2021 earnings coverage for US waste and recycling companies

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly analysis of results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and others during 2021.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 18, 2022

2021 earnings coverage: Waste Connections

For the industry's third-largest company, 2021 continued a trend of heightened M&A activity, new ESG investments and ongoing pandemic recovery.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 17, 2022

2021 earnings coverage: Republic Services

Revisit Waste Dive's coverage of Republic's earnings reports from an eventful year, which featured ramped up spending on ESG efforts and M&A, including the acquisitions of Santek Waste Services and ACV Enviro.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 11, 2022

2021 earnings coverage: WM

The North American waste industry's largest company was focused on integrating Advanced Disposal Services, ramping up recycling investments and maneuvering through pandemic effects throughout the year.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 2, 2022

Q3 earnings: A complex economic recovery continues, with M&A spending on the rise

Inflation and labor were also cited as notable challenges during recent reports. Catch up on our takeaways from key public companies.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Nov. 4, 2021

Republic Services M&A spending on track to top $1B in 2021, highest in over a decade

The company is also making investments in landfill gas projects and expanding its environmental solutions business as it caps off a quarter that saw some volumes exceed pre-pandemic levels.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 29, 2021

Waste Connections acquisitions worth $240M in revenue through Q3, at least $100M more anticipated

The company upped its outlook thanks to economic recovery trends and M&A but reported inflationary pressures. CEO Worthing Jackman also described potential vaccine mandates as a notable labor headwind.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 28, 2021

High aluminum prices, supply chain issues create 'best of times and the worst of times' for recyclers

The light metal has soared out of a slump, with UBC pricing strong and sustainability goals driving demand, yet operators such as Virginia's TFC Recycling say transportation difficulties make it hard to capitalize on that.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 27, 2021

Waste Management sees path to offset 'acute' inflation, labor turbulence through pricing and automation

The company raised revenue guidance again but faced a challenging quarter. During one recent week an estimated 900 employees were out due to COVID-19 at the same time as volumes increased due to the economic rebound.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2021

City Haul: A new class of municipal waste leaders emerges

Over half of the 10 largest U.S. cities have new public works, sanitation or solid waste directors since the start of 2020. Positions have evolved during the pandemic and amid shifting trends in technology and public engagement.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 20, 2021

Canadian organics programs share lessons learned on policy, plastics and public engagement

The majority of Canadians now have curbside organics recycling. Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax program managers weigh in on their experiences and the insights they've gained over the years.

By Danielle Beurteaux • Oct. 18, 2021

Republic Services aims to bolster diesel technician pipeline, with eye toward EV training

Addressing worker shortages and offering opportunities to veterans and underserved populations, Republic's Technical Institute trains employees and potential hires to service its current and future vehicle fleet.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 14, 2021

Macquarie acquiring large stakes in GreenWaste and Zanker in its first California waste deal

GreenWaste and partner company Zanker Recycling's northern California operations include multiple organics recycling facilities. Moody's Investors Service estimates operations are generating $325 million in annual revenue.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 15, 2021

Waste Pro execs, on their way to $900M in revenue, outline multiyear Southeast growth strategy

While other family-led operations are selling this year, this Florida-based company says it's here to stay. CEO Sean Jennings and COO Keith Banasiak share their outlook on M&A, labor, municipal relations and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 11, 2021

Rescue funds buoy economic outlooks, but cities eager for infrastructure dollars: NLC report

Many cities lost revenue in FY21, but certain economic and tax changes, plus infusions of direct federal relief, helped them weather the pandemic better than the Great Recession, according to National League of Cities researchers.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 7, 2021

Searching for operational insight, MRFs comb data from AI

As recycling technology gets more sophisticated, MRF operators and equipment manufacturers say material characterization data from AI-powered systems may be even more valuable than the labor robots provide.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 6, 2021

Waste and recycling employers watch for next steps on COVID-19 requirements

Waste Pro and Rumpke are among the large employers who have encouraged vaccinations and will be affected by an OSHA rule. The industry is considering how to assist and accommodate existing and prospective workers.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 4, 2021

LRS acquires numerous Midwest assets from GFL, including Advanced divestitures

The recently closed deal contains substantial collection and hauling business in Illinois, including the Chicago area, as well as assets in Minnesota. The deal is the largest for LRS to date.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2021

GFL Environmental expands Midwest footprint with PDC acquisition

Today's purchase of Peoria Disposal marks the transfer of a 93-plus-year family business that provides GFL with a sizable, vertically-integrated waste and recycling platform in Illinois and Missouri.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2021

California beverage makers struggle to meet upcoming recycled content requirements

Bottlers must use at least 15% postconsumer resin in plastic containers by 2022, and more from there, but a recent CalRecycle report shows many haven't yet hit the mark. PET supply and a strained redemption system are key factors.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 30, 2021

What's next for Recology in San Francisco after $36M DOJ penalty, bribery charge

The West Coast company is looking to move forward after three subsidiaries admitted to one charge of bribery in a deferred prosecution agreement, but it still faces legal action and a push to change local collection systems.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2021

Upstream CEO sees huge potential in burgeoning reuse-refill sector, including for haulers

Matt Prindiville, head of a nonprofit focused on holistic waste solutions, is at the center of discussions with brands and activists alike about not just relying on recycling to create a more circular economy.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 23, 2021

Wastequip commits to further reducing its virgin resin use

The approach to slashing 25% of virgin resin from the cart manufacturing process emphasizes increasing recycled plastics in Toter carts, extending carts' years of use and telling customers the recycled content in each product.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 22, 2021

Can gig workers help improve litter collection? Philadelphia app aims to tackle the problem

Glitter, backed by tech entrepreneurs and a sanitation worker turned Instagram star, asks sponsors to pay for neighborhood cleanups. So far, Philadelphia's Streets Department is not convinced.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 20, 2021

Covanta, Casella, Vanguard Renewables and others continue the conversation at virtual WasteExpo

The event included insight on industry discussions such as EPR, environmental justice, waste-to-energy, climate change, recycling and technology.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Sept. 17, 2021