The US waste and recycling industry in 2022 — what you need to know

Stories on M&A, recycling policy and organics recycling expansion — and how the economy and environmental justice considerations are shaping the industry’s path forward — have driven the news this year.

Dec. 5, 2022

Zero waste and job creation go hand in hand, activists say

Zero waste jobs are opportunities to support workers from overburdened communities, according to speakers at the National Zero Waste Conference, but they must prioritize circular economy and environmental justice principles.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 2, 2022

GFL launches first ESG targets, aiming to reduce GHG emissions 15% by 2030

The Canada-based company’s first set of detailed targets comes after its landfill portfolio has doubled in recent years. GFL is focusing on renewable natural gas projects as well as alternative fuel vehicles in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 29, 2022

How Redbox+ Dumpsters aims to grow its roll-off business in recession-resilient segments of construction

Doug Smith, senior vice president of franchise development at Belfor Franchise Group, discussed recent trends regarding demand for roll-off containers and what’s attracting new franchisees to the business.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 28, 2022

3 tips on building more inclusive recycling and waste programs for underserved communities

Speakers at the recent National Recycling Congress shared outreach and funding tips for communities where English is not the primary language, services are inconvenient or nonexistent or other systemic barriers exist.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 23, 2022

Rubicon announces layoffs, debt restructuring to stabilize company

The waste broker was previously facing serious liquidity issues, with $102.6 million worth of debt once set to mature in November. A software deal with Palantir Technologies was cited among its notable costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 21, 2022

Injury and illness rates for waste workers hit ‘historic’ low in 2021

SWANA says the decreased rates for workers on collection routes, as well as in MRFs and at landfill sites, are at their lowest since 2006.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Nov. 11, 2022

Waste execs pull back the curtain on inflation-driven pricing strategies

Leaders from LRS, Casella Waste Systems, Waste Pro, Denali Water Solutions and more shared their strategies during the Corporate Growth Conference.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 8, 2022

GFL Q3 revenue jumps, ESG targets to come this month

GFL Environmental’s revenue bump came amid economic headwinds and notable costs related to fuel, trucks and MRF fires, as discussed on its earnings call Thursday.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 3, 2022

Clean Harbors names co-CEOs in first major leadership change since its founding

Founder Alan McKim, who has led the environmental services company for 42 years, said he’ll still help drive M&A strategy and will pass off current responsibilities to multiple leaders.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 2, 2022

Waste Connections reports a decline in GHG emissions despite acquisitions, sets new ESG targets

The company plans investments in RNG facilities, MRFs and electric collection vehicles as well as new goals to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 15%, building on a recent decline of 7%, it said in its 2022 sustainability report.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 31, 2022

Q3 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Follow the latest round of financial results from WM, Republic Services, Casella Waste Systems, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and more.

Updated Dec. 1, 2022

Casella reports 13 acquisitions in 2022, sees M&A opportunity in potential recession

The Vermont-based company said its pricing and fee strategy have worked well in a tight economic environment. Executives also previewed upcoming plans for acquisition and landfill expansion spending.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 28, 2022

Environmental justice voices in the waste and recycling industry

Catch up on these Q&A conversations with experts from the U.S. EPA, Ya Fav Trashman, Detroit Dirt and others on how the waste and recycling industry can play a role in environmental justice efforts.

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 14, 2023

Casella narrows ESG focus to 5 key targets for 2030

The Vermont-based company previously set 10 ESG targets in its 2020 report but has narrowed the focus to five key metrics related to emissions reduction, recycling volumes, fleet efficiency and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 27, 2022

WM spent nearly $200M on acquisitions in Q3, outlines future potential of big ESG investments

Recycling revenues are taking a hit, but executives said their updated contract models will provide insulation. CEO Jim Fish also shared a goal to eventually expand margins via price increases, not just recover costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2022

Lost carts, heavy volumes: Florida waste haulers get back to work after Hurricane Ian

Waste Pro and WM are among the companies that have worked through heavy waste volumes, long wait times at disposal sites, damaged infrastructure, limited access to certain island areas and other disruptions.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 18, 2022

New York approves another increase to commercial waste rates in rare move driven by inflation

Licensed haulers in the five boroughs operate under maximum pricing caps that can remain unchanged for years. The city’s move is a recognition of rising labor, fuel, equipment and disposal costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 18, 2022

Republic follows WM, Stericycle in agreeing to civil rights audit

Republic says it will conduct an independent audit despite shareholders voting down a similar proposal in May. Groups including the Teamsters and As You Sow want the company to be more transparent about environmental justice.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 7, 2022

City Haul: Making yard waste programs more resilient

Despite staffing shortages, contamination challenges and other issues, municipal waste leaders are working to better serve residents and help diversion goals by making programs more consistent and expansive.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 26, 2022

Los Angeles had a rocky commercial waste zone rollout but is seeing results. What’s in store for New York?

New York has big goals for its zone system to boost diversion rates, infrastructure investment and labor standards. First, the city and haulers must navigate a transition process that one LA official called “six months of hell.”

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 19, 2022

National Sword kicked off a wave of MRF investments. 5 years later, tech and funding continue to advance.

While the initial shock led facility operators to scramble, many have since invested millions in new equipment to improve material quality. Now, brand commitments and state policies are expected to be the next big market drivers.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 14, 2022

US job growth tempered in August as waste management and remediation added 2.3K employees

After big increases in July, the pace of U.S. job growth in August slowed, and overall unemployment grew. For waste collection, MRFs and landfill workers, month-to-month results in August remained stronger than average.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 7, 2022

NLRB proposes return to broad joint employer rule

The regulation, which stems from organizing efforts at a Republic Services MRF, has been the subject of a political ping-pong match for years.

By Emilie Shumway • Sept. 7, 2022

‘Like holding a bronco back’: Pro Disposal charts a path for controlled growth in South Carolina

President Alex Cano and investors explained how a new disposal acquisition sets the company up for further growth in the Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia, corridor.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 1, 2022