Labor
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Teamsters' clash with Republic Services expands in Georgia and beyond
As collection workers strike in Massachusetts, actions have also been reported in California, Georgia and Indiana.
By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 11, 2019 -
ColumnScrap Collector: Plastic makes its way into oceans – and 2020 climate forum
Plus: California county settling landfill employee racial discrimination suit, and UK waste management giant Biffa pleading not guilty to export charges.
By Rina Li • Sept. 06, 2019 -
Teamsters continue Republic strike in Massachusetts, picket in California
Teamsters Local 25 have been on strike for a week over initial contract negotiations. Meanwhile, the union is ramping up pressure elsewhere, and Republic has taken the issue to court.
By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: Sept. 5, 2019 at 11:04 a.m. -
Bernie Sanders's $16.3T climate plan promises major waste and recycling shifts
The Democratic presidential candidate's platform includes a national recycling program, divestment from incinerators, funding for food recovery and composting investments, and a right to repair policy.
By Rina Li • Aug. 30, 2019 -
Deep DiveWhat's next for California container recycling after rePlanet's closure?
Losing the state's largest recycling center operator in one fell swoop could challenge California's redemption program. Supporters and critics alike offer ideas for stabilization.
By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 28, 2019 -
Republic Services Q2: M&A spending much higher than planned
More referrals than ever have put the Arizona company on track for a big year of acquisitions. Overall quarterly results were also strong — with some hope even for recycling.
By Cole Rosengren • July 26, 2019 -
Republic Services sets waste industry's most ambitious climate goal yet
The company's pledge to reduce key greenhouse gas emissions 35% by 2030 is more direct and timely than anything in the sector so far — including Waste Management's "moonshot" target.
By Cole Rosengren • July 25, 2019 -
ColumnScrap Collector: US stands as lone OECD opponent of Basel plastic amendment
Plus: Cambodia returning illegal waste imports, and India's capital cracking down on food waste at social functions.
By Rina Li • July 19, 2019 -
Deep DiveReduce, reuse, rescoot? A look at e-scooters' long-term sustainability
Scooters are touted as a clean, low-cost form of transportation, but their lifespan is far from sustainable — and their parts could pose a danger to recycling facilities.
By Katie Pyzyk • July 17, 2019 -
Tennessee sanitation workers file EEOC racial discrimination charges against Republic Services
A Teamsters complaint alleges "continuous efforts to make work conditions hostile and malicious" for Republic's black drivers in the Memphis area.
By Rina Li • July 16, 2019 -
Deadly day for workers refocuses spotlight on industry safety progress
Three unrelated June 13 fatalities across multiple states are the latest reminder that top-down policy fixes may not be able to drive fundamental changes in safety culture.
By Cole Rosengren • June 25, 2019 -
New York franchise bill: 1 company could exclusively win 15 of 20 zones
Much-discussed new legislation outlines a framework to enhance recycling services, labor standards and routing efficiency in the city's commercial waste industry. Now, it's in for a potentially bruising legislative process.
By Cole Rosengren • May 30, 2019 -
Doubt and discord ahead of New York franchise bill introduction
The much-anticipated legislation launches today after years of planning, but it likely won't be what the city's Department of Sanitation envisioned.
By Cole Rosengren • UPDATED: May 30, 2019 at 10:44 a.m. -
Conversations with execs from 8 key industry companies
Catch up on Waste Dive's interviews with Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Covanta, WCA Waste, FCC Environmental and Rubicon Global from WasteExpo 2019.
By Waste Dive Team • May 24, 2019 -
Q&AStraight talk with WCA Waste CEO Bill Caesar
One of the industry's largest private operators discusses satisfaction with the company's current geography, pressures on landfill operations and why carbon pricing is likely inevitable.
By Cole Rosengren • May 21, 2019 -
Safety falls on everyone — from top leaders to hourly employees
More of the same isn't good enough when it comes to advancing workplace safety, emphasized speakers at WasteExpo earlier this month.
By Rina Li • May 21, 2019 -
Q&AWaste Connections may be third-largest, but don't accuse it of being a 'big company'
President Worthing Jackman talks caution on recycling, adapting to landfill regulations and efforts to maintain employee engagement amid a period of exponential growth.
By Cole Rosengren • May 17, 2019 -
FMCSA seeks comment on proposed driver age pilot
Proponents of the change say it would get more drivers on the road at a time when the industry is struggling to fill roles.
By Matt Leonard • May 15, 2019 -
Q&ANew Republic Services president: 'Death of landfills has been overexaggerated'
Waste Dive met with Jon Vander Ark to discuss retention strategies, why recycling may grow faster than solid waste, what's next for landfill operations, and the risks and opportunities of climate change.
By Cole Rosengren • May 15, 2019 -
FCC Environmental plans to 'grow faster' in US, start acquiring
While the Spanish giant has secured a notable presence in the U.S., CEO Inigo Sanz told Waste Dive there will be more expansion.
By Cole Rosengren • May 14, 2019 -
Q&AWaste Management COO: New Chicago MRF will be 'much more mechanized'
Recently promoted to the C-suite, John Morris spoke to Waste Dive about efforts to improve retention rates, the evolution of landfill operations and the company's recycling "plant of the future."
By Cole Rosengren • May 13, 2019 -
Top waste companies fed up with immigration stalemate, losing drivers
Waste Management CEO Jim Fish's comments on federal inaction turned heads at WasteExpo. Republic Services, Waste Connections and WCA Waste also offered insight into the challenges they face.
By Cole Rosengren • May 10, 2019 -
Federal appeals court rules against Waste Connections in driver discrimination suit
The ruling, which involves the firing of a South Carolina employee in 2015, reverses a prior judgment in the company's favor.
By Ryan Golden • May 01, 2019 -
Kansas City Council wavers on deprivatizing waste collection
The city's solid waste manager is estimating about $20 million in savings over 10 years if municipal crews take over routes currently handled by a WCA subcontractor.
By Cody Ellis • April 30, 2019 -
ColumnScrap Collector: Investigation reveals pervasive plastic scrap smuggling into Malaysia
Plus: DSNY scraps supervisor's exam results in wake of cheating revelations, and Philippines President Duterte threatens war with Canada over illegal waste.
By Rina Li • April 26, 2019
