Consolidation is an ongoing fact of life for the waste and recycling industry, but 2019 saw a notable wave of activity. With the potential for economic, political or other shifts on the horizon in 2020, many companies appeared to view this year as a prime time to keep expanding.
Leading the pack is the pending acquisition of Advanced Disposal Services by Waste Management, the industry giant's largest deal in decades. Now firmly cemented as the fourth-largest in North America, GFL Environmental has also seen a rollercoaster year with its IPO saga and continued expansion. While less flashy, the continued deal activity by Waste Connections, Casella Waste Systems and Republic Services is also notable. Expanding activity by private equity players – such as Macquarie Infrastructure Partners and Closed Loop Partners, among others – is also part of a growing trend. Emerging activity from multiple other companies looking to get in on the action also stood out in our coverage.
