Waste and recycling employers watch for next steps on COVID-19 requirements

Waste Pro and Rumpke are among the large employers who have encouraged vaccinations and will be affected by an OSHA rule. The industry is considering how to assist and accommodate existing and prospective workers.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 4, 2021

LRS acquires numerous Midwest assets from GFL, including Advanced divestitures

The recently closed deal contains substantial collection and hauling business in Illinois, including the Chicago area, as well as assets in Minnesota. The deal is the largest for LRS to date.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2021

GFL Environmental expands Midwest footprint with PDC acquisition

Today's purchase of Peoria Disposal marks the transfer of a 93-plus-year family business that provides GFL with a sizable, vertically-integrated waste and recycling platform in Illinois and Missouri.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2021

California beverage makers struggle to meet upcoming recycled content requirements

Bottlers must use at least 15% postconsumer resin in plastic containers by 2022, and more from there, but a recent CalRecycle report shows many haven't yet hit the mark. PET supply and a strained redemption system are key factors.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 30, 2021

What's next for Recology in San Francisco after $36M DOJ penalty, bribery charge

The West Coast company is looking to move forward after three subsidiaries admitted to one charge of bribery in a deferred prosecution agreement, but it still faces legal action and a push to change local collection systems.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2021

Upstream CEO sees huge potential in burgeoning reuse-refill sector, including for haulers

Matt Prindiville, head of a nonprofit focused on holistic waste solutions, is at the center of discussions with brands and activists alike about not just relying on recycling to create a more circular economy.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 23, 2021

Wastequip commits to further reducing its virgin resin use

The approach to slashing 25% of virgin resin from the cart manufacturing process emphasizes increasing recycled plastics in Toter carts, extending carts' years of use and telling customers the recycled content in each product.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 22, 2021

Can gig workers help improve litter collection? Philadelphia app aims to tackle the problem

Glitter, backed by tech entrepreneurs and a sanitation worker turned Instagram star, asks sponsors to pay for neighborhood cleanups. So far, Philadelphia's Streets Department is not convinced.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 20, 2021

Covanta, Casella, Vanguard Renewables and others continue the conversation at virtual WasteExpo

The event included insight on industry discussions such as EPR, environmental justice, waste-to-energy, climate change, recycling and technology.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Sept. 17, 2021

2021 highlights from the waste and recycling industry's M&A bonanza

In a major year of acquisition activity, catalysts have included pending tax changes, more expensive environmental standards and pandemic fatigue. Stay up to date with our original reporting and insight on key deals.

By The Waste Dive Team • Updated Dec. 21, 2021

Macquarie backs LRS, ramping it up for even more Midwest expansion

CEO Alan Handley said the company's active M&A pace will accelerate with the new funding. The deal marks an exit by prior investors such as Goldman Sachs and Ironwood Capital.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 9, 2021

High-profile bill to regulate recyclability labels signed in California

Legislation approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom, and backed by California's largest recyclers, will bar manufacturers from using the ubiquitous "chasing arrows" symbol unless the state certifies their products as widely recyclable.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 6, 2021

Republic Services purchases ACV Enviro for environmental services expansion

The acquisition of this New Jersey-based operation follows CEO Jon Vander Ark's prior comments about growing the company's environmental services business, including hazardous waste.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 2, 2021

Recycling Partnership grants could boost curbside polypropylene acceptance by 6%

The Polypropylene Recycling Coalition has awarded $4.2 million to date for equipment upgrades as consumer product companies look to bounce back from last year's recyclability access downgrade by How2Recycle.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Sept. 7, 2021

Tesla made electric trucks 'cool.' Now fleets face financial hurdles.

Total cost of ownership for electric trucks is more attractive than diesel, executives said at ACT Expo, but issues around charging are significant.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 1, 2021

Waste Connections acquiring E.L. Harvey & Sons in notable New England expansion

E.L. Harvey, a multigenerational Massachusetts operation, has a large collection fleet along with sizable recycling and transfer facilities. Waste Connections aims to grow the company's annual revenue of $110 million.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 2, 2021

Brand commitments contributing to higher recycled HDPE prices

The recent run of strong pricing, especially for HDPE natural, has caught recyclers' attention. At least one expert believes market dynamics have decoupled recycled resin and virgin prices.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 26, 2021

Vaccine mandates set for waste and recycling workers in multiple cities

While major private-sector employers haven't announced any vaccine mandates to date, government employees in New York, Philadelphia, Denver and elsewhere face new requirements.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 25, 2021

Natural gas trucks: A fit for all fleets?

There are multiple factors to consider even before examining overall cost, including range needs and infrastructure access, one executive said.

By Amanda Loudin • Aug. 19, 2021

New York adopts commercial waste safety rules as local industry prepares for bigger shift

After years of scrutiny, local haulers now must follow new labor and vehicle safety requirements within the city. It's the latest in a series of reforms leading up to commercial waste franchise zones.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 18, 2021

Waste industry monitors service disruptions amid spread of delta variant

Local news reports reveal coronavirus-driven worker absences and pickup delays reminiscent of earlier in the pandemic. Industry leaders are still encouraging vaccinations and some cities require them for their own employees.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 16, 2021

Resource Recycling Conference highlights role of markets, labor and climate in municipal recycling

Panelists at last week's virtual event discussed how positive market shifts for certain postconsumer plastics and fiber grades are influencing MRF investment decisions, while labor availability is a key issue in servicing local programs.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • Aug. 10, 2021

Waste Connections seeing 'record' seller enthusiasm for M&A, multiple West Coast deals in works

Like competitors, the company has largely recovered lost pandemic business and is raising prices to stay ahead of wage pressures. To date, 14 acquisitions have closed and many more are in this year's pipeline, leaders said.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 5, 2021

Q2 earnings: Solid waste companies raise annual expectations, weigh in on labor issues

Major companies saw strong results from recycling and highlighted active M&A opportunities. Catch up on takeaways from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Aug. 5, 2021

Casella anticipates further expansion into Connecticut after Willimantic acquisition

The Northeast company touted "productive conversations" with other potential sellers in the region, and it estimated the McKean Landfill could come online in Pennsylvania by the end of 2022, during its latest earnings call.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 2, 2021