Scrap Collector: Time for federal action on plastic pollution?

Plus: mussels losing their grip to microplastics, Recology MRF workers struggling with needle influx and UK politicians calling for an end to plastic waste exports abroad.

By Rina Li • Feb. 8, 2019

Report identifies factors in Advanced Disposal landfill slope failure that left one dead

A third-party root cause analysis, recently approved by Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection, breaks down the complex factors behind a February 2017 incident at the Greentree Landfill.

By Igor Geyn • Feb. 7, 2019

Study: ELD mandate may lead to unsafe driving behavior

A new study from researchers at Northeastern University and the University of Arkansas found the ELD mandate did increase the hours of service compliance for truckers, but there was little evidence of safety benefits. 

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 7, 2019

Scrap Collector: Memphis sanitation strike's living legacy, Ocean Cleanup's destructive potential

Plus: waste collection work linked to musculoskeletal disorders, Malaysia cracks down on illegal plastic importers and China announces plans for "waste-free cities."

By Rina Li • Jan. 25, 2019

SWANA: 17 industry-related fatalities in North America so far this year

A recent spike in worker and third-party incidents in January was described as "unprecedented" by SWANA CEO David Biderman.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 23, 2019

Democrats introduce $15 minimum wage bill

The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 also would do away with the tipped minimum wage and the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities.

By Katie Clarey • Jan. 18, 2019

Waste Management adding 'buffer' truck in Texas after worker fatality

This seemingly unique defense against distracted driving will be used in one particularly high-traffic area, though an ongoing conversion to automated side-load trucks is still said to be a national priority.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 15, 2019

Houston approves $5M for recycling contractor and truck rentals to fix collection mess

The Houston City Council agreed to bring in Texas Pride Disposal Solutions for temporary service on recycling routes, along with new vehicles from Big Truck Rental, as service delays continue.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Jan. 17, 2019

Scrap Collector: 'Trump's Trash' and the Oakland Garbage Blitz

Plus: an NYC proposal aims for increased private waste industry oversight, and a nonprofit takes on Big Plastic.

By Rina Li • Jan. 11, 2019

6 key questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2019

We'll be keeping an eye on recycling, climate change, landfills, alternative technologies, corporate consolidation, labor issues and much more in the year ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 9, 2019

How to plan for the best when faced with a worst-case scenario facility fire

Fire Rover’s Ryan Fogelman discusses the importance of planning, training and investing in the proper equipment to achieve the best possible outcome during a fire incident.

By Ryan Fogelman • Jan. 4, 2019

Appeals court sends Browning-Ferris joint employer question back to NLRB

The D.C. Circuit approved the board's Obama-era standard, but experts say it's unclear whether this limits NLRB's upcoming rulemaking.

By Kate Tornone • Jan. 2, 2019

Our 10 best stories of 2018

Catch up on some of our biggest stories involving Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Rubicon Global, TerraCycle and, of course, China.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 21, 2018

After nearly 6 months without contract, ecomaine workers strike a contentious deal

Terms agreed to by the International Union of Engineers and the nonprofit WTE/recycling operator may come at the expense of deep division over new rotating shift requirements.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 21, 2018

Scrap Collector: Microplastics found in Earth's deepest point, Philly cameras catching litterbugs in the act

Plus: rough sailing for ocean garbage collector, suspended Alabama workers reinstated after strike and the EU's latest push against plastic.

By Rina Li • Dec. 21, 2018

BLS: Fatality rate for collection workers 10x national average

New national data indicates 30 "refuse and recyclable material collectors" died on the job in 2017. NWRA and SWANA responded with their own takes on what this means for industry safety standards.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 18, 2018

Boston inches toward final 'zero waste' plan, eyes curbside organics pilot

While enthusiastic about the expansive scope of a new report, many advocates remain unhappy with the lack of specific "living wage" contract language for recycling workers.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 17, 2018

SWEEP standard — LEED for waste and recycling — releases ambitious proposal

After more than two years of work by many of the industry's biggest corporate and government players, the Solid Waste Environmental Excellence Protocol now has draft language ready for comments.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 17, 2018

Scrap Collector: $16M California recycling fraud bust, lessons from Flint's water crisis

Plus: accusations of "politically motivated" sanitation worker sickout, wasting disease in animal carcasses and the triumphant return of Garbage Hill.

By Rina Li • Dec. 7, 2018

San Francisco passes ordinance requiring waste audits for large generators

More than 400 locations will now be subject to a review of their recycling practices every three years and could be required to hire on-site "zero waste facilitators."

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 5, 2018

Scrap Collector: Recycling cuts; latest worker fatality

Plus: M&A news from Santek and Meridian, corporate recycling developments and the unseen e-waste nightmare lurking behind this holiday season.

By Cole Rosengren , Rina Li • Nov. 30, 2018

Embattled New York hauler Sanitation Salvage surrenders license

The company, once among the city's largest, never fully recovered from a one-month suspension. It leaves behind an estimated 2,100 customers.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 28, 2018

Waste Management, Teamsters head to court over Reno, Nevada strike threats

The conflict over whether employees must electronically log their lunch breaks has escalated into a temporary restraining order and dueling NLRB complaints.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 20, 2018

Consider the MRF worker: Leadpoint's push to change an overlooked occupation

In the face of increasing quality expectations and injury rates, MRF employment needs to evolve. Pat Hudson discusses how Leadpoint is working to achieve that.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 20, 2018

Poll: Texting while driving viewed as widespread problem in cities

Respondents in Denver and Houston expressed the most concern about texting and driving, while NYC and San Francisco topped the list of cities that worry about texting and walking.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 20, 2018