Solid waste collection, landfill workers saw injury rate drop in 2020: BLS data

Focus on infection prevention in the coronavirus pandemic's first year, when illness cases spiked, may have increased attention to everyday safety messages as well. At the same time, incidence rates for MRF workers rose.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 4, 2021

OSHA sets Jan. 4 deadline for employers to mandate COVID-19 vaccines

The Biden administration's move has been widely described as a major development for large U.S. workplaces.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Nov. 4, 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

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

2021 earnings coverage: Waste Connections

For the industry's third-largest company, 2021 continued a trend of heightened M&A activity, new ESG investments and ongoing pandemic recovery.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 17, 2022

2021 earnings coverage: Republic Services

Revisit Waste Dive's coverage of Republic's earnings reports from an eventful year, which featured ramped up spending on ESG efforts and M&A, including the acquisitions of Santek Waste Services and ACV Enviro.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 11, 2022

2021 earnings coverage: WM

The North American waste industry's largest company was focused on integrating Advanced Disposal Services, ramping up recycling investments and maneuvering through pandemic effects throughout the year.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 2, 2022

Q3 earnings: A complex economic recovery continues, with M&A spending on the rise

Inflation and labor were also cited as notable challenges during recent reports. Catch up on our takeaways from key public companies.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 4, 2021

Republic Services M&A spending on track to top $1B in 2021, highest in over a decade

The company is also making investments in landfill gas projects and expanding its environmental solutions business as it caps off a quarter that saw some volumes exceed pre-pandemic levels.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 29, 2021

Waste Connections acquisitions worth $240M in revenue through Q3, at least $100M more anticipated

The company upped its outlook thanks to economic recovery trends and M&A but reported inflationary pressures. CEO Worthing Jackman also described potential vaccine mandates as a notable labor headwind.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 28, 2021

Waste Management sees path to offset 'acute' inflation, labor turbulence through pricing and automation

The company raised revenue guidance again but faced a challenging quarter. During one recent week an estimated 900 employees were out due to COVID-19 at the same time as volumes increased due to the economic rebound.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2021

M&A hit 'historic highs' amid the talent crunch. How are HR teams coping?

Acquiring employers are being asked a key question from their workers, one executive told HR Dive: "Is my company showing up for me?"

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 21, 2021

City Haul: A new class of municipal waste leaders emerges

Over half of the 10 largest U.S. cities have new public works, sanitation or solid waste directors since the start of 2020. Positions have evolved during the pandemic and amid shifting trends in technology and public engagement.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 20, 2021

Republic Services aims to bolster diesel technician pipeline, with eye toward EV training

Addressing worker shortages and offering opportunities to veterans and underserved populations, Republic's Technical Institute trains employees and potential hires to service its current and future vehicle fleet.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 14, 2021

Waste Pro execs, on their way to $900M in revenue, outline multiyear Southeast growth strategy

While other family-led operations are selling this year, this Florida-based company says it's here to stay. CEO Sean Jennings and COO Keith Banasiak share their outlook on M&A, labor, municipal relations and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 11, 2021

Searching for operational insight, MRFs comb data from AI

As recycling technology gets more sophisticated, MRF operators and equipment manufacturers say material characterization data from AI-powered systems may be even more valuable than the labor robots provide.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 6, 2021

Waste and recycling employers watch for next steps on COVID-19 requirements

Waste Pro and Rumpke are among the large employers who have encouraged vaccinations and will be affected by an OSHA rule. The industry is considering how to assist and accommodate existing and prospective workers.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 4, 2021

What's next for Recology in San Francisco after $36M DOJ penalty, bribery charge

The West Coast company is looking to move forward after three subsidiaries admitted to one charge of bribery in a deferred prosecution agreement, but it still faces legal action and a push to change local collection systems.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2021

Extreme heat drives OSHA to develop new federal workplace standard

The advanced notice set to be released next month is the first step in the development of a federal standard to prevent heat-related illness and death.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 21, 2021

Covanta, Casella, Vanguard Renewables and others continue the conversation at virtual WasteExpo

The event included insight on industry discussions such as EPR, environmental justice, waste-to-energy, climate change, recycling and technology.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Sept. 17, 2021

Biden directs OSHA to create new coronavirus vaccine requirements for large employers

A temporary emergency standard could mandate businesses with more than 100 employees ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or require unvaccinated workers to have a weekly negative test result.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 10, 2021

FDA approval of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provides cover for employer mandates

"I've received a number of calls from clients who were on the fence, and now, this is something that helps to solidify their confidence," one attorney said.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 1, 2021

Vaccine mandates set for waste and recycling workers in multiple cities

While major private-sector employers haven't announced any vaccine mandates to date, government employees in New York, Philadelphia, Denver and elsewhere face new requirements.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 25, 2021

OSHA recommends masks for many vaccinated workers

Among others, employees in areas of substantial transmission should wear masks to protect unvaccinated co-workers, the agency said.

By Kate Tornone • Aug. 19, 2021