Scrap Collector: Recycling cuts; latest worker fatality

Plus: M&A news from Santek and Meridian, corporate recycling developments and the unseen e-waste nightmare lurking behind this holiday season.

By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • Nov. 30, 2018

Embattled New York hauler Sanitation Salvage surrenders license

The company, once among the city's largest, never fully recovered from a one-month suspension. It leaves behind an estimated 2,100 customers.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 28, 2018

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

DC approves eminent domain to close controversial transfer station

While proponents hail the plan as an environmental justice victory, current owner WB Waste Solutions warns that DC lacks adequate capacity for the 1,400 tons of waste that would be displaced.

By Rina Li • Nov. 28, 2018

Bay Area city offers year of free collection for clean recycling

Rather than being penalized for recycling mistakes, residents of Vallejo, California can win free services or financial incentives for proper participation.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Nov. 29, 2018

Waste Management, Teamsters head to court over Reno, Nevada strike threats

The conflict over whether employees must electronically log their lunch breaks has escalated into a temporary restraining order and dueling NLRB complaints.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 20, 2018

Poll: Texting while driving viewed as widespread problem in cities

Respondents in Denver and Houston expressed the most concern about texting and driving, while NYC and San Francisco topped the list of cities that worry about texting and walking.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 20, 2018

NWRA, local companies sue over NYC transfer station law

The hard-fought capacity reduction law was heralded as an environmental victory this summer. Now, companies that stand to see financial effects are challenging it on multiple levels.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 19, 2018

NWRA petition estimates ELD mandate would cost industry nearly $117M

Following Waste Management's exemption, the association is raising concerns about distracted driving and pushing for an industry-wide policy.

By Cody Ellis • Nov. 19, 2018

Waste Management COO Trevathan on how to make recycling great again

Part two of our extended interview with Jim Trevathan delves into recycling economics, the future of landfills, industry consolidation and his favorite job before reaching the C-suite.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 15, 2018

Oregon Metro awards Waste Management $110M disposal contract

Waste will be transported to Columbia Ridge Landfill under a separate trucking contract, amounting to a combined $220 million, for the next 10 years.

By Rina Li • Nov. 14, 2018

EPA moves to reduce truck emissions

The new 'Cleaner Trucks Initiative' will propose stricter emissions standards and 'cut unnecessary red tape,' according to the administration. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 14, 2018

Jim Trevathan reflects on 39 years at Waste Management

In part one of an extended interview, the outgoing COO covers the evolution of company culture — through Drury, Myers, Steiner and Fish — plus safety and labor retention.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 14, 2018

7 key questions about New York's unique franchise plan

Now that the proposal is out, debate over ending the largest commercial open market system in the country will only heat up heading into 2019. Waste Dive read through all 100-plus pages to suss out what comes next.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 13, 2018

BLS: MRF injuries spiked in 2017, industry rate held steady

The focus on collection workers appears to be paying off, but new data show that MRFs and landfills require ongoing attention.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 9, 2018

As dust settles for RecycLA, council and property owners still unhappy

New city data estimates haulers will earn $436 million from the franchise program this year, while costs remain high for some customers who feel they have little recourse.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 9, 2018

New York town switching back to dual-stream program

Following the abrupt closure of Green Stream Recycling, Brookhaven has decided to revert back to dual-stream just five years after making single-stream investments.

By Katie Pyzyk , Rina Li • Updated Nov. 26, 2018

Official NYC franchise plan: 20 nonexclusive zones, 68 potential contracts

The highly anticipated final proposal is expected to accelerate consolidation of the local industry and ramp up an already contentious political fight to achieve city council passage.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 8, 2018

Reflecting on 5 deals in 4 states, WCA says more to come

Senior VP of Operations Matt Spencer shares insights about recent acquisitions, recycling costs and labor trends for the Texas company.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 7, 2018

GFL bridges Colorado-Carolinas gap with new liquid waste acquisition

CEO Patrick Dovigi said the recent purchase of Illinois-based Future Environmental is a key part of his U.S. expansion plans because it follows the company's successful Canadian growth model.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 6, 2018

Compology's plan to define 'contamination' once and for all

CEO Jason Gates discusses a new "CScore" that could level the playing field among haulers and customers by assessing container contents in real-time.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 5, 2018

Casella keeps up rapid M&A pace, eyes Rochester, New York as key market

CEO John Casella said the timing was quicker than expected, but opportunities to drive more volume to the company's landfills were just too good to pass up.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 5, 2018

Advanced Disposal doubles training time to weather tight labor market

As it gets increasingly difficult to find quality drivers and mechanics, CEO Richard Burke said the company has turned to an outside recruiting firm and is taking numerous other steps.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 2, 2018

Container explosion at Port of Los Angeles traces back to recycling facility

The investigation is ongoing, but authorities have so far stated "a form of combustible fuel or other compound" caused the explosion.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 2, 2018

How Jim Warner helped build an integrated empire in Pennsylvania

The longtime Lancaster Solid Waste Management Authority CEO talks about the evolution of landfill, WTE and recycling technology after 30-plus years on the job.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 1, 2018

Waste Connections teases mystery deal with major private company

The pending transaction, described as the fourth-largest in the company's history, was among multiple positive talking points from the Q3 report.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 31, 2018