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

California Gov. Newsom signs many recycling and waste bills, vetoes two

Bills concerning the state’s container redemption program, incineration rules, battery recycling programs, plastic bag regulations and organic waste diversion were among those Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Oct. 3, 2022

Inflation may have reduced food waste, but food banks worry about lower donation supply

During a recent ReFED webinar, speakers from Feeding America, BlueCart and Purdue University said they see opportunities for partnerships to further reduce food waste during times when inflation affects donations.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 12, 2022

Republic Services expands Colorado footprint with two hauling acquisitions

The purchases of Monument Waste Services and Rocky Mountain Sanitation give the company a larger presence in the state’s Western Slope region. One company also operates a newer landfill in that market.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 8, 2022

US job growth tempered in August as waste management and remediation added 2.3K employees

After big increases in July, the pace of U.S. job growth in August slowed, and overall unemployment grew. For waste collection, MRFs and landfill workers, month-to-month results in August remained stronger than average.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 7, 2022

Waste Connections purchases A.J. Blosenski, one of Pennsylvania’s largest independent haulers

The multigenerational company has a large collection fleet, a rail-served C&D transfer facility and a dual-stream MRF. The transaction is seen as a logical expansion following Waste Connections’ purchase of Penn Waste.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 7, 2022

Bio-based packaging companies say mushrooms and seaweed are the next alternatives to plastic

In a recent webinar, companies made their case for “bioregenerative” packaging that uses renewable, compostable materials with the same properties as plastic. Markets and supply chains are still warming to it.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 6, 2022

WM acquires Ray’s Trash, the largest private hauler in the Indianapolis area

Ray’s, a family-run business since 1965, comes with hundreds of trucks and multiple transfer or recycling facilities. This is the first larger acquisition for WM since it bought Advanced Disposal Services in 2020.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 1, 2022

California closes another banner year for waste and recycling legislation with numerous bills

New action on the state’s container redemption program, diversion credits for waste-to-energy facilities and recycled content standards for thermoform plastic all passed at the end of the session.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 1, 2022

‘Like holding a bronco back’: Pro Disposal charts a path for controlled growth in South Carolina

President Alex Cano and investors explained how a new disposal acquisition sets the company up for further growth in the Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia, corridor.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 1, 2022

LRS CEO outlines how M&A and sustainability are creating a Midwest powerhouse

One year into Macquarie’s ownership of LRS, CEO Alan Handley shared what’s next for the company’s expansion, talked plans to hit a $600 million revenue run rate, previewed a new Chicago MRF and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 30, 2022

As EPA seeks to label certain PFAS hazardous, landfill operators worry about cost, liability

The federal government is targeting PFOA and PFOS, two of many “forever chemicals,” for inclusion under the Superfund law. Landfill operators want a targeted exemption, citing significant legal liability and costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 29, 2022

New York commercial waste haulers hold their breath after submitting bids for 10-year contracts

Bids are in to operate in the Department of Sanitation’s upcoming commercial waste zone system. Haulers of all sizes are waiting to learn their fates while operating under lingering pandemic and inflationary pressures.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 24, 2022

As state PFAS in packaging laws loom, restaurants mull serviceware alternatives

During a recent webinar, attorneys at the firm Lathrop GPM outlined how restaurant franchisors can adapt with multiple state bans on the way. The waste and recycling industry has long advocated for this type of upstream action.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 23, 2022

Archaea talks expanding RNG venture with Republic, significant implications of new federal tax credits

During a Tuesday earnings call, executives discussed their growing joint venture with Republic Services and newly attractive carbon sequestration and hydrogen projects supported by the Inflation Reduction Act.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 17, 2022

Biden signs Inflation Reduction Act with waste implications and $369B for climate efforts

Groups representing companies that produce RNG from waste touted the law as a major step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The president called it “one of the most significant laws in our history.”

By Megan Quinn • Updated Aug. 17, 2022

Massachusetts climate bill includes anaerobic digesters in state peak energy incentive program

A major bill recently signed by Gov. Charlie Baker has implications for digesters as well as landfill gas facilities. The National Waste & Recycling Association and Vanguard Renewables supported the provisions.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 16, 2022

Seeking funding and connections, recyclers turn to business incubator NextCycle

Recyclers and other businesses in Michigan, Colorado and Washington, the states where NextCycle operates, discussed the program’s impact on their circular economy goals during a Northeast Recycling Council webinar.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 12, 2022

Republic Services ESG reports call out growing risks from extreme heat, rainfall

These chronic climate risks could interrupt business, diminish productivity, risk worker safety and damage facilities, according to analysis in two 2021 ESG reports the company recently released.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 12, 2022

How WIN Waste Innovations’ unique set of WTE, landfill and rail assets positions it for industry expansion

In an exclusive interview at its headquarters a little over a year after the company's formation, CEO Robert Boucher discussed a possible IPO, upcoming ESG initiatives and the outlook for legacy Wheelabrator facilities.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 11, 2022

Public waste companies have spent nearly $3.9B on M&A so far this year

WM plans to get back in the mix with a greater level of spending, while Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems remain quite active. 

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 10, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act heads to House with biogas and fleet provisions intact

Tax credits to build biogas projects and expand alternative fuel vehicles remain part of a major climate bill that could see a final vote this week. New language taxing stock buybacks would affect large waste companies, but minimally.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 10, 2022

Republic Services eyes $600M in 2022 acquisition spending outside of US Ecology

With the recently purchased environmental solutions business delivering on planned cost savings, Republic’s future pipeline will focus primarily on recycling and solid waste transactions, execs said during their earnings call.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 5, 2022

What the Inflation Reduction Act proposal means for biogas producers and alternative fuel vehicles

Supporters such as the American Biogas Council and RNG Coalition say several provisions could help grow RNG markets, but the National Waste & Recycling Association says a corporate tax hike will hurt business.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 4, 2022

Q2 earnings results for major waste and recycling companies

Catch up on the latest round of financial results from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, Clean Harbors and Stericycle.

Updated Aug. 10, 2022