Collections & Transfer: Page 36
-
Small-scale organics recyclers struggle amid coronavirus pandemic
New York City and San Francisco are including curbside organics collection among essential public services. But fallout from COVID-19 has meant dramatic changes for small-scale composters, including temporary program suspensions.
By E.A. Crunden • March 31, 2020 -
Deep Dive
Uncharted waters: Waste and recycling companies adapting to the coronavirus economy
Commercial volumes are down dramatically in many markets, employee hours are being cut and contract terms are tested. How service providers respond could have lasting reputational and financial implications.
By Cole Rosengren • March 31, 2020 -
Republic Services confirms acquisition of Santek Waste Services, sizable landfill operator
The Tennessee-based company, known for its focus on privatizing publicly-owned landfills, has grown into a vertically-integrated player with assets in nine states. The deal would give Republic new capacity in multiple key markets.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated May 6, 2020 -
$2T coronavirus stimulus package expected to directly help small haulers and frontline workers
The federal relief package prioritizes other industries, but SWANA and ISRI indicated smaller businesses and individual workers would still benefit. President Trump signed the stimulus Friday.
By E.A. Crunden • Updated March 27, 2020 -
At least 8 states suspend bottle bill requirements during coronavirus pandemic
Pressure on overwhelmed grocery stores and ongoing concerns about the transmission of COVID-19 via recyclables are key issues. Additional changes may be coming in the remaining two states with bottle bills.
By Katie Pyzyk • Updated March 25, 2020 -
OSHA: Treat municipal waste and recycling with possible COVID-19 contamination normally
The federal workplace safety regulator's previous guidance said any municipal solid waste with coronavirus connections should be treated as regulated medical waste, sparking concerns throughout the industry. NWRA and SWANA pushed for the change.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 20, 2020 -
Stericycle: Medical waste volumes from COVID-19 not as high as Ebola so far
Medical waste companies are seeking a uniform approach as the industry braces for coronavirus waste impact. NWRA, Stericycle and others are warning against "overclassifying" coronavirus waste as medical waste as part of that effort.
By E.A. Crunden • March 19, 2020 -
Boise, Idaho temporarily sending EnergyBag plastics to cement manufacturing facility
After stockpiling the bags for months due to an equipment issue at Renewlogy's Utah pyrolysis facility, the city has decided this is a preferable interim solution following preliminary results from an environmental review.
By Katie Pyzyk • Updated May 27, 2020 -
Coronavirus poses multiple safety risks for waste and recycling workers
Concerns persist about infection exposure while social distancing requirements are changing how collection routes and MRFs are operated. Labor unions are calling for answers around paid leave policies.
By Cole Rosengren • March 18, 2020 -
Municipalities suspend recycling due to coronavirus impact on prison labor, broader safety concerns
Several areas across the country have temporarily cut programs as the pandemic ramps up, citing COVID-19 safety fears and dwindling availability of incarcerated workers at MRFs.
By E.A. Crunden • Updated March 19, 2020 -
How 12 months of the coronavirus pandemic disrupted US waste and recycling service
A year into the pandemic, waste and recycling workers are increasingly gaining access to the COVID-19 vaccine through a range of eligibility categories.
By Cole Rosengren, Nami Sumida • Updated March 15, 2021 -
Medical waste companies preparing for potentially elevated volumes as coronavirus concerns accelerate
China has seen staggering amounts of medical waste. It is unclear if U.S. impacts might be similar, but companies such as Veolia North America and Stericycle are closely monitoring new developments.
By E.A. Crunden • March 17, 2020 -
New York City Council outlines big plans for curbside organics, textiles and EPR
A new agenda calls for the expansion of curbside residential organics collection citywide, along with more than a dozen other policies, to accelerate progress toward "zero waste" by 2030. Mention of a "save-as-you-throw" program is notably absent.
By Cole Rosengren • March 16, 2020 -
Waste companies react to coronavirus and alter travel plans amid uncertain operational effects
Some of the industry's largest companies shared an evolving range of approaches to travel expectations, meeting structures, and operational decisions. Plans for SWANApalooza and ISRI 2020 have been suspended.
By E.A. Crunden • Updated March 12, 2020 -
End of Waste Foundation ramps up glass recycling platform, aims for $10M investment
The unique startup hopes to facilitate recycling for 15,000 tons of glass this year, with a focus on more municipal partnerships. Founder Ionut Georgescu projects that could increase to 500,000 tons next year with new funding.
By Cole Rosengren • March 11, 2020 -
Waste and recycling trade groups issue coronavirus guidance for worker safety
SWANA, NWRA and ISRI do not think there is cause for heightened alarm. Though they emphasized broader caution, at a time when details are changing rapidly and many events are being postponed or canceled.​
By E.A. Crunden • Updated March 12, 2020 -
Baltimore council members back goal of 'zero waste' by 2040 amid incinerator litigation
Activists pushing for the closure of Wheelabrator Baltimore are calling for a dramatic turn toward waste reduction and diversion. A majority of council members introduced a resolution Monday in support of that plan.
By E.A. Crunden • Updated March 10, 2020 -
Electric refuse trucks on the road or on the way in rising number of states
A recent SWANA event in Maine highlighted the presence of BYD, Lion and others in this quickly evolving sector. It was also a reminder that charging infrastructure remains a notable, and potentially expensive, startup factor.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 9, 2020 -
IPO helps GFL Environmental raise nearly $2.2B, CEO expects to be more 'nimble' for M&A
CEO Patrick Dovigi spoke about finally going public amid market turmoil, future growth strategy and plans for the company's first sustainability report. A new filing indicates the company has since paid down at least $1.2 billion in debt.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 12, 2020 -
House lawmakers debate regulatory role of federal government in plastics and recycling
In a Wednesday hearing, lawmakers formed stances along partisan lines over several pieces of federal recycling legislation. Republicans took a hard line against plastics bans and seemed to scrutinize shifting oversight to the federal government.
By E.A. Crunden • March 5, 2020 -
The Recycling Partnership launches polypropylene recycling group with $35M funding target
The nonprofit and others are calling for greater investment to capture and sort #5 plastics, with a new RFP for MRFs to apply for grant funding. Competing with booming virgin production may still make this a challenging proposition.
By Leslie Nemo • Updated July 8, 2020 -
Waste Management reverses decision to cut mixed paper recycling in 14 Florida cities
Poor markets and high contamination rates in Broward County were cited as the initial rationale. Now, a Waste Management spokesperson tells Waste Dive incineration remains an option for material that can't be salvaged.
By E.A. Crunden • March 4, 2020 -
Waste Management CEO anticipates EPR for packaging likely in California
Jim Fish projected California would move ahead with European-style regulations, speaking at a National Geographic event. The remarks come as the company reevaluates its stance and broader discussions evolve on the limits of market-based solutions.
By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 28, 2020 -
Waste Management's Tara Hemmer says industry needs to be more proactive on climate issues
Speaking at the Global Waste Management Symposium, the senior vice president emphasized a need to be more proactive around emerging topics such as plastics and the Green New Deal.
By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 26, 2020 -
2019 earnings coverage for US waste and recycling companies
Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly analysis of results from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, Advanced Disposal Services, Casella Waste Systems and Covanta during 2019.
By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 26, 2020