Denver City Council greenlights pay-as-you-throw system for 2023

Officials voted Monday to implement volume-based pricing for trash, expand recycling pickups and provide weekly compost collection at no added cost.

By Maria Rachal • Updated June 28, 2022

After years of growing awareness, ReFED director sees a 'rubber-meets-the-road moment' for food waste

The U.S. government's 2030 food loss and waste reduction goal is fast approaching, and food prices are on the rise. Dana Gunders discusses what this all means for ongoing efforts to reduce, recover and recycle wasted food.

By Cole Rosengren • April 6, 2022

White House credits apprenticeships, outreach for trucker employment gains

Domino's, Frito-Lay, PepsiCo, Albertsons and UPS are among more than 100 employers that have launched programs to improve driver retention since December.

By Colin Campbell • April 4, 2022

Dramatic expansion potential for waste projects seen by RNG Coalition CEO as climate efforts intensify

RNG projects at North American landfills, anaerobic digesters and other sites are set to grow exponentially in the coming years. Johannes Escudero breaks down what's ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • April 1, 2022

Solid waste worker deaths down 46% in 2021, SWANA reports

SWANA reported 28 industry fatalities in North America during 2021, with most of the deaths among collection workers. Vehicle-related deaths remain prevalent among workers and members of the public alike.

By Megan Quinn • March 22, 2022

Fuel price bump prompts surcharges, renewed interest in waste and recycling fleet transitions

Many private-sector and city fleet operators have systems in place to pass along heightened costs. Meanwhile, industry leaders are also monitoring how the war in Ukraine could further strain supply chains for trucks and parts.

By Maria Rachal • Updated March 17, 2022

City Haul: Inside top issues facing municipal waste leaders

How are waste agencies dealing with labor constraints? What do leaders tell residents who doubt the recycling system? Who are some of the new faces steering local U.S. operations? Catch up on past editions of City Haul.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Feb. 6, 2023

Biden touts direct municipal aid in ARPA, infrastructure law at NLC conference

Administration officials on Monday urged the implementation of funds for transportation, public health and other critical needs. City leaders discussed challenges with accessing grants and the need for more proactive spending.

By Maria Rachal • March 15, 2022

Plastics Recycling Conference: Supply solutions needed to meet 2025 demand growth projections

Analysts said brands may struggle to reach their packaging goals, but investments in mechanical and chemical recycling infrastructure, plus growing consensus on EPR policies, could help. 

By Megan Quinn • March 14, 2022

Notable chemical recycling, EPR and bottle bill updates pass in state legislatures

A canned wine bottle bill and mattress recycling EPR passed in Oregon, along with chemical recycling bills in Mississippi and West Virginia. The fate of New York's packaging EPR proposal is pending in the state budget process.

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 16, 2022

Washington governor signs bill calling for 75% reduction of organic waste disposal by 2030

The law is seen as a natural evolution from the state's recent work on recycling and climate change. Organics recyclers are especially focused on new compost procurement rules and first-in-the-nation compostable product guidelines.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated March 25, 2022

Waste Dive Live: What's next for waste and recycling in 2022?

Watch the videos from our Feb. 10 virtual event to hear perspectives from the Waste Dive team, The Recycling Partnership and Reloop.

By The Waste Dive Team • March 9, 2022

White House accelerates plans for zero-emission trucks

The Biden administration announced new grant funding for manufacturers and a proposed rule to dramatically curb nitrogen oxide emissions by 2031.

By Jim Stinson • March 7, 2022

Bonuses, balance and respect: What will it take to attract more waste and recycling job applicants?

Industry employers Republic, Casella and WIN Waste, as well as recruiters and other partners, talked through the do's and don'ts of job postings, hiring processes and creating attractive workplaces during recent SWANA events.

By Maria Rachal • March 7, 2022

FCC Environmental makes first US acquisition, forecasts 'many more'

The Spanish company's U.S. division recently purchased a Texas hauler to help densify its commercial routes. CEO Inigo Sanz discusses other recent developments as the operation works toward $300 million in revenue.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 25, 2022

City Haul: Labor constraints lead waste agencies to get creative

New adaptations, collaborations and resilience planning can help municipalities avoid service cutbacks when they face worker or equipment shortages, explain waste leaders from Alabama, Arizona, Texas, Virginia and elsewhere.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 24, 2022

Casella lays out 2024 strategy, touts Northeast disposal projects and Boston MRF upgrade

After years of M&A, the Vermont-based company is on track to approach $1 billion in revenue for 2022. Executives said they have wide flexibility to adjust prices amid inflation and outlined multiple areas for growth.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2022

Q4 earnings: Waste companies close out 2021 with inflation offset plans, sizable M&A activity, ESG spending

Pricing strategies are helping mitigate inflationary pressures, labor remains a challenge, MRF investment is growing and renewable natural gas projects at landfills are on the rise. Catch up on our takeaways from key public companies.

By The Waste Dive Team • Feb. 18, 2022

Republic Services CEO talks what's next after the US Ecology transaction

Jon Vander Ark elaborated on Republic's environmental services expansion in terms of next steps to close the deal, a strategic review of market areas, potential capital investments, PFAS opportunities, future M&A and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2022

Waste Connections closes 2021 with more than $1B in M&A spending, sees path to $10B in revenue

The company says it's prepared to handle pressures around inflation, labor and other issues. It also closed 30 deals last year and sees more to come, following an active start to 2022.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 17, 2022

WM drops 'waste' from its name, frames ESG approach at annual sustainability forum

The newly rebranded industry giant described itself as a "circular logistics operator" that is part of a "renewable energy revolution." Plus, panelists spoke on economics, circularity, climate justice, diversity, leadership and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2022

WIN Waste Innovations acquires New England recycler plus GFL-owned Georgia landfill

The purchase of two affiliated operations in Massachusetts further expands the company's transfer station network, including rail capabilities. The December acquisition of a southern rail-served landfill is also notable.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 15, 2022

Republic Services highlights 'both and' approach to grow solid waste, environmental solutions segments

On its fourth quarter and full-year 2021 earnings call, the industry's second-largest player touted a bundled services approach as part of the pending US Ecology buyout and said spending will continue across both businesses.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 11, 2022

GFL Environmental spinning off infrastructure division into new 'GFL 2.0,' says plenty more M&A ahead

GFL closed out its second year as a public company with sizable increases in revenue, fueled in part by spending CA$2.3 billion on 46 acquisitions. The Canadian company is eyeing dozens of new deals and more growth this year.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 10, 2022

EPR remains top item in state recycling policy debate, but bottle bills and plastic bans also in play

After a "breakthrough" in 2021, legislators and supporters aim to pass more laws in 2022 they say will improve recycling systems and curb litter. Competing stakeholder perspectives could complicate the finish line for many bills.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Feb. 10, 2022