Sprite shifting from green to clear bottles to boost recycling

Coca-Cola, which is also moving to 100% recycled plastic Dasani bottles in North America, says it aims to support a circular packaging economy.

By Chris Casey • July 28, 2022

WM raises 2022 guidance, plans to restart notable M&A spending

CEO Jim Fish said during the company’s July 27 earnings call that even if an economic slowdown occurs, WM is well-positioned to gain market share. New investments in RNG projects and MRF automation are also progressing.

By Cole Rosengren • July 27, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2022

Get up to speed on what may be coming next around M&A, labor solutions, ESG investment trends, federal regulation, state policy, environmental justice, local programs and more.

By Waste Dive staff

SWEEP sustainability standard pilot moving forward after pandemic slowdowns

Numerous companies and municipalities in the pilot are about halfway through their certification process. There’s flexibility in the work-at-your-own-pace model, but COVID-19 and staff turnover have slowed progress.

By Maria Rachal • July 26, 2022

Gartner: CFOs likely to reduce sustainability spend before talent development, tech

Economic pressures could lead chief financial officers to cut down on investments in sustainability despite a growing executive focus on ESG, Gartner finds.

By Grace Noto • July 26, 2022

Can carbon capture make incinerators a net-zero solution? European operators aim to find out.

Climate goals are inspiring European operators to explore new technologies for their emissions, yet the environmental and financial outcomes remain to be seen. Skeptics say reduction, reuse and recycling are still the best options.

By Leslie Nemo • July 26, 2022

Vanguard Renewables CEO on $700M sale to BlackRock, digester expansion and landfill competition

Neil Smith, who joined Vanguard after leading an energy company during a similar period of expansion, breaks down what the sale means for the company’s efforts to launch dozens of RNG-producing facilities.

By Cole Rosengren • July 25, 2022

Republic Services reports on progress toward 2030 climate goals, restates emissions accounting

The company says it’s on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost recovery of certain “key materials,” with more electric vehicles on the way. It has also begun using an industry-created emissions standard.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 22, 2022

Gainesville, Florida, seeks to be Southeast leader with major EV deployment, zero-waste policies

The college town is aiming to be a regional leader when it comes to reuse, edible food recovery and other areas. An upcoming contract with GFL Environmental also calls for dozens of electric collection vehicles.

By Maria Rachal • July 19, 2022

As organics depackager equipment market grows, so do concerns over microplastics contamination

Companies like Vanguard Renewables are investing millions to facilitate commercial organics recycling as researchers and state regulators work to keep PFAS and microplastics out of the equation.

By Elizabeth Gribkoff • July 18, 2022

HomeBiogas CEO sees 'a lot of room' for on-site organics recycling to compete in waste market

Oshik Efrati — co-founder of an Israeli company that has deployed digester units in more than 100 countries — outlines plans to target U.S. homeowners, multifamily complexes and commercial establishments.

By Cole Rosengren • July 15, 2022

Allied Industrial Partners expects Waste Eliminator to be 'first of several' industry investments

The latest private equity firm to enter this space discusses its $150 million investment plans for the Atlanta-area company, plus its own aspirations for other waste and recycling transactions.

By Cole Rosengren • July 13, 2022

Zara parent Inditex invests $30M in textile waste company Circ

The fashion company joined Bill Gates-founded Breakthrough Energy Ventures in a Series B funding round.

By Dani James • July 12, 2022

Detroit Dirt draws from community, corporate partnerships for waste diversion

Pashon Murray, founder of Detroit Dirt, talks about growing her urban composting initiative and encouraging companies to make waste diversion and environmental justice a larger part of their ESG strategy. 

By Megan Quinn • July 6, 2022

Future of troubled Renovare unclear after West Virginia facility closure, surprise merger reversal

The company — formerly known as BioHiTech Global — has seen its stock price plummet following financial, operational and legal issues. Former partner Entsorga sees a path forward for its shuttered showcase plant.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 1, 2022

Pay growth continued for top waste and recycling leaders in 2021 as CEO-median employee pay ratio widened

See the latest compensation data for executives at WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, Harsco and Casella Waste Systems in our annual report.

By Cole Rosengren • June 29, 2022

University of Maine researchers: Circular economy concepts may be overlooking environmental justice

The circular economy can offer “transformative promises” and potential job creation, but a recent literature review found many reports overlook EJ's role in sustaining such systems.

By Megan Quinn • June 21, 2022

WM explains plans to accelerate automation amid a 'war for talent'

With the company potentially phasing out up to 7,000 positions in the next few years, Chief Customer Officer Michael Watson elaborated on efforts to “upskill” employees and seize growth opportunities even in a tight labor market.

By Maria Rachal • June 15, 2022

Recycled cotton company Recover raises $100M in funding led by Goldman Sachs

The latest round of funding for a company focused on textile waste speaks to the need for innovation in an industry that creates tons of waste annually.

By Dani James • June 13, 2022

Expecting food waste 'tsunami,' California recyclers focus on infrastructure and end markets

As the state rolls out universal organics collection, major companies such as Agromin, Anaergia, GreenWaste Recovery, Recology, Republic Services and WM are expanding to meet demand. Learn more in Part 2 of our series.

By Cole Rosengren • June 9, 2022

California’s high-stakes experiment to cut organic waste disposal 75% by 2025

Waste companies and local governments in the state are making massive investments and operational changes to meet the demands of SB 1383. Explore the implications with our ongoing series.

Updated Nov. 14, 2022

How SEC ESG disclosure rules will impact private companies

The environmental reporting requirements, once they’re finalized, will sweep in a broader range of companies than many general counsel might realize.

By Robert Freedman • June 7, 2022

How New Jersey’s environmental justice law is beginning to affect operators around the country

Environmental lawyer Matthew Karmel offers insight on the law's newly-released draft rule language, plus M&A considerations and tips for navigating EJ risk assessments in any state.

By Megan Quinn • June 7, 2022

Climate-related disclosure annually costs companies $677K on average

The Securities and Exchange Commission is pushing a climate risk rule that would require companies to budget for detailed analysis of their greenhouse gas emissions. The agency is also seeking more disclosure for ESG funds.

By Jim Tyson • May 25, 2022

Big Food's sustainable packaging goals hit supply and demand reality

As consumer packaged goods companies set targets to cut virgin plastic use, the pandemic, poor weather and war have complicated their timelines.

By Samantha Oller • May 25, 2022

WasteExpo highlights big ideas for solving food waste, recycling, data and infrastructure problems

Speakers from Recology, ERI, Generate Upcycle, Orlando and the state of California shared advice on how to advance waste, recycling and organics operations.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Updated May 23, 2022