Corporate

Waste Connections did nearly $838M in 2019 acquisitions, sees 'long runway' ahead

While some analysts wonder if certain fall election results could change the M&A landscape, CEO Worthing Jackman said he sees billions worth of useful assets left to buy for years to come regardless.
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 14, 2020
Republic Services sees 'momentum shift' around recycling contracts, plans solar investment

A multi-year effort to rework municipal recycling contracts is paying off, with hundreds now at higher pricing. The company also reported $526 million in M&A and ongoing overall price improvements.
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 14, 2020
Waste Management predicts March DOJ approval for Advanced deal, with 'robust' divestiture interest

2019 earnings were favorable, despite prolonged recycling headwinds, and landfill pricing continues to rise. Executives now anticipate $100 million-plus in synergies if the Advanced Disposal deal closes.
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 14, 2020
GFL Environmental spends millions to settle issues at Waste Industries landfills

Since acquiring the North Carolina-based company, GFL has had to assume responsibility for ongoing issues at sites in at least three southern states.
By E.A. Crunden • UPDATED: Feb. 13, 2020 at 1:14 p.m.
Vermont finds PFAS in 95% of waste samples, as states increase landfill scrutiny

The report analyzed material from landfills, transfer stations and wastewater treatment plants — including some Casella Waste Systems sites. While state officials assert the "forever chemicals" are largely contained, pressure continues to rise.
By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 12, 2020
The quickly disappearing corrugated box: How packaging is changing

Manufacturers set their sights on packaging as a means to reduce waste, improve sustainability and lower shipping costs.
By Jen A. Miller • Feb. 11, 2020
National EPR campaign kicks off with anti-plastic film screening, activist support

Rep. Alan Lowenthal, sponsor of the upcoming Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, rallied activists around the bill at a Washington event. The film teases out likely divides between industry and advocacy groups.
By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 10, 2020
Maine packaging EPR bill, a national bellwether, could reshape municipal funding

The newly introduced bill will kick off a complex debate around whether producers should help pay recycling and disposal costs. The proposed model would be similar to one shaped in Québec, Canada.
By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Feb. 12, 2020 at 10:25 a.m.
Cascade breaks ranks with other cart manufacturers by adding 10% PCR plastic

Waste Management will be its first customer — as well as the company collecting the necessary curbside materials from residential customers – but municipalities are also looking to purchase the new "EcoCart."
By Leslie Nemo • Feb. 06, 2020
Deep Dive
How the REMADE Institute hopes to reshape manufacturing with recycling in mind

Grand plans of recyclability and reuse often fall short of real-life implementation. REMADE wants to close that gap, and quickly, with industry input along the way.
By Leslie Nemo • Feb. 05, 2020
Republic Services acquires Massachusetts C&D processor with rail transfer access

Devens Recycling, permitted for up to 1,500 tons per day of C&D and MSW, is among the largest of its kind in a capacity-constrained region. The deal is expected to open up valuable internalization opportunities.
By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Feb. 14, 2020 at 9:41 a.m.
Baltimore stays air pollution law pending resolution of Wheelabrator lawsuit

Wheelabrator and other opponents argue the law is intended to force closure of their incinerators. In a sign of potential national significance, a Covanta-affiliated group of 11 other local governments has also filed an amicus brief.
By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 04, 2020
Plastic bag group rebrands, sets new recycled content goals amid anti-plastics legislative push

The American Progressive Bag Alliance is now the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance and aims for 20% recycled content by 2025. Anti-plastics groups remain skeptical.
By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 03, 2020
Waste Management CEO projects fleet could be 75% CNG in 2021

The company is leaning into CNG much more than any of its large competitors as part of a greenhouse gas emission "offset" target, and is not making any public commitments yet on electric vehicles.
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 03, 2020
Notable waste industry M&A activity continues in 2020

With confirmed deals by GFL Environmental, Waste Connections and Interstate Waste Solutions, the year is off to a busy start. The pending Waste Management-Advanced Disposal deal is among more to come.
By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 29, 2020
Waste Management and Advanced Disposal working toward multi-state divestiture plan

Following ongoing Department of Justice dialogue, a package of potential divestiture assets is circulating that could clear the $4.9 billion transaction for antitrust approval. Many view multiple buyers as increasingly likely.
By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Jan. 28, 2020 at 1:28 p.m.
Nestlé backs amendment to bill mandating PCR for plastic bottles in Maine

Joining multiple environmental groups, Nestlé Waters North America is pushing requirements for plastic bottles to have 30% PCR by 2030. The beverage giant is among many that need much more material to hit sustainability goals.
By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 27, 2020
Opinion
Letter to the editor: Starbucks food packaging goal also about food waste

Rhodes Yepsen, executive director of the Biodegradable Products Institute, says a broader materials management discussion is key to understanding the shift toward new waste reduction targets.
Coca-Cola says it won't ban plastic bottles because consumers like them

Head of Sustainability Bea Perez said people like being able to reseal the drinks in lightweight packaging, adding that alternatives could push up the company's carbon footprint and hurt sales.
By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 27, 2020
Starbucks ramps up waste reduction goals, focusing on reusable and recyclable cups

The coffee giant's "resource positive" goals seek 50% reduction in waste sent to landfills by 2030. Its emphasis on changing cup design for recyclability, as opposed to compostables, differs from some competitors.
By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 24, 2020
Industry's 3 largest landfill operators among California's biggest methane emitters: report

NASA data indicates Republic Services, Waste Connections and Waste Management are among the state's "super-emitters." The report highlights the possible financial and regulatory perils of failing to reign in methane emissions.
By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 23, 2020
Every Bottle Back initiative targets multifamily recycling, MRF upgrades in Dallas-Fort Worth

The initiative will partner with city officials to pour $3 million into improvements to a Balcones Resources MRF, in addition to targeting low recycling rates at multifamily housing complexes.
By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 22, 2020
Action Environmental Group becomes Interstate Waste Services following landfill acquisition

IWS acquired the rail-served Apex landfill in Ohio and is now majority-owned by private equity firm Littlejohn & Co. This makes it the largest vertically-integrated operator in the New York City metro area ahead of a major shift to commercial waste zones.
By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Jan. 22, 2020 at 12:05 p.m.
Recology begins funding $4.5M ballot initiative to tax plastics in California

The service provider leads an effort to fund a range of new waste and recycling efforts with billions of dollars in fees from producers, while banning expanded polystyrene containers. The question could go before voters in November.
By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 21, 2020
Nestlé to invest up to $2B in sustainable packaging

The global company wants to lead the shift to food-grade recycled plastics and accelerate the development of more environmentally friendly solutions with a venture fund.
By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 17, 2020