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

CFOs 'managing blind' the rising pressure for ESG gains: Accenture

With more than 15 competing frameworks to choose from, company executives say they lack the expertise and consistent metrics to satisfy growing investor demand for sustainable operations.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 25, 2022

US Plastics Pact releases anticipated 'problematic' materials list

The plastics management network aims to phase out packaging containing PVC, PS and PFAS, among others, by 2025. Some applaud the list as a positive step, but others say it's counterproductive and too subjective.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 25, 2022

What’s on the Biden administration’s waste and recycling to-do list in 2022

One year in, the administration has started work on a range of climate and environmental justice initiatives. Catch up on what's next from the EPA and others on the circular economy, PFAS, grant funding and more.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 24, 2022

Biogas from landfills must be part of aviation's net-zero future

As the aviation sector makes investments to increase the production of sustainable fuel, Boeing and SkyNRG Americas say it’s key to focus on the potential to reduce methane emissions.

By Sheila Remes and John Plaza • Jan. 19, 2022

Atlas Organics, with new Generate Capital backing, aims to become one of sector's largest recyclers

Atlas CEO Joseph McMillin and Generate's Bill Caesar see substantial room for expansion, with at least $200 million worth of projects envisioned. Atlas also recently announced a new round of Florida acquisitions.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 18, 2022

8 questions about the top trends shaping waste and recycling in 2022

Waste Dive is watching how much longer heightened M&A activity lasts, what it will take to maintain the workforce in a tough market, where organics infrastructure is growing, what's next for recycling and more.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2022

RTS acquires Elytus, making it one of the industry's largest waste brokers

The New York-based company has picked up an estimated 12,000 service locations and is going national with its biggest transaction to date. CEO Greg Lettieri shares how this fits into its growth plans for 2022.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 10, 2022

FCC Environmental awarded California mixed waste contract worth up to $1.5B

Placer County's process is an example of how jurisdictions are preparing for major changes under California's SB 1383 organics recycling regulations. FCC won out over GreenWaste, Recology-affiliated Nortech and others.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated April 28, 2022

With $45M Closed Loop deal, Sims Municipal Recycling to expand and compete for more contracts

The recent sale of a stake in the Australian scrap giant's U.S. curbside recycling division is called a "game-changer" as the company aims to pursue more municipal contracts and make new products from the recycled material.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 2, 2022

By the numbers: 2021's waste and recycling trends

Take a look back through the key data points that shaped the conversations around some of the top issues — M&A, ESG, policy and workforce challenges — in an eventful year.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Dec. 23, 2021

Roundup: Waste Dive's 2021 Q&A's with waste and recycling leaders

From Waste Management's first chief sustainability officer to the Biden administration's pick to lead U.S. EPA waste policy, look back on the year's conversations with execs, authors, investors, entrepreneurs and regulators.

Dec. 22, 2021

Rubicon going public in $1.7B SPAC deal as 'digital challenger' to waste industry's 'status quo'

The Kentucky-based tech company, known for its aggressive efforts to "disrupt" the waste and recycling industry without owning physical assets, expects to more than double revenues by 2024. The deal could close by Q2.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 16, 2021

As circular economy momentum builds, Rheaply seeks to grow reuse connections

With new funding and award recognition, the Chicago-based startup's goals include quantifying the savings from reuse and having more large enterprises adopt its platform.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 29, 2021

It's time to look harder at landfills if we're serious about addressing climate change

Leaders from the Institute for Energy and Resource Management, drawing on Europe's experience, make the case for why it's time to stop landfilling MSW and move toward a more integrated waste management system.

By Philipp Schmidt-Pathmann and Stephen Gerritson • Nov. 12, 2021

GFL Environmental on track to close 40 acquisitions this year, ramping up RNG and MRF projects

Having acquired assets worth an estimated C$735 million in annual revenue to date, GFL intends to keep up its pace for the foreseeable future and raised 2021 guidance.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 4, 2021

Global rule maker created for ESG disclosure standards

CFOs aiming to adopt sustainability disclosure standards must currently choose from more than a dozen inconsistent, competing frameworks. 

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 3, 2021

2021 earnings coverage: GFL Environmental

In its second year as a public company, GFL continued an aggressive expansion pace throughout North America, including multiple large acquisitions such as Terrapure and PDC.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 10, 2022

Could better recycling logistics solve EPR challenges?

More flexible collection systems may be a solution to packaging issues — regardless of the regulatory landscape — writes Ryan Smith, CEO and founder of startup Recyclops.

By Ryan Smith • Nov. 3, 2021

With landfill methane in the climate spotlight, satellite and flyover measurements attract a following

Landfill operators, nonprofits and regulators are looking to remote measurement technologies as a new way to check on methane releases. But it's too soon to know if they'll settle the emissions modeling debate.

By Leslie Nemo • Nov. 3, 2021

What's next for HDPE, PET, OCC and mixed paper markets

Paper & Plastic Recycling Conference speakers predicted mostly favorable near-term demand for commodities due to e-commerce trends and brand commitments. Yet some worried new PCR laws may overly pressure pricing.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 2, 2021

Tracking the industry: US waste and recycling info hub

Follow some of the most essential developments around M&A, ESG pledges, federal and state policy, PFAS regulations, quarterly earnings results and more with Waste Dive's unique trackers and ongoing in-depth coverage.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 23, 2021

2021 earnings coverage for US waste and recycling companies

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly analysis of results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and others during 2021.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 18, 2022