WM CEO on the 'battle against contamination' and why he gave bonuses

Waste Management's Jim Fish was optimistic after another good year, despite ongoing China headwinds, and hinted at a new robotic recycling pilot. Additionally, COO Jim Trevathan announced his retirement.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2018

What Trump's budget would mean for the waste industry

Documents released by the White House and federal agencies show new resource provision in some areas — but include cuts in funding for waste sector programs.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 13, 2018

Safety in the spotlight with numerous 'Slow Down' bills, more public attention

A new "Safety Stand Down" on backing and the 50th anniversary of the Memphis sanitation strike have been raising awareness of the issue.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 13, 2018

An impending perfect storm: The collision of automation and an aging workforce

What could larger trends mean for the waste industry?

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett , Cody Boteler • Feb. 12, 2018

Republic CEO on tax 'windfall' plans: New trucks and locker rooms, not bonuses

Out of all our post-tax cut earnings coverage, this one resonated the most. CEO Don Slager described why focusing on retention was the best use of $190 million in cash tax savings during the company's Q4 earnings call.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 9, 2018

UPDATE: Chuck Rizzo Jr's bail revoked, ordered to surrender Tuesday

Rizzo, who is awaiting sentencing in March, violated his bond by speaking with a witness at a Casino in December.

By Cole Rosengren , Cody Boteler • Feb. 9, 2018

Labor shortages top the 2018 list of small business concerns

Even with low unemployment numbers, the waste industry is struggling to staff qualified drivers.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Feb. 6, 2018

Talkin' Trash: A fatal crash leads to a federal investigation; DSNY considers 'save-as-you-throw'

Also in Talkin' Trash this week: The latest about how China's import policies are playing out across the U.S. and a look at Waste Management's Sustainability Forum.

By Cole Rosengren , Cody Boteler • Feb. 2, 2018

Wages aren't keeping pace with inflation, Glassdoor reports

The annual median base pay in the U.S. has grown only 0.9% year-over-year to $51,364. 

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Feb. 1, 2018

Sanitation worker killed in collision with train carrying congressional Republicans

While the incident gained notoriety because the train was carrying a group of Republican lawmakers, it also marks the sixth collection worker killed on the job in 2018.

By Cody Boteler • Feb. 1, 2018

Workers want a raise — a $6K raise, to be exact

A new survey shows that many workers feel their performance merits a raise, and they plan to ask for one this year.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Jan. 30, 2018

UPDATE: Government shutdown saw local workers spend 28 hours collecting waste

During the 69-hour government shutdown, municipal employees in the nation's capital collected just under 13 tons of material from federal land.

By Cody Boteler • Jan. 29, 2018

Franchising debate already changing NYC commercial waste industry

Heightened attention to safety, new recycling rules, environmental justice politics and ongoing stories from Los Angeles have brought added complexity to an already contentious reform debate.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 22, 2018

You can fix internal skills gaps — but you have to find them first

When training shortcomings start affecting the bottom line, it's time to identify exactly where employees are missing the mark.

By Riia O'Donnell • Jan. 18, 2018

How Waste Pro plans to build its 'own army' of drivers and mechanics

The company's recent partnership with the Florida Department of Corrections is the latest example of a hiring strategy to cope with low unemployment rates.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 18, 2018

Waste Management CEO: Tax cut bonus good for employee retention, more could come

The Waste Management CEO was asked to respond to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's description of post-tax cut bonuses as "crumbs" during a Fox Business interview.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 16, 2018

SWANA: 7 solid waste fatalities in first 10 days of 2018

The Solid Waste Association of North America announced a chapter-based small hauler outreach program, in hopes of reducing the number of fatal incidents.

By Cody Boteler • Jan. 11, 2018

European Union considers tax on plastic bags and packaging

The tax is being proposed to help fill a budget shortfall and protect the environment from plastic pollution.

By Cody Boteler • Jan. 11, 2018

Waste Management announces $2K bonus for employees, citing tax bill

The company said about 34,000 employees who aren't on sales incentive or bonus plans would be eligible.

By Cody Boteler • Jan. 11, 2018

OSHA is down 40 safety inspectors, raising enforcement questions

Site inspections are up overall, but specific regions have seen a decline.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Jan. 11, 2018

Supreme Court won't weigh in on FLSA joint employment debate

The Court declined to review a controversial 4th Circuit decision, allowing a circuit split on joint liability to stand.

By Kathryn Moody • Jan. 10, 2018

Study shows slight gain in number of employees signing up for voluntary benefits

It could be a sign that such offerings will pick up steam in 2018.

By Ryan Golden , Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Jan. 4, 2018

Wilkes-Barre, PA considers privatizing collection, only gets 1 bid

Waste Management submitted $15.9 million proposal for three years. Another company said this was all a city tactic in ongoing labor negotiations.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 3, 2018

Department of Labor raises OSHA penalties by 2%

The increased penalty amounts will be levied to keep them in line with inflation.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 3, 2018

37 state and local minimum-wage increases take effect nationwide

Minimum wage increases in 18 states and 19 cities are now in effect, with more set for later in the year.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Jan. 2, 2018