Collections & Transfer: Page 23
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By the numbers: 2021's waste and recycling trends
Take a look back through the key data points that shaped the conversations around some of the top issues — M&A, ESG, policy and workforce challenges — in an eventful year.
By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Dec. 23, 2021 -
Roundup: Waste Dive's 2021 Q&A's with waste and recycling leaders
From Waste Management's first chief sustainability officer to the Biden administration's pick to lead U.S. EPA waste policy, look back on the year's conversations with execs, authors, investors, entrepreneurs and regulators.
Dec. 22, 2021 -
Robin Hutcheson to replace Meera Joshi as acting FMCSA administrator
Hutcheson was previously the director of public works for Minneapolis, among other positions. This follows the departure of Meera Joshi, who had been in the Senate confirmation process for months to lead the agency.
By S.L. Fuller • Updated Jan. 20, 2022 -
Deep Dive
Frustrated by collection worker deaths, industry groups target distracted driving
Waste and recycling groups believe distracted driving and cellphone usage are key factors in the fatalities. A lack of data on crash causes and disagreements on how to solve the problem have stalled meaningful solutions.
By Megan Quinn • Dec. 20, 2021 -
Fatalities continued to fall in 2020, but waste collection workers still had 6th deadliest US job
BLS data shows collection workers had a safer year than they did in 2019, but MRF and landfill worker deaths rose slightly. Industry associations hope more safety programs and education will help drive numbers down.
By Megan Quinn • Dec. 16, 2021 -
Rubicon going public in $1.7B SPAC deal as 'digital challenger' to waste industry's 'status quo'
The Kentucky-based tech company, known for its aggressive efforts to "disrupt" the waste and recycling industry without owning physical assets, expects to more than double revenues by 2024. The deal could close by Q2.
By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 16, 2021 -
Dual-stream recycling proponents feel vindicated after converted communities see financial benefits
Recent years of commodity market turbulence emphasized the value of clean material. Now, recycling program managers in Pennsylvania, Florida and elsewhere are touting results from ditching the common single-stream system.
By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 15, 2021 -
Federal agencies to revisit overtime, joint employment rules in 2022
The U.S. Department of Labor and National Labor Relations Board will propose updates in the coming months, according to a government to-do list.
By Kate Tornone • Dec. 11, 2021 -
New York sanitation experts urge incoming mayor to rethink, modernize collection system
The city's sidewalks are infamous for their mountains of garbage bags and rodents. A new "Put Waste to Work" campaign says containerization, route optimization and organics collection should be top priorities.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 6, 2021 -
City Haul: How leaders navigate turbulent recycling narratives
Market changes in recent years created new challenges and opportunities for cities seeking to encourage good recycling habits among residents. City leaders and industry experts share how they're approaching the issue.
By Maria Rachal • Dec. 1, 2021 -
Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity
Amwaste acquired Waste Away Environmental in Georgia; WM acquired Stericycle; Casella acquired Royal Carting and Welsh Sanitation in New York; Coastal Waste acquired Southwest Waste in Florida.
By Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 4, 2024 -
COVID-19 vaccinations
Waste and recycling employers prepping for OSHA coronavirus requirements amid legal holdups
A Jan. 4 deadline for vaccinations or weekly testing has been halted, but the industry is still closely reviewing the standard, with attention to provisions such as an exemption for outdoor workers, which could apply to certain job types.
By Maria Rachal • Nov. 22, 2021 -
Opinion
The EPA wants to fix US recycling. Start by making it simpler.
Geoff Freeman, who leads the Consumer Brands Association, makes the case that standardizing definitions is key to improving both packaging design and education to reduce contamination.
By Geoff Freeman • Nov. 19, 2021 -
NYC commercial waste reform
New York aims to launch commercial waste zones in 2022, sector's largest change in decades
A long-anticipated RFP kicks off a process that could see coveted 10-year contracts awarded by next summer. Fifty companies have qualified to bid, including Waste Management, Waste Connections and Action Environmental.
By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 17, 2021 -
Biden's waste and recycling priorities
EPA's 2030 recycling strategy turns focus to circular economy and environmental justice
The long-awaited master plan focuses on steps to achieve a 50% recycling rate by 2030, but regulators promise it's just "part one" of a larger effort to tackle climate change on a higher level, and more details will follow.
By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 16, 2021 -
How US recycling programs make it work from coast to coast
Professionals working in multifamily city buildings, drop-off sites in tribal nations and programs in more isolated island areas weigh in on what's working, and what's still challenging, when it comes to recycling in 2021.
By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn • Nov. 15, 2021 -
Corporate Growth Conference: Navigating modern M&A involves more partners than ever before
Speakers at last week's Chicago event, including former CEOs who've sold companies to GFL and Waste Management, highlighted the evolution of deal logistics over the years, including the growing role of private equity.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 10, 2021 -
Opinion
The dirty truth about the waste industry's 'labor shortage'
Chuck Stiles, director of the Solid Waste and Recycling Division of the Teamsters union, says the industry's issue with recruiting and retaining workers comes down to insufficient wages, benefits and respect.
By Chuck Stiles • Nov. 9, 2021 -
What waste industry CEOs said about the labor market during Q3 earnings calls
Casella, GFL, Republic, Waste Connections and Waste Management addressed the impact of labor constraints on their ability to take on new business, the role of automation, and related pricing changes and costs.
By Maria Rachal • Nov. 5, 2021 -
Solid waste collection, landfill workers saw injury rate drop in 2020: BLS data
Focus on infection prevention in the coronavirus pandemic's first year, when illness cases spiked, may have increased attention to everyday safety messages as well. At the same time, incidence rates for MRF workers rose.
By Maria Rachal • Nov. 4, 2021 -
GFL 2021 earnings
GFL Environmental on track to close 40 acquisitions this year, ramping up RNG and MRF projects
Having acquired assets worth an estimated C$735 million in annual revenue to date, GFL intends to keep up its pace for the foreseeable future and raised 2021 guidance.
By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 4, 2021 -
2021 earnings coverage: GFL Environmental
In its second year as a public company, GFL continued an aggressive expansion pace throughout North America, including multiple large acquisitions such as Terrapure and PDC.
By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 10, 2022 -
Massachusetts banning disposal of textiles, mattresses and more organics in 2022
The state's Department of Environmental Protection has finalized a plan that calls for a 30% reduction in disposal volumes by 2030. Even if it hits that target, local disposal capacity will still be very constrained.
By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 3, 2021 -
Opinion
Could better recycling logistics solve EPR challenges?
More flexible collection systems may be a solution to packaging issues — regardless of the regulatory landscape — writes Ryan Smith, CEO and founder of startup Recyclops.
By Ryan Smith • Nov. 3, 2021 -
Tracking the industry: US waste and recycling info hub
Follow some of the most essential developments around M&A, ESG pledges, federal and state policy, PFAS regulations, quarterly earnings results and more with Waste Dive's unique trackers and ongoing in-depth coverage.
By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 23, 2021