Trump administration continues efforts to ease utility regulatory burdens with dual coal ash proposals

Environmental advocates say the new rules would allow coal-fired power plants to continue polluting and coal ash waste to remain in place longer.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2019

Casella Q3: Northeast still focal point, Pennsylvania could be key to future

The Vermont company is pushing the envelope for landfill pricing – as it ramps up capacity at multiple sites – and is eyeing potential divestments from Waste Management's Advanced Disposal acquisition.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 4, 2019

Waste Management and DSNY prepare defense for trial over upstate landfill complaints

A New York judge has allowed a case brought by residents around the High Acres landfill to go forward. The dispute echoes growing tensions in the region amid decreasing capacity. 

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 4, 2019

Tetra Tech pushes solar power on closed landfills as a clear winner for operators and owners

The firm argues that installing solar panels on inactive sites can help operators financially, in addition to garnering community support. 

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 1, 2019

Republic Services Q3: Expect $550M in M&A this year, 'strong' 2020 pace

Republic sees many expansion opportunities within its core capabilities, possibly even in Canada, and reported few economic concerns. Executives also addressed recycling, E&P and labor pressures.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 31, 2019

Waste Connections Q3: Acquisition offers worth $600M on the table

Recent M&A activity was quieter, but the company did close on a greenfield landfill project. Overall financial performance was strong, despite nagging headwinds from recycling and RIN credits.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 30, 2019

Republic's Vander Ark: Recycling challenges structural, not cyclical

The company's new president touched on Trump, trade flows, shareholder profits, disposal trends, municipal relations, climate policy and much more during his WASTECON keynote.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 28, 2019

GFL cancels IPO, vows to keep up M&A pace

Reports indicate the Canadian giant's debt load, and recent net losses amid a period of expansion, made some investors hesitant about the proposed share price. 

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 24, 2019

Waste Management Q3: Consumers driving landfill volumes, industrial activity less certain

The industry giant reported yet another profitable quarter for collection and disposal, warding off ongoing recession concerns and compensating for a bad stretch of recycling commodity prices.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 24, 2019

Virginia DEQ revokes Meridian landfill permit following repeated violations, escalating conflict

In an unusual move, state regulators have revoked a permit from Meridian subsidiary CFS after multiple complaints about the company's Tri-City landfill. An appeal is expected.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 21, 2019

Alabama ruling hits two landfills with ongoing environmental justice concerns

A ruling over alternative cover practices, which the state allowed, centers around sites run by Arrowhead Environmental Partners and Advanced Disposal Services. An appeal is considered likely.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 18, 2019

Honolulu's lone MSW landfill ordered to close by 2028, path forward unclear

One of Oahu's only landfills, operated by Waste Management under contract, was recently given an expiration date by state regulators. Discussions about building a new site have long been controversial.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 16, 2019

Wheelabrator ash landfill expansion in Connecticut denied, for now

Plans to expand a monofill that serves numerous state facilities have temporarily stalled over concerns about environmental harm to wetlands. Given a lack of regional alternatives, the company intends to press on.  

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 14, 2019

New Jersey governor reaches closure agreement with contentious landfill

Following the New Jersey Sports and Exhibition Authority's previous plans to appeal an order to shut down its Keegan Landfill, a settlement has been reached to begin capping the site.

By Leia Larsen • Updated Dec. 20, 2019

As EPA preps coal ash rollback, study finds heightened risks of water, soil contamination

Changes to the federal coal ash rule have been long awaited by the utility industry and environmentalists, but a new Duke University study suggests health risks of the toxins may be greater than previously thought.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 3, 2019

Massachusetts raises 2050 waste reduction target, may expand organics ban

The Department of Environmental Protection's new solid waste master plan draft indicates support for new packaging policies, additional waste bans and future infrastructure as disposal capacity shrinks.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2019

Waste Management landfill one step closer to expansion in Indiana

The Liberty Landfill, set to reach capacity within the next decade, could potentially operate well into the 2040s. A recently approved county host agreement marks the latest progress.

By Leia Larsen • Sept. 23, 2019

PFAS: New efforts to put the genie back in the bottle

The EPA may be moving slowly, but action is ramping up across multiple levels of government and the waste industry. Rich Thompson breaks down the latest updates, including from EREF's recent summit.

By Rich Thompson • Sept. 12, 2019

Montana's TENORM regulations could mean influx of E&P waste

Proposed state regulations would consider allowing a higher radioactivity threshold at disposal sites. Concerns have been raised about more material coming from North Dakota's Bakken oilfields as a result.

By Leia Larsen • Sept. 10, 2019

Scrap Collector: Plastic makes its way into oceans – and 2020 climate forum

Plus: California county settling landfill employee racial discrimination suit, and UK waste management giant Biffa pleading not guilty to export charges.

By Rina Li • Sept. 6, 2019

State AGs decry EPA effort to delay landfill emissions plan

The agency is now approving state plans, but is still attempting to delay a court-ordered federal plan. Multiple states, and the Environmental Defense Fund, are pushing back.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 18, 2019

New Jersey governor vetoes controversial food waste bill

The organics diversion mandate, which would have still allowed material to go to incinerators and most landfills, returns to the state legislature.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 28, 2019

Mississippi's largest city ends recycling, extends Waste Management landfill contract

After trying for months, Jackson officials found a way out of their curbside agreement. Questions remain about how it happened — and what comes next.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 19, 2019

Scrap Collector: Australia's recyclable export ban creates domestic opportunities — including incineration

Plus: Lion King collectibles get the landfill treatment, and Modi calls for Indian single-use plastics ban.

By Rina Li • Aug. 16, 2019

What makes radiation monitoring plans so critically important

Rich Thompson breaks down why radioactivity is becoming a more significant issue in the waste stream and how facility operators can create a responsible plan to detect it.

By Rich Thompson • Aug. 14, 2019