SEC proposes 'rules of the road' for climate disclosures

Investors with $130 trillion in assets under management have pushed for consistent, comparable disclosures on climate risk, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said Monday.

By Jim Tyson • March 21, 2022

Fuel price bump prompts surcharges, renewed interest in waste and recycling fleet transitions

Many private-sector and city fleet operators have systems in place to pass along heightened costs. Meanwhile, industry leaders are also monitoring how the war in Ukraine could further strain supply chains for trucks and parts.

By Maria Rachal • Updated March 17, 2022

'Target Zero' appeals to consumers' sustainability concerns

The retailer worked with vendors including third-party brands and its own private labels to design more eco-friendly packaging for hundreds of products.

By Daphne Howland • March 10, 2022

Waste Dive Live: What's next for waste and recycling in 2022?

Watch the videos from our Feb. 10 virtual event to hear perspectives from the Waste Dive team, The Recycling Partnership and Reloop.

By The Waste Dive Team • March 9, 2022

Plastic supply pressures create market challenges and opportunities for recycled resins, analysts say

At the Plastics Recycling Conference, IHS Markit analysts suggested volatile crude oil prices from the war in Ukraine could drive up virgin resin prices and recycled resin demand. Meanwhile, supply is still tight for PET, PP and PE.

By Megan Quinn • March 9, 2022

White House accelerates plans for zero-emission trucks

The Biden administration announced new grant funding for manufacturers and a proposed rule to dramatically curb nitrogen oxide emissions by 2031.

By Jim Stinson • March 7, 2022

Global treaty aims to tackle plastic pollution through its full life cycle, including waste and recycling

ISRI, NWRA, SWANA and others expect the landmark treaty to affect high-level operations, but the details won't be known until 2024.

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 3, 2022

CEO says longevity sets Ameresco apart in the landfill gas-to-energy space

A 20-plus-year reputation and broad range of clients — including municipalities, military bases and private companies — will keep the company going as competition ramps up in the waste sector, executives said.

By Megan Quinn • March 2, 2022

Coors Light to begin global shift from 6-pack plastic rings in 2022

Molson Coors will spend $85 million to start the transition to cardboard-wrap carriers for the brew while upgrading machinery so its entire North American portfolio can use the material by the end of 2025.

By Christopher Doering • March 1, 2022

SEC to take hard stand against corporate 'greenwashing'

The SEC soon plans to propose rules for sustainability disclosure standards that will feature detailed guidelines for reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, according to SEC Commissioner Allison Herren Lee.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 24, 2022

The pandemic pushed paper markets to record levels. How long will those prices continue?

Fiber markets soared in 2021, thanks in large part to the pandemic's e-commerce boom. Now, billions of dollars in infrastructure investments are coming online and demand is expected to remain strong.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 23, 2022

3 takeaways from GWMS on the future of environmental justice, greenhouse gas emissions and leachate at landfills

Landfill operators, consultants and researchers shared the latest trends they're following at last week's biennial event. Microplastics were called out as an emerging contaminant of concern, akin to how PFAS science has evolved.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 23, 2022

Casella lays out 2024 strategy, touts Northeast disposal projects and Boston MRF upgrade

After years of M&A, the Vermont-based company is on track to approach $1 billion in revenue for 2022. Executives said they have wide flexibility to adjust prices amid inflation and outlined multiple areas for growth.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2022

Q4 earnings: Waste companies close out 2021 with inflation offset plans, sizable M&A activity, ESG spending

Pricing strategies are helping mitigate inflationary pressures, labor remains a challenge, MRF investment is growing and renewable natural gas projects at landfills are on the rise. Catch up on our takeaways from key public companies.

By The Waste Dive Team • Feb. 18, 2022

Republic Services CEO talks what's next after the US Ecology transaction

Jon Vander Ark elaborated on Republic's environmental services expansion in terms of next steps to close the deal, a strategic review of market areas, potential capital investments, PFAS opportunities, future M&A and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2022

Waste Connections closes 2021 with more than $1B in M&A spending, sees path to $10B in revenue

The company says it's prepared to handle pressures around inflation, labor and other issues. It also closed 30 deals last year and sees more to come, following an active start to 2022.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 17, 2022

WM drops 'waste' from its name, frames ESG approach at annual sustainability forum

The newly rebranded industry giant described itself as a "circular logistics operator" that is part of a "renewable energy revolution." Plus, panelists spoke on economics, circularity, climate justice, diversity, leadership and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2022

Waste Connections' James Little calls for faster action on PFAS management, investment in RNG at landfills

Speaking at the Global Waste Management Symposium, Little expressed optimism about the industry's ability to meet ESG goals, despite environmental and regulatory challenges, and touted landfills as renewable energy producers.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 16, 2022

As compost volumes grow, policy and research help boost market expansion

Composters are continuously exploring market options as organics recycling expands. Transportation projects, carbon sequestration, green roofs and cannabis farming are among many opportunities.

By Leslie Nemo • Feb. 14, 2022

Republic Services highlights 'both and' approach to grow solid waste, environmental solutions segments

On its fourth quarter and full-year 2021 earnings call, the industry's second-largest player touted a bundled services approach as part of the pending US Ecology buyout and said spending will continue across both businesses.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 11, 2022

GFL Environmental spinning off infrastructure division into new 'GFL 2.0,' says plenty more M&A ahead

GFL closed out its second year as a public company with sizable increases in revenue, fueled in part by spending CA$2.3 billion on 46 acquisitions. The Canadian company is eyeing dozens of new deals and more growth this year.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 10, 2022

Republic Services closes $2.2B acquisition of US Ecology in major hazardous waste expansion

The deal fits into Republic's ongoing goal of expanding its environmental services business. US Ecology is the industry's largest hazardous waste landfill operator by volume.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated May 2, 2022

The Waste Dive Outlook on 2022

Get up to speed on what may be coming next around M&A, labor solutions, ESG investment trends, federal regulation, state policy, environmental justice, local programs and more.

By The Waste Dive Team • Feb. 9, 2022

Waste Management planning $1.6B in ESG investments, says automation and attrition could phase out upward of 7,000 jobs

Executives closed out a turbulent 2021 with solid earnings, despite inflation, and shared plans for greater spending on recycling and renewable energy, which they expect to have better returns than solid waste acquisitions.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 2, 2022

Waste industry M&A spree shows no sign of slowing in 2022, prompting exit of longtime operators

Pandemic exhaustion, labor strain, capital costs and high valuations are among the factors companies give for selling. Now, the dealmaking activity is beginning to rival historic levels of spending and consolidation.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 27, 2022