Rubicon reports further progress on profitability plan during 2023

The company reported improvements in metrics such as adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA due to higher-margin business with multiple clients, but it did not provide financial guidance for the year.

By Cole Rosengren • March 8, 2024

5 themes from the Senate hearing on packaging EPR

The Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works gathered comments from SC Johnson, Ameripen and World Wildlife Fund.

By Maria Rachal • March 7, 2024

Low-energy chemical recycling method could offer solution for mixed and biobased plastics

Scientists at a federal lab recently released the results of a project, funded by Google, that looked at handling a mixed stream of PET and PLA. Figuring out how to scale this concept beyond the lab is an ongoing discussion.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • March 6, 2024

MRF robotics company Glacier raises $7.7M, partners with Amazon

The funding round will help refine the company’s AI-enabled robotics technology, which Amazon says could identify “novel packaging materials” it might be able to recycle or repurpose. 

By Megan Quinn • March 6, 2024

Largest public waste companies spent an estimated $4.2B on M&A in 2023

Spending by WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems didn’t surpass recent records, but the companies still did dozens of deals throughout the U.S. and Canada.

By Cole Rosengren • March 5, 2024

Solarcycle to build $344M recycled solar glass plant in Georgia

The manufacturer will produce up to six gigawatts of recycled solar glass annually, starting in 2026.

By Sara Samora • March 1, 2024

Enviri sees ‘best quarter in many years,’ awaits regulations to estimate PFAS opportunities

Enviri reported positive growth in its Clean Earth and Harsco Environmental segments as the company continues shifting to focus solely on environmental solutions.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 29, 2024

Republic reports strong core business growth in 2023, eyes new opportunities in 2024

The company surpassed its full-year guidance as core pricing and average yield increased in the fourth quarter. Republic expects additional opportunities, including those related to PFAS, to fuel growth in 2024.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 28, 2024

How 3 major waste companies view business opportunities from Canada’s EPR expansion

Executives from WM, GFL Environmental and Waste Connections all commented during recent earnings calls about how and where they think it’s worth pursuing contracts and investing in MRF infrastructure.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 27, 2024

Textile recycler Renewcell files for bankruptcy

The Circulose fiber manufacturer was unable to secure financing following several quarters of declining sales.

By Lara Ewen • Feb. 26, 2024

Negotiation stalemate pushes Los Angeles to verge of rebidding commercial waste contracts

Haulers such as WM and Republic Services say they need more time to discuss a contract amendment. LA Sanitation staff and elected officials appear ready to put the whole recycLA franchise system back out to bid.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 26, 2024

Waste Connections acquires assets from Waste-Away Group in Indiana

The deal expands Waste Connections’ presence into the state. Waste-Away is a third-generation family business that offers collection, recycling and document destruction services in Elkhart and the surrounding areas.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 26, 2024

Q4 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, Clean Harbors, Enviri and Stericycle.

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated March 6, 2024

Clean Harbors’ environmental services segment continues hot streak to end 2023

The company projects another year of growth for its environmental services segment in 2024 thanks to capital investments and acquisitions. It’s also making changes to boost its struggling Safety-Kleen business.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 22, 2024

D.C. updates strategy to reach ‘zero waste’ by 2040, including many policy proposals

The plan extends the deadline for an 80% diversion rate to 2040. It calls for actions such as building a MRF, implementing commercial waste zones and banning certain items from disposal.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 22, 2024

It’s black and white: Walgreens details cap color change among sustainability efforts

The pharmacy chain's own-brand product packaging changes are among its efforts to meet 2030 targets. Parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance also touted packaging sustainability work in its 2023 ESG report.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 21, 2024

GFL posts record solid waste pricing, sees expansion opportunities through EPR and M&A

Continued strong pricing, combined with volume shedding of subpar contracts, contributed to margin expansion in solid waste. That trend combines with other tailwinds as GFL continues to improve its debt.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 21, 2024

Rheaply eyes expansion plans in multiple cities to reuse more furniture amid office rethink

The Chicago-based startup aims to bring more businesses onto its reusable materials exchange platform to divert items from disposal.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 21, 2024

3 finalists for waste conversion facility named in Atlantic County, New Jersey

The finalists will benefit from the county’s waste flow ordinance, which ensures access to a waste stream that has topped 100,000 tons a year in recent years.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 20, 2024

Casella says acquisition activity, safety improvements marked an ‘exceptional’ year

Casella touted a successful year from numerous acquisitions and operational improvements. Executives previewed further infrastructure upgrades at the Willimantic recycling facility, plus a $800M acquisition pipeline for 2024.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 16, 2024

5 issues to watch as New York reshapes its commercial waste system

Many questions remain about how companies were selected, how much recycling investment will occur, how soon companies get electric vehicles, when implementation will begin and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2024

SWANA comes out in support of bottle bills

The updated policy endorses container deposit systems that allow recyclers to participate, set higher deposit values and include curbside materials. It contrasts with NWRA’s general opposition to bottle bills.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 15, 2024

Massachusetts legislature keeps multiple waste and recycling bills in play after key deadline

Bills seeking to ban certain plastic products, update the state’s bottle bill and establish extended producer responsibility laws for packaging, paint and mattresses all survived an initial committee deadline on Feb. 8.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 14, 2024

CalRecycle director stepping down in March

Rachel Machi Wagoner will leave her role after three years in the position. The director job will be challenging to fill, industry experts say, as the agency is in the middle of implementing several high-profile laws.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Feb. 15, 2024

WM touts sustainability spending, ‘strong’ operations growth to wrap up Q4

Executives credited price and cost-saving measures for Q4 earnings growth and said the company will invest up to $2.9B in its recycling and renewable energy platforms through 2026.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 13, 2024