Long Beach, California, WTE facility closing; city negotiating digester plan with Bioenergy Devco

After years of financial difficulties, the Covanta-operated Southeast Resource Recovery Facility is shutting down this month. Long Beach is looking to build organics processing capacity in its place via a pending RFP.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 11, 2024

5 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2024

The evolving M&A market, the rise of EPR, pending PFAS regulations, renewable natural gas and methane reduction are some of the biggest issues facing the industry this year.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2024

Federal RNG incentives in spotlight; plus news from Burnham RNG, Waga Energy and more

December closed out with Ares Management acquiring Burnham RNG, Waga Energy completing its second Canadian facility and the announcement of a major food waste-to-RNG facility in New Jersey. 

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Jan. 3, 2024

By the numbers: Key 2023 waste and recycling trends

Look back on the year through data points on issues such as labor, M&A, federal funding, state policy and commodity pricing.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Dec. 22, 2023

Waste industry kick-starts RNG projects in 2023

Numerous companies secured financing and announced plans for building and expanding landfill or anaerobic digestion RNG projects in 2023.

By Waste Dive Staff • Dec. 21, 2023

Federal methane strategy calls for improved, cost-effective landfill emissions tracking technologies

The strategy says existing monitoring practices do not account for anomalous emissions events. It calls for research and funding to improve measurements and modeling, including work with agencies such as NASA.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Dec. 14, 2023

Miami-Dade County, Florida, approves $65M contract toward WTE plant

The Board of County Commissioners approved an early design contract for a new mass burn waste-to-energy facility. But other decisions, including the facility’s location, remain.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 13, 2023

Heritage Environmental Services selling majority stake to EQT Infrastructure

The Indiana-based environmental services company provides a range of options for hazardous and non-hazardous waste, including at multiple disposal sites. This follows Sweden-based EQT’s recent investment in Covanta.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 13, 2023

Waste Connections acquiring 30 Canadian E&P facilities from Secure Energy Services

The deal includes numerous oil and gas landfills, injection wells and treatment and disposal facilities. The Canadian government required Secure to divest these assets following its merger with Tervita.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 11, 2023

Nexus hires Ross Faransso as CEO of project development arm

Following a recent cash infusion, the “waste-to-value” company is bringing on an executive with experience in the energy industry to crack into Fortune 500 clients. 

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 5, 2023

Push for eRINs renewed as credit market expands, plus RNG news from Vision RNG, Evensol

A coalition of RNG groups, automakers and WM have joined forces to keep the push for eRINs alive. Also, Waste Connections struck an RNG partnership and Republic opened new landfill-gas-to-RNG facilities.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 4, 2023

Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs clean energy package that supports WTE, landfill gas

Michigan’s suite of clean energy bills allows the partial use of incineration, landfill gas, natural gas systems with carbon capture and other infrastructure that environmental groups said harm vulnerable communities.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 29, 2023

Stericycle sets net zero GHG goal in latest sustainability report

The company aims to achieve a net zero scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions goal by 2050 and reduce its injury rate through new driver training and other improvements.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 28, 2023

Michigan governor expected to sign clean energy bill that includes incineration

A suite of clean energy bills would transition the state to clean energy by 2040. It counts an existing WTE facility in Kent County as clean while also supporting the use of landfill gas systems and anaerobic digestion.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 21, 2023

Anaergia mulls sale of Rialto Bioenergy Facility as revenue declines

Executives hope a production ramp-up at a Rhode Island facility and new deals will offset the impact from Rialto’s bankruptcy and turn the company’s finances around.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 14, 2023

Deal for shuttered Maine WTE plant falls through, new auction scheduled

The troubled Penobscot Energy Recovery Co. plant has been closed since May. A troubled auction process was extended Friday after Delta Thermo Energy’s bid for the facility fell through.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 10, 2023

EPA should put landfill methane on COP28 agenda: former Oregon governor

States like Oregon are curbing landfill methane emissions to help achieve climate goals. Kate Brown says the EPA should take greater action on this issue ahead of COP28.

By Kate Brown • Nov. 8, 2023

Fulcrum BioEnergy misses payment on Nevada bonds; Indiana project may be on hold

The California-based company, founded in 2007, aims to convert MSW into sustainable aviation fuel. It has scored major investments and partnerships from the likes of BP, WM and the U.S. Department of Defense.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 7, 2023

GFL at ‘inflection point’ regarding debt leverage, executives say

The Canada-based company reported slightly elevated debt numbers as it continued to engage in M&A. But executives now believe GFL has a clear path to a better ratio into next year and see more profit potential from EPR.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 2, 2023

Clean Harbors revises down guidance but expects better results in 2024

A difficult year for base oil pricing has dragged down the overall business, but executives are optimistic about continued margin expansion in environmental services and the upcoming completion of a major new project.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 2, 2023

Ameresco, Waga Energy and Vision RNG make RNG development gains in October

New partnerships between waste companies and landfill gas developers are beginning to bear fruit, as Republic Services, Meridian Waste and even public entities begin to move forward with RNG projects.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 1, 2023

WM reports inflation headwinds are easing, shifts timing for certain sustainability projects

WM reported “strong results” in Q3, citing its pricing strategy as well as revenue growth in the collection and disposal lines and cost savings from attrition.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 25, 2023

Hennepin County, Minnesota, votes to begin closure of WTE plant

The decision to potentially close the facility as soon as 2028 comes as the county reacts to pressure from the state and community activists. Finding near-term alternatives could lead to a potential increase in disposal costs.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 25, 2023

EPA reports quantify methane emissions from organic waste, retire food recovery hierarchy

One report found 58% of fugitive methane emissions at MSW landfills came from wasted food. The agency’s new lifecycle analyses on food waste management pathways also reaffirmed the importance of source reduction.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 20, 2023

Tracking GHG emissions of US waste management companies

Waste Connections’ latest report notes a reduction in emissions intensity, despite a near-term emissions increase due to acquisitions. Compare its emissions reporting with other waste companies, including Casella and WM.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace , Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 25, 2024