Environmental, Social and Governance
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WM’s sustainability report shows progress on GHG emissions reduction, diversity
The company’s most recent report, which reflects newer metrics it first published in 2022, shows progress on reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions aligned with SBTi requirements. WM made less progress on its materials recovery goal due to construction on recycling facility upgrades.
By Megan Quinn • Sept. 7, 2023 -
RSG 2023 earnings
Republic expects higher revenues amid plans for polymer centers, environmental solutions growth
Republic Services’ leaders shared new details about its polymer centers and continued integration of US Ecology, but noted it may have found the ceiling for price increases in certain markets.
By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 1, 2023 -
WM 2023 earnings
WM lowers 2023 guidance due to commodity prices but reports ‘solid results’ despite headwinds
WM CEO Jim Fish said he was pleased with how the company managed inflation, commodity and volume headwinds to end the second quarter.
By Megan Quinn • July 26, 2023 -
Republic Services updates climate transition plan, advances safety metrics
The company reported continued progress on its landfill gas collections and materials circularity efforts. It also says it’s still on track to purchase 50% electric trucks by 2028.
By Jacob Wallace • July 25, 2023 -
Amazon phasing out plastic mailers and working to reduce e-commerce packaging
While 92% of its packaging material weight in the U.S. and Canada is recyclable curbside, Amazon intends to further eliminate hard-to-recycle materials and has seen a boost in deliveries that ship in their own containers.
By Katie Pyzyk • July 21, 2023 -
Retrieved from Heritage Crystal-Clean on July 20, 2023
Heritage-Crystal Clean set to go private in $1.2B transaction
The pending transaction could see private equity firm J.F. Lehman & Co. purchase one of North America’s larger providers of various environmental services.
By Cole Rosengren • July 20, 2023 -
Wastequip touts recycled Toter cart, safety and diversity in first ESG report
The company has been working to align its goals through a corporate responsibility program since 2020. The report reveals the carbon intensity of certain products and progress in using recycled resins in Toter products.
By Jacob Wallace • July 20, 2023 -
Strategic Materials reports lowered emissions, greater waste diversion
The glass recycler reported its second year of GHG emissions measurements and said it will soon set SBTi-aligned reduction targets.
By Megan Quinn • July 19, 2023 -
GreenWaste releases sustainability report with first emissions goals
The report sets a net zero by 2040 goal. GreenWaste is also looking to reduce its incident rate for workplace injuries.
By Jacob Wallace • June 20, 2023 -
WIN Waste Innovations’ first sustainability report touts material recovery, avoided emissions
The Northeast-based company’s initial report includes statistics on the overall amount of material being recycled and managed, though it isn’t disclosing greenhouse gas emissions data yet.
By Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023 -
EPA mapping tool shows how rising sea levels could affect hazardous waste facilities
The federal agency wants such facilities to more quickly prepare for increased flooding and says a new interactive map will help with planning.
By Megan Quinn • May 19, 2023 -
Amazon, Yum Brands, Kroger face upcoming shareholder votes on circular packaging
Shareholder advocacy nonprofit As You Sow, which negotiated a recent agreement with McDonald’s, has filed numerous proposals seeking to curb plastic usage and prompt major brands to consider reusable packaging.
By Maria Rachal • May 10, 2023 -
Deep Dive
Waste industry braces for ‘bumps and bruises’ in EV rollout as California sets the pace
Haulers and vehicle manufacturers at WasteExpo said they expect a potential collision between regulation-fueled demand and limited supply of battery-electric trucks. Charging infrastructure is also a growing concern.
By Jacob Wallace • May 10, 2023 -
Q&A
WM CEO Jim Fish discusses the economy, labor automation and sustainability investments
The industry’s most high-profile executive weighed in about what will and won’t be changing when it comes to WM’s strategy on temporary labor, secondary processing for recyclables, anaerobic digestion and more.
By Cole Rosengren • May 10, 2023 -
The image by Antony-22 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0Q&A
Covanta CEO shares environmental services and M&A outlook after sizable Circon deal
In a recent interview, Azeez Mohammed outlined the company’s new scale and offerings after closing the deal this week. Plus, he shared an update on the serious facility fire in Miami-Dade County.
By Jacob Wallace • May 4, 2023 -
Q&A
Ball’s net zero climate plans touts support for EPR, container deposit policy
Director of Global Sustainability Adam Shalapin discusses what’s needed to realize more can-to-can recycling, Ball’s approach to policy advocacy and why a climate plan considering multiple paths is important.
By Maria Rachal • April 7, 2023 -
Q&A
Rubicon CEO on the company’s next chapter and the challenges of going public
Phil Rodoni, previously chief technology officer, took the helm during an eventful period for the company. He discusses Rubicon’s efforts to become profitable, grow its software business and compete in the sector.
By Cole Rosengren • March 22, 2023 -
Refill and reuse sectors strive for scale to upend single-use packaging’s stronghold
Changing consumer perceptions about convenience and value will be important to achieve greater market dominance, according to speakers from Loop, Clorox and other companies at the Sustainability in Packaging US event.
By Katie Pyzyk • March 17, 2023 -
Q&A
GreenWaste CEO envisions ‘stronger presence’ for company in California following private equity investment
Over a year after selling to a Macquarie fund, CEO Tracy Adams reports a “great partnership.” He discusses the company’s targeted acquisition strategy, the state’s SB 1383 organics recycling law and more.
By Cole Rosengren • March 16, 2023 -
Rubicon doubles down on higher-margin software business in ongoing push to boost profitability
After weathering challenges and executive changes, the tech-focused waste broker projects a turnaround. In addition to noting price increases on waste accounts, Rubicon touted a software expansion for commercial fleets.
By Cole Rosengren • March 9, 2023 -
EPR ‘crucial’ to hitting resource recovery goal, GFL exec says
Packaging and waste management stakeholders, including GFL Environmental’s vice president of resource recovery, discussed emerging policy battlegrounds at a Product Stewardship Institute webinar.
By Maria Rachal • March 3, 2023 -
US Plastics Pact makes varied progress on circular packaging; 2025 targets may be out of reach
Executive Director Emily Tipaldo praised data collection that’s occurred since 2020, even as maximizing reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging has run into barriers.
By Maria Rachal • Feb. 27, 2023 -
Q&A
Waste Harmonics CEO sees company at an ‘inflection point’ as it grows with latest acquisition
The company, which provides third-party services and tech offerings, is pacing ahead of growth targets set during a private equity recapitalization as ESG drives customers to want more data, says CEO Michael Hess.
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 24, 2023 -
Environmental justice is a growing operational factor. How are federal and state agencies defining it?
The definition of an environmental justice or disadvantaged area varies among states and between states and the U.S. EPA, with each term having a different range of implications.
By Myisha Majumder • Feb. 22, 2023 -
GFL says ‘exceptional year’ of growth driven by acquisitions, but M&A expected to slow in 2023
Getting the first RNG plants online is a priority this year, executives said. Strong earnings are expected in 2023, although volume predictions are conservative considering economic uncertainty.
By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 22, 2023