Labor

MRF Summit: Despite pandemic setbacks, 2020 shows bright spots for recycling

Speakers at the event highlighted the booming use of robotics, declining contamination and improved market pricing as positive signs; while international trade policy continues to present complications.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 24, 2020

Column

The DOT under Biden: Does it really matter who's in charge at the FMCSA?

Two former agency officials discuss what might occur in the coming months at the highest level of the industry's main bureau.

By S.L. Fuller • Nov. 20, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Recycling during a pandemic

The recycling industry experienced notable recent turbulence due to market and policy shifts. The COVID-19 pandemic brought even more disruption, while some say it is proving the sector's resilience.

By Waste Dive staff

Opinion

How the waste and recycling industry can weather rapid changes in the insurance marketplace

Nathan Brainard, vice president of the environmental division at Insurance Office of America, outlines why so many insurers have exited the marketplace in recent years and how industry service providers can turn things around.

By Nathan Brainard • Nov. 19, 2020

EPA sets 2030 national recycling goal, stakeholders call for more federal action

Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a 50% recycling rate target for 2030, while the latest annual data showed a decline to 32.1% and multiple financial pressures continue for the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Tracking ESG climate targets from US waste and recycling companies

Major industry companies are increasingly disclosing their greenhouse gas emissions, and plans to mitigate their effects on the climate, in detailed sustainability reports. Stay up to date with our ongoing tracker.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

Calculating the costs of climate change in the waste, energy sectors

Waste Dive, Utility Dive and Smart Cities Dive teamed up for a series presenting the way their sectors are evaluating the impacts and costs of mitigating climate change.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

Deep Dive

US waste and recycling sector faces mounting risks and opportunities from climate change

As the industry increasingly recognizes its contribution to climate change and sees business opportunities in potentially mitigating those effects, the sector could be at a notable inflection point in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Q&A

Recology COO discusses how the West Coast company is weathering a year of wildfires, pandemic disruptions

Sal Coniglio – recently promoted to one of the company's top jobs – talks future plans, COVID-19 business effects and how previous fires taught the company to stock up on masks.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 11, 2020

Republic Services Q3: Annual M&A spend now on track for up to $900M

Driven by the pending acquisitions of Santek Waste and Randy's Environmental, Republic is on track for a big year. The company also reported sequential pandemic recovery in multiple lines of business.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 06, 2020

BLS data shows higher injury, illness rate for landfill workers in 2019

The annual data showed rates remaining relatively flat for collection workers (tracking with national workforce trends), while ticking up at landfills and improving at MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 05, 2020

Waste Management Q3: Executives optimistic about pandemic recovery, Advanced synergy savings

Executives reiterated cost saving expectations following the marathon deal process, highlighted incremental volume improvements, shared ESG spending updates and discussed the potential effects of a Biden victory.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 02, 2020

Deep Dive

Diversity efforts taking shape at waste industry's big companies, but serious work remains

Public companies are increasing their focus on diversity and inclusion, from the frontlines to the boardroom, following national attention on racism. Nearly 74% of sector executives or senior managers are White males, per federal data.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 02, 2020

Top waste companies report further recovery in Q3, ongoing pandemic effects

The second full quarter to reflect the pandemic's effects showed ongoing recovery of overall volumes and stronger commodity pricing. See results from Waste Management, Republic, Waste Connections, GFL, Covanta and Casella.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Nov. 6, 2020 at 9:43 a.m.

Waste Connections Q3: Pandemic recovery plateauing, $500M ESG plan launched

Business is still rebounding from shutdown levels, and M&A activity continues across North America, but unknowns also remain ahead of the election and a rising coronavirus caseload.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 29, 2020

Waste Management updates sustainability plan with 2025 targets focused on climate

Existing 2038 sustainability goals haven't changed, but executives recognized the need for more near-term progress. Procuring more renewable energy and reducing recycling contamination are among the newly announced priorities.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Oct. 15, 2020 at 12:38 p.m.

City sanitation workers across the country seek hazard pay, looking to federal relief funds for help

With no end in sight to the pandemic, municipal sanitation workers in Philadelphia, Baltimore and other cities are asking for better compensation. Successful efforts in multiple Virginia cities offer a possible model to follow.

By Amir Khafagy • Oct. 12, 2020

Mack advances toward electric truck production, Republic Services among first customers

The manufacturer recently handed off pre-production LR Electric models to Republic and New York's Department of Sanitation after initial tests. Production will begin in 2021, as multiple competitors look to gain market share.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 07, 2020

Deep Dive

Calls for e-cigarette legislation increase amid growing fire hazard to waste and recycling industry

The proliferation of vape pens for nicotine and cannabis is the latest example of how embedded lithium-ion batteries are creating a safety risk for the sector. Advocates hope national and state policy proposals can change that.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 22, 2020

Top stories from 2020's WasteExpo

Catch up on coverage of sessions about federal elections, evolving approaches to technology, PFAS regulations, recycling technology, policy and more.

By Waste Dive Team • UPDATED: Sept. 30, 2020 at 9:56 a.m.

As technology spreads across the industry, independent haulers see adaptability as unique edge

From collection vehicles to the back office, industry systems are evolving rapidly. National players may have more resources, but during a WasteExpo panel smaller companies said they can pivot more quickly.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 16, 2020

Q&A

New York sanitation commissioner warns against 'devastating' budget cuts ahead of resignation

After six-plus years on the job, Kathryn Garcia is considering a run for mayor. In an exit interview, she discourages further layoffs, forecasts more commercial waste zone delays and says "zero waste" by 2030 is likely unattainable.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 14, 2020

SWEEP standard coming to fruition with industry support and pilot cities

After years of work, an accreditation system modeled after LEED is reaching a notable milestone. Those behind it hope to improve data standardization and drive sustainable materials management policies around the country.

By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Aug. 31, 2020 at 11:42 a.m.

Q&A

Waste Pro's new COO pledges more executive time in the field, talks 'controlled growth' strategy

Keith Banasiak discusses his parallel career path alongside new CEO Sean Jennings, as well as the company's pandemic response, ESG perspective, future M&A plans and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 21, 2020

Acting Administrator Jim Mullen to leave FMCSA

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will get a new acting administrator in former Director of Government Affairs Wiley Deck.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 17, 2020

Waste Connections Q2: Economic recovery may have plateaued, notable E&P declines

While an ongoing downturn in the energy market skewed results, and other volumes remain down, the company's latest earnings report showed a resilient business. Annual guidance has been reinstated, and M&A plans continue.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 07, 2020