Major solid waste and recycling companies spent nearly $6.3B on acquisitions in 2022

The multiyear trend of heightened deal spending continues. Catch up on financial details and 2023 M&A outlooks from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

By Cole Rosengren • March 8, 2023

Waste Harmonics CEO sees company at an ‘inflection point’ as it grows with latest acquisition

The company, which provides third-party services and tech offerings, is pacing ahead of growth targets set during a private equity recapitalization as ESG drives customers to want more data, says CEO Michael Hess.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 24, 2023

Casella previews ‘robust’ year of pricing to offset inflation; notes more acquisitions ahead

The Vermont-based company reported favorable Q4 results. Executives also previewed upcoming RNG projects, investment in a rail-served landfill and further growth through acquisitions.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 17, 2023

Q4 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, Clean Harbors, Stericycle and Rubicon as they close out 2022 reports and give guidance for 2023.

Updated March 9, 2023

Waste Connections ends 2022 favorably despite headwinds; spent $2.3B on acquisitions

Waste Connections executives expect a strong start to 2023 due to anticipated acquisitions activity, as well as minor improvements in recycled commodity and energy credit values.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 16, 2023

Republic says it’s ready for any economy; M&A remains a priority after spending $2.7B in 2022

Executives said they anticipate growing revenue potential from the company’s environmental solutions division. The company also previewed upcoming plastic recycling center investments and acquisition plans.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2023

RTS acquires Cycle in effort to broaden reverse vending systems at sports stadiums and events

Recycle Track Systems will offer Cycle’s RVMs as part of its expanding stadium and recycling rewards business. The companies recently debuted a new machine at the Super Bowl.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 15, 2023

Waste and recycling industry leaders discuss the operational impact of corporate ESG trends

LRS CEO Alan Handley and Vanguard Renewables Chief Sustainability Officer David Darr recently joined Waste Dive for a live discussion about investment trends, sustainability reporting, customer expectations and more.

By Waste Dive Staff • Feb. 15, 2023

Sonoco reports ‘pivotal year’ of growth driven by consumer packaging demand and M&A

During a recent earnings call, CEO Howard Coker touted the importance of the company’s metal packaging acquisition — its largest ever — and why he thinks it “feels like we are in a recession.” 

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 13, 2023

BP CEO describes Archaea acquisition as a ‘game changer’ for boosting biogas volumes

In their first earnings call since completing the purchase of a leading landfill gas project developer, BP executives outlined plans to ramp up capital spending and pursue new offtake options for the Archaea platform.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 8, 2023

Denali Water Solutions promotes Todd Mathes to CEO

The fast-growing organics recycler's founder and previous CEO, Andy McNeill, will focus on long-term strategy and acquisitions as the private equity-backed company continues to expand.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 7, 2023

WestRock notes global paper market headwinds but touts sustainability investments as growing opportunity

WestRock reported lower Q1 income and withdrew full-year guidance due to market uncertainty. CEO David Sewell said increased packaging revenue and a focus on plastic packaging replacement projects are positive signs, however.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 2, 2023

WM boosts planned MRF and RNG spending by $590M, sees signs of inflation easing

Volumes may be flat, and recycling values are down, but executives hope cost control measures and long-term investments will offset headwinds. They said federal regulations are driving an attractive environment for RNG projects.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 1, 2023

Northstar Recycling acquires Sonoco’s ‘asset-light’ waste services business

The private equity-backed company has purchased a business that focuses on providing third-party service and consulting to large manufacturing clients from the major packaging company.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 1, 2023

Covanta CEO promises ‘vastly different’ approach for the company

Azeez Mohammed, who joined the company as part of its 2021 sale to EQT Infrastructure, talks through a wave of strategic changes in his first extended interview on the job. 

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 26, 2023

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2023

What you need to know on industry trends to watch, the hiring landscape, fleet maintenance and more to come as the new year gets underway.

By The Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 15, 2023

As some labor strains ease, the waste and recycling industry has further opportunity to grow its ranks

Pandemic-era labor challenges for the waste industry are persisting three years later. Read what experts from Stifel, SWANA, the Teamsters and the Women in Trucking Association think could help.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 19, 2023

VLS Environmental sees hazardous waste and PFAS opportunities after latest acquisition

VLS, a private equity-backed company, intends to keep growing in the hazardous and non-hazardous waste sectors. Its latest purchase of Texas Molecular may also open up new opportunities for PFAS disposal.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 18, 2023

Renovare Environmental sells digester business while fate of West Virginia plant still pending

The financially troubled company sold its aerobic digestion assets to TraQiQ, a technology company with no known waste background. Meanwhile, fire issues have been mitigated at Renovare’s shuttered West Virginia site.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 17, 2023

6 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2023

The effects of ongoing M&A, the biogas boom, and regulatory and financial debates around plastics are among the most complex topics on Waste Dive’s radar in the new year.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 12, 2023

The fragile ecosystem of Massachusetts C&D recycling

The state’s construction recycling requirements have spurred a wave of new infrastructure investments and led to more acquisitions. Some say they’ve also constrained capacity, all while the region’s building boom continues.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 11, 2023

LRS grows in Michigan and Indiana with largest acquisitions to date

The purchases of Michiana Recycling & Disposal Service and Modern Waste Systems are the latest among dozens of transactions by the private equity-backed company in recent years.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 9, 2023

FCC Environmental buys Houston hauler in second acquisition to date

The deal, which closed in December, involves a fleet of 40 trucks and marks a notable expansion for FCC’s presence in its headquarter city.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 6, 2023

By the numbers: 2022 waste and recycling trends with implications for 2023

Key data points on some of the top issues — M&A, ESG, inflation and policy — that illustrate another eventful year for the industry.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Jan. 4, 2023

BP completes $4.1B acquisition of Archaea

The transaction positions BP as a major developer of renewable natural gas projects at U.S. landfills and caps off a rapid rise for Archaea since it became a public company in 2021.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 28, 2022