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

2021 earnings coverage for US waste and recycling companies

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly analysis of results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and others during 2021.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 18, 2022

2021 earnings coverage: Waste Connections

For the industry's third-largest company, 2021 continued a trend of heightened M&A activity, new ESG investments and ongoing pandemic recovery.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 17, 2022

2021 earnings coverage: Republic Services

Revisit Waste Dive's coverage of Republic's earnings reports from an eventful year, which featured ramped up spending on ESG efforts and M&A, including the acquisitions of Santek Waste Services and ACV Enviro.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 11, 2022

2021 earnings coverage: WM

The North American waste industry's largest company was focused on integrating Advanced Disposal Services, ramping up recycling investments and maneuvering through pandemic effects throughout the year.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 2, 2022

Q3 earnings: A complex economic recovery continues, with M&A spending on the rise

Inflation and labor were also cited as notable challenges during recent reports. Catch up on our takeaways from key public companies.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 4, 2021

Republic Services M&A spending on track to top $1B in 2021, highest in over a decade

The company is also making investments in landfill gas projects and expanding its environmental solutions business as it caps off a quarter that saw some volumes exceed pre-pandemic levels.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 29, 2021

Waste Connections acquisitions worth $240M in revenue through Q3, at least $100M more anticipated

The company upped its outlook thanks to economic recovery trends and M&A but reported inflationary pressures. CEO Worthing Jackman also described potential vaccine mandates as a notable labor headwind.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 28, 2021

High aluminum prices, supply chain issues create 'best of times and the worst of times' for recyclers

The light metal has soared out of a slump, with UBC pricing strong and sustainability goals driving demand, yet operators such as Virginia's TFC Recycling say transportation difficulties make it hard to capitalize on that.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 27, 2021

Wave of investment just the beginning for EV battery recycling

Within a short period this fall, four lithium-ion battery recyclers saw a collective $255 million worth of investment and another completed a merger. As existing EV batteries age out and new vehicles hit the market, demand is growing fast.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 27, 2021

Waste Management sees path to offset 'acute' inflation, labor turbulence through pricing and automation

The company raised revenue guidance again but faced a challenging quarter. During one recent week an estimated 900 employees were out due to COVID-19 at the same time as volumes increased due to the economic rebound.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2021

Plastic’s GHG emissions could outpace those from coal by 2030: report

New research from nonprofit Beyond Plastics takes a critical look at the plastics industry's climate effects, with renewed criticism of chemical recycling. Major plastics trade groups pushed back on the report.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 25, 2021

Community engagement is critical to environmental justice progress: NERC conference

Local groups have worked for years to address health, safety and equity issues. Conference participants from the U.S. EPA, New Jersey and reuse centers shared how industry operators can learn from their efforts.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 20, 2021

City Haul: A new class of municipal waste leaders emerges

Over half of the 10 largest U.S. cities have new public works, sanitation or solid waste directors since the start of 2020. Positions have evolved during the pandemic and amid shifting trends in technology and public engagement.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 20, 2021

Macquarie acquiring large stakes in GreenWaste and Zanker in its first California waste deal

GreenWaste and partner company Zanker Recycling's northern California operations include multiple organics recycling facilities. Moody's Investors Service estimates operations are generating $325 million in annual revenue.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 15, 2021

Battery recycling firm Li-Cycle nets $100M investment

Amid other developments in the battery recycling market, the investment from a Koch Industries subsidiary will support the Toronto-based company's expansion in North America, Europe and Asia.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 7, 2021

Rescue funds buoy economic outlooks, but cities eager for infrastructure dollars: NLC report

Many cities lost revenue in FY21, but certain economic and tax changes, plus infusions of direct federal relief, helped them weather the pandemic better than the Great Recession, according to National League of Cities researchers.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 7, 2021

Searching for operational insight, MRFs comb data from AI

As recycling technology gets more sophisticated, MRF operators and equipment manufacturers say material characterization data from AI-powered systems may be even more valuable than the labor robots provide.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 6, 2021

Optical sorting challenges and opportunities

Explore optical sorting solutions for the final stages of material separation in a MRF.

Oct. 4, 2021

GFL Environmental expands Midwest footprint with PDC acquisition

Today's purchase of Peoria Disposal marks the transfer of a 93-plus-year family business that provides GFL with a sizable, vertically-integrated waste and recycling platform in Illinois and Missouri.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2021

California beverage makers struggle to meet upcoming recycled content requirements

Bottlers must use at least 15% postconsumer resin in plastic containers by 2022, and more from there, but a recent CalRecycle report shows many haven't yet hit the mark. PET supply and a strained redemption system are key factors.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 30, 2021

What's next for Recology in San Francisco after $36M DOJ penalty, bribery charge

The West Coast company is looking to move forward after three subsidiaries admitted to one charge of bribery in a deferred prosecution agreement, but it still faces legal action and a push to change local collection systems.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2021

Procuring sustainable coffee cups presents a blend of challenges

Increased global demand and recycling setbacks during the pandemic point to the need for better systems within the supply chain.

By Jen A. Miller • Sept. 27, 2021

Right-to-repair advocates see Biden support and consumer frustration leading to more legislative action

Right-to-repair laws are moving forward with or without manufacturer engagement, according to iFixit, and advocates say there's an open seat at the table for earnest negotiation.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 24, 2021

Upstream CEO sees huge potential in burgeoning reuse-refill sector, including for haulers

Matt Prindiville, head of a nonprofit focused on holistic waste solutions, is at the center of discussions with brands and activists alike about not just relying on recycling to create a more circular economy.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 23, 2021