Halfway through an upended year, 8 big questions remain for waste and recycling

Back in January, Waste Dive laid out guiding themes for coverage around safety, M&A, sustainability, policy, organics and PFAS. Now, the pandemic has changed many of them and racial justice is also receiving heightened attention.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • Updated July 28, 2020

Renewed interest in automated side loaders driven by pandemic concerns, persistent safety issues

ASLs have become increasingly popular with some predicting they could see more interest due to pandemic safety concerns. But tighter capital budgets may be a short-term challenge.

By Leslie Nemo • Updated July 23, 2020

Risk and race concerns fuel ongoing debate around hazard pay during pandemic

Sanitation workers have held numerous strikes and demanded concessions including hazard pay, frequently linking their fight to movements like Black Lives Matter. But the issue remains a contentious one for the waste industry.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • July 9, 2020

Teamsters, safety orgs cite driver fatigue concerns in petitions to delay HOS final rule

Advocates praise the promised flexibility, but petitioners argue FMCSA does not take into account historical data and public safety. 

By S.L. Fuller • July 2, 2020

Recycling stakeholders say years of turbulence helped prepare industry for pandemic

During this year's virtual SWANApalooza, speakers from the U.S. EPA, Waste Management and The Recycling Partnership said the sector has learned valuable lessons from ongoing market challenges.

By E.A. Crunden • June 30, 2020

Public and private sector leaders project long-term changes due to coronavirus

During last week's SWANApalooza, Waste Connections, DSNY and other service providers discussed expectations for operational and fiscal changes to last into at least 2021.

By Cole Rosengren • June 29, 2020

WCA Waste sets 2030 sustainability goals, including 35% GHG reduction target

The Texas-based company aims to mitigate landfill emissions, purchase more CNG vehicles, recycle at higher volumes, improve safety rates and more, according to CEO Bill Caesar.

By Cole Rosengren • June 18, 2020

Court won't force OSHA to issue emergency workplace COVID-19 standards

While the agency is authorized to issue emergency standards if it determines workers are in grave danger, it is entitled to "considerable deference."

By Lisa Burden • June 16, 2020

Charlotte, North Carolina installs 'sneeze guards' in collection trucks to reduce virus spread

Charlotte Solid Waste Services is one of multiple fleet operators to install plastic dividers to address worker safety risks in truck cabs, but some say concerns such as glare could be a factor in limiting widespread adoption.

By Lori Lovely • June 10, 2020

Trump signs bill expanding PPP rules and spending period

In an effort to expand relief for small businesses, the law extends the timeframe to use funds and decreases the proportion of funds that must be used for payroll to 60%.

By Dan Ennis • Updated June 8, 2020

OSHA issues new COVID-19 guidance on recordkeeping and inspections

The agency's latest workplace enforcement guidance for employers details how to determine if a coronavirus case is work related.

By Kim Slowey • May 29, 2020

How much top waste CEOs, and their median employees, earned in 2019

Recent proxy filings detail the rising, multimillion-dollar figures paid to the CEOs of Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Covanta and Casella Waste Systems.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • May 18, 2020

5 key pandemic trends from the solid waste industry's Q1 earnings reports

Results are in for seven publicly traded North American companies, and it's clear the industry is resilient. But many questions remain about adapting to volume shifts and whether early optimism for economic recovery will bear out.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • May 13, 2020

GFL Environmental Q1: Notable Canadian coronavirus effects, ongoing North American expansion

In its first report since going public, GFL outlined financial effects from the pandemic and optimism for an economic recovery. Executives also previewed future growth plans after starting the year with significant M&A spending.

By Cole Rosengren • May 12, 2020

Major waste industry companies highlight coronavirus challenges in Q1 earnings reports

The economic effects of COVID-19 will be much more prominent in Q2 reports, but early indicators of revenue and volume declines began appearing in March. Companies also reported ongoing pressures on recycling.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated May 13, 2020

Waste Connections Q1: Coronavirus cut revenue by $12M, worst effects in Northeast and Canada

Q2 results will be affected, with April revenues down by 6%, but executives reported early signs of a potential turnaround. While M&A activity has been delayed, multiple deals are still in the works.

By Cole Rosengren • May 7, 2020

Waste Management: $40M coronavirus Q1 revenue hit, Advanced Disposal deal progressing

The company suspended 2020 guidance, repeatedly emphasizing unpredictable conditions. While executives were optimistic about early landfill trends, long-term effects on small business customers were described as "the big unknown."

By Cole Rosengren • May 6, 2020

Republic Services reports tough coronavirus effects, but optimistic 'worst is behind us'

Q1 earnings were positive, but more recent double-digit percentage volume declines from the pandemic shutdown have been difficult. Still, executives reported early signs of recovery and heightened M&A activity.

By Cole Rosengren • May 6, 2020

New York, among nation's hardest hit markets, delays commercial waste zone RFP due to pandemic

A momentous policy change will have to wait as companies ranging in size from Waste Connections to a local three truck operator report substantial volume declines due to the novel coronavirus.

By Cole Rosengren • May 4, 2020

Masks becoming more common for collection workers despite lack of national guidance

Industry groups are following OSHA's lead and not advising the use of face coverings nationwide yet. In the meantime, more service providers are using them and state or local governments are increasingly issuing policies.

By Cole Rosengren • April 28, 2020

Waste industry has received federal stimulus funding, but no one knows how much

The U.S. Small Business Administration could not provide a breakdown of how much went to the industry from a broader $15 billion funding category. Trade groups are aware of smaller companies applying, but also do not have data.

By E.A. Crunden • April 22, 2020

One year covering COVID-19's impact on the waste and recycling sector

The coronavirus pandemic brought sweeping changes to the U.S., including significant effects for an industry that continued its work throughout the crisis. Catch up on all of Waste Dive's reporting from the initial year.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated March 15, 2021

Pandemics were not part of most contingency plans, but waste and recycling industry proving resilient

Precautions previously in place for industry disruptions did not account for a coronavirus-induced economic disruption. Companies and public sector consultants discuss what's next more than a month in.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • April 17, 2020

As some MRFs close during the pandemic, more adapt and carry on

Social distancing has become a challenge, PPE is in high demand and staffing availability is shifting. While MRFs in some states have closed, the industry's biggest residential recyclers report their facilities are still largely operational.

By Cole Rosengren • April 8, 2020

New York reports more than 350 COVID-19 cases among sanitation workers, one death

The city's outsized numbers far surpass reported cases involving the industry in other metropolitan areas, based on inquiries by Waste Dive, but transparency is limited and collection workers remain concerned about ongoing exposure risks.

By E.A. Crunden , Cole Rosengren • Updated April 9, 2020