Rubicon CEO on the company’s next chapter and the challenges of going public

Phil Rodoni, previously chief technology officer, took the helm during an eventful period for the company. He discusses Rubicon’s efforts to become profitable, grow its software business and compete in the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • March 22, 2023

High number of facility fires in 2022 prompts renewed look at battery recycling efforts

The media reported 390 waste and recycling facility fires in the U.S. and Canada in 2022, the highest number since Fire Rover started tracking such reports in 2016. State EPR laws and federal funding efforts aim to reduce risk.

By Megan Quinn • March 22, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The Rise of Recycling AI

Artificial intelligence has become increasingly common at MRFs, in collection trucks and even as a tool for consumer education at the point of generation.

By Waste Dive staff

For OCC demand and pricing, economic uncertainty puts quick recovery in question

Recycling and packaging executives have a range of predictions for what’s ahead as continued inflation and lagging consumer spending affect whether OCC pulls out of its slump.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 21, 2023

Miami-Dade County, Florida, approves $44M in recycling contract extensions with WM and others

Miami-Dade County will continue collection and processing contracts with WM, Waste Connections and Coastal Waste for two more years because officials said they did not have time to conduct a broader search for new vendors.

By Megan Quinn • March 20, 2023

Refill and reuse sectors strive for scale to upend single-use packaging’s stronghold

Changing consumer perceptions about convenience and value will be important to achieve greater market dominance, according to speakers from Loop, Clorox and other companies at the Sustainability in Packaging US event.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 17, 2023

Closed Loop’s Circular Services expands investment with funding from major CPGs

Microsoft, Nestlé, PepsiCo, SK Group, Starbucks and Unilever recently joined Brookfield Renewables in making unspecified investments in the platform behind Sims Municipal Recycling and Balcones Resources.

By Cole Rosengren • March 17, 2023

Chemical recycling facility bill in Illinois highlights tensions around future permitting

The bill would extend the timeline for an unnamed facility to start construction, after the state previously passed a supportive law. It has also kicked off debate around a proposed expanded polystyrene foam ban.

By Megan Quinn • March 16, 2023

GreenWaste CEO envisions ‘stronger presence’ for company in California following private equity investment

Over a year after selling to a Macquarie fund, CEO Tracy Adams reports a “great partnership.” He discusses the company’s targeted acquisition strategy, the state’s SB 1383 organics recycling law and more.

By Cole Rosengren • March 16, 2023

LRS’ new $50M Chicago MRF is heavy on automation, with room for expansion

The MRF can handle nearly twice the material as the one LRS opened in a Chicago suburb just six years ago. The company “invested on the front end to reduce labor” amid a tight employment market the last few years.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 15, 2023

Innovation takes center stage at Sustainability in Packaging conference

Speakers came at sustainability from all angles, including equipment digitization and debating the nagging question of whether consumers will pay more for products containing PCR.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 15, 2023

Waste and recycling companies seemingly unscathed by SVB collapse but continue to monitor fallout

Initial reports indicate the industry’s largest companies, as well as tech-focused startups with a history of venture funding, aren’t directly affected. Questions remain around what implications the incident will have on access to capital.

By Cole Rosengren • March 14, 2023

Washington’s WRAP Act, including EPR and bottle bill plans, won’t move forward this year

The legislation gained attention as a significant overhaul to Washington’s recycling system, but waste industry opposition contributed to it failing to receive a House vote before a key deadline.

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 13, 2023

Rubicon doubles down on higher-margin software business in ongoing push to boost profitability

After weathering challenges and executive changes, the tech-focused waste broker projects a turnaround. In addition to noting price increases on waste accounts, Rubicon touted a software expansion for commercial fleets.

By Cole Rosengren • March 9, 2023

Plastics recyclers examine influence of secondary sortation, legislation and flexible packaging on PCR markets

Speakers from Republic Services, AMP Robotics, IHS Markit, NOVA Chemicals, Eunomia and others discussed how to advance their efforts at this week’s Plastics Recycling Conference.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal , Jacob Wallace • March 8, 2023

Major solid waste and recycling companies spent nearly $6.3B on acquisitions in 2022

The multiyear trend of heightened deal spending continues. Catch up on financial details and 2023 M&A outlooks from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

By Cole Rosengren • March 8, 2023

4 ways the waste and recycling industry can build relationships with lawmakers

A range of industry professionals with legislative backgrounds shared advice at this week’s Plastics Recycling Conference about how to help the sector’s issues get attention.

By Megan Quinn • March 7, 2023

RoadRunner Recycling lays off 10% of its workforce

The Pittsburgh-based waste and recycling technology company, which raised $90 million and acquired Compology last year, is scaling down to weather a more challenging business environment, it said.

By Cole Rosengren • March 7, 2023

EPR ‘crucial’ to hitting resource recovery goal, GFL exec says

Packaging and waste management stakeholders, including GFL Environmental’s vice president of resource recovery, discussed emerging policy battlegrounds at a Product Stewardship Institute webinar.

By Maria Rachal • March 3, 2023

Waste companies shake off lackluster Q4 commodity prices with recycling investment plans for 2023

While companies such as WM, Republic Services and Waste Connections saw an annual decline in overall recycling revenues, updated contract structures and ongoing MRF investments are helping their profitability.

By Megan Quinn • March 1, 2023

Honda signs supply deal with Ascend Elements for recycled battery materials

The deal comes as automakers and battery suppliers ramp up production capacity.

By Kate Magill • March 1, 2023

Bottle bill or ‘recycling refund’ legislation? Advocates commit to 2023 policy push

More than a dozen organizations voiced support for passing container deposit laws in 2023 and changing some terminology to garner more support. Some MRF representatives are wary. 

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 27, 2023

US Plastics Pact makes varied progress on circular packaging; 2025 targets may be out of reach

Executive Director Emily Tipaldo praised data collection that’s occurred since 2020, even as maximizing reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging has run into barriers.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 27, 2023

Stericycle touts revenue improvements, previews 2023 capital investments

CEO Cindy Miller said the company continues to grow revenues and bounce back from inflationary pressures, settlement costs and divestiture impacts in 2022. It’s looking ahead to a Nevada facility opening and other investments.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 24, 2023

To raise recycling rates, The Recycling Partnership advocates for packaging EPR in every state

A new report from the group says “smart, well-designed” extended producer responsibility for packaging will dramatically boost recycling. Policy and government lead Dylan de Thomas discusses what that could look like.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 22, 2023

Casella previews ‘robust’ year of pricing to offset inflation; notes more acquisitions ahead

The Vermont-based company reported favorable Q4 results. Executives also previewed upcoming RNG projects, investment in a rail-served landfill and further growth through acquisitions.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 17, 2023