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

How Harsco reimagined its Clean Earth division mid-pandemic as a national hazardous waste player

President David Stanton discusses building a new business following the acquisition of assets from Stericycle, pandemic effects, recycling opportunities, and the big potential around managing PFAS waste.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 8, 2020

Former Recology executive charged with laundering bribes worth more than $1M in San Francisco

The two charges against Paul Giusti stem from alleged attempts to influence former city Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, who was arrested earlier this year, in exchange for his approval of rate increases and other actions.

By Cole Rosengren , Gloria Gonzalez • Nov. 24, 2020

EPA sets 2030 national recycling goal, stakeholders call for more federal action

Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a 50% recycling rate target for 2030, while the latest annual data showed a decline to 32.1% and multiple financial pressures continue for the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Calculating the costs of climate change in the waste, energy sectors

Waste Dive, Utility Dive and Smart Cities Dive teamed up for a series presenting the way their sectors are evaluating the impacts and costs of mitigating climate change.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

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

Tracking ESG climate targets from US waste and recycling companies

Republic Services is the latest company to report on its emissions reduction goals, but it opted not to update a specific report as it awaits the outcome of a Securities and Exchange Commission climate disclosure rule.

By Nami Sumida, Cole Rosengren, Leslie Nemo • Updated July 27, 2023

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