Baltimore council members back goal of 'zero waste' by 2040 amid incinerator litigation

Activists pushing for the closure of Wheelabrator Baltimore are calling for a dramatic turn toward waste reduction and diversion. A majority of council members introduced a resolution Monday in support of that plan.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated March 10, 2020

House lawmakers debate regulatory role of federal government in plastics and recycling

In a Wednesday hearing, lawmakers formed stances along partisan lines over several pieces of federal recycling legislation. Republicans took a hard line against plastics bans and seemed to scrutinize shifting oversight to the federal government.

By E.A. Crunden • March 5, 2020

PFAS concerns abound for landfill operators, even as industry sees potential for opportunity

Public outcry and regulations remain an ongoing worry, an issue highlighted at this year's Global Waste Management Symposium. Some also see solving the crisis as potentially lucrative. 

By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 27, 2020

2019 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, Advanced Disposal Services, Casella Waste Systems and Covanta during 2019.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 26, 2020

2019 earnings coverage: Covanta

Catch up on Waste Dive's quarterly coverage of results from the industry's largest waste-to-energy company as it continued plans for international expansion.

By Waste Dive Team • Feb. 25, 2020

Covanta processed record waste last year, claims 'active' talks around new US capacity

Commodity market turbulence remains challenging, but Covanta touted strong pricing growth and a string of upcoming international projects. The company also emphasized its role as a landfill alternative as climate concerns mount.

By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 24, 2020

Republic Services acquires Massachusetts C&D processor with rail transfer access

Devens Recycling, permitted for up to 1,500 tons per day of C&D and MSW, is among the largest of its kind in a capacity-constrained region. The deal is expected to open up valuable internalization opportunities.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Feb. 14, 2020

Baltimore to appeal federal ruling that struck down incinerator emissions law

Wheelabrator and other opponents, who argued the policy was intended to force closure of their incinerators, had celebrated the late March decision. Now, Mayor Jack Young has directed the city to appeal and defend its law.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated April 23, 2020

House passes sweeping new PFAS bill with waste implications

The legislation could establish disposal regulations for "forever chemicals." While some in the industry are apprehensive, others see opportunity. President Trump has already signaled strong opposition.

By E.A. Crunden • Updated Jan. 10, 2020

7 pressing questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2020

The year is shaping up to be a major one for the industry's future. We'll be digging into safety, corporate consolidation, climate commitments, recycling policy, organics, PFAS, politics and more.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • Jan. 6, 2020

Covanta will set 'science-based' emissions reduction target by 2022 as part of climate focus

Covanta's new sustainability report argues incineration can play a key role in diverting waste from landfills, a major source of methane, and previews a growing focus on climate concerns.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 23, 2019

New Jersey Assembly passes organics diversion mandate without landfill exemption

Following Gov. Phil Murphy's conditional veto of a contentious bill earlier this year, legislators are moving ahead with a bill intended to spur organics recycling. Landfill operators with gas-to-energy systems remain displeased.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 19, 2019

Stericycle abandons plans for North Las Vegas site following pushback over health and environmental risks

The medical waste company previously faced a historically high fine over emissions violations in Utah. Nevada residents and officials had expressed concern that a similar situation might play out at the new site. 

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 19, 2019

Veolia North America's new CEO outlines big plans for waste growth

Brian Clarke is charged with spending recent divestment proceeds on expanding the French company's waste network. Priorities include hazardous waste, plastics recycling, PFAS treatment and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 5, 2019

Connecticut authority reassesses $333M WTE renovation plan

A potential deal with the Sacyr Rooney Recovery Team had faced local pushback and recent cost pressures due to the pandemic. The Materials Innovation Recycling Authority anticipates it could begin exporting waste to landfills without a new plan. 

By E.A. Crunden • Updated May 6, 2020

Covanta air permit renewal challenged by Oregon health, environmental groups

The company expects a typical permitting process, but external resistance highlights ongoing tensions over the role of WTE and its renewable status as climate concerns mount. 

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 3, 2019

As Washington county pursues one last landfill expansion, WTE could be next

King County’s Cedar Hills landfill is filling up and can just expand once more. Faced with rail export as the only other option, supporters of a new incinerator finally see an opportunity to advance their plans.

By Leia Larsen • Updated Nov. 27, 2019

Covanta Q3: Commodity challenges endure, waste remains profitable

Even amid ongoing pricing headwinds for metals and energy, Covanta executives say their core business is strong. Tip fees are expected to be up 4% for the year as Northeast disposal capacity tightens.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 28, 2019

Tampa to end Wheelabrator operating contract 12 years early

The city plans to take over daily operations of its McKay Bay incinerator in eight months to reduce costs, following a similar move by another city in Washington.​ Wheelabrator has expressed support for the decision.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 22, 2019

Honolulu's lone MSW landfill ordered to close by 2028, path forward unclear

One of Oahu's only landfills, operated by Waste Management under contract, was recently given an expiration date by state regulators. Discussions about building a new site have long been controversial.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 16, 2019

Wheelabrator ash landfill expansion in Connecticut denied, for now

Plans to expand a monofill that serves numerous state facilities have temporarily stalled over concerns about environmental harm to wetlands. Given a lack of regional alternatives, the company intends to press on.  

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 14, 2019

Massachusetts raises 2050 waste reduction target, may expand organics ban

The Department of Environmental Protection's new solid waste master plan draft indicates support for new packaging policies, additional waste bans and future infrastructure as disposal capacity shrinks.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 1, 2019

Bernie Sanders's $16.3T climate plan promises major waste and recycling shifts

The Democratic presidential candidate's platform includes a national recycling program, divestment from incinerators, funding for food recovery and composting investments, and a right to repair policy.

By Rina Li • Aug. 30, 2019

New Jersey governor vetoes controversial food waste bill

The organics diversion mandate, which would have still allowed material to go to incinerators and most landfills, returns to the state legislature.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 28, 2019

Federal bill aims to extend renewable energy tax credits for biogas and WTE

The bill would incentivize development of qualifying biogas, WTE and biomass projects. While attention to organic waste has spurred recent biogas investment, new incinerator projects have been less frequent.

By Rina Li • Aug. 22, 2019