Vehicle-related incidents still leading cause of industry worker deaths, SWANA says

Another timely concern raised at the SWANA Safety Summit: fighting the burnout that comes from workers' COVID-19 fatigue.

By Megan Quinn • March 1, 2021

2020 earnings coverage for US waste and recycling companies

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly analysis of results from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Covanta and Casella Waste Systems during 2020.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: GFL Environmental

In its first year as a public company, starting right as the pandemic unfolded, GFL completed multiple major transactions and is on track for ongoing rapid growth.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: Casella Waste Systems

This key Northeast company continued growing its dominant presence in the market amid the pandemic, with plans to further expand multiple key landfill assets.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: Waste Connections

The industry's third-largest company continued to expand through M&A, responded to the coronavirus pandemic and committed to $500 million in ESG spending.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: Republic Services

The industry's second-largest player adapted to the pandemic, completed a busy year of M&A and pushed ahead on fleet electrification plans.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: Waste Management

The North American industry's largest company weathered the pandemic, announced new ESG plans and completed the major acquisition of Advanced Disposal Services.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

GFL Environmental plans another 'outsized' M&A year, outlines growth through 2023

After a year of significant expansion, the Canadian company is working on another large deal, numerous tuck-ins and potential divestitures. Plus, it's optimistic about benefits in a post-pandemic economy.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 23, 2021

Republic Services reiterates all in on electrification over CNG, Santek close nearing

The second-largest North American waste operator expects economic recovery to continue in 2021, with bullish plans for M&A.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 23, 2021

Solid waste companies emerge resilient from Q4, with some lingering pandemic effects

Earnings from the industry's publicly traded solid waste companies show the sector has largely rebounded, but is still affected by a slow economic recovery.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 23, 2021

Casella moving ahead with multiple Northeast landfill expansions as capacity tightens

With a Connecticut facility expected to close in 2022, and other factors in play, Casella hopes to activate its McKean Landfill in Pennsylvania as a new destination. Expansions are also underway in New York and Vermont.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 19, 2021

Covanta exploring multiple potential divestitures, sees UK as 'primary growth avenue'

A strategic review led by Covanta's new CEO will be completed mid-year, as the company prepares to shop assets and consider cost reductions. Four of its upcoming U.K. projects are expected to be increasingly profitable.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 19, 2021

Waste Connections Q4: $180M worth of M&A in 2020 opens new markets

The company highlighted improved solid waste volumes and increased values for recycled commodities and renewable fuels, all of which contributed to a better than expected quarter despite the ongoing pandemic.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 18, 2021

Waste Management CEO says economy 'ready to take off,' major North American M&A likely done

In the first full earnings report since acquiring Advanced Disposal, executives shared updates on integration and pandemic recovery. They also leaned into ESG as an opportunity under the Biden administration.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2021

Waste Management debuts recycled plastic uniforms, downplays landfills at annual ESG event

The national uniform rollout, and plans to invest $100 million in recycling infrastructure, were touted at a climate-focused sustainability forum. The industry's largest landfill company also described disposal as "a last resort."

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 10, 2021

Regan confirmed as EPA administrator, after highlighting plastics, PFAS challenges

During his February confirmation hearing, former North Carolina regulator Michael Regan also pledged to take a close look at environmental justice and climate issues, among many priorities.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Updated March 11, 2021

Lakeshore Recycling Systems accelerates Midwest expansion following biggest acquisition yet

The Illinois-based company has resurrected a landfill into one of the state's most active disposal sites, recently picked up a sizable independent hauler in the Chicago area and is making moves in Wisconsin.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 2, 2021

Court throws out rule delaying implementation of EPA landfill emissions regulation

EPA asked the court in March to vacate the rule in order to further review it and other environmental policies set during the Trump administration.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 6, 2021

Landfill operators weigh next steps for PFAS regulation, research and opportunity

Top companies recently weighed in on where they think policy could be heading — as the Biden administration is expected to designate certain chemicals as hazardous — and raised outstanding questions around leachate monitoring.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 22, 2021

Environmental efforts key for Biden, but industry expects limited recycling policy movement in 2021

While existing initiatives such as a national recycling goal are likely to make headway, and Democratic majorities in Congress could affect legislation, trade groups don't anticipate major changes due to a crowded agenda.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 20, 2021

9 questions about the future of waste and recycling in 2021

As we gear up for another eventful year, Waste Dive will be focusing on trends around ESG, M&A, recycling policy, market development, PFAS, local budgets, collection technology, safety, diversity and much more.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2021

Interim EPA guidance on PFAS disposal, destruction still leaves many questions

A report assessed possible environmental impacts of managing waste with these "forever chemicals" through deep well injection, landfilling or thermal treatment. The Biden administration is expected to take more concrete steps.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 11, 2021

Covanta's $60M ash processing contract in Honolulu signals next step in closing local landfill

The project involves construction of a processing facility that will divert an estimated 60% of incinerator ash from Oahu's only MSW landfill, which is slated to close by 2028.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 6, 2021

Recology names new CEO Coniglio, following retirement of longtime leader

Sal Coniglio's elevation to the top job comes six months after he became chief operating officer. This move caps off former CEO Mike Sangiacomo's 37-year stint at the major California-based private company.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2021

Waste industry secured nearly $812M in first batch of PPP loans, as stimulus bill sets up second round

Rubicon led the pack with a nearly $9.78 million loan in the Paycheck Protection Program's first round, which helped the sector retain more than 66,000 jobs. The new package puts a fresh $284 billion up for grabs.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 23, 2020