Municipalities that ditch curbside recycling are missing out on revenue, Florida report finds

Recent research from the University of Florida and the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation outlines the financial and environmental effects of multiple local governments dropping their curbside programs in recent years.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 12, 2023

Companies can no longer peg food waste recycling as a West Coast initiative

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s director of innovation recaps new and expanded drop-off and collection programs, plus new processing facilities to meet that demand, suggesting continued momentum for solutions in 2023.

By Olga Kachook • Jan. 5, 2023

By the numbers: 2022 waste and recycling trends with implications for 2023

Key data points on some of the top issues — M&A, ESG, inflation and policy — that illustrate another eventful year for the industry.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Jan. 4, 2023

BP completes $4.1B acquisition of Archaea

The transaction positions BP as a major developer of renewable natural gas projects at U.S. landfills and caps off a rapid rise for Archaea since it became a public company in 2021.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 28, 2022

Top interviews with waste and recycling leaders in 2022

Read some of the year’s most popular conversations with CEOs from Republic Services, WIN Waste Innovations, LRS and Vanguard Renewables, as well as leaders from WM, the U.S. EPA and other organizations.

Dec. 22, 2022

Archaea shareholders approve $4.1B sale to BP

Recently released proxy filings share new details about joint venture partner Republic Services signing off on the deal. BP’s CEO has described his company as “the natural owner” of Archaea, with exponential growth ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 14, 2022

Battle Motors CEO talks supply chains, the future of EVs for waste and operating in a ‘cutthroat business’

Michael Patterson, CEO of the industry newcomer that bought Crane Carrier Co., shared insights at this week’s WASTECON about what’s next for rapidly evolving fleet technologies.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 9, 2022

The US waste and recycling industry in 2022 — what you need to know

Stories on M&A, recycling policy and organics recycling expansion — and how the economy and environmental justice considerations are shaping the industry’s path forward — have driven the news this year.

Dec. 5, 2022

GFL launches first ESG targets, aiming to reduce GHG emissions 15% by 2030

The Canada-based company’s first set of detailed targets comes after its landfill portfolio has doubled in recent years. GFL is focusing on renewable natural gas projects as well as alternative fuel vehicles in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 29, 2022

Archaea revenue grows, RNG output rises ahead of sale to BP

The Texas-based company, which specializes in creating energy from gas at landfills and other sites, continues to ramp up operations. A date has also been set for shareholders to approve its $4.1 billion sale to BP.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 14, 2022

GFL Q3 revenue jumps, ESG targets to come this month

GFL Environmental’s revenue bump came amid economic headwinds and notable costs related to fuel, trucks and MRF fires, as discussed on its earnings call Thursday.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 3, 2022

Waste Connections reports a decline in GHG emissions despite acquisitions, sets new ESG targets

The company plans investments in RNG facilities, MRFs and electric collection vehicles as well as new goals to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 15%, building on a recent decline of 7%, it said in its 2022 sustainability report.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 31, 2022

Q3 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Follow the latest round of financial results from WM, Republic Services, Casella Waste Systems, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and more.

Updated Dec. 1, 2022

Casella reports 13 acquisitions in 2022, sees M&A opportunity in potential recession

The Vermont-based company said its pricing and fee strategy have worked well in a tight economic environment. Executives also previewed upcoming plans for acquisition and landfill expansion spending.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 28, 2022

WM spent nearly $200M on acquisitions in Q3, outlines future potential of big ESG investments

Recycling revenues are taking a hit, but executives said their updated contract models will provide insulation. CEO Jim Fish also shared a goal to eventually expand margins via price increases, not just recover costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2022

Could the EPA’s preference for ‘energy recovery’ change as it evaluates waste hierarchy, other tools?

The agency is reevaluating its longstanding materials management hierarchy and waste reduction model as part of broader research efforts. Advocacy groups have pushed to reduce any emphasis on incineration.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 24, 2022

Sustainable Generation CEO talks solar-powered composting and infrastructure trends

Scott Woods, founder of the compost equipment company, highlights a new facility built at a Republic Services landfill as well as trends around PFAS, community relations, infrastructure funding and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 12, 2022

EPA can lead the charge for battery recycling to secure our electric future

Call2Recycle CEO Leo Raudys lays out four recommendations around education, infrastructure, handling and labeling for the agency as it distributes historic levels of infrastructure funding.

By Leo Raudys • Oct. 12, 2022

Divert to provide RNG for BP from food waste digesters via 10-year contract

The $175 million agreement involves gas from three upcoming food waste digesters in California, Pennsylvania and Washington. It marks the latest sign of investment into waste-related projects that produce renewable natural gas.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 11, 2022

Zero waste should be an important part of climate plans, GAIA urges

Through food waste prevention, single-use plastics bans, robust composting and recycling, and other strategies, the waste sector can support the Paris Agreement’s targeted limit to global warming, a new report said.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 5, 2022

Waste Connections acquires Rogue Disposal & Recycling, notable southern Oregon company

The transaction gives the company a foothold in the region, with a range of franchise hauling operations, a transfer station, composting facility, CNG fueling station and a large landfill.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 5, 2022

RMI and Carbon Mapper see better data and landfill upgrades as the keys to cutting methane emissions

Researchers Ebun Ayandele and Daniel Cusworth outline how landfill operations can evolve in light of global efforts to tackle the climate effects of methane.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 3, 2022

California’s last 2 WTE facilities under pressure following new state law

Now that jurisdictions can no longer count waste sent to “transformation” facilities toward their recycling targets, Covanta-operated sites in Long Beach and Stanislaus County may see a shift.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2022

With more solar panels entering the US waste stream, EPR policy and standards emerge

A Northeast Recycling Council webinar covered how manufacturing and standards must converge to handle this growing material stream. An upcoming EPR program in Washington was highlighted as one example.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 27, 2022

California Gov. Newsom signs many recycling and waste bills, vetoes two

Bills concerning the state’s container redemption program, incineration rules, battery recycling programs, plastic bag regulations and organic waste diversion were among those Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Oct. 3, 2022