Waste Connections touts big M&A growth, ramps up rail tons to Arrowhead Landfill

CEO Ron Mittelstaedt said the company is on track for an annual record in private company acquisition spending. He also touted ongoing improvements in employee retention, recycling earnings and energy waste services.

By Cole Rosengren • July 25, 2024

Republic ups guidance amid stronger commodity prices, despite lower volumes

The company said a weak construction market and the shedding of some contracts will likely lower volumes through 2024. However, underlying financial metrics remain strong thanks to strong pricing growth.

By Jacob Wallace • July 25, 2024

EPA to update landfill air emissions rules in 2025

The federal agency first hinted at the update in its regulatory agenda. Environmental and industry groups are now collaborating with the EPA on draft language for a notice of proposed rulemaking.

By Jacob Wallace • July 24, 2024

Pay rose for multiple waste and recycling CEOs in 2023, especially GFL

See the latest compensation data for executives at WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, Enviri and Casella Waste Systems in our sixth annual report.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • July 22, 2024

EPA opens civil rights investigation into Baltimore waste plan

The EPA will investigate whether Baltimore City and its Department of Public Works violated communities’ civil rights with its waste plan, which preserves the city’s status quo with a WIN Waste combustion facility.

By Jacob Wallace • July 17, 2024

WM acquires Winters Bros. Waste, a major New York company

Long Island’s largest independent hauler and recycler, which employs more than 500 people, has numerous assets in an area that faces strains from an upcoming reduction in regional disposal capacity.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 25, 2024

Canada releases draft of first federal landfill methane requirements

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a detailed regulatory proposal that would, for the first time, set national minimum landfill gas standards for the country.

By Jacob Wallace • July 15, 2024

NWRA and others challenge EPA’s PFAS hazardous substance designation in federal court

The National Waste & Recycling Association wants the court to consider multiple aspects of the EPA’s decision to classify certain PFAS as hazardous under Superfund regulations. Environmental groups are pushing back.

By Megan Quinn • July 15, 2024

Waga Energy secures new loan to expand RNG facilities, including at US landfills

France-based Waga is looking to build on its momentum in North America after bringing its first U.S. facility online earlier this year. The landfill-gas-to-RNG company has partnered with Casella, OCI Global and others.

By Jacob Wallace • July 10, 2024

LRS receives credit rating downgrades, hires chief revenue officer

Moody’s and S&P both downgraded the Midwest recycler in June due in part to high debt leverage, but they maintained stable outlooks. LRS is searching for a CFO after Luke Chenery returned to Macquarie.

By Megan Quinn • July 9, 2024

Satellite and flyover tech advances for landfill methane as industry seeks more clarity

WM is testing a range of emissions detection options as it works to solidify a measurement system by next year. This comes as more groups are launching satellites and asking the U.S. EPA to update its regulations.

By Leslie Nemo • July 9, 2024

Apex Waste grows in Colorado with 2 new deals, including WM sites

The Kinderhook-backed company is now vertically integrated after purchasing landfills and a MRF from Twin Enviro Services. Following these deals, Apex now services an estimated 100,000 customers.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 9, 2024

Superfund enforcement of PFAS started Monday. Where does waste and recycling go from here?

The regulation exposes certain parties to liability for cleanup of contamination from certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. While the EPA has said some disposal facilities won’t be targeted, concerns about cost remain.

By Jacob Wallace • July 8, 2024

Archaea, Republic discuss RNG partnership; EverGen, ESI, Aemetis chart construction progress

Executives from Republic and BP announced the completion of the first plant in their Lightning Renewables joint venture partnership. Other renewable natural gas developers also reached milestones in June.

By Jacob Wallace • July 3, 2024

Landfill expansion projects and debates advance, including Capital Waste site in Georgia

WM, Republic Services, Capital and others are pursuing expansion projects in Florida, Georgia, Maine, Oregon and Tennessee.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • July 3, 2024

Virginia RDF facility operated by WIN Waste closes

The facility’s closure means more waste will be landfilled in southeastern Virginia. The refuse-derived fuel plant was affected by a fire and a new steam plant built by the U.S. Navy.

By Jacob Wallace • July 2, 2024

New Hampshire battery disposal ban bill heads to governor

The bill expands the state’s battery disposal ban to include all electronics and lithium-ion batteries, a move meant to decrease the number of fires at waste and recycling facilities.

By Megan Quinn • June 18, 2024

EPA says Waste Connections landfill in California violated Clean Air Act

The agency found that operators of the Chiquita Canyon site failed to properly inspect gas wells. The landfill has been under increased scrutiny from regulators due to ongoing odor issues. 

By Megan Quinn • June 14, 2024

USDA’s Vilsack touts updated, ‘accountability-focused’ national food waste strategy

Vilsack said the strategy has taken on renewed importance as global efforts to curb methane pollution ramp up. He also said he is looking to the farm bill to ensure the priorities will be funded.

By Jacob Wallace • June 14, 2024

Environmental services segment still has plenty of M&A runway

Republic Services, Clean Harbors, Crystal Clean, Reworld and other companies have been very active with M&A in recent years. Here’s why analysts and executives expect that to continue.

By Cole Rosengren • June 13, 2024

Water treatment company Ovivo expands PFAS treatment, destruction offerings

Ovivo’s licensing deal with Evocra allows the company to offer a foam fractionation technology on top of existing destruction services. EPA regulations have spurred mitigation companies to broaden their PFAS offerings.

By Megan Quinn • June 12, 2024

9 senators call for EPA funding to address landfill methane

They want more than $11 million in additional appropriations to the EPA for fiscal year 2025, which would be used for more advanced monitoring technology and upgrades to municipally owned landfills.

By Jacob Wallace • June 10, 2024

Washington finalizes landfill rule, Divert and EnviTec announce plants and other RNG news

Washington finalized its landfill methane rule while digester companies around the country made RNG-related announcements in May. Two U.S. senators also introduced a federal RNG incentive bill.

By Jacob Wallace • June 7, 2024

Hazardous waste incinerators see PFAS disposal opportunity, emissions questions remain

The U.S. EPA’s latest destruction and disposal guidance provides updated data on incineration's effectiveness, while noting the need for more research about the products of incomplete combustion.

By April Reese • June 5, 2024

Executives used Noble Environmental as ‘piggy bank’ to benefit Archaea, lawsuit alleges

To rocket Archaea to success before selling it to BP, the executives used trade secrets and personnel from their first venture, Pennsylvania waste company Noble Environmental, the lawsuit alleges.

By Jacob Wallace • June 3, 2024