The US waste and recycling industry in 2022 — what you need to know

Stories on M&A, recycling policy and organics recycling expansion — and how the economy and environmental justice considerations are shaping the industry’s path forward — have driven the news this year.

Dec. 5, 2022

Advocates call for more composting resources in 2023 farm bill reauthorization

Composting grants, education programs and incentives could get a boost in the 2023 farm bill, but only with advocacy help, the U.S. Composting Council and Kiss the Ground said.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 18, 2022

More PFAS could fall under future drinking water regulations, EPA says

EPA’s newest drinking water contaminant list is expanding to include groups of PFAS chemicals as candidates for future regulation. It’s still on track to propose standards for PFOA and PFAS by year’s end

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 8, 2022

With PFAS drinking water limits anticipated, activists take stock of recent actions

A proposed rule setting PFOA and PFOS limits in drinking water is expected soon from the EPA, while California and Michigan efforts to regulate or eliminate the chemicals are ongoing.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 25, 2022

Sustainable Generation CEO talks solar-powered composting and infrastructure trends

Scott Woods, founder of the compost equipment company, highlights a new facility built at a Republic Services landfill as well as trends around PFAS, community relations, infrastructure funding and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 12, 2022

As EPA seeks to label certain PFAS hazardous, landfill operators worry about cost, liability

The federal government is targeting PFOA and PFOS, two of many “forever chemicals,” for inclusion under the Superfund law. Landfill operators want a targeted exemption, citing significant legal liability and costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 29, 2022

As state PFAS in packaging laws loom, restaurants mull serviceware alternatives

During a recent webinar, attorneys at the firm Lathrop GPM outlined how restaurant franchisors can adapt with multiple state bans on the way. The waste and recycling industry has long advocated for this type of upstream action.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 23, 2022

Clean Harbors says industrial reshoring is helping waste pipeline, reports Georgia acquisition

The environmental services company saw significant growth in its latest results, touting signs it thinks will continue in the months ahead. During their earnings call, executives also discussed capacity expansion, PFAS and ESG impacts.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 3, 2022

Vanguard Renewables CEO on $700M sale to BlackRock, digester expansion and landfill competition

Neil Smith, who joined Vanguard after leading an energy company during a similar period of expansion, breaks down what the sale means for the company’s efforts to launch dozens of RNG-producing facilities.

By Cole Rosengren • July 25, 2022

As organics depackager equipment market grows, so do concerns over microplastics contamination

Companies like Vanguard Renewables are investing millions to facilitate commercial organics recycling as researchers and state regulators work to keep PFAS and microplastics out of the equation.

By Elizabeth Gribkoff • July 18, 2022

States take new PFAS policy steps as waste industry awaits federal guidelines

Upcoming laws and regulatory actions target "proactive" reductions of PFAS in packaging, clothing and biosolids.

By Megan Quinn • June 1, 2022

Dispatches from WasteExpo Day 1: Latinx business leaders, mobile collection apps and PFAS in biosolids

The industry's largest event kicked off with sessions focused on the link between diversity and sustainability, young rising leaders, fleet technology rollouts, a notable new PFAS law in Maine and more.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal , Megan Quinn • May 10, 2022

Senate committee again ties on Waterhouse nomination for EPA waste office

The vote is likely to move to the Senate floor despite the tie. The nominee spoke about environmental justice and climate change initiatives at last week's Society of Environmental Journalists conference. 

By Megan Quinn • April 7, 2022

3 takeaways from GWMS on the future of environmental justice, greenhouse gas emissions and leachate at landfills

Landfill operators, consultants and researchers shared the latest trends they're following at last week's biennial event. Microplastics were called out as an emerging contaminant of concern, akin to how PFAS science has evolved.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 23, 2022

Waste companies worry PFAS research is not moving fast enough as they prepare for regulatory changes

The waste industry urgently needs new and better methods to manage PFAS at landfills, professionals said at the Global Waste Management Symposium last week in California.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 22, 2022

Republic Services CEO talks what's next after the US Ecology transaction

Jon Vander Ark elaborated on Republic's environmental services expansion in terms of next steps to close the deal, a strategic review of market areas, potential capital investments, PFAS opportunities, future M&A and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2022

Waste Connections' James Little calls for faster action on PFAS management, investment in RNG at landfills

Speaking at the Global Waste Management Symposium, Little expressed optimism about the industry's ability to meet ESG goals, despite environmental and regulatory challenges, and touted landfills as renewable energy producers.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 16, 2022

Republic Services closes $2.2B acquisition of US Ecology in major hazardous waste expansion

The deal fits into Republic's ongoing goal of expanding its environmental services business. US Ecology is the industry's largest hazardous waste landfill operator by volume.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated May 2, 2022

US Plastics Pact releases anticipated 'problematic' materials list

The plastics management network aims to phase out packaging containing PVC, PS and PFAS, among others, by 2025. Some applaud the list as a positive step, but others say it's counterproductive and too subjective.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 25, 2022

What’s on the Biden administration’s waste and recycling to-do list in 2022

One year in, the administration has started work on a range of climate and environmental justice initiatives. Catch up on what's next from the EPA and others on the circular economy, PFAS, grant funding and more.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 24, 2022

8 questions about the top trends shaping waste and recycling in 2022

Waste Dive is watching how much longer heightened M&A activity lasts, what it will take to maintain the workforce in a tough market, where organics infrastructure is growing, what's next for recycling and more.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2022

EPA action and US recycling policy during Biden's 1st year in office

2021 brought a new EPA administrator, a nominee to lead the agency's waste efforts that is vocal on PFAS and environmental justice, the long-anticipated National Recycling Strategy and recycling funds in the infrastructure package.

Dec. 23, 2021

Roundup: Waste Dive's 2021 Q&A's with waste and recycling leaders

From Waste Management's first chief sustainability officer to the Biden administration's pick to lead U.S. EPA waste policy, look back on the year's conversations with execs, authors, investors, entrepreneurs and regulators.

Dec. 22, 2021

Incoming EPA assistant administrator touts 'back to basics' approach to climate change, circular economy

Carlton Waterhouse, nominee to lead the Office of Land and Emergency Management, says the EPA will tackle its 2030 recycling goals by focusing more on source reduction and funding materials management infrastructure.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 18, 2021

Tracking the industry: US waste and recycling info hub

Follow some of the most essential developments around M&A, ESG pledges, federal and state policy, PFAS regulations, quarterly earnings results and more with Waste Dive's unique trackers and ongoing in-depth coverage.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 23, 2021