Teamsters continue labor fight in Republic Services’ backyard

The union is facing an uphill battle as it attempts to negotiate its first contract for 286 employees across three unionized Republic yards in the Phoenix area.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 20, 2023

Mack Trucks workers vote to ratify 5-year UAW labor agreement

The agreement comes after more than a month of striking at five Mack plants, including one that assembles its refuse collection vehicles.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 17, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2022

Get up to speed on what may be coming next around M&A, labor solutions, ESG investment trends, federal regulation, state policy, environmental justice, local programs and more.

By Waste Dive staff

How to optimize your hauling fleet with Rubicon’s technology suite

In the fast-paced world of waste and recycling, staying ahead requires more than just hard work.

By Rubicon • Nov. 13, 2023

Injury rates for waste industry workers rose in 2022

Injury rates rose just a year after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the lowest rates since 2006. Solid waste collection workers reported slightly fewer illnesses in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 9, 2023

Stericycle announces ‘workforce reduction’ plan, lowers guidance

Stericycle expects future efficiencies from its new ERP system but is facing headwinds from commodity volatility. It also divested businesses in the Netherlands and UAE.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 6, 2023

Teamsters approve new Republic Services contract in Atlanta

The contract ensures good pay for members as they move from an incentive-based to an hourly-based pay system, union officials said.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Nov. 3, 2023

Casella reports ‘pivotal and exciting’ Q3 due to recent acquisitions and strong pricing

Casella raised revenue guidance and predicted a strong Q4 due to its retrofitted Boston MRF and operations it acquired from GFL.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 3, 2023

California projects emphasize zero waste equity by keeping marginalized groups at the center

An equitable zero waste future means partnering with businesses, unhoused people, waste workers and grassroots groups, speakers from San Francisco and Los Angeles said at the National Zero Waste Conference. 

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 6, 2023

Q3 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

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

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 9, 2023

NLRB pushes joint employer rule effective date to February

The board essentially reinstated the standard articulated in the 2015 Browning-Ferris Industries case, which has been the center of a nearly decade-long employment law saga.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Nov. 17, 2023

Republic Services touts momentum into 2024, including Indianapolis polymer center

CEO Jon Vander Ark said recent price increases and upcoming investments should position the company for favorable margin expansion next year. The company also shared updates on its electric vehicle infrastructure.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 27, 2023

Waste Connections reports Q3 growth despite costs from landfill and employee safety incidents

An ongoing odor issue at a California landfill and a slope failure in Texas could cost about $20M in Q4. Meanwhile, the company is planning employee training to reduce safety incident rates.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 26, 2023

WM reports inflation headwinds are easing, shifts timing for certain sustainability projects

WM reported “strong results” in Q3, citing its pricing strategy as well as revenue growth in the collection and disposal lines and cost savings from attrition.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 25, 2023

Waste Connections sets more ambitious GHG reduction target, reports lower emissions in 2022

The company says it has nearly reached a 2033 scope 1 and 2 reduction target. It’s now doubling the goal to a 30% reduction and is seeking approval from the Science Based Targets initiative.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 25, 2023

Covanta has laid off more than 100 workers at Miami-Dade WTE site

A second round of layoffs follows a decision by the Florida county to move on from a former refuse-derived fuel plant that was destroyed by a fire in February.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 12, 2023

UAW strike at Mack Trucks affects key refuse vehicle manufacturing facility

The 3,900-member strike includes a plant in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley where Class 8 refuse trucks are assembled, including the company’s CNG and electric models.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 11, 2023

Young SWANA leaders lay out strategy for industrywide marketing campaign to bolster recruitment

The latest cohort of the association’s Young Professionals Leadership Academy delivered a comprehensive report, with multiple ready-to-use resources, on how to “reframe perception of the industry as employers of choice.”

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 9, 2023

LRS COO retires amid other recent C-suite leadership changes

John Larsen, who had been with LRS for 10 years, is the latest of the leadership team to leave as the company undergoes expansion and restructuring plans. The company hired a new CFO and CEO earlier this year.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 9, 2023

Chicago Teamsters approve 2 new contracts, release details on WM contract

The Teamsters represent more than 2,500 workers in the Chicagoland area. Contracts there typically include similar provisions across companies.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 9, 2023

EEOC sues Republic Services subsidiaries for discrimination against female applicants

The suit alleges that a Republic affiliate in Springfield, Missouri, hired male applicants over more qualified female applicants starting in 2020.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 2, 2023

Waste Pro, GFL face EEOC lawsuits over race and sex discrimination complaints

EEOC says female applicants were systematically denied truck driver jobs at GFL’s Waste Industries and Trans Waste locations. Separately, the agency says Waste Pro failed to intervene when a Black worker faced racial slurs.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 28, 2023

New Austin Resource Recovery director named as city implements $4M EPA reuse grant

Richard McHale has more than 30 years of experience with the agency. He has also led the Texas SWANA chapter and the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Municipal Waste Management Association.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 20, 2023

With on-truck AI, haulers are no longer blind

On-truck camera systems and optical artificial intelligence (AI) now provide visibility on every lift. And with this vision, haulers can now address overflow and contamination issues effectively.

Sept. 11, 2023

WM’s sustainability report shows progress on GHG emissions reduction, diversity

The company’s most recent report, which reflects newer metrics it first published in 2022, shows progress on reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions aligned with SBTi requirements. WM made less progress on its materials recovery goal due to construction on recycling facility upgrades.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 7, 2023

Delaware County, Pennsylvania, hires waste head after announcing first sustainability plan

The county, which borders Philadelphia, recently set a goal to achieve 50% waste diversion in five years, up from a baseline of 37%. It’s home to a Covanta-run waste-to-energy facility in Chester.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 30, 2023