How Cleveland is restarting curbside recycling after more than 2 years

Curbside service returned Monday. Ren Brumfield, the city’s first recycling coordinator, discussed the new contract with Rumpke, how to measure success, the challenges and opportunities with a total reset, and more.

By Maria Rachal • June 13, 2022

EPA aims to disburse $375M in waste and recycling funds from infrastructure bill by spring 2023

Stakeholders have called for the EPA to move quickly on implementing funding from grants and initiatives that the agency says represent its “largest investment in recycling in 30 years.”

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 15, 2022

California’s high-stakes experiment to cut organic waste disposal 75% by 2025

Waste companies and local governments in the state are making massive investments and operational changes to meet the demands of SB 1383. Explore the implications with our ongoing series.

Updated Nov. 14, 2022

Palo Alto, California, amending GreenWaste recycling contract in move to prioritize domestic markets

The update will direct some rigid plastics and mixed paper to domestic processors at a cost of up to $1.2 million after the company had been been unable to prove the materials were responsibly managed once exported.

By Megan Quinn • June 8, 2022

San Francisco voters approve reform measure in wake of Recology corruption scandal

The first major change to the local refuse ordinance in 90 years will update a rate-setting process that resulted in significant overcharges. It could also affect the company’s lock on hauling permits, pending further legislative action.

By Cole Rosengren • June 8, 2022

How New Jersey’s environmental justice law is beginning to affect operators around the country

Environmental lawyer Matthew Karmel offers insight on the law's newly-released draft rule language, plus M&A considerations and tips for navigating EJ risk assessments in any state.

By Megan Quinn • June 7, 2022

EPA’s Carlton Waterhouse: Environmental justice means thinking beyond regulatory requirements

The EPA official previewed a new recycling infrastructure map, more data and updates on grants to help facilities "green" their operations. He also urged facility operators to invest in their communities.

By Megan Quinn • May 31, 2022

Big Food's sustainable packaging goals hit supply and demand reality

As consumer packaged goods companies set targets to cut virgin plastic use, the pandemic, poor weather and war have complicated their timelines.

By Samantha Oller • May 25, 2022

City Haul: Federal pandemic funds offer rare opportunity for waste and recycling investments

Climate and cleanliness goals, plus worker safety concerns, help sanitation projects compete for flexible American Rescue Plan funds, as localities also await next steps on the rollout of recycling grants through the infrastructure law.

By Maria Rachal • May 24, 2022

Willie Goode, founder of multiple DC-area waste companies, reflects on 30 years in business

After starting out on the back of a truck, the CEO of Maryland-based Goode Cos. has since grown a multi-company portfolio. He reflects on what it took to get there, a tough contract experience in Florida and what's next.

By Cole Rosengren • May 23, 2022

WasteExpo highlights big ideas for solving food waste, recycling, data and infrastructure problems

Speakers from Recology, ERI, Generate Upcycle, Orlando and the state of California shared advice on how to advance waste, recycling and organics operations.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Updated May 23, 2022

How top waste companies are competing around M&A, recycling, inflation and labor

Hear what executives from Casella Waste Systems, Coastal Waste & Recycling, LRS, Republic Services, USA Hauling & Recycling, Waste Connections and others had to say about key trends at WasteExpo.

By Cole Rosengren • May 18, 2022

Lithium-ion battery industry ramps up recycling focus as geopolitical events challenge supply chain

The Russia-Ukraine war and booming EV demand are contributing to surging battery commodity prices. Federal funding and private-sector investments could boost recycling to make the domestic supply more sustainable.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 17, 2022

Gov. Polis signs Colorado's EPR for packaging bill

This is now the third state bill of its kind to pass. The law will create an advisory board with recycler representation and has seen support from certain packaging industry groups.

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 3, 2022

Best Buy just launched a $200 electronics recycling pick-up program

For consumers looking to avoid e-waste, retailers are filling a gap left by manufacturers. Best Buy sees this as a convenience service that can appeal to consumers regardless of policy drivers in their state.

By Kaarin Moore • May 12, 2022

Dispatches from WasteExpo Day 1: Latinx business leaders, mobile collection apps and PFAS in biosolids

The industry's largest event kicked off with sessions focused on the link between diversity and sustainability, young rising leaders, fleet technology rollouts, a notable new PFAS law in Maine and more.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal , Megan Quinn • May 10, 2022

Republic Services plugs US Ecology-driven expansion, Archaea RNG deal

After finalizing the $2.2 billion US Ecology acquisition, Republic said it has another $400 million worth of solid waste and recycling deals "in the advanced stages of closing" and is eyeing tuck-ins in environmental solutions.

By Maria Rachal • May 6, 2022

Q1 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Catch up on the latest round of financial results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, Clean Harbors and Stericycle.

By The Waste Dive Team • Updated May 6, 2022

C&D recycling and rail transfer facility coming to capacity-strained Greater Boston market

The project is not owned by a major waste industry player, making it an outlier for the region. With construction beginning later this year, it will enter a market with increasingly high recycling expectations.

By Cole Rosengren • May 2, 2022

Casella forecasts $1B in annual revenue, growing M&A pipeline

The Northeastern company reported a positive quarter despite facility construction setbacks, inflation issues and lower landfill volumes. It also previewed upward of $500 million in potential acquisition opportunities.

By Megan Quinn • April 29, 2022

Big brands targeted for plastic reduction and refill commitments in 2022 proxy season

Plastics remain a potent issue for shareholder advocacy this year, with commitments already made by companies such as Coca-Cola and votes still pending at Amazon, McDonald's and ExxonMobil.

By Cole Rosengren • April 27, 2022

WM describes 'conservative' approach on M&A, sees strong Q1 price and volume trends

Executives at the industry's top company kicked off earnings season with updates on efforts to offset inflation, reduce head count through automation and focus more on ESG investments than on big acquisitions.

By Cole Rosengren • April 26, 2022

As reusable takeout container systems expand, logistics questions abound

The pandemic threw startups for a loop, but many are still seeing strong demand. Now, companies and restaurants may have to balance brand identity with a factor that could be most helpful for reusables to succeed — uniformity.

By Leslie Nemo • April 20, 2022

M&A trends, DEI improvements and the future of electronics repair are the talk of NERC conference

At a virtual Northeast Recycling Council event, the DOJ weighed in on its antitrust review process, panelists discussed "rethinking our internal structures" on DEI and electronics repair advocates celebrated state legislative progress.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 29, 2022

Hawaii's EPR for packaging bill fails to pass before end of legislative session

Supporters had expected the unique model focused on reuse and reduction to move quickly through final committees, but legislators did not reconcile bill differences before the clock ran out. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 11, 2022