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GFL Environmental reports positive volume outlook despite Canadian lag, closes 10 acquisitions

While Canada's pandemic restrictions continue to affect GFL's business, U.S. recovery trends and past acquisitions are providing a boost. Ample M&A opportunity remains due in part to potential tax changes, the company said.

By Cole Rosengren • May 06, 2021

Environmental justice and diversity should be priorities for recyclers, ISRI panelists say

Speakers at ISRI's annual convention stressed the importance of fostering meaningful relationships in environmental justice communities where they operate, both to mitigate harm and to prepare for potential regulation.

By Megan Quinn • May 04, 2021

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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

As litter balloons, local governments and residents try new approaches

Litter and city cleanliness issues seemed to worsen during the pandemic, prompting numerous solutions. “When it's sort of everybody's responsibility, it's nobody's priority,” one anti-litter specialist said.

By Maria Rachal • May 03, 2021

Waste Connections Q1: Landfill volumes 'above pre-COVID levels'

Amid pandemic recovery, in March the company had its largest hiring levels since September 2019. It reported better commodity pricing and solid waste volumes even in regions hit hardest by COVID-19.

By Megan Quinn • April 29, 2021

Waste Management raises guidance as pandemic recovery accelerates, predicts possible labor headwind

Pricing and the Advanced Disposal acquisition were key first quarter boosts. Executives also announced a new chief sustainability officer and weighed in on the Biden administration's infrastructure proposal.

By Cole Rosengren • April 27, 2021

Roundup: Stimulus funding for city waste initiatives, DC and NY inch toward zero waste goals

The week of Earth Day saw news on zero waste plan reassessments, organics program expansions, reuse pilots and more. Catch up on updates from New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and other cities around the country.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 23, 2021

Waste and recycling sector encourages coronavirus vaccinations as barriers fall

All U.S. adults are now eligible to receive a vaccine. Still, the need for PPE and other protections remain: "we've got to keep our head down until we have a significant portion of the population vaccinated," said Casella's CEO.

By Maria Rachal • April 20, 2021

Roundup: Local governments continue to fight illegal dumping, adapt curbside recycling

Catch up on the latest local waste and recycling headlines from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and numerous other municipalities around the country.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 09, 2021

Roundup: How cities are bucking privatization, fighting contamination via smartphones

A Washington city explains ending its 15-year relationship with Waste Connections, Waste Pro plans to walk from contract troubles in Memphis and more local stories from around the country.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • March 26, 2021

Attorneys anticipate EEOC vaccine incentive guidance 'soon'

The news follows recent efforts by business groups to extract more clarity from the EEOC. The lack of federal guidance has resulted in a "gray area" for employers.

By Ryan Golden • March 18, 2021

Racial justice scorecard says waste companies fall short on providing detailed workplace equity metrics

Waste Management and Republic Services were listed in an As You Sow report calling on S&P 500 companies to acknowledge racism and provide details related to pay equity, promotions, recruitment and retention numbers.

By Megan Quinn • March 17, 2021

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

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