Workforce

New York sanitation experts urge incoming mayor to rethink, modernize collection system

The city's sidewalks are infamous for their mountains of garbage bags and rodents. A new "Put Waste to Work" campaign says containerization, route optimization and organics collection should be top priorities.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 3, 2021

Little for CFOs to like in Build Back Better tax provisions

Even if the Senate softens the legislation, companies can expect to see more complicated tax compliance and a potential excise tax on stock buybacks.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 29, 2021

Waste and recycling employers prepping for OSHA coronavirus requirements amid legal holdups

A Jan. 4 deadline for vaccinations or weekly testing has been halted, but the industry is still closely reviewing the standard, with attention to provisions such as an exemption for outdoor workers, which could apply to certain job types.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 22, 2021

New York aims to launch commercial waste zones in 2022, sector's largest change in decades

A long-anticipated RFP kicks off a process that could see coveted 10-year contracts awarded by next summer. Fifty companies have qualified to bid, including Waste Management, Waste Connections and Action Environmental.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 17, 2021

How US recycling programs make it work from coast to coast

Professionals working in multifamily city buildings, drop-off sites in tribal nations and programs in more isolated island areas weigh in on what's working, and what's still challenging, when it comes to recycling in 2021.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn • Nov. 15, 2021

The dirty truth about the waste industry's 'labor shortage'

Chuck Stiles, director of the Solid Waste and Recycling Division of the Teamsters union, says the industry's issue with recruiting and retaining workers comes down to insufficient wages, benefits and respect.

By Chuck Stiles • Nov. 9, 2021

Court stays employer vaccine mandate

The 5th Circuit ordered a stay on OSHA's vaccination policy due to "grave statutory and constitutional issues with the Mandate."

By Kathryn Moody • Updated Nov. 8, 2021

What waste industry CEOs said about the labor market during Q3 earnings calls

Casella, GFL, Republic, Waste Connections and Waste Management addressed the impact of labor constraints on their ability to take on new business, the role of automation, and related pricing changes and costs.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 5, 2021

Solid waste collection, landfill workers saw injury rate drop in 2020: BLS data

Focus on infection prevention in the coronavirus pandemic's first year, when illness cases spiked, may have increased attention to everyday safety messages as well. At the same time, incidence rates for MRF workers rose.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 4, 2021

GFL Environmental on track to close 40 acquisitions this year, ramping up RNG and MRF projects

Having acquired assets worth an estimated C$735 million in annual revenue to date, GFL intends to keep up its pace for the foreseeable future and raised 2021 guidance.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 4, 2021

OSHA sets Jan. 4 deadline for employers to mandate COVID-19 vaccines

The Biden administration's move has been widely described as a major development for large U.S. workplaces.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Nov. 4, 2021

2021 earnings coverage: GFL Environmental

In its second year as a public company GFL continued an aggressive expansion pace throughout North America, including multiple large acquisitions such as Terrapure and PDC.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 4, 2021

Tracking the industry: US waste and recycling info hub

Keep up on some of the most essential developments around M&A, ESG pledges, federal and state policy, PFAS regulations, quarterly earnings results and more with Waste Dive's unique trackers and ongoing in-depth coverage.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 23, 2021

2021 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 and others during 2021.

By Waste Dive Team • Nov. 1, 2021

2021 earnings coverage: Waste Connections

For the industry's third-largest company, 2021 has continued a trend of heightened M&A activity, new ESG investments and ongoing pandemic recovery in multiple markets.

By Waste Dive Team • Nov. 1, 2021

2021 earnings coverage: Republic Services

Amid a leadership transition in 2021, the industry's second-largest player has ramped up spending related to ESG efforts and M&A, including the acquisition of Santek Waste Services and ACV Enviro.

By Waste Dive Team • Nov. 1, 2021

2021 earnings coverage: Waste Management

The North American industry's largest company has been focused on integrating Advanced Disposal Services, ramping up recycling investments and maneuvering through pandemic effects throughout the year.

By Waste Dive Team • Nov. 1, 2021

Q3 earnings: A complex economic recovery continues, with M&A spending on the rise

Inflation and labor were also cited as notable challenges during recent reports. Catch up on our takeaways from key public companies.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 4, 2021

Republic Services M&A spending on track to top $1B in 2021, highest in over a decade

The company is also making investments in landfill gas projects and expanding its environmental solutions business as it caps off a quarter that saw some volumes exceed pre-pandemic levels.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 29, 2021

Waste Connections acquisitions worth $240M in revenue through Q3, at least $100M more anticipated

The company upped its outlook thanks to economic recovery trends and M&A but reported inflationary pressures. CEO Worthing Jackman also described potential vaccine mandates as a notable labor headwind.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 28, 2021

Waste Management sees path to offset 'acute' inflation, labor turbulence through pricing and automation

The company raised revenue guidance again but faced a challenging quarter. During one recent week an estimated 900 employees were out due to COVID-19 at the same time as volumes increased due to the economic rebound.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2021

M&A hit 'historic highs' amid the talent crunch. How are HR teams coping?

Acquiring employers are being asked a key question from their workers, one executive told HR Dive: "Is my company showing up for me?"

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 21, 2021

City Haul: A new class of municipal waste leaders emerges

Over half of the 10 largest U.S. cities have new public works, sanitation or solid waste directors since the start of 2020. Positions have evolved during the pandemic and amid shifting trends in technology and public engagement.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 20, 2021

Republic Services aims to bolster diesel technician pipeline, with eye toward EV training

Addressing worker shortages and offering opportunities to veterans and underserved populations, Republic's Technical Institute trains employees and potential hires to service its current and future vehicle fleet.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 14, 2021

Waste Pro execs, on their way to $900M in revenue, outline multiyear Southeast growth strategy

While other family-led operations are selling this year, this Florida-based company says it's here to stay. CEO Sean Jennings and COO Keith Banasiak share their outlook on M&A, labor, municipal relations and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 11, 2021