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

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

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

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

5 key pandemic trends from the solid waste industry's Q1 earnings reports

Results are in for seven publicly traded North American companies, and it's clear the industry is resilient. But many questions remain about adapting to volume shifts and whether early optimism for economic recovery will bear out.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • May 13, 2020

Puerto Rico's yearslong debate over WTE continues as the island's landfill issues mount

After a proposed incinerator project stalled in 2018, the territory's long-term plan remains uncertain as noncompliant landfills are reaching capacity. Meanwhile, recycling programs and waste reduction efforts are still evolving.

By Genevieve Glatsky • May 1, 2020

Covanta negotiating with Florida county over first US incinerator expansion in years

Pasco County commissioners approved initial plans to expand the facility, despite concerns over the potential $525 million cost. County officials deemed the move essential, but some said recycling efforts need improvement.

By E.A. Crunden • April 29, 2020

One year covering COVID-19's impact on the waste and recycling sector

The coronavirus pandemic brought sweeping changes to the U.S., including significant effects for an industry that continued its work throughout the crisis. Catch up on all of Waste Dive's reporting from the initial year.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated March 15, 2021

Pandemics were not part of most contingency plans, but waste and recycling industry proving resilient

Precautions previously in place for industry disruptions did not account for a coronavirus-induced economic disruption. Companies and public sector consultants discuss what's next more than a month in.

By Cole Rosengren , E.A. Crunden • April 17, 2020

Reducing food waste emerges as key climate solution

Project Drawdown's 2020 report, released before the pandemic, elevated food waste as an increasingly relevant solution while highlighting the role industry can play in tackling the issue through reducing waste sent to landfills.

By E.A. Crunden • April 16, 2020