Tip fees at MSW landfills see highest increase since 2018, report says

Average weighted tipping fees surpassed $60 nationwide last year, according to a new report from EREF. The increase occurred amid a highly inflationary environment and ongoing industry consolidation.

By Jacob Wallace • June 12, 2023

Houston, DOJ reach settlement over alleged environmental justice violations in illegal dumping case

Houston will implement a $17.8 million cleanup plan and undergo federal monitoring and training, among other agreements. Some residents applauded the development, but others worry it won’t lead to long-term changes. 

By Megan Quinn • June 9, 2023

West Virginia authority terminates Renovare’s lease at shuttered mixed waste facility in move to reopen

More than a year after the company largely abandoned its 110,000-ton-per-year operation, waste remains on-site and fires have occurred. U.S. Bank’s move to block a bankruptcy effort has further complicated the situation.

By Cole Rosengren • June 6, 2023

Industry veteran launches Waste Industry Historical Society to capture decades of knowledge

Anthony Ricchio, a longtime driver and current equipment specialist, grew up collecting waste phone book ads and toy trucks. Now, he hopes a new museum in Iowa can motivate others to share their own collections.

By Cole Rosengren • June 5, 2023

GFL closes sale of Colorado assets to Republic; its Casella divestiture gets DOJ approval

GFL Environmental expects to complete its broader divestiture campaign by the end of June, netting gross proceeds of about $1.6 million (Canadian). This specific package covers Denver and other key Colorado markets.

By Jacob Wallace • June 5, 2023

Private equity firms announce waste transfer and environmental services deals in Georgia and Texas

Bulk Express Transport, backed by Alterna Equity Partners, purchased Attaway Hauling. Separately, Allied Industrial Partners acquired a stake in Mat Tech Industrial Services.

By Cole Rosengren • June 1, 2023

California commission recommends a pause on SB 1383 organics law, industry disagrees

The Little Hoover Commission, a bipartisan group appointed by state officials, found that California is “poised to miss” its 2025 organic waste reduction targets. Companies such as Republic Services said it’s too late to turn back.

By Cole Rosengren • May 24, 2023

Rubicon sees ‘record high’ profit margin as its efforts continue to bolster company finances

While the company is still working to complete a refinancing plan and improve liquidity, executives said the high-margin software business and their price increase plans will further improve earnings by Q4.

By Cole Rosengren • May 23, 2023

Pay continued to grow for many top waste and recycling CEOs in 2022

See the latest compensation data for executives at WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, Harsco, Casella Waste Systems and Rubicon in our fifth annual report.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023

WIN Waste Innovations’ first sustainability report touts material recovery, avoided emissions

The Northeast-based company’s initial report includes statistics on the overall amount of material being recycled and managed, though it isn’t disclosing greenhouse gas emissions data yet.

By Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023

US waste and recycling industry worth $91B in 2022, landfill capacity consolidation continues

The latest Waste Business Journal data shows growing revenue and disposal prices, along with an ongoing decline of municipal market share. WM now accounts for more disposal volume than all local governments combined.

By Cole Rosengren • May 19, 2023

EPA seeks feedback on its new interactive recycling market mapping tool

The U.S. EPA wants its new map, which shows numerous details like recycling infrastructure locations, to be a comprehensive resource for the country. It says it needs help from the industry to make it more accurate.

By Megan Quinn • May 17, 2023

Continued labor challenges are leading top waste and recycling execs to innovate

Recruitment and retention were key topics at this month’s WasteExpo. Catch up on perspectives from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems and more.

By Cole Rosengren • May 16, 2023

How a pivotal Philadelphia election could shape the city’s future waste policy

Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary features a tight race among multiple candidates. The Waste Free Philly coalition has asked them to go big and rethink local services.

By Will Peischel • May 16, 2023

GFL Environmental’s sale of Colorado assets to Republic Services is pending

This large piece of GFL’s $1.6 billion (Canadian) divestiture package includes post-collection, recycling and hauling assets in key markets such as Denver and Colorado Springs.

By Cole Rosengren • May 11, 2023

Waste industry braces for ‘bumps and bruises’ in EV rollout as California sets the pace

Haulers and vehicle manufacturers at WasteExpo said they expect a potential collision between regulation-fueled demand and limited supply of battery-electric trucks. Charging infrastructure is also a growing concern.

By Jacob Wallace • May 10, 2023

WM CEO Jim Fish discusses the economy, labor automation and sustainability investments

The industry’s most high-profile executive weighed in about what will and won’t be changing when it comes to WM’s strategy on temporary labor, secondary processing for recyclables, anaerobic digestion and more.

By Cole Rosengren • May 10, 2023

Handley out as LRS CEO, Midwest company starts search for new leader

Alan Handley had been with the fast-growing Midwest hauler for a decade. The Macquarie-backed company recently did a corporate restructuring to support growth, though it has been quiet on acquisitions lately.

By Cole Rosengren • May 5, 2023

GFL Environmental sells Nashville assets to WM as part of bigger divestiture plan

The transaction is a small piece of a broader divestiture strategy intended to help GFL reduce debt leverage by streamlining its portfolio.

By Cole Rosengren • May 3, 2023

Second former Recology employee pleads guilty in San Francisco corruption case

John Porter, former vice president and manager of Recology’s San Francisco group, had previously been expected to go on trial for his alleged involvement in a multiyear effort to bribe a city official.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • May 3, 2023

Judge denies class action effort over Waste Connections’ pricing suit in Florida

A federal case alleging breach of contract due to the nature of rate increases over multiple years could have involved an estimated 20,000 commercial collection customers had the effort been certified.

By Cole Rosengren • May 2, 2023

Orders of natural gas-fueled and battery-powered refuse trucks rose in 2022, report says

A new consulting report anticipates that zero-emissions trucks will become “the law of the land” as companies and local governments continue shifting away from diesel.

By Jacob Wallace • May 1, 2023

Major waste companies spent an estimated $563M on Q1 acquisitions, with more to come this year

Catch up on the latest deal totals and 2023 outlooks from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

By Cole Rosengren • May 1, 2023

California passes zero-emission trucks rule with delayed 2042 timeline for waste industry

The new rule, designed to complement previous measures mandating that manufacturers transition, will allow more of a ramp-up period after advocacy by waste companies.

By Jacob Wallace • May 1, 2023

Casella sees ‘significant’ Mid-Atlantic expansion opportunities after GFL deal

Casella offered more details on its pending acquisition of GFL assets in three new states, including plans to internalize volumes at its forthcoming McKean Landfill site in Pennsylvania.

By Megan Quinn • April 28, 2023