Jon Vander Ark: AI is ‘wildly oversold,’ but it can provide benefits

Vander Ark compared the current hype around AI to the dot-com era that collapsed in 2000. But he said there are still plenty of opportunities to drive cost efficiencies through digital improvements.

By Jacob Wallace • May 20, 2025

WM President John Morris on AI, autonomous equipment and tech investments

John Morris, who is also the company’s chief operating officer, said AI and tech upgrades for fleets, new route optimization software and autonomous vehicle pilots are helping with labor retention and cost savings.   

By Megan Quinn • May 19, 2025

As New England market consolidates, Boston Green Environmental Services expands

The family-owned company recently scaled with new locations in Maine and New Hampshire, with another one on the way. 

By Cole Rosengren • May 14, 2025

Maryland Gov. Moore signs packaging EPR into law

Maryland becomes the sixth state with an EPR for packaging law. It ramps up reimbursement between 2028 and 2030.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • May 13, 2025

Hydrogen-fueled refuse trucks are ‘just a matter of when,’ manufacturers say

Manufacturers like New Way Trucks, Paccar and more believe the future for hydrogen fuel cell-powered refuse vehicles remains bright, despite setbacks for the technology.

By Jacob Wallace • May 12, 2025

WasteExpo: No ‘one easy fix’ for battery fires, but plenty of options

Industry professionals at this year’s conference called for coordinated battery fire prevention strategies, including integrating newer tech like x-ray sorters, to fight growing battery waste streams such as vapes.

By Megan Quinn • May 12, 2025

Healthcare waste in residential streams keeps growing. Now what?

A combination of policy and education is necessary to prevent worker injuries from needlesticks and hazardous waste exposure, speakers from Stericycle and PSI said at WasteExpo. 

By Megan Quinn • May 9, 2025

Waste Harmonics Keter looks for growth opportunities after merger

Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Mohan outlined plans for the combined waste brokers to scale, including potential M&A. The company recently cut staffing at a New York office as part of the integration process.

By Jacob Wallace • May 8, 2025

WM acquires DC-area WB Waste Solutions

The private, Maryland-based operation was formed by industry veterans Willie K. Goode and Bruce Bates. It includes a range of commercial and industrial hauling and post-collection assets.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • May 7, 2025

Casella notes positive Q1, recycling efficiencies and insulation from tariffs

Casella also noted four acquisitions so far in 2025 and plans to continue internalizing more landfill tons and updating fleets.

By Megan Quinn • May 2, 2025

Republic Services acquires pair of private haulers in Wisconsin

The purchase of Town & Country Sanitation and Peterson Sanitation caps off decades of private ownership. The transaction is part of Republic’s intention to spend at least $1 billion on M&A this year.

By Cole Rosengren • May 1, 2025

GFL plans to build on existing post-collection asset footprint amid M&A push

Executives said the company is on track to meet or exceed the high end of their acquisitions guidance this year, fueled by proceeds from the sale of GFL’s environmental services business.

By Jacob Wallace • May 1, 2025

Clean Harbors exec says Safety-Kleen business ‘has turned a corner’

Co-CEO Mike Battles said other used oil collectors are following Clean Harbors’ lead on a charge-for-oil model, keeping volumes stable. Elsewhere, executives remain optimistic about the business amid an uncertain economy.

By Jacob Wallace • April 30, 2025

Q1 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2025

Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems and Clean Harbors.

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated May 7, 2025

WM says tariffs unlikely to affect RNG, MRF plans for 2025

CEO Jim Fish said the quarter exceeded expectations, despite severe weather. The company also reported ongoing progress as it integrates the Stericycle assets.

By Megan Quinn • April 29, 2025

WM opens $50M MRF in Maryland as part of regional upgrade plan

The new MRF, which can handle 250,000 tons per year, now has the largest capacity of all WM’s recycling centers. That capacity is necessary to serve major cities such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C. 

By Megan Quinn • April 28, 2025

Republic posts strong start to year amid ambiguity around credits, tariffs

The company reported financials for the first quarter of the year. Executives said their sustainability projects and underlying business were on solid financial footing in Q1 despite macroeconomic uncertainty.

By Jacob Wallace • April 25, 2025

Waste Connections highlights ‘better than expected’ Q1 amid tariff uncertainty

CEO Ron Mittelstaedt said strong pricing and “outsized” M&A activity continues. The company reiterated its Q2 outlook and said it’s planning to insulate from macroeconomic factors like tariffs.

By Megan Quinn • April 24, 2025

New York announces next waste zones, but pressure for a timeline remains

The city’s sanitation department declined to set dates for implementing of 17 remaining commercial waste zones this week, prompting pushback from industry and the city council.

By Jacob Wallace • April 24, 2025

Packaging groups support combo EPR, bottle bill legislation in Rhode Island

A commission on plastic bottle waste recommended combo legislation as one path forward. Some packaging and recycling group leaders said in an op-ed that the state “can learn from, and leapfrog, other states” with a new bill.

By Maria Rachal • April 23, 2025

Healthcare packaging an untapped chemical recycling feedstock: report

The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council says its multi-year research into chemical recycling for healthcare packaging shows the material is an untapped feedstock that could help overcome collection and processing hurdles.

By Megan Quinn • April 18, 2025

What the pandemic means for waste and recycling five years later

While the “essential worker” spotlight may have faded and business is largely back to normal, certain effects still linger when it comes to labor investments and recycling streams.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • April 17, 2025

Arcwood CEO HP Nanda talks rebrand, new incinerators and tariffs

One year after EQT Infrastructure acquired a majority stake in Heritage Environmental Services, the company has rebranded to Arcwood Environmental. It caps off a period of expansion with fresh leadership.

By Jacob Wallace • April 16, 2025

Inside The Recycling Partnership’s policy pivot

Founder Keefe Harrison said the organization’s shift toward recycling policy advocacy has helped spark improvements to recycling systems that can’t be accelerated with grant programs alone.

By Megan Quinn • April 16, 2025

EPA confirms SWIFR, REO grant funding disbursement on track

EPA will move forward with awarding the second round of solid waste and recycling grants. The news comes after uncertainty over the status of numerous federal funding opportunities for the waste and recycling sectors.

By Megan Quinn • April 14, 2025