Wave of investment just the beginning for EV battery recycling

Within a short period this fall, four lithium-ion battery recyclers saw a collective $255 million worth of investment and another completed a merger. As existing EV batteries age out and new vehicles hit the market, demand is growing fast.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 27, 2021

Plastic’s GHG emissions could outpace those from coal by 2030: report

New research from nonprofit Beyond Plastics takes a critical look at the plastics industry's climate effects, with renewed criticism of chemical recycling. Major plastics trade groups pushed back on the report.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 25, 2021

Oregon's new landfill methane emissions rules now strictest in the country

Most sites fall under the new state rule, which requires additional monitoring, testing and permitting requirements based on size. The plan goes further than some federal regulations and could serve as a template for other states.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 21, 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

Archaea Energy merger completed, setting up major landfill RNG producer

Archaea and Aria Energy have joined forces in a deal led by a special purpose acquisition company, signaling that the waste industry sees increasingly lucrative potential in high-Btu landfill gas projects.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 16, 2021

Raven SR's waste-to-hydrogen project with Republic Services could have implications beyond California

Creating green hydrogen from organics is one way to meet the state's SB 1383 goals, but Raven's CEO said he hopes this process can be a competitive way to handle waste streams in any state.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 31, 2021

Illinois governor vetoes PFAS incineration ban bill over language concerns

Governor J.B. Pritzker supports a ban, but he urged the state legislature to update the bill's definition of “incineration” so it would not unintentionally prohibit companies from using other types of pollution control.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 27, 2021

Waste-to-energy supporters aim to 'clear the air,' reposition technology as landfill alternative

Recent research shows better performance across multiple environmental measures for WTE versus landfills, but few U.S. communities show an interest in new facilities, and opposition continues to limit growth.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 4, 2021

Republic Services Q2: 'no pause' on M&A after Santek, eyeing environmental solutions deals

The labor shortage and coronavirus pose some uncertainty, the company acknowledged, but it raised guidance based on strong recovery trends. Executives also discussed new landfill gas and recycling opportunities.

By Maria Rachal • July 30, 2021

GFL launches renewable energy platform, forecasts ample M&A opportunities

While Canada's economic recovery is expected to roll into next year, the company is already seeing pre-pandemic volumes in other areas and big free cash flow gains. A new focus on landfill gas projects may boost that trend.

By Cole Rosengren • July 29, 2021

Covanta completes $5.3B sale to EQT Infrastructure, new CEO takes over

A deal to go private is now complete, with former energy executive Azeez Mohammed taking the reins. The company has also set two sustainability targets as part of its financing package.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 30, 2021

'The strongest have survived': Anaerobic digestion companies see clear path to scaling up

Anaergia, BDC, Generate Capital and Vanguard Renewables believe they're poised to expand food waste recycling around the country. ESG trends, rising disposal tip fees and state or local policies are all key drivers.

By Cole Rosengren • July 12, 2021

Top stories from 2021's WasteExpo

Catch up on event coverage and interviews about the labor shortage, emerging ESG pressures, fleet technology, organics recycling, PFAS and more.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Sept. 17, 2021

What the industry is saying about 5 key topics in waste and recycling

At WasteExpo, executives, vendors and regulators were vocal on everything from policy to PFAS and plastics, to the problem of not being able to hire enough workers.

By Waste Dive Team • July 7, 2021

2021 state waste and recycling policy highlights

Catch up on legislative coverage of EPR, recycled content mandates, product bans and market development plans from California to Maine.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Dec. 21, 2021

Q1 earnings: Waste companies putting pandemic behind them, anticipate more economic rebound coming

Outside of Canada, the majority of local economies have reopened and volumes are bouncing back. Catch up on results and takeaways on the first quarter of 2021 from the industry's largest solid waste operators.

By Waste Dive Team • May 10, 2021

Covanta intends to close multiple plants in coming years, divestitures still possible

Through its strategic review, the company anticipates $30 million in annual cost savings by 2023 and plans to exit certain operating contracts. Meanwhile, a new U.K. plant will begin receiving waste within weeks.

By Cole Rosengren • April 30, 2021

Roundup: Stimulus funding for city waste initiatives, DC and NY inch toward zero waste goals

The week of Earth Day saw news on zero waste plan reassessments, organics program expansions, reuse pilots and more. Catch up on updates from New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and other cities around the country.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 23, 2021

New York to revive curbside organics service amid criticism of lagging zero waste progress

The Department of Sanitation announced the return of multiple programs affected by pandemic budget cuts, following a council hearing about codifying the city's 2030 goal, but critics say more action is needed.

By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2021

New York City's waste future could be shaped by the closure of an island jail

Closing Rikers Island as a jail offers an opportunity to change aspects of New York's waste management infrastructure and potentially rethink expanding the city's role in overseeing it, former DSNY official Robert Lange writes.

By Robert Lange • April 15, 2021

NERC conference explores EPR, refillable bottle and circular economy possibilities

Panelists at the Northeast Recycling Council's spring conference covered how lessons learned from Canada and Europe could help improve U.S. recycling systems while also debating the merits of chemical recycling.

By Megan Quinn • April 7, 2021

Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act reintroduced, plastics industry ramps up opposition

The bill would ban some single-use plastic products, set recycled content requirements and enact a national EPR program. Opponents criticize the bill's efforts to suspend permitting for plastic production facilities.

By Megan Quinn • March 25, 2021

LIFT America Act's infrastructure proposals list landfill gas among renewable energy sources

The wide-ranging bill, which calls for numerous energy grid improvements, names landfill gas and municipal solid waste as renewable energy resources. It's one of multiple new federal proposals with waste implications.

By Megan Quinn • March 24, 2021

Wheelabrator debuts WIN Waste Innovations brand following Tunnel Hill acquisition

The newly combined operations of 10 companies will have an estimated $1 billion annual revenue run rate. Following a recapitalization, CEO Bob Boucher said more M&A is planned and an IPO or sale could happen in the future.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated April 6, 2021