2023 brought some aspect of normalcy to waste and recycling operations, after a turbulent period of pandemic and economic challenges.
Workforce issues and inflation showed signs of improvement, and many companies reported positive earnings results. The pace of state and federal policy changes was also somewhat muted versus prior years. At the same time, the sector still saw a complex commodity price environment, notable M&A activity and other trends.
We’ve gathered some of the industry’s highlights by the numbers to help reflect on 2023. What themes will you be watching in 2024? Let us know at waste.dive.editors@industrydive.com.
Labor and the economy
welcomia via Getty Images
By the numbers
7th
Waste collection was the seventh deadliest job in 2022, according to BLS data released in December. It’s the same ranking as the previous year.
The number of workers on a new contract negotiated between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and several waste companies in Chicago. The agreement followed a busy labor year during which Teamsters in Atlanta and Mack Truck workers represented by UAW ratified contracts.
The increase in the “waste collection” producer price index between November 2022 and 2023, according to BLS data. That’s compared to an overall PPI increase of 7.4% during the same period.
The number of workers employed in “waste management and remediation services” in November 2023, according to seasonally adjusted BLS data. That number is up 16,000 from November 2022.
M&A
Courtesy of Republic Services
By the numbers
100+
The number of transactions involving U.S. solid waste companies tracked by Waste Dive so far in 2023, during a year which saw activity decline slightly relative to prior boom years.
Estimated M&A spending by the industry’s top five publicly traded companies through Q3, led by Republic Services.
$1.6B (Canadian)
GFL Environmental’s proceeds from divesting select assets to WM, Republic Services and Casella Waste Systems in multiple states — transactions which accounted for a notable amount of overall industry spending this year.
6
The number of years Florida-based Coastal Waste & Recycling had been operating before it was acquired by a Macquarie Asset Management fund — one of the year’s more notable investments in a growing company.
Federal policy
U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan at COP28
Sean Gallup via Getty Images
By the numbers
$105M
The amount of funding the U.S. EPA released in 2023 for Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants meant to improve communities’ recycling, organics and waste management systems throughout the country.
$33M
The amount of funding the EPA released for Recycling Education and Outreach grants intended to help engage the public through training and other resources.
6
The number of PFAS chemicals listed in the EPA’s proposed drinking water standard, which is expected to be finalized sometime in January. The proposed regulations will set legally enforceable drinking water standards, which could impact how waste facilities monitor or manage PFAS-containing material like leachate.
State and local policy
Annapolis, Maryland
Mark Wilson via Getty Images
By the numbers
21
The number of members on Maryland’s extended producer responsibility advisory council, who will report findings and recommendations on a proposed EPR plan for the state next year. Haulers, processors, composters, local government agencies, PROs and consumer goods representatives are included on the council.
30
The number of states that introduced right-to-repair legislation in 2023. Three states passed notable right to repair laws for various products this year: California, Minnesota and Colorado.
223 million
The amount of additional containers CalRecycle estimates California will process in its container deposit system when the state adds 100% fruit and vegetable juice containers to the bottle bill. Gov. Gavin Newsom approved the expansion in October.
$32M
The amount New York’s Department of Sanitation expects to save as a result of proposed budget cuts for fiscal year 2024, which includes eliminating community composting and delaying the rollout of its curbside organics program in the Bronx and Staten Island.
Commodities
Casella’s retrofitted MRF in Boston
Cole Rosengren/Waste Dive
By the numbers
The decrease in average blended commodity prices Republic and WM, respectively, reported in Q3 2023 compared to the previous year. Most companies saw major decreases in commodity values on OCC, mixed paper and plastics, though some fiber prices were beginning to recover by the year’s end.
25%
The EPA projected that renewable natural gas volumes would increase by 25% year-over-year from 2023 to 2025 in its update to the Renewable Fuel Standard. That growth rate means greater generation of RIN credits, which is expected to bolster waste-to-RNG project development.
The amount of surplus food composted in 2022, according to data from ReFED. That’s compared to 32.6 million tons of surplus food landfilled in the same year.
