Labor

Waste Management adding 'buffer' truck in Texas after worker fatality

This seemingly unique defense against distracted driving will be used in one particularly high-traffic area, though an ongoing conversion to automated side-load trucks is still said to be a national priority.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 15, 2019

Houston approves $5M for recycling contractor and truck rentals to fix collection mess

The Houston City Council agreed to bring in Texas Pride Disposal Solutions for temporary service on recycling routes, along with new vehicles from Big Truck Rental, as service delays continue.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Jan. 17, 2019 at 7:41 a.m.

Column

Scrap Collector: 'Trump's Trash' and the Oakland Garbage Blitz

Plus, an NYC proposal aims for increased private waste industry oversight, and a nonprofit takes on Big Plastic.

By Rina Li • Jan. 11, 2019

Opinion

How to plan for the best when faced with a worst-case scenario facility fire

Fire Rover’s Ryan Fogelman discusses the importance of planning, training and investing in the proper equipment to achieve the best possible outcome during a fire incident.

By Ryan Fogelman

Appeals court sends Browning-Ferris joint employer question back to NLRB

The D.C. Circuit approved the board's Obama-era standard, but experts say it's unclear whether this limits NLRB's upcoming rulemaking.

By Kate Tornone • Jan. 02, 2019

Our 10 best stories of 2018

Catch up on some of our biggest stories involving Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Rubicon Global, TerraCycle and, of course, China.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 21, 2018

After nearly 6 months without contract, ecomaine workers strike a contentious deal

Terms agreed to by the International Union of Engineers and the nonprofit WTE/recycling operator may come at the expense of deep division over new rotating shift requirements.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 21, 2018

Column

Scrap Collector: Microplastics found in Earth's deepest point, Philly cameras catching litterbugs in the act

Plus, rough sailing for ocean garbage collector, suspended Alabama workers reinstated after strike, and the EU's latest push against plastic.

By Rina Li • Dec. 21, 2018

BLS: Fatality rate for collection workers 10x national average

New national data indicates 30 "refuse and recyclable material collectors" died on the job in 2017. NWRA and SWANA responded with their own takes on what this means for industry safety standards.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 18, 2018

Boston inches toward final 'zero waste' plan, eyes curbside organics pilot

While enthusiastic about the expansive scope of a new report, many advocates remain unhappy with the lack of specific "living wage" contract language for recycling workers.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 17, 2018

SWEEP standard — LEED for waste and recycling — releases ambitious proposal

After more than two years of work by many of the industry's biggest corporate and government players, the Solid Waste Environmental Excellence Protocol now has draft language ready for comments.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 17, 2018

Column

Scrap Collector: $16M California recycling fraud bust, lessons from Flint's water crisis

Plus, accusations of "politically motivated" sanitation worker sickout, wasting disease in animal carcasses and the triumphant return of Garbage Hill.

By Rina Li • Dec. 07, 2018

San Francisco passes ordinance requiring waste audits for large generators

More than 400 locations will now be subject to a review of their recycling practices every three years and could be required to hire on-site "zero waste facilitators."

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Dec. 5, 2018 at 10 a.m.

Column

Scrap Collector: Recycling cuts; latest worker fatality

Plus, M&A news from Santek and Meridian, corporate recycling developments and the unseen e-waste nightmare lurking behind this holiday season.

By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • Nov. 30, 2018

Embattled New York hauler Sanitation Salvage surrenders license

The company, once among the city's largest, never fully recovered from a one-month suspension. It leaves behind an estimated 2,100 customers.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Nov. 28, 2018 at 1:09 p.m.

Waste Management, Teamsters head to court over Reno, Nevada strike threats

The conflict over whether employees must electronically log their lunch breaks has escalated into a temporary restraining order and dueling NLRB complaints.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 20, 2018

Q&A

Consider the MRF worker: Leadpoint's push to change an overlooked occupation

In the face of increasing quality expectations and injury rates, MRF employment needs to evolve. Pat Hudson discusses how Leadpoint is working to achieve that.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 20, 2018

Poll: Texting while driving viewed as widespread problem in cities

Respondents in Denver and Houston expressed the most concern about texting and driving, while NYC and San Francisco topped the list of cities that worry about texting and walking.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 20, 2018

NWRA petition estimates ELD mandate would cost industry nearly $117M

Following Waste Management's exemption, the association is raising concerns about distracted driving and pushing for an industry-wide policy.

By Cody Ellis • Nov. 19, 2018

Q&A

Jim Trevathan reflects on 39 years at Waste Management

In part one of an extended interview, the outgoing COO covers the evolution of company culture — through Drury, Myers, Steiner and Fish — plus safety and labor retention.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 14, 2018

BLS: MRF injuries spiked in 2017, industry rate held steady

Ongoing focus on collection workers appears to be paying off, but new data show that MRFs and landfills require ongoing attention.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 09, 2018

Official NYC franchise plan: 20 nonexclusive zones, 68 potential contracts

The highly anticipated final proposal is expected to accelerate consolidation of the local industry and ramp up an already contentious political fight to achieve city council passage.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Nov. 8, 2018 at 1:03 p.m.

Q&A

Reflecting on 5 deals in 4 states, WCA says more to come

Senior VP of Operations Matt Spencer shares insights about recent acquisitions, recycling costs and labor trends for the Texas company.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 07, 2018