Environmental justice voices in the waste and recycling industry

Catch up on these Q&A conversations with experts from the U.S. EPA, Ya Fav Trashman, Detroit Dirt and others on how the waste and recycling industry can play a role in environmental justice efforts.

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 14, 2023

Republic Services pricing at record highs as it fights recycled commodity price declines and cost inflation

The company is still integrating US Ecology while returning M&A focus to solid waste and recycling. Leaders also noted in an earnings call the opportunity to work with BP, which is buying renewable natural gas projects partner Archaea.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 28, 2022

Plastic recycling rates are low. Could better data collection help?

Better collaboration between stakeholders and more formalized laws around recycling data collection would give the U.S. a better road map for improving recycling, speakers at a webinar from The Recycling Partnership said.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 27, 2022

Casella narrows ESG focus to 5 key targets for 2030

The Vermont-based company previously set 10 ESG targets in its 2020 report but has narrowed the focus to five key metrics related to emissions reduction, recycling volumes, fleet efficiency and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 27, 2022

WM spent nearly $200M on acquisitions in Q3, outlines future potential of big ESG investments

Recycling revenues are taking a hit, but executives said their updated contract models will provide insulation. CEO Jim Fish also shared a goal to eventually expand margins via price increases, not just recover costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2022

WM sets new ESG targets for GHG emissions, recycling volumes, diversity and more

The company’s first full-year report since acquiring Advanced Disposal Services shows an emissions uptick, but WM says upcoming investments will reverse that.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2022

Cyclyx’s $100M plastic project described as a boon for Houston. Environmental groups are skeptical.

Houston could get a new plastics processing facility as early as 2024 if a deal among ExxonMobil, LyondellBasell and Cyclyx goes through.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 26, 2022

Rubicon’s stock has struggled since going public. Is the SPAC trend to blame?

The tech company — which brokers waste and recycling services — rang the opening bell on Wall Street this week after its stock price declined and its founder stepped down as CEO. Analysts say a turnaround is still possible.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 21, 2022

Balcones Resources wins Phoenix MRF contract valued at $158M

Texas-based Balcones beat out Republic Services, GFL Environmental, Recology and CellMark for a five-year contract, with potential extensions, to operate the Arizona city’s North Gateway and 27th Avenue facilities.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 21, 2022

Waste Connections purchasing California company Upper Valley Disposal

Upper Valley provides a range of collection, recycling, composting and disposal services in Napa County. Following the recent death of founder Bob Pestoni, the family decided to sell its multigenerational business.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 19, 2022

Why are PET prices declining? Experts cite a ‘confluence of events’ tied to the shifting economy

The summer’s steep dips have slowed, but economic indicators suggest more short-term turbulence could be afoot. Analysts say it’s too soon to draw conclusions about how this relates to brands’ recycled content commitments.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 19, 2022

New nonprofit Just Zero taking a national approach to zero waste and closing disposal sites

Zero waste advocates formerly with the Conservation Law Foundation say the group will provide local activists with national-level resources for drafting legislation and more.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 18, 2022

Lost carts, heavy volumes: Florida waste haulers get back to work after Hurricane Ian

Waste Pro and WM are among the companies that have worked through heavy waste volumes, long wait times at disposal sites, damaged infrastructure, limited access to certain island areas and other disruptions.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 18, 2022

New York approves another increase to commercial waste rates in rare move driven by inflation

Licensed haulers in the five boroughs operate under maximum pricing caps that can remain unchanged for years. The city’s move is a recognition of rising labor, fuel, equipment and disposal costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 18, 2022

3 questions with Trash Warrior, the B2B hauling platform used by big brands like Amazon and Instacart

Founder and CEO Lily Shen discussed a recent $8 million funding round and how the San Francisco-based startup is trying to bring reliability, accountability, sustainability and transparency to waste removal tasks.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 17, 2022

Major brands call for access to 800K metric tons of chemically recycled plastic by 2030

Members of the Consumer Goods Forum, such as PepsiCo and Unilever, say better chemical recycling infrastructure will help them meet ambitious packaging goals. Environmentalists say the concept is “greenwashing.”

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 14, 2022

Rubicon founder Nate Morris steps down as CEO soon after taking company public

Phil Rodoni, previously the company’s chief technology officer, has been elevated to the lead role. Rubicon has seen its financial standing decline less than two months after going public.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 14, 2022

California’s expanded bottle bill comes with a hefty price tag

The Container Recycling Institute recently outlined what it will cost to expand California’s bottle bill to include wine and spirits. CRI says some spending is necessary, but the bill could be too costly in the long term.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 12, 2022

EPA can lead the charge for battery recycling to secure our electric future

Call2Recycle CEO Leo Raudys lays out four recommendations around education, infrastructure, handling and labeling for the agency as it distributes historic levels of infrastructure funding.

By Leo Raudys • Oct. 12, 2022

Lawmakers ask EPA to standardize recycling bin labels to reduce consumer confusion

A group of 17 lawmakers sent a letter to the agency urging adoption of a nationwide recycling bin label. Recycle Across America, which backs the effort, said a single design will reduce consumer confusion.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 10, 2022

RoadRunner Recycling buys Compology to scale AI, metering in collection service

RoadRunner, which provides service through third-party haulers, has raised nearly $130 million to date as it scales quickly. Compology’s AI and camera capabilities will expand its data offerings for ESG-driven customers.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 6, 2022

Thailand to ban plastic scrap imports in 2025, following multiple other Asian countries

Thailand’s move will fully take effect by 2025 in an effort to curb plastic pollution. The volumes of U.S. plastic scrap exports to the country had already been declining for multiple years.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 5, 2022

Zero waste should be an important part of climate plans, GAIA urges

Through food waste prevention, single-use plastics bans, robust composting and recycling, and other strategies, the waste sector can support the Paris Agreement’s targeted limit to global warming, a new report said.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 5, 2022

Waste Connections acquires Rogue Disposal & Recycling, notable southern Oregon company

The transaction gives the company a foothold in the region, with a range of franchise hauling operations, a transfer station, composting facility, CNG fueling station and a large landfill.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 5, 2022

EPA action plan details environmental justice efforts across waste programs

A report from the Office of Land and Emergency Management details how the agency will consider disadvantaged communities in projects related to waste and recycling, including through grants from the infrastructure law.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 4, 2022