Upstream CEO sees huge potential in burgeoning reuse-refill sector, including for haulers

Matt Prindiville, head of a nonprofit focused on holistic waste solutions, is at the center of discussions with brands and activists alike about not just relying on recycling to create a more circular economy.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 23, 2021

Wastequip commits to further reducing its virgin resin use

The approach to slashing 25% of virgin resin from the cart manufacturing process emphasizes increasing recycled plastics in Toter carts, extending carts' years of use and telling customers the recycled content in each product.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 22, 2021

Can gig workers help improve litter collection? Philadelphia app aims to tackle the problem

Glitter, backed by tech entrepreneurs and a sanitation worker turned Instagram star, asks sponsors to pay for neighborhood cleanups. So far, Philadelphia's Streets Department is not convinced.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 20, 2021

Covanta, Casella, Vanguard Renewables and others continue the conversation at virtual WasteExpo

The event included insight on industry discussions such as EPR, environmental justice, waste-to-energy, climate change, recycling and technology.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Sept. 17, 2021

2021 highlights from the waste and recycling industry's M&A bonanza

In a major year of acquisition activity, catalysts have included pending tax changes, more expensive environmental standards and pandemic fatigue. Stay up to date with our original reporting and insight on key deals.

By The Waste Dive Team • Updated Dec. 21, 2021

California governor signs full slate of circular economy bills

The package includes bills regulating recyclability and compostability claims on products, restricting exports of plastic scrap and updating the state's container redemption program.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Oct. 6, 2021

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

High-profile bill to regulate recyclability labels signed in California

Legislation approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom, and backed by California's largest recyclers, will bar manufacturers from using the ubiquitous "chasing arrows" symbol unless the state certifies their products as widely recyclable.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 6, 2021

Recycling Partnership grants could boost curbside polypropylene acceptance by 6%

The Polypropylene Recycling Coalition has awarded $4.2 million to date for equipment upgrades as consumer product companies look to bounce back from last year's recyclability access downgrade by How2Recycle.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Sept. 7, 2021

Waste Connections acquiring E.L. Harvey & Sons in notable New England expansion

E.L. Harvey, a multigenerational Massachusetts operation, has a large collection fleet along with sizable recycling and transfer facilities. Waste Connections aims to grow the company's annual revenue of $110 million.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 2, 2021

Brand commitments contributing to higher recycled HDPE prices

The recent run of strong pricing, especially for HDPE natural, has caught recyclers' attention. At least one expert believes market dynamics have decoupled recycled resin and virgin prices.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 26, 2021

Supporters planning national bottle bill legislation separate from Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act

Multiple groups are working with lawmakers to potentially introduce national container deposit legislation as soon as next month. They hope recent bipartisan support for recycling in Congress could boost its chances.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 25, 2021

To improve glass recycling, MRFs look to pilot programs, certifications

Pilots collecting glass separately from bars and restaurants show positive returns, speakers at a Southeast Recycling Development Council event said. Meanwhile, glass recyclers are certifying MRFs with cleaner glass streams.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 20, 2021

Waste industry monitors service disruptions amid spread of delta variant

Local news reports reveal coronavirus-driven worker absences and pickup delays reminiscent of earlier in the pandemic. Industry leaders are still encouraging vaccinations and some cities require them for their own employees.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 16, 2021

What can EPR programs learn from more than a decade of PaintCare?

Convenience. Scope. Processing and marketing locations. Those are issues some paint EPR stakeholders wish they had handled differently when that industry-led program began in the early 2010s.

By Leslie Nemo • Aug. 13, 2021

Progress report: Brands face increasing pressure on recyclability claims in 2021

Major corporations have pledged to make big recycling-related changes by 2025, and environmental groups are holding them accountable through reporting requirements, shareholder agreements and lawsuits.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 12, 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

House passes infrastructure bill, including key recycling provisions

President Joe Biden is expected to soon sign the bill, which features the text of the RECYCLE Act, funding for Save Our Seas 2.0 and battery recycling provisions.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 8, 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

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

Emerging solar panel recycling market ripe with opportunity, but barriers remain

The amount of solar panels reaching the waste stream is expected to grow significantly, and with it the opportunities for safe, sustainable recycling or reuse. Product stewardship programs are also expected to play a role.

By Katie Pyzyk • 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