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

Republic Services closes acquisition of large Massachusetts hauler and recycler JRM

JRM was one of the last large independent companies left in the Greater Boston market. The deal fits in with Republic's existing transfer infrastructure in the region and will give it a MRF north of the city.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated May 20, 2022

CMA CGM tells shippers it won't accept plastic scrap as of April 15

The ocean carrier had committed to not carry plastic scrap on any of its ships by June 1, leaving plastic scrap shippers to find another carrier as of mid-April.

By Alejandra Carranza • April 12, 2022

Anheuser-Busch loops in MLB, NFL for in-stadium recycling push

The multi-league coalition will see some teams deploy "recycling hawkers" at games to collect bottles and cans from fans in the stands.

By Sara Karlovitch • April 12, 2022

EPR legislation not included in final New York state budget despite governor's support

Gov. Kathy Hochul spearheaded the effort to implement producer responsibility for packaging, but it didn't survive budget negotiations. Attention now turns to other pending legislation that would enact various forms of packaging EPR.

By Megan Quinn • April 11, 2022

In need of skilled talent, 'clean tech' employers prioritize purpose

"The biggest piece of it is to know the company you're working for," said Sue Wingert, vice president of human resources at RoadRunner Recycling.

By Ryan Golden • April 8, 2022

Denver City Council greenlights pay-as-you-throw system for 2023

Officials voted Monday to implement volume-based pricing for trash, expand recycling pickups and provide weekly compost collection at no added cost.

By Maria Rachal • Updated June 28, 2022

Senate committee again ties on Waterhouse nomination for EPA waste office

The vote is likely to move to the Senate floor despite the tie. The nominee spoke about environmental justice and climate change initiatives at last week's Society of Environmental Journalists conference. 

By Megan Quinn • April 7, 2022

With state landfill capacity dwindling, MassRecycle conference explores recycling remedies

A renewed focus on multifamily housing, legislative "champions" for EPR and more MRF processing capacity could help make a dent in long-term waste capacity issues, virtual conference participants said.

By Megan Quinn • April 4, 2022

How Republic's investment in secondary plastics processing puts a 'different twist' on vertical integration

It's been less common for haulers and MRF operators to have a further role in the supply chain, but growing postconsumer recycled content demand and other market factors could make the strategy more profitable.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 30, 2022

Ongoing bottle bill expansion debates heat up in four states

Massachusetts, Vermont, Iowa and California are among the states debating changes to their container deposit systems, but each bill faces its share of hurdles from stakeholders. 

By Megan Quinn • March 30, 2022