Vaccine rollout boosts medical waste volumes, as workers wait for their shot

States will determine where waste workers fall in line for the coronavirus vaccine, including those responsible for properly disposing of materials from the mass inoculation.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 7, 2021

Recology names new CEO Coniglio, following retirement of longtime leader

Sal Coniglio's elevation to the top job comes six months after he became chief operating officer. This move caps off former CEO Mike Sangiacomo's 37-year stint at the major California-based private company.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2021

With volumes down, New York City commercial waste workers struggle to adjust

New York – hit harder than many markets in the country – has seen numerous workers become ill with the coronavirus, have their hours cut, or get laid off. And hopes for federal hazard pay legislation have not materialized.

By Amir Khafagy • Dec. 23, 2020

How local waste and recycling leaders are grappling with coronavirus-driven budget pressures

Lost revenues, rising operating expenses and limited federal aid have left local leaders looking for creative solutions. In some cases, the pandemic has also created opportunities to update their practices.

By Leslie Nemo • Dec. 22, 2020

Collection worker fatalities fell in 2019, rank as 6th deadliest job: BLS

It's the first time since 2012 refuse and recycling collectors haven't landed in the top five most fatal occupations, as tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fatal transportation incidents fell dramatically after a 2018 spike.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 17, 2020

5 takeaways on emerging trends from the National Zero Waste Conference

Recycled content, plastics policy, climate connections and racial justice are among top priorities heading into 2021. The event also marked the latest sign of a revived National Recycling Coalition. 

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 16, 2020

What Pete Buttigieg would bring to the Transportation Department

A $1 trillion infrastructure plan Buttigieg unveiled in January as part of his presidential campaign hints at what could be the agency's future priorities.

By S.L. Fuller • Dec. 16, 2020

People of the Year: Waste and recycling workers

The entire industry has stepped up during a significantly challenging year, but none of it would be possible without the frontline workers who put themselves at risk to keep it all running.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Organization of the Year: Sanitation Foundation

As New York sanitation workers were caught in the initial epicenter of the pandemic, hundreds were infected and multiple died. A city nonprofit played a key role in supporting them and adapting to a very eventful year.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

The Waste Dive Awards for 2020

During a year of crisis and challenge, these are some of the people, groups and initiatives that met the moment.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Biden names workplace safety expert to COVID-19 task force

The addition of longtime OSHA administrator Dr. David Michaels was applauded by the National Safety Council, which said that businesses need a national pandemic roadmap to keep workers safe.

By Jennifer Goodman • Dec. 2, 2020

Were the diversity promises of the summer for the long haul?

Executives from Comcast, Morgan Stanley and Robin Hood shared their thoughts on employers' strategic commitments.

By Sheryl Estrada • Dec. 1, 2020

MRF Summit: Despite pandemic setbacks, 2020 shows bright spots for recycling

Speakers at the event highlighted the booming use of robotics, declining contamination and improved market pricing as positive signs; while international trade policy continues to present complications.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 24, 2020

The DOT under Biden: Does it really matter who's in charge at the FMCSA?

Two former agency officials discuss what might occur in the coming months at the highest level of the industry's main bureau.

By S.L. Fuller • Nov. 20, 2020

How the waste and recycling industry can weather rapid changes in the insurance marketplace

Nathan Brainard, vice president of the environmental division at Insurance Office of America, outlines why so many insurers have exited the marketplace in recent years and how industry service providers can turn things around.

By Nathan Brainard • Nov. 19, 2020

EPA sets 2030 national recycling goal, stakeholders call for more federal action

Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a 50% recycling rate target for 2030, while the latest annual data showed a decline to 32.1% and multiple financial pressures continue for the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Tracking ESG climate targets from US waste and recycling companies

Republic Services is the latest company to report on its emissions reduction goals, but it opted not to update a specific report as it awaits the outcome of a Securities and Exchange Commission climate disclosure rule.

By Nami Sumida, Cole Rosengren, Leslie Nemo • Updated July 27, 2023

Calculating the costs of climate change in the waste, energy sectors

Waste Dive, Utility Dive and Smart Cities Dive teamed up for a series presenting the way their sectors are evaluating the impacts and costs of mitigating climate change.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

US waste and recycling sector faces mounting risks and opportunities from climate change

As the industry increasingly recognizes its contribution to climate change and sees business opportunities in potentially mitigating those effects, the sector could be at a notable inflection point in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Recology COO discusses how the West Coast company is weathering a year of wildfires, pandemic disruptions

Sal Coniglio – recently promoted to one of the company's top jobs – talks future plans, COVID-19 business effects and how previous fires taught the company to stock up on masks.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 11, 2020

Republic Services Q3: Annual M&A spend now on track for up to $900M

Driven by the pending acquisitions of Santek Waste and Randy's Environmental, Republic is on track for a big year. The company also reported sequential pandemic recovery in multiple lines of business.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 6, 2020

BLS data shows higher injury, illness rate for landfill workers in 2019

The annual data showed rates remaining relatively flat for collection workers (tracking with national workforce trends), while ticking up at landfills and improving at MRFs.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 5, 2020

Waste Management Q3: Executives optimistic about pandemic recovery, Advanced synergy savings

Executives reiterated cost saving expectations following the marathon deal process, highlighted incremental volume improvements, shared ESG spending updates and discussed the potential effects of a Biden victory.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 2, 2020

Diversity efforts taking shape at waste industry's big companies, but serious work remains

Public companies are increasing their focus on diversity and inclusion, from the frontlines to the boardroom, following national attention on racism. Nearly 74% of sector executives or senior managers are White males, per federal data.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 2, 2020

Top waste companies report further recovery in Q3, ongoing pandemic effects

The second full quarter to reflect the pandemic's effects showed ongoing recovery of overall volumes and stronger commodity pricing. See results from Waste Management, Republic, Waste Connections, GFL, Covanta and Casella.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 6, 2020