mississippi denies permit for controversial landfill proposal

Madison County already has two MSW landfills with decades of collective capacity left. Local officials and residents had expressed environmental justice concerns about a Team Waste subsidiary's proposal to add yet another site.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated Jan. 15, 2020

Judge temporarily halts strict New Hampshire PFAS regulations

New rules aimed at groundwater and drinking water are said to be the first in the U.S. to require routine testing at landfills, among other sources. The ruling is in response to a suit filed by 3M, a local composting company and others.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 2, 2019

Waste Connections landfill in Illinois could face new litter fines amid broader scrutiny

The Winnebago Landfill has faced increasing pressure from local and state officials over odors, along with repeated violation notices.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 27, 2019