Here comes the sun: OSHA launches new program for heat safety

The agency will inspect the jobsites of over 70 high-risk industries in indoor and outdoor settings when the National Weather Service issues a heat warning or advisory for a local area.

By Zachary Phillips • April 14, 2022

In need of skilled talent, 'clean tech' employers prioritize purpose

"The biggest piece of it is to know the company you're working for," said Sue Wingert, vice president of human resources at RoadRunner Recycling.

By Ryan Golden • April 8, 2022

White House credits apprenticeships, outreach for trucker employment gains

Domino's, Frito-Lay, PepsiCo, Albertsons and UPS are among more than 100 employers that have launched programs to improve driver retention since December.

By Colin Campbell • April 4, 2022

Solid waste worker deaths down 46% in 2021, SWANA reports

SWANA reported 28 industry fatalities in North America during 2021, with most of the deaths among collection workers. Vehicle-related deaths remain prevalent among workers and members of the public alike.

By Megan Quinn • March 22, 2022

City Haul: Inside top issues facing municipal waste leaders

How are waste agencies dealing with labor constraints? What do leaders tell residents who doubt the recycling system? Who are some of the new faces steering local U.S. operations? Catch up on past editions of City Haul.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Feb. 6, 2023

Republic Services manager files EEOC charge after company denied allegedly-promised promotion

The complaint alleges the company "went in a different direction" by selecting "a white male with far less experience," after the Georgia employee was previously "paraded around" as an example of diversity.

By Emilie Shumway • 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

Bonuses, balance and respect: What will it take to attract more waste and recycling job applicants?

Industry employers Republic, Casella and WIN Waste, as well as recruiters and other partners, talked through the do's and don'ts of job postings, hiring processes and creating attractive workplaces during recent SWANA events.

By Maria Rachal • March 7, 2022

Workforce disclosures surge amid pressure for diversity

Although companies are revealing more about employee race and ethnicity, their reports are not standardized and are often spotty, JUST Capital said.

By Jim Tyson • March 4, 2022

CDC adopts new masking guidelines. What does that mean for employers?

This shift "will result in most Americans no longer being advised to wear masks in indoor public settings," according to one law firm.

By Kathryn Moody • March 1, 2022

FCC Environmental makes first US acquisition, forecasts 'many more'

The Spanish company's U.S. division recently purchased a Texas hauler to help densify its commercial routes. CEO Inigo Sanz discusses other recent developments as the operation works toward $300 million in revenue.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 25, 2022

City Haul: Labor constraints lead waste agencies to get creative

New adaptations, collaborations and resilience planning can help municipalities avoid service cutbacks when they face worker or equipment shortages, explain waste leaders from Alabama, Arizona, Texas, Virginia and elsewhere.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 24, 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

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

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

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

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

Workforce questions set to dominate waste collection’s evolution in 2022, with fleet tech still catching up

As 2022 begins, collection workers may have greater leverage on pay and benefits while employers face continuing high inflation. More automation and alternative fuel vehicles are likely to come.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 9, 2022

10 questions with Gold Medal Environmental on its strategic transformation

CEO Darren Gruendel and new President John Doyen talked about culture integration challenges after M&A, plans for Mid-Atlantic growth beyond an estimated $92 million in revenue, how they've maintained operations despite labor limitations and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 8, 2022

FMCSA's driver training rule will eliminate 'CDL mills,' association says

The federal government delayed implementation of the Entry-Level Driver Training regulation for two years, which many states generally supported, but it's now taking effect.

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 4, 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

As federal vaccine mandate stalls, challenging January continues for waste services

The omicron surge put waste workers and collection service challenges back in the national spotlight. While infections appear to be on the decline in many cities, reports of new or ongoing disruptions continue.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 26, 2022