The Waste Dive Awards for 2020

During a year of crisis and challenge, these are some of the people, groups and initiatives that met the moment.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Organization of the Year: Sanitation Foundation

As New York sanitation workers were caught in the initial epicenter of the pandemic, hundreds were infected and multiple died. A city nonprofit played a key role in supporting them and adapting to a very eventful year.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

ESG Action of the Year: New Jersey's environmental justice law

The law offers an example of stakeholders uniting on key ESG considerations such as potential emissions and pollution benefits, racial justice and evolving corporate policies impacting such issues.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Trump signs Save Our Seas 2.0, giving plastics recycling infrastructure potential boost

Proponents say the bill could impact the entire value chain, including $55 million in annual funding toward post-consumer infrastructure. Critics maintain it does not go far enough in changing the equation on plastic waste.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Dec. 18, 2020

How Harsco reimagined its Clean Earth division mid-pandemic as a national hazardous waste player

President David Stanton discusses building a new business following the acquisition of assets from Stericycle, pandemic effects, recycling opportunities, and the big potential around managing PFAS waste.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 8, 2020

As dozens of curbside textile recycling programs pause, others launch anew

Simple Recycling, the country's largest curbside service provider, has suspended around 25% of its estimated 200 municipal contracts due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, a new Rhode Island company sees hope for the model.

By Karine Vann • Dec. 7, 2020

Diageo pledges 100% recyclable packaging, 50% supply chain emissions reduction by 2030

After falling short on some 2020 goals, the maker of Guinness and Smirnoff laid out plans to reduce emissions and improve packaging recyclability through 2030.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 2, 2020

Quest CEO talks first acquisition, weathering pandemic and growing demand for sustainability

The "asset-light" company's national platform of commercial accounts took a hit this year, like many others. Leader Ray Hatch, formerly of Oakleaf, sees signs of a recovery and more potential deals ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 30, 2020

MRF Summit: Despite pandemic setbacks, 2020 shows bright spots for recycling

Speakers at the event highlighted the booming use of robotics, declining contamination and improved market pricing as positive signs; while international trade policy continues to present complications.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 24, 2020

Former Recology executive charged with laundering bribes worth more than $1M in San Francisco

The two charges against Paul Giusti stem from alleged attempts to influence former city Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, who was arrested earlier this year, in exchange for his approval of rate increases and other actions.

By Cole Rosengren , Gloria Gonzalez • Nov. 24, 2020

Brand interest in reuse rising, but it still accounts for less than 2% of plastic packaging market

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's latest progress report on where consumer goods companies stand on the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment shows substantial work ahead toward a more circular economy.

By Karine Vann • Nov. 20, 2020

Urgency around climate change, plastics ramps up circular economy interest in US

Georgia Sherwin of Closed Loop Partners highlights how the concept is becoming more tangible for businesses, with a look at implications for reuse models, policies and diversity in the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 19, 2020

How the waste and recycling industry can weather rapid changes in the insurance marketplace

Nathan Brainard, vice president of the environmental division at Insurance Office of America, outlines why so many insurers have exited the marketplace in recent years and how industry service providers can turn things around.

By Nathan Brainard • Nov. 19, 2020

EPA sets 2030 national recycling goal, stakeholders call for more federal action

Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a 50% recycling rate target for 2030, while the latest annual data showed a decline to 32.1% and multiple financial pressures continue for the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Calculating the costs of climate change in the waste, energy sectors

Waste Dive, Utility Dive and Smart Cities Dive teamed up for a series presenting the way their sectors are evaluating the impacts and costs of mitigating climate change.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

Ongoing evolution in ESG and climate plans among waste and recycling companies

Companies have been setting more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets and announcing related investments in recent years.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Sept. 22, 2021

Tracking ESG climate targets from US waste and recycling companies

Republic Services is the latest company to report on its emissions reduction goals, but it opted not to update a specific report as it awaits the outcome of a Securities and Exchange Commission climate disclosure rule.

By Nami Sumida, Cole Rosengren, Leslie Nemo • Updated July 27, 2023

US waste and recycling sector faces mounting risks and opportunities from climate change

As the industry increasingly recognizes its contribution to climate change and sees business opportunities in potentially mitigating those effects, the sector could be at a notable inflection point in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Oregon beverage container redemption volumes surge despite pandemic

The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative credits its resilience to prior contactless system investments, with volumes up even amid some collection suspensions. This could be a positive sign for limited aluminum supplies.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 16, 2020

Georgia on track for new recycling funds following ballot measure and state law

A new law, spurred by a constitutional amendment, ensures revenue generated from tire sales and disposal tip fees would go toward waste and recycling programs as intended rather than largely getting shifted to the general fund.

By Leslie Nemo • Updated May 12, 2021

Secondary MRF operator conducting Northeast plastics study following California facility closure

Titus MRF Services cited poor market conditions as a factor behind the closure of its Los Angeles site. Now it's teaming up with the American Chemistry Council to examine container line residuals from five states.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 12, 2020

Recology COO discusses how the West Coast company is weathering a year of wildfires, pandemic disruptions

Sal Coniglio – recently promoted to one of the company's top jobs – talks future plans, COVID-19 business effects and how previous fires taught the company to stock up on masks.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 11, 2020

Ball fragments aluminum can supply to meet North American demand

While new manufacturing capacity is in the works, Ball Corporation will focus on using data to fine-tune existing operations and squeeze every can possible out of its supply chain. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 6, 2020

Republic Services Q3: Annual M&A spend now on track for up to $900M

Driven by the pending acquisitions of Santek Waste and Randy's Environmental, Republic is on track for a big year. The company also reported sequential pandemic recovery in multiple lines of business.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 6, 2020

GFL Q3: CEO rebukes short-seller report, outlines tuck-ins following two big deals

With integration underway for WCA Waste, and divested assets from Waste Management and Advanced Disposal, the Canadian company sees dozens of tuck-in opportunities ahead. 

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 5, 2020