Archaea buys out RNG partner at Republic-owned landfill, bringing lawsuit to an end

Republic and Archaea are project partners on an ambitious RNG portfolio around the country. But the two companies have been at odds over a landfill gas facility in Los Angeles County in which DTE Energy had a stake.

Circular Action Alliance names its first CEO

Jeff Fielkow has decades of recycling and packaging experience at Tetra Pak, WM and elsewhere. The producer responsibility organization is ramping up work in Colorado, Oregon and California.

Redemption rates for many bottle bill states declined in 2023; Massachusetts ranks lowest

The Container Recycling Institute said recent changes to programs in California and Connecticut could help improve numbers, citing promising Q1 data from the latter state this year.

New York City inked a $7M large bin contract. Advocates want more.

The New York Department of Sanitation contract is for large, on-street shared waste containers. A proposal for small residential buildings to use individual bins instead has zero waste advocates frustrated.

Updated Aug. 12, 2024

4 landfill stories to follow this summer

WM won a court victory in New York, and a new county landfill got approved in Florida. Meanwhile, federal lawmakers are scrutinizing a Republic site in Oregon, and a recent study examined PFAS levels in landfill gas.

How Minnesota’s packaging stakeholders got EPR across the finish line

Policy and environmental leads told the story of how compromise led to the latest extended producer responsibility for packaging bill passed into law during a Product Stewardship Institute event.

Rumpke opens $100M MRF in Ohio to meet rising regional needs

The facility, said to be the largest and most advanced in North America, includes AI-assisted technology and three tipping floors, along with community spaces for education and a training center for employees. 

How agencies in 6 states plan to spend millions from EPA climate pollution grants

State and local governments began applying for the $4.3 billion program earlier this year. Awardees in Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington plan to fund efforts to address their waste systems.

Waste-to-RNG projects closed out first half of 2024 largely on target

Executives from WM, BP and Republic Services reported project progress during recent earnings calls. Many had a positive tone despite uncertainty from interconnection delays and recent Supreme Court rulings.

What the Supreme Court’s Chevron reversal could mean for PFAS and labor regulations

Ripple effects of the Chevron doctrine reversal may not affect operations for waste and recycling companies yet but could affect future federal rulemaking and legal challenges. NWRA’s CEO and legal experts weigh in.

Top waste companies spent $835M on Q2 M&A, forecast more to come this year

WM, Waste Connections and GFL Environmental reported notable transactions during the period, while others were less active. Casella’s Q3 totals are expected to be higher due to deals that closed this summer.

Target still struggles to lower virgin plastic use by 2025 deadline

While the retailer made some progress toward its goal to reduce virgin plastic use in its own-brand packaging 20% by 2025, it’s still using more — not less — than the 2020 baseline.

Q2 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies in 2024

Follow the latest results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, Clean Harbors and Enviri.

Updated Aug. 6, 2024

Enviri’s Clean Earth reports record earnings, potential to expand via M&A

Executives said all three of the company' business segments “exceeded expectations” for the quarter. Efficiency measures helped even out headwinds from foreign exchange rates and rail contract issues.

Casella touts key mid-Atlantic acquisitions, facility improvements for strong Q2

Casella offered more details on its acquisitions of Whitetail Disposal and LMR, as well as updates to the rail-served McKean Landfill, all of which support its growing footprint in the broader Pennsylvania area.

GFL has no plans to go private, plans auction of environmental services business

CEO Patrick Dovigi said the company received interest from several buyers for its liquid waste and soil remediation business. A potential sale could reduce leverage while funding stock buybacks and more solid waste M&A.

Starbucks piloting compostable cold cups in select California and Minnesota locations

The cups are manufactured from double-walled paperboard with a bioplastic liner, and the lids are made from molded fiber. The two states were selected for the initial rollout based on local mandates.

Updated Aug. 13, 2024

Casella acquires Whitetail Disposal and LMR Disposal, expanding mid-Atlantic footprint

The deals, first reported by Waste Dive, expand Casella’s presence in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. Casella expects they will generate an estimated $100 million in annualized revenue.

Updated Aug. 1, 2024

ReMA urges federal court to review EPA’s PFAS hazardous substance designation

ReMA’s petition challenging the CERCLA hazardous substance designation for certain PFAS follows a similar petition from NWRA. Recycling and waste industry groups worry about unintended consequences from the rule.

3 tips to boost recycled material supply from NERC’s new ‘living resource’

The new guide uses case studies to illustrate how MRFs, nonprofits, government entities and private companies have found solutions to boost recycled materials supplies across the U.S. 

Clean Harbors gains stronger-than-expected returns from HEPACO, ups guidance

The company is undertaking several initiatives to address low base oil prices for its Safety-Kleen business. It continues to see growth in environmental services, however, and is open to more M&A on that front.

Mars doubts it can achieve 2025 sustainable packaging targets

Almost half of Mars’ packaging portfolio is being redesigned or eliminated to align with current or future recycling infrastructure. But infrastructure advancement is taking longer than expected, per its latest sustainability report.

Vanguard Renewables looks to expand hauling, logistics with key hire

Vanguard is planning to build out its organics solutions business and offer more services to customers. The company is open to M&A as it grows this division, its first president said. 

Waste companies announce more PFAS projects in July

A federal appeals court dismissed Chemours’ lawsuit against the EPA related to a PFAS advisory, while Waste Connections, Montrose Environmental and Crystal Clean all announced notable PFAS mitigation projects.

Updated July 31, 2024

Walmart partnering with Denali to depackage, recycle organics at 1,400-plus locations

The rollout comes after the two companies made their partnership public last year. Denali estimates it can recover 200,000 pounds of food waste per location annually.