Labor

PPP funds for waste, recycling companies slow to roughly $41M in early 2021

Widening COVID-19 vaccine access and commercial customers reopening portend recovery from some of 2020's unprecedented challenges. Still, seven companies secured loans of over $1 million in January.

By Maria Rachal • March 03, 2021

Workers split on coronavirus vaccine mandates, incentives, survey shows

Employers should engage with employees "at a deep level to understand their views and align decisions with employee preference," said Eagle Hill Consulting's president and CEO.

By Kate Tornone • March 03, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2021

Entering a second year of operating during a pandemic, the waste and recycling industry is poised to see further corporate traction on ESG goals, tech upgrades and M&A activity, as well as key policy developments from the Biden administration.

By Waste Dive staff

Waste Connections pursues escalating New York legal fight in face of stiff competition

Subsidiary County Waste sued former owner Scott Earl over alleged unfair practices and issues related to the rise of his new company, Twin Bridges. The two are battling over prices and acquisition targets around the Capital Region.

By Cole Rosengren • March 02, 2021

Vehicle-related incidents still leading cause of industry worker deaths, SWANA says

Another timely concern raised at the SWANA Safety Summit: fighting the burnout that comes from workers' COVID-19 fatigue.

By Megan Quinn • March 01, 2021

2020 earnings coverage for US waste and recycling companies

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly analysis of results from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Covanta and Casella Waste Systems during 2020.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: Waste Connections

The industry's third-largest company continued to expand through M&A, responded to the coronavirus pandemic and committed to $500 million in ESG spending.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: Casella Waste Systems

This key Northeast company continued growing its dominant presence in the market amid the pandemic, with plans to further expand multiple key landfill assets.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: Waste Management

The North American industry's largest company weathered the pandemic, announced new ESG plans and completed the major acquisition of Advanced Disposal Services.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: Republic Services

The industry's second-largest player adapted to the pandemic, completed a busy year of M&A and pushed ahead on fleet electrification plans.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

Solid waste companies emerge resilient from Q4, with some lingering pandemic effects

Earnings from the industry's publicly traded solid waste companies show the sector has largely rebounded, but is still affected by a slow economic recovery.

By Waste Dive Team • UPDATED: Feb. 23, 2021 at 1:21 p.m.

Waste Connections Q4: $180M worth of M&A in 2020 opens new markets

The company highlighted improved solid waste volumes and increased values for recycled commodities and renewable fuels, all of which contributed to a better than expected quarter despite the ongoing pandemic.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 18, 2021

Waste Management CEO says economy 'ready to take off,' major North American M&A likely done

In the first full earnings report since acquiring Advanced Disposal, executives shared updates on integration and pandemic recovery. They also leaned into ESG as an opportunity under the Biden administration.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2021

Waste employers prep COVID-19 vaccine plans as most workers still await shots

While not requiring all workers get vaccinated, Waste Management, Republic Services and Casella are among employers working to inform, encourage and properly incentivize extra protection against the virus, once available.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 16, 2021

Waste Management debuts recycled plastic uniforms, downplays landfills at annual ESG event

The national uniform rollout, and plans to invest $100 million in recycling infrastructure, were touted at a climate-focused sustainability forum. The industry's largest landfill company also described disposal as "a last resort."

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 10, 2021

Labor secretary nominee advances out of committee after backing safety, equity commitments

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh emphasized the need for safety standards, calling OSHA "one of the first and top priorities for me," at his confirmation hearing.

By Ryan Golden • UPDATED: Feb. 11, 2021 at 10:40 a.m.

Buttigieg DOT confirmation boosts hope for massive infrastructure investment

Several officials said the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor's experience in local government will serve him well and have called on him to embrace innovations like autonomous and electric vehicles. 

By Chris Teale • Feb. 03, 2021

CDC publishes vaccination posters, templates for employers with essential workers

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved plans to put essential workers next in line for vaccines, state rollout plans vary.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 01, 2021

WASTECON: Coronavirus underscores shared challenges and adaptations for city leaders

Officials from New York, Toronto, Miami-Dade County, Philadelphia and Baltimore highlighted ongoing budget and staffing challenges nearly a year into the pandemic. Now, they're seizing the moment for long-term changes.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • Feb. 01, 2021

Deep Dive

Fleet tech forges ahead, but some bide time on higher-stake EV investments

The pandemic strained finances for some waste and recycling collectors looking to upgrade their operations. But falling costs and ESG pressures could catalyze EV pilots, routing software adoption and more in 2021.

By Maria Rachal • UPDATED: Jan. 27, 2021 at 8:20 a.m.

Deep Dive

9 questions about the future of waste and recycling in 2021

As we gear up for another eventful year, Waste Dive will be focusing on trends around ESG, M&A, recycling policy, market development, PFAS, local budgets, collection technology, safety, diversity and much more.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2021

Biden will ask OSHA to reconsider decision to skip emergency coronavirus standards

The president-elect also plans to direct the agency to target the worst violators and increase the number of inspectors.

By Kate Tornone • Jan. 13, 2021

Biden taps former union president Walsh for labor secretary

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will "usher in a new era of worker power," according to the Biden-Harris team.

By Katie Clarey • Jan. 08, 2021

Vaccine rollout boosts medical waste volumes, as workers wait for their shot

States will determine where waste workers fall in line for the coronavirus vaccine, including those responsible for properly disposing of materials from the mass inoculation.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 07, 2021

Recology names new CEO Coniglio, following retirement of longtime leader

Sal Coniglio's elevation to the top job comes six months after he became chief operating officer. This move caps off former CEO Mike Sangiacomo's 37-year stint at the major California-based private company.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 05, 2021

With volumes down, New York City commercial waste workers struggle to adjust

New York – hit harder than many markets in the country – has seen numerous workers become ill with the coronavirus, have their hours cut, or get laid off. And hopes for federal hazard pay legislation have not materialized.

By Amir Khafagy • Dec. 23, 2020