Boise, Idaho temporarily sending EnergyBag plastics to cement manufacturing facility

After stockpiling the bags for months due to an equipment issue at Renewlogy's Utah pyrolysis facility, the city has decided this is a preferable interim solution following preliminary results from an environmental review.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated May 27, 2020

Coronavirus poses multiple safety risks for waste and recycling workers

Concerns persist about infection exposure while social distancing requirements are changing how collection routes and MRFs are operated. Labor unions are calling for answers around paid leave policies.

By Cole Rosengren • March 18, 2020

Municipalities suspend recycling due to coronavirus impact on prison labor, broader safety concerns

Several areas across the country have temporarily cut programs as the pandemic ramps up, citing COVID-19 safety fears and dwindling availability of incarcerated workers at MRFs.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated March 19, 2020

How 12 months of the coronavirus pandemic disrupted US waste and recycling service

A year into the pandemic, waste and recycling workers are increasingly gaining access to the COVID-19 vaccine through a range of eligibility categories.

By Cole Rosengren, Nami Sumida • Updated March 15, 2021

New York City Council outlines big plans for curbside organics, textiles and EPR

A new agenda calls for the expansion of curbside residential organics collection citywide, along with more than a dozen other policies, to accelerate progress toward "zero waste" by 2030. Mention of a "save-as-you-throw" program is notably absent.

By Cole Rosengren • March 16, 2020

Waste companies react to coronavirus and alter travel plans amid uncertain operational effects

Some of the industry's largest companies shared an evolving range of approaches to travel expectations, meeting structures, and operational decisions. Plans for SWANApalooza and ISRI 2020 have been suspended.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated March 12, 2020

End of Waste Foundation ramps up glass recycling platform, aims for $10M investment

The unique startup hopes to facilitate recycling for 15,000 tons of glass this year, with a focus on more municipal partnerships. Founder Ionut Georgescu projects that could increase to 500,000 tons next year with new funding.

By Cole Rosengren • March 11, 2020

Waste and recycling trade groups issue coronavirus guidance for worker safety

SWANA, NWRA and ISRI do not think there is cause for heightened alarm. Though they emphasized broader caution, at a time when details are changing rapidly and many events are being postponed or canceled.​

By E.A. Crunden • Updated March 12, 2020

Baltimore council members back goal of 'zero waste' by 2040 amid incinerator litigation

Activists pushing for the closure of Wheelabrator Baltimore are calling for a dramatic turn toward waste reduction and diversion. A majority of council members introduced a resolution Monday in support of that plan.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated March 10, 2020

IPO helps GFL Environmental raise nearly $2.2B, CEO expects to be more 'nimble' for M&A

CEO Patrick Dovigi spoke about finally going public amid market turmoil, future growth strategy and plans for the company's first sustainability report. A new filing indicates the company has since paid down at least $1.2 billion in debt.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 12, 2020

House lawmakers debate regulatory role of federal government in plastics and recycling

In a Wednesday hearing, lawmakers formed stances along partisan lines over several pieces of federal recycling legislation. Republicans took a hard line against plastics bans and seemed to scrutinize shifting oversight to the federal government.

By E.A. Crunden • March 5, 2020

The Recycling Partnership launches polypropylene recycling group with $35M funding target

The nonprofit and others are calling for greater investment to capture and sort #5 plastics, with a new RFP for MRFs to apply for grant funding. Competing with booming virgin production may still make this a challenging proposition.

By Leslie Nemo • Updated July 8, 2020

Waste Management reverses decision to cut mixed paper recycling in 14 Florida cities

Poor markets and high contamination rates in Broward County were cited as the initial rationale. Now, a Waste Management spokesperson tells Waste Dive incineration remains an option for material that can't be salvaged. 

By E.A. Crunden • March 4, 2020

Waste Management CEO anticipates EPR for packaging likely in California

Jim Fish projected California would move ahead with European-style regulations, speaking at a National Geographic event. The remarks come as the company reevaluates its stance and broader discussions evolve on the limits of market-based solutions.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 28, 2020

Waste Management, Republic to report on MRF infrastructure and plastics following shareholder proposals

Resolutions by As You Sow and Trillium Asset Management were withdrawn following agreements to share more details on equipment upgrades and other topics. Waste Management will also update its policy on EPR.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated April 15, 2020

Gov Inslee signs Washington single-use bag ban, vetoes PCR requirements

Plastics were a prominent focus for state lawmakers this session. While Washington will join a growing list of states by banning bags, it will not pursue recycled content requirements due to fiscal concerns.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated April 6, 2020

2019 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, Advanced Disposal Services, Casella Waste Systems and Covanta during 2019.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 26, 2020

Waste Management's Tara Hemmer says industry needs to be more proactive on climate issues

Speaking at the Global Waste Management Symposium, the senior vice president emphasized a need to be more proactive around emerging topics such as plastics and the Green New Deal.

By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 26, 2020

NLRB finalizes joint employer rule

The rule will take effect April 27, according to NLRB, although the final date will be determined by the date of publication in the Federal Register.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Feb. 25, 2020

2019 earnings coverage: Advanced Disposal Services

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly coverage of results from one of the U.S. industry's largest public waste companies, including details of its announced sale to Waste Management.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 25, 2020

2019 earnings coverage: Casella Waste Systems

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly coverage of results from the Vermont-based waste and recycling company as it completed another year of renewed expansion through acquisition.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 25, 2020

2019 earnings coverage: Waste Connections

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly coverage of results from the industry's third-largest player as it completed yet another year of major acquisition activity.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 25, 2020

2019 earnings coverage: Waste Management

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly coverage of a big year for the North American industry's largest player, including its plans to acquire Advanced Disposal Services.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 25, 2020

2019 earnings coverage: Republic Services

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly coverage of results from the U.S. industry's second-largest player, including efforts to recalibrate its recycling business model.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 25, 2020

Casella faces New Hampshire landfill setback, reports another big growth year

The Northeast company withdrew an expansion permit and will temporarily redirect tonnage to other sites. The business continues to enlarge its footprint, including the acquisition of a New York recycling facility.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 24, 2020