Roundup: City reopenings portend commercial waste shifts

A string of recent state announcements will ease business restrictions in the coming weeks and months in the Northeast. Plus, state and local policy updates from Florida, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, California and more.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • May 7, 2021

GFL Environmental reports positive volume outlook despite Canadian lag, closes 10 acquisitions

While Canada's pandemic restrictions continue to affect GFL's business, U.S. recovery trends and past acquisitions are providing a boost. Ample M&A opportunity remains due in part to potential tax changes, the company said.

By Cole Rosengren • May 6, 2021

Republic ups guidance as Santek acquisition is finalized, CEO handoff on horizon

Even after a long approval process for the just-closed Santek purchase the company is "not deterred" from pursuing larger M&A deals and intends to invest $600 million in acquisitions this year, said incoming CEO Jon Vander Ark.

By Maria Rachal • May 6, 2021

Analysts tout positive cardboard markets, note post-consumer plastic complexities at ISRI convention

U.S. cardboard markets will stay positive in the near term, market experts at ISRI's convention said. Meanwhile, infrastructure issues could impede efforts to collect enough plastic to meet brand owners' future packaging demands.

By Megan Quinn • May 5, 2021

Environmental justice and diversity should be priorities for recyclers, ISRI panelists say

Speakers at ISRI's annual convention stressed the importance of fostering meaningful relationships in environmental justice communities where they operate, both to mitigate harm and to prepare for potential regulation.

By Megan Quinn • May 4, 2021

Roundup: Food waste back in the spotlight

This year’s Stop Food Waste Day drew attention from national and local leaders fighting hunger and climate change. Plus, new data on waste diversion in Colorado, and recycling initiatives launching in Houston and Milwaukee.

By Maria Rachal • April 30, 2021

State legislatures busy with plastics policy on shampoo bottles, chemical recycling and preemption

While many of the legislative season's highest-profile bills are still pending, recently passed measures in New York, Arizona, Arkansas and elsewhere show a divergent range of approaches to managing plastics.

By Cole Rosengren • April 28, 2021

Waste Management raises guidance as pandemic recovery accelerates, predicts possible labor headwind

Pricing and the Advanced Disposal acquisition were key first quarter boosts. Executives also announced a new chief sustainability officer and weighed in on the Biden administration's infrastructure proposal.

By Cole Rosengren • April 27, 2021

Pittsburgh pursues sustainable deconstruction policy to salvage building materials

Following similar steps in Portland, Oregon, and Milwaukee, Pittsburgh is betting that recovering materials from condemned buildings instead of demolishing them will support the city's climate and equity goals.

By Maria Rachal • April 26, 2021

Roundup: Stimulus funding for city waste initiatives, DC and NY inch toward zero waste goals

The week of Earth Day saw news on zero waste plan reassessments, organics program expansions, reuse pilots and more. Catch up on updates from New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and other cities around the country.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 23, 2021

New York to revive curbside organics service amid criticism of lagging zero waste progress

The Department of Sanitation announced the return of multiple programs affected by pandemic budget cuts, following a council hearing about codifying the city's 2030 goal, but critics say more action is needed.

By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2021

It's game on for packaging procurement as lead times lengthen. Can supplies keep up?

Stadiums and concessions anticipate surging demand as events resume. Recent pandemic effects have shifted ordering for food trays, clamshells, compostable packaging and more.

By Jen A. Miller • April 22, 2021

Washington governor signs minimum recycled content bill

Washington will become the second state to set requirements for the makeup of plastic beverage containers and trash bags. It will also become the latest state to pass a ban on expanded polystyrene containers this year.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 18, 2021

Roundup: Recology corruption charges mount in SF, NYC's waste neighbors propose a change

A second former Recology employee is charged in the ongoing corruption investigation, communities receiving New York City's waste push back, certification organizations seek additional city partners, and more local news.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • April 16, 2021

New York City's waste future could be shaped by the closure of an island jail

Closing Rikers Island as a jail offers an opportunity to change aspects of New York's waste management infrastructure and potentially rethink expanding the city's role in overseeing it, former DSNY official Robert Lange writes.

By Robert Lange • April 15, 2021

Plastics Recycling Conference debates aspirational recycling goals as deadlines approach

Numerous organizations, companies and governments have pledged to meet recycling-related goals by as early as 2025. Panelists discussed what could help achieve these targets, despite skepticism.

By Megan Quinn • April 14, 2021

Maine legislature passes landmark packaging EPR bill

The northern state could be the first to enact some form of product stewardship for packaging, pending final steps and approval by the governor. This comes after a high-profile New York proposal failed to gain traction.

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 18, 2021

Roundup: Local governments continue to fight illegal dumping, adapt curbside recycling

Catch up on the latest local waste and recycling headlines from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and numerous other municipalities around the country.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 9, 2021

Ron Gonen on 'waste profiteers,' transforming the recycling industry and getting serious about ESG

The Closed Loop Partners CEO and author of new book "The Waste-Free World" shares his views on how CPG companies, service providers, local governments and consumers must adapt to build a more circular economy.

By Cole Rosengren • April 8, 2021

NERC conference explores EPR, refillable bottle and circular economy possibilities

Panelists at the Northeast Recycling Council's spring conference covered how lessons learned from Canada and Europe could help improve U.S. recycling systems while also debating the merits of chemical recycling.

By Megan Quinn • April 7, 2021

Cardboard prices reach record high amid e-commerce demand

Box producers are running on lean inventories as online buying booms and creates greater demand for packaging materials.

By Matt Leonard • April 7, 2021

Washington, DC, zero waste bill is now law, though funding remains uncertain

The legislation – with big organics diversion implications for businesses, among other categories – was adjusted to take into account ongoing recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

By Maria Rachal • April 5, 2021

Roundup: Biden infrastructure plan light on waste details, report highlights recycling data gap

The sector reacts to the president's $2 trillion proposal, Eunomia digs into state recycling performance, organics pilots are on the rise, New York City is tackling litter and more local stories from around the country

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 1, 2021

Republic closes acquisition of Santek, following DOJ divestiture agreement

A settlement includes collection and disposal assets in four Southeast states going to portfolio companies of Kinderhook Industries and Texas routes going to Waste Connections.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated May 5, 2021

Go big or go home on national recycling policy

The recently reintroduced RECYCLE Act is a distraction from the systemic changes offered by the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, writes the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers' Kate Bailey.

By Kate Bailey • March 31, 2021