Deep well disposal for PFAS attracts heightened interest as new regulations loom

Prior U.S. EPA guidance identified deep wells as a possible alternative to landfilling or incineration for these “forever chemicals,” and multiple facilities are touting their technologies as a solution.

By April Reese • March 6, 2023

EPA announces $250M for curbing climate pollution, advancing environmental justice

Each of the 67 most-populated U.S. metropolitan areas is eligible for $1 million in planning grants, which the agency will follow with $4.6 billion to help cities and states implement their plans later this year.

By Michael Brady • March 2, 2023

Clean Harbors identifies incinerator, PFAS and new service sector opportunities for 2023

Clean Harbors anticipates new business opportunities in 2023 and beyond, possibly with companies following the reshoring trend. The company’s first major leadership change in 40 years is also in the works.

By Megan Quinn • March 2, 2023

Divert teams with Enbridge for $1B plan to scale anaerobic digesters and RNG volumes

The organics recycling company, which has private equity backing, aims to reach “every major geographic region” of the U.S. with this deal. Canada-based Enbridge will get a 10% stake as part of its investment.

By Cole Rosengren • March 1, 2023

Stericycle touts revenue improvements, previews 2023 capital investments

CEO Cindy Miller said the company continues to grow revenues and bounce back from inflationary pressures, settlement costs and divestiture impacts in 2022. It’s looking ahead to a Nevada facility opening and other investments.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 24, 2023

Environmental justice is a growing operational factor. How are federal and state agencies defining it?

The definition of an environmental justice or disadvantaged area varies among states and between states and the U.S. EPA, with each term having a different range of implications.

By Myisha Majumder • Feb. 22, 2023

Q4 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, Clean Harbors, Stericycle and Rubicon as they close out 2022 reports and give guidance for 2023.

Updated March 9, 2023

Waste Connections ends 2022 favorably despite headwinds; spent $2.3B on acquisitions

Waste Connections executives expect a strong start to 2023 due to anticipated acquisitions activity, as well as minor improvements in recycled commodity and energy credit values.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 16, 2023

Republic says it’s ready for any economy; M&A remains a priority after spending $2.7B in 2022

Executives said they anticipate growing revenue potential from the company’s environmental solutions division. The company also previewed upcoming plastic recycling center investments and acquisition plans.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2023

How the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard program changes could be a boon for landfill and AD operators

The program’s biggest change to date would set long-term renewable natural gas targets, add credits for powering electric vehicles and much more. WM, Republic Services, Anaergia, Covanta and others weigh in on what it means.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2023

BP CEO describes Archaea acquisition as a ‘game changer’ for boosting biogas volumes

In their first earnings call since completing the purchase of a leading landfill gas project developer, BP executives outlined plans to ramp up capital spending and pursue new offtake options for the Archaea platform.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 8, 2023

Vicinity Energy takes over first WTE facility with $120M Michigan contract

Covanta opted out of the site after 30-plus years, creating an opening for Vicinity, a Veolia spinoff focused on district heating systems. Kent County plans to invest more than $40 million in upgrades to preserve the site.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 8, 2023

Minnesota renewable energy bill that could boost landfill gas, anaerobic digestion heads to governor’s desk

If the bill gets enacted, power from incinerators operating in environmental justice areas would not count toward the state’s renewable energy goals, but that from landfill gas and anaerobic digestion would.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 7, 2023

DOE report touts chemical recycling R&D opportunities while noting plastic’s environmental justice issues

The report, part of a long-term Energy Department effort to boost the viability of plastics recycling and cut energy use, touts opportunities in researching bio-based plastics as well as chemical recycling technologies. 

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 6, 2023

Federal lawmakers reintroduce bills calling for billions in food waste recycling and prevention grants

Sponsors of the COMPOST Act and Zero Food Waste Act say an injection of federal funding over 10 years will help scale up local projects. These bills failed to pass last session.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 3, 2023

WTE facility in Long Beach, California, will remain open into 2024 following Covanta contract update

The city’s Southeast Resource Recovery Facility has seen steep tonnage and revenue declines following the passage of a recent state law. Covanta is now assuming financial risks and revenues to avoid its imminent closure.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 3, 2023

WM boosts planned MRF and RNG spending by $590M, sees signs of inflation easing

Volumes may be flat, and recycling values are down, but executives hope cost control measures and long-term investments will offset headwinds. They said federal regulations are driving an attractive environment for RNG projects.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 1, 2023

Battery electric could be 63% of refuse truck sales come 2030: report

Electrification incentives like those in the Inflation Reduction Act may accelerate fleet conversions in the waste industry, a new analysis shows. Mack Trucks and Casella are among the companies working toward that this year.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 31, 2023

WTE trade group reemerges with backing from Covanta, WIN Waste and local governments

The sector’s two largest companies, plus notable public sector facility owners such as Florida’s Miami-Dade County, hope the Waste-to-Energy Association can help them reframe environmental discussions.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 31, 2023

Covanta CEO promises ‘vastly different’ approach for the company

Azeez Mohammed, who joined the company as part of its 2021 sale to EQT Infrastructure, talks through a wave of strategic changes in his first extended interview on the job. 

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 26, 2023

Connecticut governor backing EPR for packaging and other policies to increase state’s ‘self-sufficiency’

Gov. Ned Lamont said a combination of EPR, waste diversion and improved organics management will help Connecticut reduce a growing amount of waste exported to other states in the wake of a major WTE facility closing.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 25, 2023

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2023

What you need to know on industry trends to watch, the hiring landscape, fleet maintenance and more to come as the new year gets underway.

By The Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 15, 2023

VLS Environmental sees hazardous waste and PFAS opportunities after latest acquisition

VLS, a private equity-backed company, intends to keep growing in the hazardous and non-hazardous waste sectors. Its latest purchase of Texas Molecular may also open up new opportunities for PFAS disposal.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 18, 2023

CalRecycle ramping up SB 1383 compliance efforts as it kicks off $155M grant program

Jurisdictions can expect compliance reviews within four years as the state looks to increase progress on a target to cut organic waste disposal 75% by 2025. Additional grant funding for local governments is also being planned.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 13, 2023

6 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2023

The effects of ongoing M&A, the biogas boom, and regulatory and financial debates around plastics are among the most complex topics on Waste Dive’s radar in the new year.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 12, 2023