Energy: Page 15
-
Ongoing evolution in ESG and climate plans among waste and recycling companies
Companies have been setting more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets and announcing related investments in recent years.
By Waste Dive Team • Updated Sept. 22, 2021 -
Deep Dive
US waste and recycling sector faces mounting risks and opportunities from climate change
As the industry increasingly recognizes its contribution to climate change and sees business opportunities in potentially mitigating those effects, the sector could be at a notable inflection point in the years ahead.
By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020 -
Baltimore grants Wheelabrator 10-year contract extension, with emissions requirements, to settle suit
Officials approved an agreement Wednesday extending Wheelabrator's contract for another 10 years, in exchange for lower emissions and a settlement of ongoing litigation. Opponents have already filed a legal complaint.
By E.A. Crunden • Updated Nov. 5, 2020 -
Major shake up at Covanta as CEO exits, company launches strategic review of all operations
The company's stock has consistently underperformed, depsite the strategic value of its facilities. All options are said to be on the table, including selling assets or exiting lines of business, under new CEO Michael Ranger.
By E.A. Crunden , Cole Rosengren • Oct. 30, 2020 -
Top waste companies report further recovery in Q3, ongoing pandemic effects
The second full quarter to reflect the pandemic's effects showed ongoing recovery of overall volumes and stronger commodity pricing. See results from Waste Management, Republic, Waste Connections, GFL, Covanta and Casella.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 6, 2020 -
Deep Dive
Burning 'forever chemicals' emerges as industry flash point
Sending PFAS to incinerators is drawing lawmaker scrutiny and public outcry, but some experts say it may be the only realistic solution.
By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020 -
Deep Dive
Toxic PFAS waste that lasts 'forever' poses financial, logistical challenges for landfills
Some worry PFAS could have National Sword-level implications for landfills. Stakeholders are aiming to avoid blame for contamination, while seeking out solutions to address the mounting crisis.
By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020 -
Disposing 'forever' toxics: How the waste and recycling industry is tackling the PFAS chemicals crisis
Found everywhere from Arctic seawater to the blood of most humans, PFAS are inevitable in the waste stream. With the prospect of regulations and litigation mounting, the industry is figuring out how to handle one of its most difficult issues in years.
By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020 -
Citing age and costs, Florida county shutting down incinerator in 2021
Bay County commissioners recently voted to wind down operations at the facility and will shift disposal to a county-owned landfill. This marks the latest closure of an older facility as new mass burn capacity is slow to materialize.
By E.A. Crunden • Sept. 9, 2020 -
SWEEP standard coming to fruition with industry support and pilot cities
After years of work, an accreditation system modeled after LEED is reaching a notable milestone. Those behind it hope to improve data standardization and drive sustainable materials management policies around the country.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 31, 2020 -
PFAS test at Covanta-operated incinerator scrapped following public outcry
The New Jersey DEP expressed disappointment, while the U.S. EPA said it will continue partnering with states and local governments as it seeks ways to destroy the toxic chemicals.
By E.A. Crunden • Updated Aug. 26, 2020 -
Deep Dive
New Jersey governor signs landmark environmental justice bill with big permit implications
The long-anticipated legislation had key backing from community groups. Despite some business opposition and industry trepidation, waste and recycling stakeholders also expressed support.
By E.A. Crunden • Updated Sept. 18, 2020 -
Major waste and recycling companies report on a uniquely challenging Q2
The first full quarter to reflect the pandemic's effects showed volume and revenue declines among some solid waste companies, but it also saw multiple signs of resilience.
By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • Updated Aug. 10, 2020 -
Halfway through an upended year, 8 big questions remain for waste and recycling
Back in January, Waste Dive laid out guiding themes for coverage around safety, M&A, sustainability, policy, organics and PFAS. Now, the pandemic has changed many of them and racial justice is also receiving heightened attention.
By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • Updated July 28, 2020 -
Major Connecticut WTE facility closing by 2022, waste to be exported
The expected move comes after plans to refurbish the Materials Innovation Recovery Authority's aging RDF facility fell apart for a host of reasons.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 10, 2020 -
Waste industry received at least $583M in PPP loans, preserved 67K jobs
Nearly 4,000 industry participants have received funding from the pandemic relief program since April, according to U.S. Small Business Administration data. Waste Dive has collected the full list for public access.
By E.A. Crunden , Cole Rosengren • July 16, 2020 -
House hearing highlights political divide over plastics and pandemic response
The plastics industry says the pandemic has proven the need for its products, which are a key component in masks and other equipment. Environmental advocates and many Democrats said the ramifications of plastics pollution outweigh the benefits.
By E.A. Crunden • July 10, 2020 -
Wheelabrator acquires New England hauler as part of vertical integration strategy
Charles George Companies, which has a decades-long history in the region, represents an expansion into collection and recycling operations across two states for the Macquarie-backed waste-to-energy company.
By Cole Rosengren • July 8, 2020 -
House Democrats back EPR, other recycling mandates in new climate plan
The lengthy document from the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis endorses legislation like the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act and hints at how Democrats could tackle policy on a wide range of emissions sources.
By E.A. Crunden • July 7, 2020 -
Waste industry focuses on PFAS strategies, research as long-term concerns mount
This year's SWANApalooza featured numerous sessions on PFAS management and treatment, underscoring the heightened attention around "forever chemicals" at landfills and other facilities.
By E.A. Crunden • June 26, 2020 -
Deep Dive
Connecticut policy to limit landfilling faces pivotal moment as major WTE project stalls
An aging RDF facility that handles one-third of Connecticut's waste could begin exporting to out-of-state landfills unless an agreement can be reached between the local authority, developer and state officials in less than three months.
By Cole Rosengren • June 11, 2020 -
Opinion
New waste-to-hydrogen processes could contribute to a carbon negative future
Jean-Louis Kindler, CEO of waste-to-hydrogen developer Ways2H, discusses how the waste sector could benefit from the use of the technology as it seeks to mitigate its climate impact.
By Jean-Louis Kindler • June 3, 2020 -
How much top waste CEOs, and their median employees, earned in 2019
Recent proxy filings detail the rising, multimillion-dollar figures paid to the CEOs of Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Covanta and Casella Waste Systems.
By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • May 18, 2020 -
Stericycle and Covanta report medical waste volumes down despite initial coronavirus concerns
Even as COVID-19 waste ramped up, prompting concerns about China-like levels, public companies largely saw a decrease in overall volume following the cancellation of elective procedures and other effects.
By E.A. Crunden • May 18, 2020 -
PFAS incineration in New York spurs legislation, loss of federal contracts
Testing near a Norlite facility previously indicated incineration of PFAS may be spreading the toxic chemicals. The state's Department of Environmental Conservation has since told the company to discontinue this practice.
By E.A. Crunden • Updated June 22, 2020