Covanta will set 'science-based' emissions reduction target by 2022 as part of climate focus

Covanta's new sustainability report argues incineration can play a key role in diverting waste from landfills, a major source of methane, and previews a growing focus on climate concerns.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 23, 2019

New Jersey Assembly passes organics diversion mandate without landfill exemption

Following Gov. Phil Murphy's conditional veto of a contentious bill earlier this year, legislators are moving ahead with a bill intended to spur organics recycling. Landfill operators with gas-to-energy systems remain displeased.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 19, 2019

Stericycle abandons plans for North Las Vegas site following pushback over health and environmental risks

The medical waste company previously faced a historically high fine over emissions violations in Utah. Nevada residents and officials had expressed concern that a similar situation might play out at the new site. 

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 19, 2019

Veolia North America's new CEO outlines big plans for waste growth

Brian Clarke is charged with spending recent divestment proceeds on expanding the French company's waste network. Priorities include hazardous waste, plastics recycling, PFAS treatment and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 5, 2019

Connecticut authority reassesses $333M WTE renovation plan

A potential deal with the Sacyr Rooney Recovery Team had faced local pushback and recent cost pressures due to the pandemic. The Materials Innovation Recycling Authority anticipates it could begin exporting waste to landfills without a new plan. 

By E.A. Crunden • Updated May 6, 2020

Covanta air permit renewal challenged by Oregon health, environmental groups

The company expects a typical permitting process, but external resistance highlights ongoing tensions over the role of WTE and its renewable status as climate concerns mount. 

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 3, 2019

As Washington county pursues one last landfill expansion, WTE could be next

King County’s Cedar Hills landfill is filling up and can just expand once more. Faced with rail export as the only other option, supporters of a new incinerator finally see an opportunity to advance their plans.

By Leia Larsen • Updated Nov. 27, 2019

Covanta Q3: Commodity challenges endure, waste remains profitable

Even amid ongoing pricing headwinds for metals and energy, Covanta executives say their core business is strong. Tip fees are expected to be up 4% for the year as Northeast disposal capacity tightens.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 28, 2019

Tampa to end Wheelabrator operating contract 12 years early

The city plans to take over daily operations of its McKay Bay incinerator in eight months to reduce costs, following a similar move by another city in Washington.​ Wheelabrator has expressed support for the decision.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 22, 2019

Honolulu's lone MSW landfill ordered to close by 2028, path forward unclear

One of Oahu's only landfills, operated by Waste Management under contract, was recently given an expiration date by state regulators. Discussions about building a new site have long been controversial.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 16, 2019

Wheelabrator ash landfill expansion in Connecticut denied, for now

Plans to expand a monofill that serves numerous state facilities have temporarily stalled over concerns about environmental harm to wetlands. Given a lack of regional alternatives, the company intends to press on.  

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 14, 2019

Massachusetts raises 2050 waste reduction target, may expand organics ban

The Department of Environmental Protection's new solid waste master plan draft indicates support for new packaging policies, additional waste bans and future infrastructure as disposal capacity shrinks.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2019

Bernie Sanders's $16.3T climate plan promises major waste and recycling shifts

The Democratic presidential candidate's platform includes a national recycling program, divestment from incinerators, funding for food recovery and composting investments, and a right to repair policy.

By Rina Li • Aug. 30, 2019

New Jersey governor vetoes controversial food waste bill

The organics diversion mandate, which would have still allowed material to go to incinerators and most landfills, returns to the state legislature.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 28, 2019

Federal bill aims to extend renewable energy tax credits for biogas and WTE

The bill would incentivize development of qualifying biogas, WTE and biomass projects. While attention to organic waste has spurred recent biogas investment, new incinerator projects have been less frequent.

By Rina Li • Aug. 22, 2019

Scrap Collector: Australia's recyclable export ban creates domestic opportunities — including incineration

Plus: Lion King collectibles get the landfill treatment, and Modi calls for Indian single-use plastics ban.

By Rina Li • Aug. 16, 2019

Scrap Collector: Rep. Ilhan Omar's Zero Waste Act billed as 'key part' of Green New Deal

Plus: Florida activists dump 3,000 pounds of plastic litter in front of historic state capitol, and India's first "garbage cafe" offering food for trash.

By Rina Li • Aug. 2, 2019

Precipitous drop in reclaimed plastic film exports drags down recovery efforts

A recent report commissioned by the American Chemistry Council raises questions about how much reclaimed film may have been disposed when export markets dried up in 2017.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 31, 2019

How one island territory is getting creative with upcycling and reuse

The British Virgin Islands experienced recycling challenges long before commodity market shifts. Now, the failure of a critical incinerator has prompted a whole new materials management plan.

By Genevieve Glatsky • July 31, 2019

Covanta Q2: Price increases continue as commodity revenues dip

Tough markets for metals and energy have caused the company to lower its 2019 guidance, but executives expressed optimism about overall prospects.

By Cole Rosengren • July 29, 2019

New York county expands scope of waste facility moratorium

A Rensselaer County ordinance intended to block construction of a BioHiTech facility has now been amended to include more land and technology types.

By Cole Rosengren , Leia Larsen • Updated Aug. 14, 2019

Disputed ground: The future of landfill gas-to-energy

Gas capture at landfills creates electricity and revenue, but also has economic and environmental disadvantages.

By Max Witynski • July 12, 2019

Scrap Collector: US emerges as world's top producer of waste

Plus: A Canadian grocer's shame-inducing plastic bag scheme, and mass anti-incinerator protests in Chinese city.

By Rina Li • July 12, 2019

Off the Route: Von Hernandez on 'turning the tide' of plastic pollution

Hernandez spoke to Waste Dive about his career as a waste and toxics campaigner, waste dumping in Southeast Asia and the path toward creating mass systemic change around plastics.

By Rina Li • July 3, 2019

New Jersey passes food waste bill favoring landfills and WTE

A bill once intended to promote diversion to compost and digestion facilities will now allow unique exemptions due to lobbying from landfill and incinerator operators.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated June 28, 2019