AMCS sees opportunity to advance tech adoption amid waste industry consolidation

North America President Michael Winton discusses the company’s mix of new and existing business, areas for further AI applications and more.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 4, 2022

Strategic Materials acquires Ripple Glass, plans to grow collection beyond current Midwest footprint

SMI, North America’s largest glass recycler, sees Ripple as an expert in engaging residents. Started by a Kansas City, Missouri, brewery in 2009, Ripple has since grown to offer services in multiple states.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 28, 2022

City Haul: Making yard waste programs more resilient

Despite staffing shortages, contamination challenges and other issues, municipal waste leaders are working to better serve residents and help diversion goals by making programs more consistent and expansive.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 26, 2022

Hutcheson confirmed as FMCSA head, ending agency’s yearslong void

The agency has lacked a permanent leader since Ray Martinez left the post in late 2019. A key focus for Administrator Robin Hutcheson will be addressing the “unacceptable trend” of roadway fatalities.

By David Taube • Sept. 23, 2022

Council hearing features ideas to boost New York City’s stagnant diversion rate

During a public hearing on Tuesday, residents urged the Department of Sanitation to direct more time and resources to organics programs, education efforts and outreach to overlooked communities.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 21, 2022

California Gov. Newsom vetoes bill to set recycled content standards for plastic thermoforms

The bill could have interfered with a broader extended producer responsibility law he signed this summer, Newsom said in a veto message. Bill supporters disagreed, while plastics industry groups applauded the decision.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 20, 2022

Los Angeles had a rocky commercial waste zone rollout but is seeing results. What’s in store for New York?

New York has big goals for its zone system to boost diversion rates, infrastructure investment and labor standards. First, the city and haulers must navigate a transition process that one LA official called “six months of hell.”

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 19, 2022

What’s next for Battle Motors, the fast-growing manufacturer focused on refuse trucks, after $150M funding

Chief Technology Officer Kelleigh Ash discussed the company’s major manufacturing expansion, its relationships with former Crane Carrier Co. customers and the move toward an electric future.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 16, 2022

WM’s VP of recycling discusses what the Avangard acquisition means for plastic markets

WM has invested in secondary processing ventures before, but VP Brent Bell said the market conditions make this round different. He also shared what the deal could mean for a Honeywell chemical recycling proposal and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 14, 2022

On electric truck transition, SWANA recommends wait-and-see approach

The research analysis of compressed natural gas, electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric-powered refuse trucks comes as fleet managers navigate a growing array of alternative fuel options.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 13, 2022

Updated indictment could be coming in alleged bribery case of former Recology employee

John Porter, former vice president and manager of Recology’s San Francisco group, was indicted earlier this summer. He is one of two former Recology employees charged in a much broader corruption investigation.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 9, 2022

Ragin’ Raccoon’s plan to conquer a niche waste market: vacation rentals

The new startup, which provides “white glove” collection service for short-term rental properties, is looking to make its mark in areas including Philadelphia; Annapolis, Maryland; and Telluride, Colorado.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 9, 2022

Republic Services expands Colorado footprint with two hauling acquisitions

The purchases of Monument Waste Services and Rocky Mountain Sanitation give the company a larger presence in the state’s Western Slope region. One company also operates a newer landfill in that market.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 8, 2022

US job growth tempered in August as waste management and remediation added 2.3K employees

After big increases in July, the pace of U.S. job growth in August slowed, and overall unemployment grew. For waste collection, MRFs and landfill workers, month-to-month results in August remained stronger than average.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 7, 2022

Waste Connections purchases A.J. Blosenski, one of Pennsylvania’s largest independent haulers

The multigenerational company has a large collection fleet, a rail-served C&D transfer facility and a dual-stream MRF. The transaction is seen as a logical expansion following Waste Connections’ purchase of Penn Waste.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 7, 2022

California bottle bill adds wine and spirits, plus last-minute funding for glass markets and recycling

The state’s largest recyclers and companies including Anheuser-Busch and Ball Corp. supported the measure, but it lost backing from environmental advocacy groups in the final stages due to cost concerns.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 2, 2022

WM buys central Virginia hauler and recycler in latest sign of M&A return

Green Earth, a company based in Harrisonburg that offers collection services and container rentals throughout the Shenandoah Valley, announced its sale in a letter to customers.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 2, 2022

WM acquires Ray’s Trash, the largest private hauler in the Indianapolis area

Ray’s, a family-run business since 1965, comes with hundreds of trucks and multiple transfer or recycling facilities. This is the first larger acquisition for WM since it bought Advanced Disposal Services in 2020.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 1, 2022

California closes another banner year for waste and recycling legislation with numerous bills

New action on the state’s container redemption program, diversion credits for waste-to-energy facilities and recycled content standards for thermoform plastic all passed at the end of the session.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 1, 2022

‘Like holding a bronco back’: Pro Disposal charts a path for controlled growth in South Carolina

President Alex Cano and investors explained how a new disposal acquisition sets the company up for further growth in the Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia, corridor.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 1, 2022

California legislature advances battery EPR and takeback bills, aiming to avert facility fires

The bills, supported by solid waste districts and haulers like Republic Services, intend to make battery recycling more convenient for consumers while improving safety along collection routes and in recycling or transfer facilities.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Sept. 1, 2022

Plugging $1B for alternative fuel vehicles, EPA head test-drives electric garbage truck

Inflation Reduction Act funding will be available “to replace dirty heavy-duty trucks with zero-emission models,” a recent video with EPA Administrator Michael Regan highlighted.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 30, 2022

LRS CEO outlines how M&A and sustainability are creating a Midwest powerhouse

One year into Macquarie’s ownership of LRS, CEO Alan Handley shared what’s next for the company’s expansion, talked plans to hit a $600 million revenue run rate, previewed a new Chicago MRF and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 30, 2022

San Francisco’s former DPW director, who took bribes from Recology, sentenced to 7 years

Nuru engaged in a multiyear corruption scheme with multiple city contractors, including Recology. One former Recology employee who pleaded guilty is due for sentencing and another was recently indicted.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 26, 2022

With sponsored CDL training, city waste leaders hope ‘if you build it, they will come’

Facing significant vacancies in public works roles, Indianapolis and Lubbock, Texas, are some of the latest cities to pay for CDLs, GED completion or other training for job requirements.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 26, 2022