EPA punts municipal waste combustor rule to 2025, others incrementally advance

The move will leave the Trump administration to finalize at least two rules for combustors, including those that process hazardous waste. The EPA separately finalized its rules for commercial and industrial waste incinerators. 

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 20, 2024

By the numbers: 2024 waste and recycling trends

Reflect on the year through key data points about labor, the economy, M&A, federal and state policy, recycling trends and more.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • Dec. 20, 2024

Casella-operated New York landfill to close in 2028; Republic appeals Tennessee expansion denial

Current or proposed landfills in Arizona, Hawai’i, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia had recent updates on permitting and other projects. This includes sites operated by WM, GFL Environmental and others.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Dec. 13, 2024

Nexus W2V receives backing to begin first RNG facility outside Chicago

The company first announced plans for growth after an outside investment last year. Now, it hopes its Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex can be the first in a series of “waste-to-value” facilities.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 10, 2024

Landfill gas-to-RNG contributes to energy resources while reducing emissions

The RNG market has matured significantly in recent years and regulatory changes, including a potential ITC expansion, could spur even greater development.

Dec. 9, 2024

Biogas investment tax credit finalized with favorable language for RNG

The final rule includes properties that convert biogas into renewable natural gas in a lucrative credit program designed to boost investment in clean energy. Developers are expected to rush to qualify before the end of the year.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 6, 2024

Delayed Miami-Dade incinerator plan draws Trump attention while other Florida projects advance

Commissioners in Miami-Dade County again postponed a decision on building a new combustion facility. Meanwhile, projects in Lee, Palm Beach and Pasco counties are taking steps forward.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 4, 2024

BP CEO bullish on record RNG pace, plus news from DTE and Waste Connections

Major developers of renewable natural gas projects provided updates on their facility construction progress during last month’s earnings calls. Others, like DTE Vantage, announced project completions.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 2, 2024

California opts to preserve credits for anaerobic digesters in major regulatory update

A state regulator voted to amend the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, injecting new life into a lucrative biofuels credit market that is used by waste projects throughout the U.S.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 19, 2024

Waste, packaging leaders react to Trump’s pick of Zeldin to lead EPA

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin previously voted in support of some PFAS regulations but largely voted against other environmental bills. SWANA, NWRA, packaging groups, former EPA staff and others weighed in on the pick.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Nov. 15, 2024

Boston requests new waste and recycling ideas ahead of 2027 contract expirations

Collection and disposal, waste prevention and recycling, data and analytics, and policy and behavior change are among the topics for which the city wants input. It reupped many existing contracts to buy more time to craft RFPs.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 13, 2024

WM completes $7.2B Stericycle deal, takes leading position in medical waste market

Stericycle’s medical and document destruction assets now reside under WM's Healthcare Solutions division. While WM tried to grow in this market under prior leadership, it often ran into stiff competition from Stericycle.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn • Nov. 4, 2024

Casella reports ‘mixed’ quarter with notable revenue but unexpected expenses

The company reported over $400 million in revenue for the quarter, which was a first. But unexpected insurance and landfill closure payments, as well as lower landfill tonnage, caused headwinds.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 31, 2024

WM reports strong Q3, says Stericycle synergies estimate was ‘conservative’

WM noted solid collection and disposal activity, higher commodity prices and continued RNG and recycling project completion during Q3. It’s on track to complete its acquisition of Stericycle in Q4.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 29, 2024

Waste industry going ‘on the offense’ with landfill emissions technology

Presenters at the Solid Waste Association of North America’s annual event discussed new and more efficient methods of capturing landfill emissions and extracting value from the gas.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 28, 2024

Stericycle opens $110M medical waste incineration facility in Nevada

The new facility is designed to meet or exceed environmental standards while adding more capacity in the West, the company said. This follows the closure of a Utah facility in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 25, 2024

How the 2024 election could affect waste and recycling policy

The presidential nominees have different takes on environmental and regulatory policies that could affect the industry, including those addressing emissions, recycling, PFAS, labor and environmental justice.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace , Cole Rosengren • Oct. 22, 2024

SJI’s flagship RNG facility earns 2024 Energy Vision Leadership Award

An RNG facility wins an award for turning food waste into energy, highlighting its role in cutting CO2 and driving decarbonization.

Oct. 21, 2024

Reworld to close Oregon facility, further limiting West Coast incinerator presence

Reworld sent a letter to local officials informing them of its plan to close a facility in Marion County. It comes shortly after the company also made public plans to close its last mass burn facility in California.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 16, 2024

Reworld to shut down California’s last MSW incinerator

The decision to close the Stanislaus County facility comes two years after California removed incentives for jurisdictions to route their waste to incineration. Reworld said it will focus on business opportunities elsewhere.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 8, 2024

NWRA CEO Hoffman says ‘playing offense’ is key to better industry representation

Michael E. Hoffman discusses his first few months on the job and the association’s outlook on important policy and regulatory changes related to EPR, climate and the upcoming election.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 8, 2024

Treasury’s missing RNG credit guidance, plus news from Opal Fuels and more

The federal agency has yet to provide guidance on potentially lucrative tax credits passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Nevertheless, companies like WM and Opal Fuels continued to progress on new projects.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 4, 2024

LRS releases first sustainability report, unveils emissions reduction plan

LRS’ sustainability report offers baseline greenhouse gas emissions data and a general plan for reducing emissions from landfills and fleet vehicles while maintaining recycling rates and continuing to improve safety rates.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 3, 2024

Notable waste and recycling conferences in 2025

The C&D World Conference & Exhibition and EREF Summit on Landfill Emissions are the latest industry events to add dates for 2025. 

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Dec. 11, 2024

Reworld sued again over decommissioned WTE facility in Connecticut

Country Holding alleges Covanta, now Reworld, unnecessarily decided to demolish the facility, which it had agreed to purchase, rather than leave assets to be upgraded or repurposed. Reworld argues it acted within the sale contract.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 23, 2024