Waste Connections reports Q3 growth despite costs from landfill and employee safety incidents

An ongoing odor issue at a California landfill and a slope failure in Texas could cost about $20M in Q4. Meanwhile, the company is planning employee training to reduce safety incident rates.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 26, 2023

WM reports inflation headwinds are easing, shifts timing for certain sustainability projects

WM reported “strong results” in Q3, citing its pricing strategy as well as revenue growth in the collection and disposal lines and cost savings from attrition.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 25, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2022

Get up to speed on what may be coming next around M&A, labor solutions, ESG investment trends, federal regulation, state policy, environmental justice, local programs and more.

By Waste Dive staff

Hennepin County, Minnesota, votes to begin closure of WTE plant

The decision to potentially close the facility as soon as 2028 comes as the county reacts to pressure from the state and community activists. Finding near-term alternatives could lead to a potential increase in disposal costs.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 25, 2023

Waste Connections sets more ambitious GHG reduction target, reports lower emissions in 2022

The company says it has nearly reached a 2033 scope 1 and 2 reduction target. It’s now doubling the goal to a 30% reduction and is seeking approval from the Science Based Targets initiative.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 25, 2023

EPA pours $128M into environmental justice projects, including waste and recycling efforts

The EPA chose 186 projects led by community groups and local governments and counts several waste and recycling initiatives among its recipients, including anti-dumping, community recycling and organics diversion efforts.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 24, 2023

Groups push for landfill methane action from local governments as ‘low-hanging fruit’

New EPA data shows the waste sector continues to dominate U.S. methane emissions. But groups believe new federal funding is aligning with a growing awareness of opportunities to make a dent in those numbers.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 23, 2023

EPA reports quantify methane emissions from organic waste, retire food recovery hierarchy

One report found 58% of fugitive methane emissions at MSW landfills came from wasted food. The agency’s new lifecycle analyses on food waste management pathways also reaffirmed the importance of source reduction.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 20, 2023

Tracking GHG emissions of US waste management companies

Follow the latest data updates from Stericycle, Synagro, Interstate Waste Services, WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Recology and more.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace , Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 28, 2023

Curtis Bay Energy fined $1.75M, pleads guilty to improperly incinerating medical waste

Workers intentionally overloaded incinerators to process medical waste more quickly, leading to one of the largest environmental criminal cases in the history of the Maryland attorney general’s office.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Oct. 18, 2023

SWANA names Amy Lestition Burke as next CEO

SWANA says Lestition Burke “will usher in a new vision of innovation at SWANA” with strong association experience and an understanding of how to build partnerships and advance sustainability initiatives.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 5, 2023

Plan for these upcoming waste and recycling conferences

Events in 2024 will cover landfill operations, organics trends, MRF and recycling innovations and more.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Oct. 16, 2023

Waste Connections’ landfill outreach covers Seneca Meadows expansion, Chiquita Canyon odors

Waste Connections continues its community outreach in New York in an effort to extend its Seneca Meadows landfill permit set to expire in 2025. Meanwhile, its Chiquita Canyon landfill in California must undergo odor mitigation.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 26, 2023

LRS CEO Spencer talks 100-day plan for leading fast-growing Midwestern company

Matt Spencer says he’ll draw from previous industry experience, including time in the field, and a relationship with Macquarie to help cement a vision for the company’s M&A, infrastructure and safety investments.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 21, 2023

Inside 4 MRF projects getting a boost from EPA grants

EPA grants for MRF projects in Colorado, Kentucky, New Jersey and Ohio aim to bolster recycling in underserved areas, battle contamination and boost the capture of valuable materials like PP or aluminum. 

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 20, 2023

Alabama waste authority set to take over operations of bankrupt Cherokee landfill

The Tri-Cities Solid Waste Disposal Authority is expected to take over the CWI Cherokee Landfill’s daily operations. A $23 million bond will pay for the purchase and any outstanding debts, subject to approvals.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 14, 2023

EPA announces recipients of $105M in grants for recycling infrastructure

The long-awaited recycling infrastructure grants are going to 25 communities, including the Baltimore and Minneapolis metro areas as well as recipients in Puerto Rico, Hawai’i, Montana and Ohio.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 13, 2023

New Hampshire Environmental Services assistant commissioner leaving for private sector

Mark Sanborn is leaving his government-appointed role for a policy and permitting job with a construction company. The move has “no connection” to controversy over a recent landfill bill, he says.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 11, 2023

WM’s sustainability report shows progress on GHG emissions reduction, diversity

The company’s most recent report, which reflects newer metrics it first published in 2022, shows progress on reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions aligned with SBTi requirements. WM made less progress on its materials recovery goal due to construction on recycling facility upgrades.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 7, 2023

Waste Pro hires Mike Fernandez, former Miami-Dade solid waste lead

Fernandez joins Waste Pro after a 15-year stint in the public sector. He will now oversee landfill, transfer station and recycling processing assets for the Florida-based company.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 5, 2023

RNG developer Terreva Renewables secures $417M in funding in first year

The private equity-backed developer has already completed four renewable natural gas projects on landfills in the United States, with more expected.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 1, 2023

Qnergy pilot to demonstrate gas collection system for small landfills

This is the second landfill pilot for Utah-based Qnergy, which has successfully deployed its system in the oil and gas sector but is looking to expand into biogas.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 30, 2023

With EPA enforcement on PFAS coming, waste groups call for focus upstream

The waste industry hopes the U.S. EPA’s new enforcement initiative for PFAS is a small step in reducing PFAS-containing items at waste sites, but it still wants to be protected from certain liability.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 30, 2023

Former Miami-Dade waste head on county’s capacity challenges, disaster response and more

Mike Fernandez says the county must be creative in meeting its capacity needs as it considers long-term disposal options. He also shares his severe weather experience as Florida faces another hurricane.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 29, 2023

Miami-Dade County proposes new, more remote site for WTE facility

The location is more remote following concerns from residents near the Florida county’s former incinerator. But permitting and building the facility would take nearly a decade, leaving the county with interim capacity concerns.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 22, 2023

EPA enforcement priorities include new focus on landfill methane, PFAS

The agency’s latest update to its National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives drew comments from industry trade groups as well as New York City about potential implications for waste operations.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 21, 2023