WM to remove RNG fleet ads in Seattle following complaints from environmental groups

The controversy over branding has exposed fault lines over public perception of renewable natural gas.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated April 24, 2023

Temporary collection deal with Richard’s Disposal nears approval in Jackson, Mississippi

The deal comes after a six-hour meeting between the mayor and city council, who have been at odds for months over a permanent collection contract.

By Jacob Wallace • April 18, 2023

Richard’s Disposal again sues Jackson, Miss., over denial of 6-year hauling contract

The lawsuit comes as the Jackson City Council also declined to extend the hauler’s one-year emergency contract, leaving many residents without trash service for more than two weeks.

By Megan Quinn • April 17, 2023

Waste collection inflation slows in seasonally adjusted metrics

Despite slowing, garbage and trash collection price increases still outpaced the overall consumer price index over the past month and year over year.

By Jacob Wallace • April 17, 2023

EPA proposes tougher emission rules for heavy-duty trucks

The agency wants electric trucks to make up a quarter of new sales by 2032 as part of new regulation that quickly drew concerns from the broader trucking industry.

By David Taube • April 13, 2023

Zero-emission fleets in the spotlight as EPA, California propose new rules

The waste industry is staring down a major shift in its fleet operations starting this year — and asking for leniency — as a pair of heavy-duty fleet rules proposed at the federal and state level gain traction. 

By Jacob Wallace • April 13, 2023

Boston ‘reconsidering everything’ for its next residential collection contract

Boston’s Public Works Department aims to rethink setout times, containerization, competition and more before awarding a 2024 contract. Meanwhile, the city’s recycling and disposal contracts could be extended.

By Cole Rosengren • April 12, 2023

Fort Collins, Colorado, hauling contract to mandate RNG fuel, electric vehicle pilot

The contract with Republic Services, approved in February, would move the city from an open market to a contracted market.

By Jacob Wallace • April 12, 2023

AFSCME highlights voices from 1968 Memphis sanitation strike, says issues persist today

Lee Saunders, president of the public-sector union that represented workers in that historic strike, says the event has implications for the modern industry. A new podcast also highlights Martin Luther King Jr.’s role in the movement.

By Megan Quinn • April 10, 2023

Maryland poised to institute clean trucks rule, explore closing waste authority

Environmental advocates view the measures as a step forward in decarbonizing Maryland’s waste industry, but the trucking industry has raised concerns about fleet availability. 

By Jacob Wallace • April 10, 2023

Connecticut environmental justice law could expand to transfer stations, chemical recycling facilities

The state’s legislature is advancing a bill that would expand the existing EJ law to include cumulative impact requirements in permitting decisions. This would follow similar laws in New York and New Jersey. 

By Megan Quinn • April 3, 2023

RTS acquires RecycleSmart, Canada’s largest waste broker

The purchase of RecycleSmart and its Pello sensor technology is the latest in a series of deals by RTS and part of a broader trend in the broker space.

By Cole Rosengren • March 30, 2023

New York City to roll out yard waste separation mandate in all five boroughs by 2024

The Department of Sanitation’s yard waste diversion proposal follows a high-volume organics collection pilot in Queens and the recent announcement of a universal organics collection program.

By Jacob Wallace • March 27, 2023

Connecticut bill overhauling state waste management practices could see big changes

Pressure from stakeholders could mean the removal of MSW disposal fee and delay an EPR for packaging provision, but organics separation and recycled content sections could remain.

By Megan Quinn • March 24, 2023

Rubicon CEO on the company’s next chapter and the challenges of going public

Phil Rodoni, previously chief technology officer, took the helm during an eventful period for the company. He discusses Rubicon’s efforts to become profitable, grow its software business and compete in the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • March 22, 2023

High number of facility fires in 2022 prompts renewed look at battery recycling efforts

The media reported 390 waste and recycling facility fires in the U.S. and Canada in 2022, the highest number since Fire Rover started tracking such reports in 2016. State EPR laws and federal funding efforts aim to reduce risk.

By Megan Quinn • March 22, 2023

CNG, electric or hybrid? WM execs talk evolving fleet strategy

Chief Operating Officer John Morris and Senior Director of Fleet David Tessin discuss lessons from WM’s fuel transition, upping RNG investments, the potential impact of eRINs and more.

By Maria Rachal • March 21, 2023

CARDS Recycling acquired by private equity firm Kinderhook Industries

The Arkansas-based hauler and transfer station operator, which was founded in 2017, has expanded to reach five states via acquisitions. An influx of private equity capital is expected to accelerate that growth.

By Cole Rosengren • March 20, 2023

Miami-Dade County, Florida, approves $44M in recycling contract extensions with WM and others

Miami-Dade County will continue collection and processing contracts with WM, Waste Connections and Coastal Waste for two more years because officials said they did not have time to conduct a broader search for new vendors.

By Megan Quinn • March 20, 2023

GreenWaste CEO envisions ‘stronger presence’ for company in California following private equity investment

Over a year after selling to a Macquarie fund, CEO Tracy Adams reports a “great partnership.” He discusses the company’s targeted acquisition strategy, the state’s SB 1383 organics recycling law and more.

By Cole Rosengren • March 16, 2023

Waste and recycling companies seemingly unscathed by SVB collapse but continue to monitor fallout

Initial reports indicate the industry’s largest companies, as well as tech-focused startups with a history of venture funding, aren’t directly affected. Questions remain around what implications the incident will have on access to capital.

By Cole Rosengren • March 14, 2023

WM acquires large Minnesota composting company as part of Midwest organics recycling growth

WM says its purchase of Specialized Environmental Technologies positions the company to meet rising demand in the Twin Cities area, where local policies are requiring diversion.

By Megan Quinn • March 13, 2023

Rubicon doubles down on higher-margin software business in ongoing push to boost profitability

After weathering challenges and executive changes, the tech-focused waste broker projects a turnaround. In addition to noting price increases on waste accounts, Rubicon touted a software expansion for commercial fleets.

By Cole Rosengren • March 9, 2023

WIN Waste partnering with Baltimore organics recycler on food waste collection pilot

WIN Waste Innovations, through its predecessor company Wheelabrator, has long operated the WTE facility in Baltimore. The new partnership comes as non-governmental entities fill a void in addressing the city’s waste issues.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated March 10, 2023

Major solid waste and recycling companies spent nearly $6.3B on acquisitions in 2022

The multiyear trend of heightened deal spending continues. Catch up on financial details and 2023 M&A outlooks from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

By Cole Rosengren • March 8, 2023