Labor
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Deep Dive10 insights from public waste company 10-Ks
We took a deep dive into the annual reports of the five vertically-integrated service providers to assess operational scale, unionization rates, landfill lifespans and more.
By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • March 18, 2019 -
3 things for HR to do before new overtime rules drop
Nothing's final yet, but employers shouldn't play the waiting game, according to HR professionals
By Ryan Golden • March 14, 2019 -
ColumnScrap Collector: New legislation takes aim at New York's 'sham unions'
Plus: plastic ingested by animals in world's deepest ocean trenches, and Ontario bill seeks to become North America's first "right to repair" law.
By Rina Li • March 01, 2019 -
Pneumatic tubes with local AD get wave of political support in New York
A long-discussed concept to get trucks and bags off the streets around the 1.5-mile High Line Park corridor is taking shape. Now, the team behind it wants key backing from Mayor Bill de Blasio.
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 28, 2019 -
Advanced Disposal caps off 'solid' 2018, projects M&A uptick
While the company's core solid waste business remains stable, CEO Richard Burke projects continued price hikes related to recyclables collection — even for customers that have already seen an initial round of increases.
By Rina Li • Feb. 25, 2019 -
Covanta celebrates record-setting year, looks to more international growth
CEO Steve Jones sees a 5-10 year window of continuous expansion in the U.K., and the company recently announced a new deal in the Philippines.
By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • Feb. 19, 2019 -
Waste Connections did $1B worth of acquisitions in 2018, foresees another 'outsized year'
During the Q4 earnings call, executives also discussed public pressure on plastics, the viability of franchising and ongoing labor trends.
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 15, 2019 -
Waste Management going on sustainability 'offensive,' buying more landfills
As the company's results continue to reach record highs, its stated focus is to keep spending on "technology and people" — including shareholders.
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 15, 2019 -
Republic Services has 'overcome' China hurdle, says recycling success up to customers
Reporting favorable 2018 earnings, CEO Don Slager projected slow and steady progress on labor retention, technology updates and M&A.
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 08, 2019 -
ColumnScrap Collector: Time for federal action on plastic pollution?
Plus: mussels losing their grip to microplastics, Recology MRF workers struggling with needle influx and UK politicians calling for an end to plastic waste exports abroad.
By Rina Li • Feb. 08, 2019 -
Report identifies factors in Advanced Disposal landfill slope failure that left one dead
A third-party root cause analysis, recently approved by Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection, breaks down the complex factors behind a February 2017 incident at the Greentree Landfill.
By Igor Geyn • Feb. 07, 2019 -
Study: ELD mandate may lead to unsafe driving behavior
A new study from researchers at Northeastern University and the University of Arkansas found the ELD mandate did increase the hours of service compliance for truckers, but there was little evidence of safety benefits.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 07, 2019 -
ColumnScrap Collector: Memphis sanitation strike's living legacy, Ocean Cleanup's destructive potential
Plus: waste collection work linked to musculoskeletal disorders, Malaysia cracks down on illegal plastic importers and China announces plans for "waste-free cities."
By Rina Li • Jan. 25, 2019 -
SWANA: 17 industry-related fatalities in North America so far this year
A recent spike in worker and third-party incidents in January was described as "unprecedented" by SWANA CEO David Biderman.
By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 23, 2019 -
Democrats introduce $15 minimum wage bill
The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 also would do away with the tipped minimum wage and the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities.
By Katie Clarey • Jan. 18, 2019 -
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. -
ColumnScrap 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 -
Deep Dive6 key questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2019
We'll be keeping an eye on recycling, climate change, landfills, alternative technologies, corporate consolidation, labor issues and much more in the year ahead.
By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 09, 2019 -
OpinionHow 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 • Jan. 04, 2019 -
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 -
ColumnScrap 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
