Corporate

Republic Services acquiring Santek Waste Services, sizable Southeast landfill operator

The Tennessee-based company, known for its focus on privatizing publicly-owned landfills, has grown into a vertically-integrated player with assets in nine states. The deal would give Republic new capacity in multiple key markets.

By Cole Rosengren • March 27, 2020

$2T coronavirus stimulus package expected to directly help small haulers and frontline workers

The federal relief package prioritizes other industries, but SWANA and ISRI indicated smaller businesses and individual workers would still benefit. President Trump signed the stimulus Friday. 

By E.A. Crunden • UPDATED: March 27, 2020 at 4:46 p.m.

COVID-19 puts BYO coffee cups on hold, but sanitized reusable systems could fill the void

Major brands like Starbucks and Dunkin' have banned the use of personal to-go containers in recent weeks over coronavirus fears, raising new questions in a wider debate around packaging safety. 

By Karine Vann • March 25, 2020

Stericycle: Medical waste volumes from COVID-19 not as high as Ebola so far

Medical waste companies are seeking a uniform approach as the industry braces for coronavirus waste impact. NWRA, Stericycle and others are warning against "overclassifying" coronavirus waste as medical waste as part of that effort.

By E.A. Crunden • March 19, 2020

Coronavirus poses multiple safety risks for waste and recycling workers

Concerns persist about infection exposure while social distancing requirements are changing how collection routes and MRFs are operated. Labor unions are calling for answers around paid leave policies.

By Cole Rosengren • March 18, 2020

How coronavirus is disrupting US waste and recycling

March 27: Raleigh Solid Waste Services dies due to COVID-19 complications. Multiple new cities limit or suspend curbside recycling. 

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden , Nami Sumida • UPDATED: March 27, 2020 at 11:10 a.m.

Medical waste companies preparing for potentially elevated volumes as coronavirus concerns accelerate

China has seen staggering amounts of medical waste. It is unclear if U.S. impacts might be similar, but companies such as Veolia North America and Stericycle are closely monitoring new developments. 

By E.A. Crunden • March 17, 2020

GFL Environmental paid more than $15M to settle Waste Industries landfill suit in Tennessee

A local official called the settlement over the Decatur County landfill "significant," not only for its dollar amount but also for the scope of agreements the company made around operational changes.

By E.A. Crunden • March 13, 2020

Waste companies react to coronavirus and alter travel plans amid uncertain operational effects

Some of the industry's largest companies shared an evolving range of approaches to travel expectations, meeting structures, and operational decisions. Plans for SWANApalooza and ISRI 2020 have been suspended.

By E.A. Crunden • UPDATED: March 12, 2020 at 12:26 p.m.

New Jersey organics bill awaits governor's signature as opponents still angle for landfill exemption

New Jersey could become the ninth site with a food waste diversion policy, but a multiyear debate over whether landfills with gas capture systems should count as a form of organics recycling is likely to continue.

By Cole Rosengren • March 11, 2020

Ambrosia, organics recycler behind food waste-based cleaning product, eyes expansion

The company is still scaling up plans for more processing capacity, but its CEO also now sees potential for a new business line. The concept could gain traction amid rising consumer awareness of food waste, experts say.

By Cole Rosengren • March 10, 2020

Baltimore council members back goal of 'zero waste' by 2040 amid incinerator litigation

Activists pushing for the closure of Wheelabrator Baltimore are calling for a dramatic turn toward waste reduction and diversion. A majority of council members introduced a resolution Monday in support of that plan.

By E.A. Crunden • UPDATED: March 10, 2020 at 10:24 a.m.

Electric refuse trucks on the road or on the way in rising number of states

A recent SWANA event in Maine highlighted the presence of BYD, Lion and others in this quickly evolving sector. It was also a reminder that charging infrastructure remains a notable, and potentially expensive, startup factor.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: March 9, 2020 at 10:56 a.m.

IPO helps GFL Environmental raise nearly $2.2B, CEO expects to be more 'nimble' for M&A

CEO Patrick Dovigi spoke about finally going public amid market turmoil, future growth strategy and plans for the company's first sustainability report. A new filing indicates the company has since paid down at least $1.2 billion in debt.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: March 12, 2020 at 9:41 a.m.

New coalition aims to advance polypropylene recycling despite viability questions

The Recycling Partnership and others are calling for greater investment to capture and sort #5 plastics, and some buyers say they can't get enough. Competing with booming virgin production may make this an expensive proposition.

By Leslie Nemo • March 04, 2020

Waste Management reverses decision to cut mixed paper recycling in 14 Florida cities

Poor markets and high contamination rates in Broward County were cited as the initial rationale. Now, a Waste Management spokesperson tells Waste Dive incineration remains an option for material that can't be salvaged. 

By E.A. Crunden • March 04, 2020

Landfill operators say cap-and-trade could cost $138M in first year alone if emissions standards not changed

Republic Services and Waste Management predict GHG pricing at the state and federal level could be coming to their sector. If so, they worry current standards could "put a lot of us out of business."

By E.A. Crunden • March 02, 2020

Waste Management CEO anticipates EPR for packaging likely in California

Jim Fish projected California would move ahead with European-style regulations, speaking at a National Geographic event. The remarks come as the company reevaluates its stance and broader discussions evolve on the limits of market-based solutions.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 28, 2020

Waste Management to report on MRF infrastructure, plastics and EPR following shareholder proposal

A resolution by As You Sow and Trillium Asset Management was withdrawn following the agreement to share more details on equipment upgrades, plastics markets and more. A similar resolution is still pending with Republic Services.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 26, 2020

Waste Management's Tara Hemmer says industry needs to be more proactive on climate issues

Speaking at the Global Waste Management Symposium, the senior vice president emphasized a need to be more proactive around emerging topics such as plastics and the Green New Deal.

By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 26, 2020

2019 earnings coverage for US waste and recycling companies

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly analysis of results from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, Advanced Disposal Services, Casella Waste Systems and Covanta during 2019.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 26, 2020

2019 earnings coverage: Advanced Disposal Services

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly coverage of results from one of the U.S. industry's largest public waste companies, including details of its announced sale to Waste Management.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 25, 2020

2019 earnings coverage: Casella Waste Systems

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly coverage of results from the Vermont-based waste and recycling company as it completed another year of renewed expansion through acquisition.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 25, 2020

2019 earnings coverage: Covanta

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly coverage of results from the industry's largest waste-to-energy company as it continued plans for international expansion.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 25, 2020

2019 earnings coverage: Waste Management

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly coverage of a big year for the North American industry's largest player, including its plans to acquire Advanced Disposal Services.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 25, 2020