Corporate

MRF Summit: Despite pandemic setbacks, 2020 shows bright spots for recycling

Speakers at the event highlighted the booming use of robotics, declining contamination and improved market pricing as positive signs; while international trade policy continues to present complications.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 24, 2020

Former Recology executive charged with laundering bribes worth more than $1M in San Francisco

The two charges against Paul Giusti stem from alleged attempts to influence former city Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, who was arrested earlier this year, in exchange for his approval of rate increases and other actions.

By Cole Rosengren , Gloria Gonzalez • Nov. 24, 2020

Brand interest in reuse rising, but it still accounts for less than 2% of plastic packaging market

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's latest progress report on where consumer goods companies stand on the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment shows substantial work ahead toward a more circular economy.

By Karine Vann • Nov. 20, 2020

Q&A

Urgency around climate change, plastics ramps up circular economy interest in US

Georgia Sherwin of Closed Loop Partners highlights how the concept is becoming more tangible for businesses, with a look at implications for reuse models, policies and diversity in the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 19, 2020

Opinion

How the waste and recycling industry can weather rapid changes in the insurance marketplace

Nathan Brainard, vice president of the environmental division at Insurance Office of America, outlines why so many insurers have exited the marketplace in recent years and how industry service providers can turn things around.

By Nathan Brainard • Nov. 19, 2020

EPA sets 2030 national recycling goal, stakeholders call for more federal action

Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a 50% recycling rate target for 2030, while the latest annual data showed a decline to 32.1% and multiple financial pressures continue for the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Calculating the costs of climate change in the waste, energy sectors

Waste Dive, Utility Dive and Smart Cities Dive teamed up for a series presenting the way their sectors are evaluating the impacts and costs of mitigating climate change.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

Tracking ESG climate targets from US waste and recycling companies

Major industry companies are increasingly disclosing their greenhouse gas emissions, and plans to mitigate their effects on the climate, in detailed sustainability reports. Stay up to date with our ongoing tracker.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

Ongoing evolution on ESG and climate plans among waste and recycling companies

Companies have been setting more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets and announcing related investments in recent years. Follow our ongoing coverage of the private sector's evolution.

By Waste Dive Team • Nov. 18, 2020

Deep Dive

US waste and recycling sector faces mounting risks and opportunities from climate change

As the industry increasingly recognizes its contribution to climate change and sees business opportunities in potentially mitigating those effects, the sector could be at a notable inflection point in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Q&A

Recology COO discusses how the West Coast company is weathering a year of wildfires, pandemic disruptions

Sal Coniglio – recently promoted to one of the company's top jobs – talks future plans, COVID-19 business effects and how previous fires taught the company to stock up on masks.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 11, 2020

Republic Services Q3: Annual M&A spend now on track for up to $900M

Driven by the pending acquisitions of Santek Waste and Randy's Environmental, Republic is on track for a big year. The company also reported sequential pandemic recovery in multiple lines of business.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 06, 2020

GFL Q3: CEO rebukes short-seller report, outlines tuck-ins following two big deals

With integration underway for WCA Waste, and divested assets from Waste Management and Advanced Disposal, the Canadian company sees dozens of tuck-in opportunities ahead. 

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 05, 2020

BLS data shows higher injury, illness rate for landfill workers in 2019

The annual data showed rates remaining relatively flat for collection workers (tracking with national workforce trends), while ticking up at landfills and improving at MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 05, 2020

Baltimore grants Wheelabrator 10-year contract extension, with emissions requirements, to settle suit

Officials approved an agreement Wednesday extending Wheelabrator's contract for another 10 years, in exchange for lower emissions and a settlement of ongoing litigation. Opponents have already filed a legal complaint.

By E.A. Crunden • UPDATED: Nov. 5, 2020 at 8:23 a.m.

Waste industry donates $4.6M during 2020 campaign cycle; vast majority goes to Republicans

Campaign finance disclosures show Waste Management, Republic Services and the National Waste & Recycling Association, among others, have been active leading up to the Nov. 3 election.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 03, 2020

Waste Management Q3: Executives optimistic about pandemic recovery, Advanced synergy savings

Executives reiterated cost saving expectations following the marathon deal process, highlighted incremental volume improvements, shared ESG spending updates and discussed the potential effects of a Biden victory.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 02, 2020

Deep Dive

Diversity efforts taking shape at waste industry's big companies, but serious work remains

Public companies are increasing their focus on diversity and inclusion, from the frontlines to the boardroom, following national attention on racism. Nearly 74% of sector executives or senior managers are White males, per federal data.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 02, 2020

Major shake up at Covanta as CEO exits, company launches strategic review of all operations

The company's stock has consistently underperformed, depsite the strategic value of its facilities. All options are said to be on the table, including selling assets or exiting lines of business, under new CEO Michael Ranger.

By E.A. Crunden , Cole Rosengren • Oct. 30, 2020

Top waste companies report further recovery in Q3, ongoing pandemic effects

The second full quarter to reflect the pandemic's effects showed ongoing recovery of overall volumes and stronger commodity pricing. See results from Waste Management, Republic, Waste Connections, GFL, Covanta and Casella.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Nov. 6, 2020 at 9:43 a.m.

Waste Connections Q3: Pandemic recovery plateauing, $500M ESG plan launched

Business is still rebounding from shutdown levels, and M&A activity continues across North America, but unknowns also remain ahead of the election and a rising coronavirus caseload.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 29, 2020

Home soda machines reveal circular economy potential — and limitations — during pandemic

With beverage brands looking to reduce their plastic footprint, options like SodaStream could gain market share. A new partnership with TOMRA aims to resolve recent issues exchanging the CO2 cylinders that make it possible.

By Karine Vann • UPDATED: Oct. 29, 2020 at 12:48 p.m.

EPR-style legislation draws ongoing state-level interest despite pandemic setbacks

At this year's virtual Northeast Recycling Coalition conference, state officials and EPR proponents highlighted possible traction in Maine, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, among other states.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 27, 2020

Waste Management completes $4.6B acquisition of Advanced Disposal, following regulatory approval

The news caps off a more than 18-month process, with substantially more divestitures than originally planned. The sale to GFL Environmental of divested assets in 10 states is now complete.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Oct. 30, 2020 at 9:37 a.m.

Republic Services to acquire Minnesota hauler Randy's Environmental

The family-owned company describes itself as the largest independent operator in the state, with numerous contracts in the Minneapolis area. It is also known for a unique co-collection system for organics.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 23, 2020