3M to pay at least $10B in “forever chemicals” settlement

The chemical giant will fund testing for public water systems across the U.S. and be relieved from some PFAS-related water contamination claims.

By Sara Samora • June 23, 2023

EPA releases final Renewable Fuel Standard rule without proposed credit market for EV fueling

The new rule was published without the lucrative but controversial eRIN program. But the EPA proposed better credits for RNG, something biogas industry advocates had called for.

By Jacob Wallace • June 21, 2023

Plastics manufacturing, environmental justice interests spar at Senate hearing

Curbing plastics production and disposal is the only way to alleviate the material's health impacts, EJ advocates said, but business representatives called halting production unrealistic and harmful for jobs and the economy.

By Megan Quinn • June 16, 2023

Tip fees at MSW landfills see highest increase since 2018, report says

Average weighted tipping fees surpassed $60 nationwide last year, according to a new report from EREF. The increase occurred amid a highly inflationary environment and ongoing industry consolidation.

By Jacob Wallace • June 12, 2023

Houston, DOJ reach settlement over alleged environmental justice violations in illegal dumping case

Houston will implement a $17.8 million cleanup plan and undergo federal monitoring and training, among other agreements. Some residents applauded the development, but others worry it won’t lead to long-term changes. 

By Megan Quinn • June 9, 2023

Contentious Connecticut waste and recycling bill heads to governor’s desk, without EPR

Legislators cut packaging EPR details from a sweeping bill that includes requirements for recycled content and organics diversion, as well as initial plans for new in-state processing capacity.

By Megan Quinn • June 8, 2023

GFL closes sale of Colorado assets to Republic; its Casella divestiture gets DOJ approval

GFL Environmental expects to complete its broader divestiture campaign by the end of June, netting gross proceeds of about $1.6 million (Canadian). This specific package covers Denver and other key Colorado markets.

By Jacob Wallace • June 5, 2023

Supreme Court decision to limit Clean Water Act considered beneficial for landfill development

The Sackett v. EPA decision, which the Biden administration criticized, is part of a long-running debate over wetlands definitions. This can often be a factor in landfill construction or expansion.

By Cole Rosengren • May 26, 2023

Minnesota governor signs bills with statewide waste reduction goal, right-to-repair law for electronics

A sweeping state budget bill contains a new waste reduction goal of 90% by 2045. A detailed report explaining how to get there is due in 2024.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 24, 2023

Sale of Arkansas landfill to LRS stuck in limbo amid local and state opposition

Despite a recently-signed emergency law that places new restrictions on shuttered landfills, officials are still divided over how and whether to proceed with a sale to LRS.

By Jacob Wallace • May 24, 2023

California commission recommends a pause on SB 1383 organics law, industry disagrees

The Little Hoover Commission, a bipartisan group appointed by state officials, found that California is “poised to miss” its 2025 organic waste reduction targets. Companies such as Republic Services said it’s too late to turn back.

By Cole Rosengren • May 24, 2023

Waste Connections discusses PFAS leachate remediation deal with Altra Sanexen

The company sees PFAS as an urgent issue at its landfills and says remediation services, such as this effort at two Minnesota sites, are an early way to manage the chemicals as the industry awaits federal regulations.

By Megan Quinn • May 23, 2023

Pay continued to grow for many top waste and recycling CEOs in 2022

See the latest compensation data for executives at WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, Harsco, Casella Waste Systems and Rubicon in our fifth annual report.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023

WIN Waste Innovations’ first sustainability report touts material recovery, avoided emissions

The Northeast-based company’s initial report includes statistics on the overall amount of material being recycled and managed, though it isn’t disclosing greenhouse gas emissions data yet.

By Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023

EPA proposes rules that could require utilities to clean up ‘legacy’ coal ash ponds, landfills

Coal ash landfill and impoundment sites that fell outside a 2015 rule would face new regulations under a proposal published Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • May 19, 2023

US waste and recycling industry worth $91B in 2022, landfill capacity consolidation continues

The latest Waste Business Journal data shows growing revenue and disposal prices, along with an ongoing decline of municipal market share. WM now accounts for more disposal volume than all local governments combined.

By Cole Rosengren • May 19, 2023

EPA mapping tool shows how rising sea levels could affect hazardous waste facilities

The federal agency wants such facilities to more quickly prepare for increased flooding and says a new interactive map will help with planning.

By Megan Quinn • May 19, 2023

Environmental Integrity Project urges EPA to adopt better landfill emissions accounting in new report

The EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program doesn’t know which landfills are subject to which regulations, according to a new report. That could change with a newly circulated rule, but advocates want the EPA to go further.

By Jacob Wallace • May 18, 2023

PFAS prevention legislation model aims to get Northeast lawmakers on the same page

The Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association’s draft PFAS legislation aims to guide lawmakers who want to ban or curb production of PFAS-containing products. It’s the latest waste group to call for more direct action on PFAS. 

By Megan Quinn • May 18, 2023

EPA seeks feedback on its new interactive recycling market mapping tool

The U.S. EPA wants its new map, which shows numerous details like recycling infrastructure locations, to be a comprehensive resource for the country. It says it needs help from the industry to make it more accurate.

By Megan Quinn • May 17, 2023

Republic Services sues landfill gas operator over missed payments in California

The suit alleges that Sunshine Gas Producers stopped making payments after agreeing to use excess gas for an RNG facility, which has not been built so far.

By Jacob Wallace • May 15, 2023

GFL Environmental’s sale of Colorado assets to Republic Services is pending

This large piece of GFL’s $1.6 billion (Canadian) divestiture package includes post-collection, recycling and hauling assets in key markets such as Denver and Colorado Springs.

By Cole Rosengren • May 11, 2023

Maryland governor signs EPR, organics and electric vehicle laws

Maryland’s legislative session ended with the passage of several bills meant to boost composting, promote electric trucks and explore EPR for packaging.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 11, 2023

Clean Harbors says disposal demand and $110M Thompson Industries deal position it well for 2023

The company touted strong performance in its Environmental Services segment, high disposal demand and improving incinerator utilization, which it hopes will even out cost pressures in the more challenged Safety Kleen sector.

By Megan Quinn • May 5, 2023

Senate legislation aims to protect waste and compost industry from PFAS liability claims

Trade groups and WM applauded the bill, saying congressional action is needed to shield the sector from unintended consequences of the EPA’s anticipated PFAS hazardous substance designation.

By Megan Quinn • May 4, 2023