The U.S. waste and recycling industry spent much of 2022 living out the old adage, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Companies finally started to regain their footing after several years of pandemic-related job hurdles, with the workforce showing signs of improvement and another year of strong acquisition activity. At the same time, the industry had to dodge new economic challenges from inflation and low commodity prices by enacting higher pricing strategies.
Companies also made further moves related to their environmental impact. Several have updated their ESG goals and fleet spending strategies. Meanwhile, state and federal legislation finalized in 2022 could make an impact into the new year and beyond.
We’ve captured some of the waste and recycling industry’s 2022 highlights by the numbers, which could hint at trends to come this year. What themes do you think will define 2023? Let us know at waste.dive.editors@industrydive.com.
M&A
Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
By the numbers
The total 2022 acquisition spending by the industry’s top five public solid waste companies, through Q3. This includes Republic Services’ $2.2 billion acquisition of US Ecology.
149+
The number of waste and recycling-related acquisitions in the U.S. included in Waste Dive’s running M&A tracker for 2022.
1938
The year Oregon’s Rogue Disposal & Recycling was founded. Rogue’s sale to Waste Connections was one of many examples of long-running private companies choosing to sell in 2022.
ESG
Courtesy of Archaea Energy
By the numbers
$4.8 billion
The combined purchase prices of Archaea (sold to BP for $4.1 billion) and Vanguard Renewables (sold to BlackRock Real Assets for a reported $700 million). These deals are among the largest involving renewable natural gas from waste, a sign of growing investor interest in the space.
2030-2033
The range of target years for new and updated greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals set by major waste companies. 2022 saw new goals from GFL Environmental and Waste Connections, as well as updated targets from WM and Casella Waste Systems.
12%, 15%, 21% and 57%
According to company ESG reports released in 2022, the portion of Waste Connections’ fleet made up of alternative fueled vehicles; portion of GFL’s solid waste fleet powered by CNG; portion of Republic’s fleet powered by RNG; and portion of WM’s fleet transitioned to CNG, respectively.
Less than 100
The number of electric refuse trucks thought to be operating in the U.S. and Canada, the Solid Waste Association of North America estimated in a September 2022 report.
Workforce and inflation
Courtesy of Hi-Tech Resource Recovery
By the numbers
Approximately 20,000
The increase in the number of workers employed in “waste management and remediation services” between November 2021 and 2022, according to employment data shared by the U.S. Department of Labor. Some 482,400 workers were employed as of November, per seasonally adjusted figures, a 4.3% year-over-year increase.
7.1%
The increase in the “all items index” over the 12 months between November 2021 and 2022, in the Consumer Price Index. Inflation soared in 2022 and, in some cases, private waste operators reacted by instituting record-high pricing.
State policy
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
By the numbers
3
States with bottle bill updates in 2022 included California, Iowa and Oregon — a notable number considering such updates usually are rare. California expanded its bottle bill to include wine and spirits, among other updates, while Oregon updated its law to include canned wine. Iowa increased the reimbursement paid to bottle redemption centers.
4
States with extended producer responsibility for packaging laws. California is the most recent state to adopt EPR for packaging with the passage of its major bill, SB 54, in August. Colorado passed its EPR bill in June, which also establishes a statewide recycling fund. Maine and Oregon passed theirs in 2021.
21
The number of states that have passed laws reclassifying chemical recycling as a manufacturing process instead of waste disposal. These controversial laws, which differ slightly from state to state, are backed by the American Chemistry Council. Michigan was the 21st state to adopt the law in December when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of bills to overhaul the state’s recycling strategy.
Federal policy
Megan Quinn/Waste Dive
By the numbers
3
The number of federal laws with effects on waste and recycling operations President Biden signed into law in 2022. The Strategic EV Management Act, signed in December as part of the annual defense budget, has numerous EV battery recycling provisions. The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, signed in August, could make it easier to access microchips for new equipment and reduce wait times on deliveries of new trucks, the waste industry says. The Inflation Reduction Act included several tax credit provisions relevant to the waste industry, including for biogas.
February 15
Deadline to apply for long-awaited recycling infrastructure and education grants from the U.S. EPA, which will disburse $100 million to states, municipalities, and other entities. Funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
