Jon Vander Ark: AI is ‘wildly oversold,’ but it can provide benefits

Vander Ark compared the current hype around AI to the dot-com era that collapsed in 2000. But he said there are still plenty of opportunities to drive cost efficiencies through digital improvements.

By Jacob Wallace • May 20, 2025

WM President John Morris on AI, autonomous equipment and tech investments

John Morris, who is also the company’s chief operating officer, said AI and tech upgrades for fleets, new route optimization software and autonomous vehicle pilots are helping with labor retention and cost savings.   

By Megan Quinn • May 19, 2025

WasteExpo: No ‘one easy fix’ for battery fires, but plenty of options

Industry professionals at this year’s conference called for coordinated battery fire prevention strategies, including integrating newer tech like x-ray sorters, to fight growing battery waste streams such as vapes.

By Megan Quinn • May 12, 2025

Healthcare waste in residential streams keeps growing. Now what?

A combination of policy and education is necessary to prevent worker injuries from needlesticks and hazardous waste exposure, speakers from Stericycle and PSI said at WasteExpo. 

By Megan Quinn • May 9, 2025

Q1 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2025

Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems and Clean Harbors.

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated May 7, 2025

WM says tariffs unlikely to affect RNG, MRF plans for 2025

CEO Jim Fish said the quarter exceeded expectations, despite severe weather. The company also reported ongoing progress as it integrates the Stericycle assets.

By Megan Quinn • April 29, 2025

Waste Connections highlights ‘better than expected’ Q1 amid tariff uncertainty

CEO Ron Mittelstaedt said strong pricing and “outsized” M&A activity continues. The company reiterated its Q2 outlook and said it’s planning to insulate from macroeconomic factors like tariffs.

By Megan Quinn • April 24, 2025

What the pandemic means for waste and recycling five years later

While the “essential worker” spotlight may have faded and business is largely back to normal, certain effects still linger when it comes to labor investments and recycling streams.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • April 17, 2025

Waste groups promote direct vision fleets on new safety council

Together for Safer Roads has launched a leadership group meant to advocate for integrating direct vision trucks into fleets to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities. IWS, NWRA, McNeilus, Dennis Eagle and others are on board.

By Megan Quinn • April 3, 2025

New Mexico advances heat safety rule

If passed, the state would be the sixth to implement its own heat-related guidance, after a federal standard appears to have lost steam.

By Zachary Phillips • April 2, 2025

Three ways to refresh workplace safety initiatives

Mixing up employee safety programs, taking a fresh look at data and getting leadership more involved can add pep to flagging safety initiatives, said speakers at the Waste Advantage Safety Summit.

By Megan Quinn • March 21, 2025

Quest names Moss as CEO, starts layoffs after ‘very disappointing year’

Quest Resource Management Group is elevating a former Rubicon leader to CEO and bringing in a former Republic executive. It reported “disappointing” results in 2024 despite earning its most new clients ever.

By Jacob Wallace • March 13, 2025

Lori Chavez-DeRemer confirmed as labor secretary

DOL’s future plans are still evolving, though there are hints the agency may be assuming a more pro-worker stance than in certain Republican administrations given support from unions such as the Teamsters.

By Emilie Shumway • March 11, 2025

The Climate Corps may have ended, but waste-related service jobs continue

The phase out of this Biden administration program is expected to be more about changing program labels than funding itself. Local corps members have worked on waste reduction, recycling and food recovery in multiple states.

By Leslie Nemo • Feb. 26, 2025

Rumpke CEO: ‘Our growth has been dramatic.’

Bill Rumpke Jr. noted a busy 2024 for acquisitions and infrastructure investments led to $1.2 billion in revenue. He previewed more hiring, employee training and tech investments for 2025.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 25, 2025

Zeldin begins remaking EPA amid workforce changes

Federal officials are beginning to implement executive orders related to workforce reduction. Meanwhile, the administration also announced antitrust and climate updates.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 24, 2025

Senators frame Trump’s Labor pick as bridge between employers, employees

Lori Chavez-DeRemer faced bipartisan scrutiny on the PRO Act, “right-to-work” laws, minimum wage policy, the joint employer rule, and more. Her nominated is supported by the Teamsters.

By Caroline Colvin • Feb. 20, 2025

Q4 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2024

Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, Clean Harbors and Enviri.

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Feb. 25, 2025

Republic targets $1B in M&A for 2025 after closing a major deal

The company kicked off the year with the acquisition of Shamrock Environmental. On Republic’s Feb. 13 earnings call, executives said investments in the company’s fleet and recycling will continue.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 14, 2025

Bill to abolish OSHA faces slim odds, but other changes could come

The legislation from Rep. Andy Biggs is unlikely to gain traction, according to an employment lawyer. But federal headcount reductions and regulatory pauses could have an effect.

By Zachary Phillips • Feb. 11, 2025

Billing software to grow with you—and to help you grow

Your waste hauler billing system should be designed not just for where you are today but where you want to be tomorrow.

By Jed Dawson • Feb. 10, 2025

8 Trump actions that could affect waste and recycling

Trump administration executive orders have called for numerous changes related to climate change initiatives, greenhouse gas research, grant funding and potential tariffs.  

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 24, 2025

By the numbers: 2024 waste and recycling trends

Reflect on the year through key data points about labor, the economy, M&A, federal and state policy, recycling trends and more.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • Dec. 20, 2024

Waste and recycling collection was fourth deadliest occupation in 2023: BLS

The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows an increase in the rate of fatalities for the refuse and recyclable materials collection occupation. The total number of fatalities in MRFs also increased.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 20, 2024

Aspen Waste announces organic expansion into Colorado, bucking M&A trend

Family-owned Aspen Waste enters the Colorado market during a time of consolidation in the region. It aims to offer a customer service-focused choice as the state prepares to implement its EPR for packaging law.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 16, 2024