EPA focused on closing older Puerto Rican landfills to address environmental justice issues

The EPA reports that it's making progress on closing two landfills in Puerto Rico that residents say have long sickened their communities. The work follows a recent visit from the administrator’s Journey to Justice tour.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 7, 2022

Facing falling recycled commodity prices, waste companies pivot in Q3

After enjoying increasing recycled commodity values for the first half of 2022, industry operators faced major commodity price declines.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 4, 2022

Top waste companies spent $1.1B on Q3 acquisitions, with more to come

Here’s what executives at the industry’s largest companies had to say about the M&A environment this year — and how much each has spent.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 4, 2022

Waste Connections says pricing strategy helped achieve solid Q3

Higher activity in waste treatment services related to oil and gas, up 52% from last quarter, was a strong point amid inflation and “precipitous” declines in recycled commodity prices, especially for OCC, CEO Worthing Jackman said.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 3, 2022

Waste Connections reports a decline in GHG emissions despite acquisitions, sets new ESG targets

The company plans investments in RNG facilities, MRFs and electric collection vehicles as well as new goals to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 15%, building on a recent decline of 7%, it said in its 2022 sustainability report.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 31, 2022

Q3 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Follow the latest round of financial results from WM, Republic Services, Casella Waste Systems, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and more.

Updated Dec. 1, 2022

Casella reports 13 acquisitions in 2022, sees M&A opportunity in potential recession

The Vermont-based company said its pricing and fee strategy have worked well in a tight economic environment. Executives also previewed upcoming plans for acquisition and landfill expansion spending.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 28, 2022

Environmental justice voices in the waste and recycling industry

Catch up on these Q&A conversations with experts from the U.S. EPA, Ya Fav Trashman, Detroit Dirt and others on how the waste and recycling industry can play a role in environmental justice efforts.

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 14, 2023

Republic Services pricing at record highs as it fights recycled commodity price declines and cost inflation

The company is still integrating US Ecology while returning M&A focus to solid waste and recycling. Leaders also noted in an earnings call the opportunity to work with BP, which is buying renewable natural gas projects partner Archaea.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 28, 2022

Casella narrows ESG focus to 5 key targets for 2030

The Vermont-based company previously set 10 ESG targets in its 2020 report but has narrowed the focus to five key metrics related to emissions reduction, recycling volumes, fleet efficiency and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 27, 2022

WM spent nearly $200M on acquisitions in Q3, outlines future potential of big ESG investments

Recycling revenues are taking a hit, but executives said their updated contract models will provide insulation. CEO Jim Fish also shared a goal to eventually expand margins via price increases, not just recover costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2022

WM sets new ESG targets for GHG emissions, recycling volumes, diversity and more

The company’s first full-year report since acquiring Advanced Disposal Services shows an emissions uptick, but WM says upcoming investments will reverse that.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 26, 2022

With PFAS drinking water limits anticipated, activists take stock of recent actions

A proposed rule setting PFOA and PFOS limits in drinking water is expected soon from the EPA, while California and Michigan efforts to regulate or eliminate the chemicals are ongoing.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 25, 2022

Could the EPA’s preference for ‘energy recovery’ change as it evaluates waste hierarchy, other tools?

The agency is reevaluating its longstanding materials management hierarchy and waste reduction model as part of broader research efforts. Advocacy groups have pushed to reduce any emphasis on incineration.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 24, 2022

Landfill operators take a closer look at carbon sequestration projects in wake of Inflation Reduction Act

A lower eligibility threshold and higher dollar value for the updated 45Q tax credit is spurring discussions about new projects to store landfill emissions in geologic or saline formations.

By April Reese • Oct. 24, 2022

Rubicon’s stock has struggled since going public. Is the SPAC trend to blame?

The tech company — which brokers waste and recycling services — rang the opening bell on Wall Street this week after its stock price declined and its founder stepped down as CEO. Analysts say a turnaround is still possible.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 21, 2022

Waste Connections purchasing California company Upper Valley Disposal

Upper Valley provides a range of collection, recycling, composting and disposal services in Napa County. Following the recent death of founder Bob Pestoni, the family decided to sell its multigenerational business.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 19, 2022

New nonprofit Just Zero taking a national approach to zero waste and closing disposal sites

Zero waste advocates formerly with the Conservation Law Foundation say the group will provide local activists with national-level resources for drafting legislation and more.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 18, 2022

BP acquiring landfill RNG company Archaea for $4.1B

The pending transaction comes barely a year after Archaea Energy, a fast-growing developer of landfill gas projects, went public. The deal is described as a way for BP to support customers’ decarbonization goals.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 17, 2022

What California’s organics recycling law could mean for the future of landfills

As the state looks to dramatically reduce disposal volumes in the coming years, the shift is prompting new questions about the waste industry’s operating model. Orange County is one notable landfill operator pivoting to composting.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 13, 2022

Sustainable Generation CEO talks solar-powered composting and infrastructure trends

Scott Woods, founder of the compost equipment company, highlights a new facility built at a Republic Services landfill as well as trends around PFAS, community relations, infrastructure funding and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 12, 2022

Zero waste should be an important part of climate plans, GAIA urges

Through food waste prevention, single-use plastics bans, robust composting and recycling, and other strategies, the waste sector can support the Paris Agreement’s targeted limit to global warming, a new report said.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 5, 2022

Waste Connections acquires Rogue Disposal & Recycling, notable southern Oregon company

The transaction gives the company a foothold in the region, with a range of franchise hauling operations, a transfer station, composting facility, CNG fueling station and a large landfill.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 5, 2022

RMI and Carbon Mapper see better data and landfill upgrades as the keys to cutting methane emissions

Researchers Ebun Ayandele and Daniel Cusworth outline how landfill operations can evolve in light of global efforts to tackle the climate effects of methane.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 3, 2022

New environmental justice office at EPA aims to raise the issue’s national profile

The Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, which will employ about 200 people, is seen as another step by the Biden administration to prioritize environmental justice in its policies.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 26, 2022