WM explains plans to accelerate automation amid a 'war for talent'

With the company potentially phasing out up to 7,000 positions in the next few years, Chief Customer Officer Michael Watson elaborated on efforts to “upskill” employees and seize growth opportunities even in a tight labor market.

By Maria Rachal • June 15, 2022

How Cleveland is restarting curbside recycling after more than 2 years

Curbside service returned Monday. Ren Brumfield, the city’s first recycling coordinator, discussed the new contract with Rumpke, how to measure success, the challenges and opportunities with a total reset, and more.

By Maria Rachal • June 13, 2022

EPA aims to disburse $375M in waste and recycling funds from infrastructure bill by spring 2023

Stakeholders have called for the EPA to move quickly on implementing funding from grants and initiatives that the agency says represent its “largest investment in recycling in 30 years.”

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 15, 2022

California’s high-stakes experiment to cut organic waste disposal 75% by 2025

Waste companies and local governments in the state are making massive investments and operational changes to meet the demands of SB 1383. Explore the implications with our ongoing series.

Updated Nov. 14, 2022

Expecting food waste 'tsunami,' California recyclers focus on infrastructure and end markets

As the state rolls out universal organics collection, major companies such as Agromin, Anaergia, GreenWaste Recovery, Recology, Republic Services and WM are expanding to meet demand. Learn more in Part 2 of our series.

By Cole Rosengren • June 9, 2022

Palo Alto, California, amending GreenWaste recycling contract in move to prioritize domestic markets

The update will direct some rigid plastics and mixed paper to domestic processors at a cost of up to $1.2 million after the company had been been unable to prove the materials were responsibly managed once exported.

By Megan Quinn • June 8, 2022

San Francisco voters approve reform measure in wake of Recology corruption scandal

The first major change to the local refuse ordinance in 90 years will update a rate-setting process that resulted in significant overcharges. It could also affect the company’s lock on hauling permits, pending further legislative action.

By Cole Rosengren • June 8, 2022

New York business improvement districts adapt to expansion of waste containerization pilot

The Times Square Alliance is moving forward with installations, but questions remain about barriers to participation around container choice and servicing for some potential adopters.

By Maria Rachal • June 6, 2022

Ambitious policy makes California a crucible for investments in organics collection and recycling

SB 1383, a sweeping law that calls for a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal by 2025 to reduce methane emissions, has spurred a flurry of activity. Is the state's current infrastructure ready to meet the moment? 

By Cole Rosengren • June 3, 2022

EPA’s Carlton Waterhouse: Environmental justice means thinking beyond regulatory requirements

The EPA official previewed a new recycling infrastructure map, more data and updates on grants to help facilities "green" their operations. He also urged facility operators to invest in their communities.

By Megan Quinn • May 31, 2022

City Haul: Federal pandemic funds offer rare opportunity for waste and recycling investments

Climate and cleanliness goals, plus worker safety concerns, help sanitation projects compete for flexible American Rescue Plan funds, as localities also await next steps on the rollout of recycling grants through the infrastructure law.

By Maria Rachal • May 24, 2022

Willie Goode, founder of multiple DC-area waste companies, reflects on 30 years in business

After starting out on the back of a truck, the CEO of Maryland-based Goode Cos. has since grown a multi-company portfolio. He reflects on what it took to get there, a tough contract experience in Florida and what's next.

By Cole Rosengren • May 23, 2022

How top waste companies are competing around M&A, recycling, inflation and labor

Hear what executives from Casella Waste Systems, Coastal Waste & Recycling, LRS, Republic Services, USA Hauling & Recycling, Waste Connections and others had to say about key trends at WasteExpo.

By Cole Rosengren • May 18, 2022

Electric evolution increasingly seen as inevitable for waste and recycling fleets

Timeline predictions vary, but conversations at WasteExpo suggested a wider consensus is forming that refuse fleets are destined for electrification. With that, the focus shifts from doubts about trucks to infrastructure stresses.

By Maria Rachal • May 16, 2022

Gov. Polis signs Colorado's EPR for packaging bill

This is now the third state bill of its kind to pass. The law will create an advisory board with recycler representation and has seen support from certain packaging industry groups.

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 3, 2022

Best Buy just launched a $200 electronics recycling pick-up program

For consumers looking to avoid e-waste, retailers are filling a gap left by manufacturers. Best Buy sees this as a convenience service that can appeal to consumers regardless of policy drivers in their state.

By Kaarin Moore • May 12, 2022

Dispatches from WasteExpo Day 1: Latinx business leaders, mobile collection apps and PFAS in biosolids

The industry's largest event kicked off with sessions focused on the link between diversity and sustainability, young rising leaders, fleet technology rollouts, a notable new PFAS law in Maine and more.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal , Megan Quinn • May 10, 2022

Republic Services plugs US Ecology-driven expansion, Archaea RNG deal

After finalizing the $2.2 billion US Ecology acquisition, Republic said it has another $400 million worth of solid waste and recycling deals "in the advanced stages of closing" and is eyeing tuck-ins in environmental solutions.

By Maria Rachal • May 6, 2022

GFL Environmental's momentum continues with 21 deals, further potential to recover fuel costs

Following the Sprint purchase, executives anticipate further M&A opportunities. They were also optimistic in an earnings call about further potential from recovering Canadian volumes, price increases and lower labor turnover.

By Cole Rosengren • May 5, 2022

Waste Connections touts $175M in Q1 acquisitions, 'robust pipeline' for 2022

The company discussed a strong start to the year due in part to solid waste pricing and revenues from its resource recovery sector, but inflation and labor challenges remain.

By Megan Quinn • May 4, 2022

Clean Harbors Q1 boosted by HydroChem PSC deal, growing environmental services demand

Executives touted plans for an upcoming Nebraska incinerator and are optimistic about gaining further ground in a market that has become more consolidated following Republic's purchase of US Ecology.

By Cole Rosengren • May 4, 2022

Q1 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Catch up on the latest round of financial results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, Clean Harbors and Stericycle.

By The Waste Dive Team • Updated May 6, 2022

Minneapolis shares its years of organics collection expertise as other major cities consider new efforts

The Minnesota city has over 50% program participation after going citywide around 2015. Meanwhile, Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C., are among the cities eyeing expansions to collection options.

By Maria Rachal • May 3, 2022

C&D recycling and rail transfer facility coming to capacity-strained Greater Boston market

The project is not owned by a major waste industry player, making it an outlier for the region. With construction beginning later this year, it will enter a market with increasingly high recycling expectations.

By Cole Rosengren • May 2, 2022

Casella forecasts $1B in annual revenue, growing M&A pipeline

The Northeastern company reported a positive quarter despite facility construction setbacks, inflation issues and lower landfill volumes. It also previewed upward of $500 million in potential acquisition opportunities.

By Megan Quinn • April 29, 2022