ISRI rejects ‘advanced recycling’ label, says plastic-to-fuel projects should not count as recycling

Amid ongoing debate around the role and regulation of chemical recycling for certain plastics, the trade group has drawn a line in the sand about its approach to these emerging technologies.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 10, 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

Biden signs CHIPS bill, spurring hopes that supply chains for waste equipment will improve

Waste and recycling groups have previously said they hope the $52.7 billion investment in semiconductor manufacturing and related research can ease longstanding delays for trucks and other equipment.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 9, 2022

Recession or not, waste and recycling companies say outlooks remain strong

Regardless of the direction of the economy, industry execs on earnings calls pointed to waste volume trends, wage rates, price increase acceptance, and experience with past downturns to express confidence.

By Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal , Megan Quinn • Aug. 8, 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

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

Q2 recycling report: Commodity price peak may have subsided, MRF upgrades an ongoing priority

Follow the latest insights about market trends and investment priorities from executives at WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn • Updated Aug. 5, 2022

Rubicon on track to close $1.7B SPAC deal, go public this month following favorable shareholder vote

The Kentucky-based technology company is forecasting $736 million in revenue for the year, with big plans to expand organically and through acquisitions of other brokers once it finally goes public.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 3, 2022

Appeals court sends Browning-Ferris joint employer orders back to NLRB

The ruling comes as the agency reportedly is preparing new joint employment regulations. The original case relates back to organizing efforts led by temporary workers at a Republic Services subsidiary’s MRF in California.

By Kate Tornone • Aug. 2, 2022

Casella hits $1B in annual revenue, updates guidance for second time this year

CEO John Casella attributed the “best quarter in company history” to pricing programs that covered cost inflation and growth from 11 acquisitions this year. Recycling and disposal capacity projects are also progressing.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 1, 2022

Senate passes bills for recycling data collection, rural infrastructure grants

The bipartisan Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2022 and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act have garnered support from multiple waste and recycling organizations.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 1, 2022

Sprite shifting from green to clear bottles to boost recycling

Coca-Cola, which is also moving to 100% recycled plastic Dasani bottles in North America, says it aims to support a circular packaging economy.

By Chris Casey • July 28, 2022

Senate passes CHIPS bill, sparking hope microchip production will help waste equipment supply chain issues

The bill could strengthen availability of microchips, making it easier to source new trucks and equipment, supporters say. Language from a prior bill that would have banned e-scrap exports was not included.

By Megan Quinn • July 27, 2022

Oregon's EPR for packaging law committee begins detailed implementation process

Oregon DEQ’s rulemaking advisory committee is just part of the multi-year process to fully implement its EPR law, which also calls for changes to local recycling programs and standardizing recycling collection lists.  

By Megan Quinn • July 27, 2022

WM raises 2022 guidance, plans to restart notable M&A spending

CEO Jim Fish said during the company’s July 27 earnings call that even if an economic slowdown occurs, WM is well-positioned to gain market share. New investments in RNG projects and MRF automation are also progressing.

By Cole Rosengren • July 27, 2022

Connecticut's MIRA WTE facility finally closes, leaving many questions about regional capacity

The aging facility was handling 720,000 tons per year of waste, much of which is now getting landfilled. A legislative task force is assessing what comes next for the authority that operated it for decades.

By Cole Rosengren • July 27, 2022

Can carbon capture make incinerators a net-zero solution? European operators aim to find out.

Climate goals are inspiring European operators to explore new technologies for their emissions, yet the environmental and financial outcomes remain to be seen. Skeptics say reduction, reuse and recycling are still the best options.

By Leslie Nemo • July 26, 2022

Former Recology employee indicted for alleged San Francisco bribery, following prior charges

John Porter, formerly vice president and manager of the company’s San Francisco group, was previously charged for an alleged role in directing more than $1 million in benefits to a city official in exchange for favorable treatment.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 25, 2022

Nashville approves $13.5M in new collection contracts with Platform Waste, Waste Pro

The new contracts are the latest ripple effect from Red River’s service issues in recent months. They follow emergency contracts the city approved with WM and Waste Pro earlier this year.

By Cole Rosengren • July 22, 2022

Fueled by new Clairvest investment, Boston Carting has many plans for the 'hottest market in the country'

CEO Patsy Sperduto, along with investors from Ironwood Capital and Laurel Mountain Partners, talk about future development and acquisition plans for the fast-growing company following a recapitalization.

By Cole Rosengren • July 21, 2022

3 reasons to believe in the future of plastic recycling

Recent articles have hammered a drumbeat of negativity on plastics recycling, but it can work with the right investment and policy action, writes the senior director of strategy and research at The Recycling Partnership.

By Scott Mouw • July 20, 2022

Republic Services reports on progress toward 2030 climate goals, restates emissions accounting

The company says it’s on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost recovery of certain “key materials,” with more electric vehicles on the way. It has also begun using an industry-created emissions standard.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated July 22, 2022

EPA chemical recycling debate heats up with letters from lawmakers, activists and industry pushback

Some environmentalists and lawmakers want pyrolysis and gasification units to remain regulated as waste combustion, but the plastics industry says the label doesn’t apply to most chemical recycling. EPA will consider new rules.

By Megan Quinn • July 19, 2022

Gainesville, Florida, seeks to be Southeast leader with major EV deployment, zero-waste policies

The college town is aiming to be a regional leader when it comes to reuse, edible food recovery and other areas. An upcoming contract with GFL Environmental also calls for dozens of electric collection vehicles.

By Maria Rachal • July 19, 2022

Pending copper shortfall threatens energy transition, greenhouse gas reduction goals: S&P Global

Even assuming record levels of mining and recycling, there won’t be enough copper to meet the needs of electric vehicles and other components of the energy transition, according to a recent report.

By Ethan Howland • July 15, 2022