Chicago awards $79.6M residential recycling contract to LRS, keeps city service in 2 zones

LRS will take over Blue Cart collection service from Waste Management across multiple areas in June, marking a key expansion for the locally based company.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated April 5, 2021

Leaders praise local provisions in Biden's recovery plan

The president-elect's $1.9 trillion stimulus package includes $350 billion in direct assistance for state and local governments, which localities have requested for months.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 20, 2021

How mattress recyclers adapt to evolving consumer trends

Bulky, hard to compact and ubiquitous, mattresses are seen as a promising area to help reduce hauling costs and drive progress on recycling. The ongoing shift to foam varieties is adding new complexity to this evolving market.

By Karine Vann • Jan. 15, 2021

Cleveland seeks roadmap to more circular economy while awaiting curbside recycling reboot

The city is still in the process of deciding how to revamp and restart its long-stalled recycling program. In the meantime, a deep dive into its waste streams may help shape circular economy plans.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2021

9 questions about the future of waste and recycling in 2021

As we gear up for another eventful year, Waste Dive will be focusing on trends around ESG, M&A, recycling policy, market development, PFAS, local budgets, collection technology, safety, diversity and much more.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2021

Packaging, PPE and surgical supplies: How COVID-19 is pushing hospitals to reduce waste

Some waste is inevitable, but supply chain leaders are finding ways to reduce quantities, in addition to reusing and recycling when possible and adjusting procurement and packaging.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Jan. 12, 2021

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao resigns following insurrection at Capitol

Chao said the department will help President-elect Joe Biden's pick for transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, assume the post.

By S.L. Fuller • Jan. 7, 2021

Vaccine rollout boosts medical waste volumes, as workers wait for their shot

States will determine where waste workers fall in line for the coronavirus vaccine, including those responsible for properly disposing of materials from the mass inoculation.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 7, 2021

How COVID-19 is changing packaging

The pandemic-accelerated shift to e-commerce has driven changes in automation, packaging size, consumer perception of packaging and waste, and design for more return-friendly packaging.

By Jen A. Miller • Jan. 6, 2021

Recology names new CEO Coniglio, following retirement of longtime leader

Sal Coniglio's elevation to the top job comes six months after he became chief operating officer. This move caps off former CEO Mike Sangiacomo's 37-year stint at the major California-based private company.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2021

The unfulfilled promises of plastic film recycling

The pandemic spurred an uptick in plastic bag use, as already limited retail take back options became more scarce. Stakeholders from all sides think it's time for new ideas.

By Karine Vann • Updated Jan. 5, 2021

Waste industry secured nearly $812M in first batch of PPP loans, as stimulus bill sets up second round

Rubicon led the pack with a nearly $9.78 million loan in the Paycheck Protection Program's first round, which helped the sector retain more than 66,000 jobs. The new package puts a fresh $284 billion up for grabs.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 23, 2020

With volumes down, New York City commercial waste workers struggle to adjust

New York – hit harder than many markets in the country – has seen numerous workers become ill with the coronavirus, have their hours cut, or get laid off. And hopes for federal hazard pay legislation have not materialized.

By Amir Khafagy • Dec. 23, 2020

How local waste and recycling leaders are grappling with coronavirus-driven budget pressures

Lost revenues, rising operating expenses and limited federal aid have left local leaders looking for creative solutions. In some cases, the pandemic has also created opportunities to update their practices.

By Leslie Nemo • Dec. 22, 2020

Collection worker fatalities fell in 2019, rank as 6th deadliest job: BLS

It's the first time since 2012 refuse and recycling collectors haven't landed in the top five most fatal occupations, as tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fatal transportation incidents fell dramatically after a 2018 spike.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 17, 2020

5 takeaways on emerging trends from the National Zero Waste Conference

Recycled content, plastics policy, climate connections and racial justice are among top priorities heading into 2021. The event also marked the latest sign of a revived National Recycling Coalition. 

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 16, 2020

What Pete Buttigieg would bring to the Transportation Department

A $1 trillion infrastructure plan Buttigieg unveiled in January as part of his presidential campaign hints at what could be the agency's future priorities.

By S.L. Fuller • Dec. 16, 2020

2020 shapes up as major year for M&A, consolidation in waste and recycling industry

Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Wheelabrator and many others all had a particularly active stretch of deal-making across numerous states.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 15, 2020

New England M&A heats up as Wheelabrator, Boston Carting Services expand

The private equity-backed players are just two examples of companies making moves in a region many view as primed for consolidation. As other companies expand their footprints, there may be more to come.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 15, 2020

Inspector General faults Chicago for multifamily recycling stagnancy, lawmakers call for answers

The Department of Streets and Sanitation was found to be falling short in multiple areas when it comes to enforcing recycling for numerous buildings in the city. Local aldermen are calling for a hearing on the issue in January.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 11, 2020

Environmental groups urge Biden to take action on plastics, prioritize market development

The Presidential Plastics Action Plan calls for eight types of action by the president-elect, including support for the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 9, 2020

Republic Services highlights plastic market limitations, clarifies EPR stances, in report

A recent report, stemming from a shareholder resolution this year, shows the financial complexities around managing mixed plastics. It's also the latest sign of an industry shift on the rising producer responsibility discussion.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 9, 2020

People of the Year: Waste and recycling workers

The entire industry has stepped up during a significantly challenging year, but none of it would be possible without the frontline workers who put themselves at risk to keep it all running.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Organization of the Year: Sanitation Foundation

As New York sanitation workers were caught in the initial epicenter of the pandemic, hundreds were infected and multiple died. A city nonprofit played a key role in supporting them and adapting to a very eventful year.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

The Waste Dive Awards for 2020

During a year of crisis and challenge, these are some of the people, groups and initiatives that met the moment.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020