Covanta intends to close multiple plants in coming years, divestitures still possible

Through its strategic review, the company anticipates $30 million in annual cost savings by 2023 and plans to exit certain operating contracts. Meanwhile, a new U.K. plant will begin receiving waste within weeks.

By Cole Rosengren • April 30, 2021

Roundup: Stimulus funding for city waste initiatives, DC and NY inch toward zero waste goals

The week of Earth Day saw news on zero waste plan reassessments, organics program expansions, reuse pilots and more. Catch up on updates from New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and other cities around the country.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • April 23, 2021

New York to revive curbside organics service amid criticism of lagging zero waste progress

The Department of Sanitation announced the return of multiple programs affected by pandemic budget cuts, following a council hearing about codifying the city's 2030 goal, but critics say more action is needed.

By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2021

New York City's waste future could be shaped by the closure of an island jail

Closing Rikers Island as a jail offers an opportunity to change aspects of New York's waste management infrastructure and potentially rethink expanding the city's role in overseeing it, former DSNY official Robert Lange writes.

By Robert Lange • April 15, 2021

NERC conference explores EPR, refillable bottle and circular economy possibilities

Panelists at the Northeast Recycling Council's spring conference covered how lessons learned from Canada and Europe could help improve U.S. recycling systems while also debating the merits of chemical recycling.

By Megan Quinn • April 7, 2021

Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act reintroduced, plastics industry ramps up opposition

The bill would ban some single-use plastic products, set recycled content requirements and enact a national EPR program. Opponents criticize the bill's efforts to suspend permitting for plastic production facilities.

By Megan Quinn • March 25, 2021

LIFT America Act's infrastructure proposals list landfill gas among renewable energy sources

The wide-ranging bill, which calls for numerous energy grid improvements, names landfill gas and municipal solid waste as renewable energy resources. It's one of multiple new federal proposals with waste implications.

By Megan Quinn • March 24, 2021

Wheelabrator debuts WIN Waste Innovations brand following Tunnel Hill acquisition

The newly combined operations of 10 companies will have an estimated $1 billion annual revenue run rate. Following a recapitalization, CEO Bob Boucher said more M&A is planned and an IPO or sale could happen in the future.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated April 6, 2021

Renewed focus on landfill calculations as waste industry faces pressure to reduce emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change are under growing scrutiny from regulators and investors alike. Finding the most precise way to measure them remains a complex effort.

By Leslie Nemo • March 9, 2021

2020 earnings coverage for US waste and recycling companies

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly analysis of results from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Covanta and Casella Waste Systems during 2020.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

2020 earnings coverage: Covanta

The industry's largest incinerator operator was affected by the pandemic like many others and later initiated a strategic review that could bring notable changes to its future.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 24, 2021

Solid waste companies emerge resilient from Q4, with some lingering pandemic effects

Earnings from the industry's publicly traded solid waste companies show the sector has largely rebounded, but is still affected by a slow economic recovery.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Feb. 23, 2021

Covanta exploring multiple potential divestitures, sees UK as 'primary growth avenue'

A strategic review led by Covanta's new CEO will be completed mid-year, as the company prepares to shop assets and consider cost reductions. Four of its upcoming U.K. projects are expected to be increasingly profitable.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 19, 2021

Regan confirmed as EPA administrator, after highlighting plastics, PFAS challenges

During his February confirmation hearing, former North Carolina regulator Michael Regan also pledged to take a close look at environmental justice and climate issues, among many priorities.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Updated March 11, 2021

WASTECON: Coronavirus underscores shared challenges and adaptations for city leaders

Officials from New York, Toronto, Miami-Dade County, Philadelphia and Baltimore highlighted ongoing budget and staffing challenges nearly a year into the pandemic. Now, they're seizing the moment for long-term changes.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • Feb. 1, 2021

Environmental efforts key for Biden, but industry expects limited recycling policy movement in 2021

While existing initiatives such as a national recycling goal are likely to make headway, and Democratic majorities in Congress could affect legislation, trade groups don't anticipate major changes due to a crowded agenda.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 20, 2021

9 questions about the future of waste and recycling in 2021

As we gear up for another eventful year, Waste Dive will be focusing on trends around ESG, M&A, recycling policy, market development, PFAS, local budgets, collection technology, safety, diversity and much more.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2021

Interim EPA guidance on PFAS disposal, destruction still leaves many questions

A report assessed possible environmental impacts of managing waste with these "forever chemicals" through deep well injection, landfilling or thermal treatment. The Biden administration is expected to take more concrete steps.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 11, 2021

Vaccine rollout boosts medical waste volumes, as workers wait for their shot

States will determine where waste workers fall in line for the coronavirus vaccine, including those responsible for properly disposing of materials from the mass inoculation.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 7, 2021

Covanta's $60M ash processing contract in Honolulu signals next step in closing local landfill

The project involves construction of a processing facility that will divert an estimated 60% of incinerator ash from Oahu's only MSW landfill, which is slated to close by 2028.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 6, 2021

The unfulfilled promises of plastic film recycling

The pandemic spurred an uptick in plastic bag use, as already limited retail take back options became more scarce. Stakeholders from all sides think it's time for new ideas.

By Karine Vann • Updated Jan. 5, 2021

How local waste and recycling leaders are grappling with coronavirus-driven budget pressures

Lost revenues, rising operating expenses and limited federal aid have left local leaders looking for creative solutions. In some cases, the pandemic has also created opportunities to update their practices.

By Leslie Nemo • Dec. 22, 2020

2020 shapes up as major year for M&A, consolidation in waste and recycling industry

Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Wheelabrator and many others all had a particularly active stretch of deal-making across numerous states.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 15, 2020

New England M&A heats up as Wheelabrator, Boston Carting Services expand

The private equity-backed players are just two examples of companies making moves in a region many view as primed for consolidation. As other companies expand their footprints, there may be more to come.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 15, 2020

Environmental groups urge Biden to take action on plastics, prioritize market development

The Presidential Plastics Action Plan calls for eight types of action by the president-elect, including support for the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 9, 2020