Workforce

Extreme heat drives OSHA to develop new federal workplace standard

The advanced notice set to be released next month is the first step in the development of a federal standard to prevent heat-related illness and death.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 21, 2021

Covanta, Casella, Vanguard Renewables and others continue the conversation at virtual WasteExpo

The event included insight on industry discussions such as EPR, environmental justice, waste-to-energy, climate change, recycling and technology.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Sept. 17, 2021

Biden directs OSHA to create new coronavirus vaccine requirements for large employers

A temporary emergency standard could mandate businesses with more than 100 employees ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or require unvaccinated workers to have a weekly negative test result.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 10, 2021

FDA approval of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provides cover for employer mandates

"I've received a number of calls from clients who were on the fence, and now, this is something that helps to solidify their confidence," one attorney said.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 01, 2021

Vaccine mandates set for waste and recycling workers in multiple cities

While major private-sector employers haven't announced any vaccine mandates to date, government employees in New York, Philadelphia, Denver and elsewhere face new requirements.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Aug. 25, 2021 at 9:31 a.m.

OSHA recommends masks for many vaccinated workers

Among others, employees in areas of substantial transmission should wear masks to protect unvaccinated co-workers, the agency said.

By Kate Tornone • Aug. 19, 2021

New York adopts commercial waste safety rules as local industry prepares for bigger shift

After years of scrutiny, local haulers now must follow new labor and vehicle safety requirements within the city. It's the latest in a series of reforms leading up to commercial waste franchise zones.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 18, 2021

Waste industry monitors service disruptions amid spread of delta variant

Local news reports reveal coronavirus-driven worker absences and pickup delays reminiscent of earlier in the pandemic. Industry leaders are still encouraging vaccinations and some cities require them for their own employees.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 16, 2021

Deep Dive

With mask, vaccine mandates on the rise, employers have options — but consistency is key

The delta variant is driving new outbreaks and government guidance. Whatever employers choose, inconsistent enforcement is a "recipe for disaster," one attorney said.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 11, 2021

Resource Recycling Conference highlights role of markets, labor and climate in municipal recycling

Panelists at last week's virtual event discussed how positive market shifts for certain postconsumer plastics and fiber grades are influencing MRF investment decisions, while labor availability is a key issue in servicing local programs.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • Aug. 10, 2021

Waste Connections seeing 'record' seller enthusiasm for M&A, multiple West Coast deals in works

Like competitors, the company has largely recovered lost pandemic business and is raising prices to stay ahead of wage pressures. To date, 14 acquisitions have closed and many more are in this year's pipeline, leaders said.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 05, 2021

Q2 earnings: Solid waste companies raise annual expectations, weigh in on labor issues

Major companies saw strong results from recycling and highlighted active M&A opportunities. Catch up on takeaways from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

By Waste Dive Team • UPDATED: Aug. 5, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

Deep Dive

10 ways the PRO Act could change the game for employers and organized labor

Currently being considered in the Senate, the bill would strengthen the ability of unions to form and collectively bargain, amend the definition of a joint employer and bring many other changes to the workplace.

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 03, 2021

Casella anticipates further expansion into Connecticut after Willimantic acquisition

The Northeast company touted "productive conversations" with other potential sellers in the region, and it estimated the McKean Landfill could come online in Pennsylvania by the end of 2022, during its latest earnings call.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 02, 2021

Republic Services Q2: 'no pause' on M&A after Santek, eyeing environmental solutions deals

The labor shortage and coronavirus pose some uncertainty, the company acknowledged, but it raised guidance based on strong recovery trends. Executives also discussed new landfill gas and recycling opportunities.

By Maria Rachal • July 30, 2021

Waste Management Q2 bolstered by economic recovery, even with labor, supply chain strains

The company saw record recycling results and plans to accelerate investment in that area this year. It also increased its annual guidance yet again, seeing further potential to recover business affected by the pandemic.

By Cole Rosengren • July 27, 2021

New association aims to build pipeline of truck drivers, technicians

The Next Generation in Trucking Association has a nationally registered apprenticeship program, which it says can help employers retain drivers.

By S.L. Fuller • July 20, 2021

City hiring woes and solutions; New $16B pitch for recycling infrastructure

In this week’s municipal news roundup: Denver and St. Louis feel the effects of labor shortages, and leaders in Portland, Oregon, seek to widen their worker candidate pools.

By Maria Rachal • July 16, 2021

Cities tackle illegal dumping, ongoing hauler labor shortages

In this week's municipal news roundup: more methods to reduce roadside trash, plus ongoing waste collection issues and new compost initiatives.

By Megan Quinn • July 09, 2021

Top stories from 2021's WasteExpo

Catch up on event coverage and interviews about the labor shortage, emerging ESG pressures, fleet technology, organics recycling, PFAS and more.

By Waste Dive Team • UPDATED: Sept. 17, 2021 at 11:20 a.m.

What the industry is saying about 5 key topics in waste and recycling

At WasteExpo, executives, vendors and regulators were vocal on everything from policy to PFAS and plastics, to the problem of not being able to hire enough workers.

By Waste Dive Team • July 07, 2021

Waste CEOs emphasize labor, ESG and M&A as top priorities after pandemic

Leaders from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and other groups weighed in on labor solutions, fleet technology and the economy at last week's WasteExpo.

By Cole Rosengren • July 06, 2021

Oregon governor signs country's second EPR law for packaging

The law establishes a packaging EPR program by 2025. It also calls for other updates, such as a standardized material list and a labeling task force meant to evaluate items' recyclability.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Aug. 9, 2021 at 9:36 a.m.

Employers convey hiring difficulties at WasteExpo, while others encourage considering less 'traditional' talent pools

As many employers across the industry say it’s harder to fill open positions now than it was before the pandemic, some conference speakers sought to spotlight the potential in currently and formerly incarcerated individuals.

By Maria Rachal • June 30, 2021

Survey: Many people want to keep workplace masking policies, even for vaccinated employees

Respondents to an American Staffing Association survey also expressed both a desire to keep their own vaccination status private and a belief in their right to know others', resulting in a "challenging privacy paradox."

By Emilie Shumway • June 29, 2021