Macquarie backs LRS, ramping it up for even more Midwest expansion

CEO Alan Handley said the company's active M&A pace will accelerate with the new funding. The deal marks an exit by prior investors such as Goldman Sachs and Ironwood Capital.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 9, 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

Resource Recycling Conference highlights role of markets, labor and climate in municipal recycling

Panelists at last week's virtual event discussed how positive market shifts for certain postconsumer plastics and fiber grades are influencing MRF investment decisions, while labor availability is a key issue in servicing local programs.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • Aug. 10, 2021

Waste Connections seeing 'record' seller enthusiasm for M&A, multiple West Coast deals in works

Like competitors, the company has largely recovered lost pandemic business and is raising prices to stay ahead of wage pressures. To date, 14 acquisitions have closed and many more are in this year's pipeline, leaders said.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 5, 2021

Q2 earnings: Solid waste companies raise annual expectations, weigh in on labor issues

Major companies saw strong results from recycling and highlighted active M&A opportunities. Catch up on takeaways from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Aug. 5, 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

Casella anticipates further expansion into Connecticut after Willimantic acquisition

The Northeast company touted "productive conversations" with other potential sellers in the region, and it estimated the McKean Landfill could come online in Pennsylvania by the end of 2022, during its latest earnings call.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 2, 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

For clues about future PFAS regulations, landfill operators look to Congress

The PFAS Action Act, which passed the House, would give EPA a deadline to designate certain PFAS as hazardous substances and establish drinking water standards. Landfill operators feel in limbo until more decisions are made.

By Megan Quinn • July 28, 2021

Waste Management Q2 bolstered by economic recovery, even with labor, supply chain strains

The company saw record recycling results and plans to accelerate investment in that area this year. It also increased its annual guidance yet again, seeing further potential to recover business affected by the pandemic.

By Cole Rosengren • July 27, 2021

Waste Management's first chief sustainability officer aims to expand recycling, organics revenue

In her first Waste Dive interview since starting the new role, Tara Hemmer describes sustainability as a "growth lever" for the industry giant. She also weighs in on the landfill emissions debate, plastics and waste reduction.

By Cole Rosengren • July 26, 2021

Noble Environmental acquires GFL landfills, collection assets in Pennsylvania region

The deal is a major expansion for Noble, one of the state's largest private haulers. GFL acquired the sites as part of the Waste Management-Advanced Disposal divestiture package last year.

By Cole Rosengren • July 22, 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

Cities tackle illegal dumping, ongoing hauler labor shortages

In this week's municipal news roundup: more methods to reduce roadside trash, plus ongoing waste collection issues and new compost initiatives.

By Megan Quinn • July 9, 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

Waste CEOs emphasize labor, ESG and M&A as top priorities after pandemic

Leaders from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and other groups weighed in on labor solutions, fleet technology and the economy at WasteExpo.

By Cole Rosengren • July 6, 2021

Waste industry a 'vital area' for improving climate, EPA nominee says at SWANA landfill summit

Landfill operators must be proactive about PFAS and methane issues to position themselves as responsible material handlers amid new and forthcoming regulations, ​speakers at the June 17 event said.

By Megan Quinn • June 21, 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

City budget season brings new waste initiatives in DC, Baltimore, elsewhere

Also in this week's municipal news roundup: a major recycling facility fire in Phoenix, additional reports of service disruptions stemming from worker shortages, and more updates from around the country.

By Maria Rachal • June 10, 2021

California eyes efforts to spur US ratification of Basel Convention

State lawmakers and activists in California want the Biden administration to prioritize a treaty to curb waste dumping in developing countries. Meanwhile, Palo Alto is struggling to account for where exported waste ends up.

By Megan Quinn • June 4, 2021

Roundup: 'Recycling is infrastructure too,' Twin Cities poised for landfill expansion

Plus: Driver shortages impact garbage, recycling, yard and bulk pickups in multiple states, and Georgia, South Carolina and Colorado see legislative actions on single-use plastics, tires and recycling access.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • June 3, 2021

With landfill emissions regulation, EPA enforces once-delayed methane pollution rule

The EPA's final rule on municipal solid waste landfill emissions starts the clock for operators to comply with federal requirements as the Biden administration and activists urge swifter climate action.

By Megan Quinn • May 24, 2021