As some labor strains ease, the waste and recycling industry has further opportunity to grow its ranks

Pandemic-era labor challenges for the waste industry are persisting three years later. Read what experts from Stifel, SWANA, the Teamsters and the Women in Trucking Association think could help.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 19, 2023

Nashville launching $4.8M curbside recycling expansion

The Recycling Partnership, which is providing a grant, predicts that a shift to biweekly collection in the fast-growing Tennessee city could generate 156 million new pounds of recyclables over the next decade

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 18, 2023

CalRecycle ramping up SB 1383 compliance efforts as it kicks off $155M grant program

Jurisdictions can expect compliance reviews within four years as the state looks to increase progress on a target to cut organic waste disposal 75% by 2025. Additional grant funding for local governments is also being planned.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 13, 2023

6 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2023

The effects of ongoing M&A, the biogas boom, and regulatory and financial debates around plastics are among the most complex topics on Waste Dive’s radar in the new year.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 12, 2023

Municipalities that ditch curbside recycling are missing out on revenue, Florida report finds

Recent research from the University of Florida and the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation outlines the financial and environmental effects of multiple local governments dropping their curbside programs in recent years.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 12, 2023

Traffic fatalities dipped in 2022 while pedestrian and cyclist deaths rose: NHTSA

An estimated 31,785 people died in traffic crashes from January to September. Despite improvements in some areas, safety advocates noted concerning trends faced by pedestrians and cyclists. 

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 11, 2023

The fragile ecosystem of Massachusetts C&D recycling

The state’s construction recycling requirements have spurred a wave of new infrastructure investments and led to more acquisitions. Some say they’ve also constrained capacity, all while the region’s building boom continues.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 11, 2023

LRS grows in Michigan and Indiana with largest acquisitions to date

The purchases of Michiana Recycling & Disposal Service and Modern Waste Systems are the latest among dozens of transactions by the private equity-backed company in recent years.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 9, 2023

Number of waste workers grew faster than broader US jobs category over 2022

The number of people employed in the U.S. waste management and remediation services sector totaled 480,500 at the end of 2022, up roughly 3.85% since December 2021.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 9, 2023

Stadiums pursue new technologies and tactics to boost waste diversion

As fans flock back to large venues, many are seeing new or updated waste initiatives. Operators are experimenting with different collection systems, reusable cups, reverse vending machines, on-site sorting and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Jan. 19, 2023

FCC Environmental buys Houston hauler in second acquisition to date

The deal, which closed in December, involves a fleet of 40 trucks and marks a notable expansion for FCC’s presence in its headquarter city.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 6, 2023

Companies can no longer peg food waste recycling as a West Coast initiative

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s director of innovation recaps new and expanded drop-off and collection programs, plus new processing facilities to meet that demand, suggesting continued momentum for solutions in 2023.

By Olga Kachook • Jan. 5, 2023

By the numbers: 2022 waste and recycling trends with implications for 2023

Key data points on some of the top issues — M&A, ESG, inflation and policy — that illustrate another eventful year for the industry.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Jan. 4, 2023

GFL Environmental builds out Fort Wayne, Indiana, footprint with acquisition

The Canadian company recently purchased Bunn Box, a family-run hauler and facility operator. This is one of multiple local acquisitions since GFL was awarded a collection contract in Fort Wayne.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 22, 2022

Top interviews with waste and recycling leaders in 2022

Read some of the year’s most popular conversations with CEOs from Republic Services, WIN Waste Innovations, LRS and Vanguard Renewables, as well as leaders from WM, the U.S. EPA and other organizations.

Dec. 22, 2022

Massachusetts C&D market recovering from major wood market disruption

A turbine failure in Connecticut and a facility shutdown in Canada cut off key markets for months. This affected options for companies such as WIN Waste Innovations in a state where landfilling of wood is prohibited.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 21, 2022

Republic Services buys longtime family hauler in northwest Illinois

Moring Disposal, a privately-owned company since 1977, has a range of collection and transfer operations in the region. The deal marks an expansion for Republic in this part of the state.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 20, 2022

What’s next for renowned Minneapolis organics recycling program

More than half of eligible households have opted in to the city’s program, and Hennepin County considers this approach a model for the region. Potential policy and collection changes could aid further progress.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 20, 2022

With safety improvements, waste and recycling collection fell to the 7th deadliest job in 2021: BLS

The rate of fatal injuries decreased in solid waste collection in 2021. Its ranking compared with other dangerous jobs comes after a span as the fifth or sixth deadliest occupation.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Dec. 19, 2022

Chicago looks to turn the page on recycling challenges, accelerate progress on waste plan

Stakeholders from the Department of Streets and Sanitation, LRS and the nonprofit Delta Institute weigh in on composting plans and what’s next for a city that has long been portrayed as lagging on recycling. 

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 15, 2022

Specialty recycling pick-up services flip the script on items accepted curbside

Services from Ridwell, Rabbit Recycling, TerraCycle, Casella Waste Systems and others are seeing growth as consumers want more options for hard-to-recycle products. Yet some are also navigating cost and legal challenges.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 13, 2022

Commercial glass recycling program from GPI and GlassKing growing in Chicago

Expanding commercial bottle recycling is a key strategy for the glass packaging industry to reach a 50% recycling rate by 2030. The Arizona-based team behind a recent program in Chicagoland shares its initial results.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 12, 2022

Battle Motors CEO talks supply chains, the future of EVs for waste and operating in a ‘cutthroat business’

Michael Patterson, CEO of the industry newcomer that bought Crane Carrier Co., shared insights at this week’s WASTECON about what’s next for rapidly evolving fleet technologies.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 9, 2022

Waste and recycling M&A is as active as ever. What’s driving sellers to exit the industry?

Experts from Comerica Bank and Houlihan Lokey, along with speakers at the Corporate Growth Conference, share insights on how the deal environment has evolved in 2022.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 8, 2022

WASTECON host city San Diego plans organics, trash, plastics changes

With updated waste and circular economy goals as part of its climate action targets, the city is moving forward on key policy and infrastructure actions, an elected official detailed at the conference’s opening session.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 6, 2022