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

OSHA pulls temporary vaccine rule, says permanent mandate is in the works

At the agency's request, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed challenges to the ETS as moot.

By Kate Tornone • Updated Feb. 18, 2022

Waste Connections poised to grow New England footprint with another sizable acquisition

The pending sale of ABC Disposal Service and its affiliated operations would come with substantial new hauling, transfer and MRF capacity in the southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 20, 2022

Supreme Court upholds stay on OSHA's vaccine mandate

The justices opted to dissolve injunctions placed on a separate vaccination mandate for healthcare workers issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Jan. 13, 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

Stakeholders urge Supreme Court to act fast on OSHA mandate

Stakeholders from all sides hoped the court would have a ruling before the emergency temporary standard's Jan. 10 enforcement date.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Jan. 10, 2022

Omicron spread disrupts US waste and recycling operations as 2022 begins

Unlike previous COVID-19 surges that struck more regionally, the latest wave appears to be wreaking havoc on staff availability across the country. Dallas and Detroit are among the latest cities affected.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Jan. 7, 2022

BLS documents record number of quits in November

The U.S. Department of Labor reported 4.5 million quits during the month in an indication that the "Great Resignation" has yet to slow.

By Emilie Shumway • Jan. 6, 2022

US Supreme Court sets Jan. 7 hearing on vaccine mandates for employers

The high court is consolidating appeals regarding court-ordered stays placed on two of the Biden administration's vaccine mandates.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 23, 2021

How the pandemic impacted waste and recycling workforces in 2021

The arrival of vaccines brought new considerations for employees and employers, while shifts in the broader U.S. workforce created new challenges for hiring and retention.

Dec. 23, 2021

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

Robin Hutcheson to replace Meera Joshi as acting FMCSA administrator

Hutcheson was previously the director of public works for Minneapolis, among other positions. This follows the departure of Meera Joshi, who had been in the Senate confirmation process for months to lead the agency.

By S.L. Fuller • Updated Jan. 20, 2022

Frustrated by collection worker deaths, industry groups target distracted driving

Waste and recycling groups believe distracted driving and cellphone usage are key factors in the fatalities. A lack of data on crash causes and disagreements on how to solve the problem have stalled meaningful solutions.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 20, 2021

OSHA vaccine mandate is back on for now as appeals court dissolves stay

In an update on its website following the court's decision, OSHA said it would resume implementing the ETS but delay enforcement.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Dec. 20, 2021

Fatalities continued to fall in 2020, but waste collection workers still had 6th deadliest US job

BLS data shows collection workers had a safer year than they did in 2019, but MRF and landfill worker deaths rose slightly. Industry associations hope more safety programs and education will help drive numbers down.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 16, 2021

Federal agencies to revisit overtime, joint employment rules in 2022

The U.S. Department of Labor and National Labor Relations Board will propose updates in the coming months, according to a government to-do list.

By Kate Tornone • Dec. 11, 2021