8 questions about the top trends shaping waste and recycling in 2022

Waste Dive is watching how much longer heightened M&A activity lasts, what it will take to maintain the workforce in a tough market, where organics infrastructure is growing, what's next for recycling and more.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2022

RTS acquires Elytus, making it one of the industry's largest waste brokers

The New York-based company has picked up an estimated 12,000 service locations and is going national with its biggest transaction to date. CEO Greg Lettieri shares how this fits into its growth plans for 2022.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 10, 2022

Stakeholders urge Supreme Court to act fast on OSHA mandate

Stakeholders from all sides hoped the court would have a ruling before the emergency temporary standard's Jan. 10 enforcement date.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Jan. 10, 2022

Omicron spread disrupts US waste and recycling operations as 2022 begins

Unlike previous COVID-19 surges that struck more regionally, the latest wave appears to be wreaking havoc on staff availability across the country. Dallas and Detroit are among the latest cities affected.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Jan. 7, 2022

We must invest in compost infrastructure to match growing demand for sustainable products

Jessica Bowman, executive director of the Plant Based Products Council, points to new consumer survey data as another reason to evolve materials management options and pass the national COMPOST Act.

By Jessica Bowman • Jan. 5, 2022

FCC Environmental awarded California mixed waste contract worth up to $1.5B

Placer County's process is an example of how jurisdictions are preparing for major changes under California's SB 1383 organics recycling regulations. FCC won out over GreenWaste, Recology-affiliated Nortech and others.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated April 28, 2022

With $45M Closed Loop deal, Sims Municipal Recycling to expand and compete for more contracts

The recent sale of a stake in the Australian scrap giant's U.S. curbside recycling division is called a "game-changer" as the company aims to pursue more municipal contracts and make new products from the recycled material.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 2, 2022

EPA action and US recycling policy during Biden's 1st year in office

2021 brought a new EPA administrator, a nominee to lead the agency's waste efforts that is vocal on PFAS and environmental justice, the long-anticipated National Recycling Strategy and recycling funds in the infrastructure package.

Dec. 23, 2021

How the pandemic impacted waste and recycling workforces in 2021

The arrival of vaccines brought new considerations for employees and employers, while shifts in the broader U.S. workforce created new challenges for hiring and retention.

Dec. 23, 2021

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

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

Advanced Recycling Technologies acquired a Massachusetts company with funding from a private equity backer; E360S acquired a Canadian injection well; GFL Environmental bought a longtime Illinois hauler.

By Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn • Updated 17 hours ago

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

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

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

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