BlackRock losing 'patience' on pace of corporate ESG disclosure

The hedge funds behind most of this season's proxy battles are looking to address investor concerns about sustainability. Panelists at a recent event said boardrooms must take this more seriously if they aren't already.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 16, 2021

California governor signs full slate of circular economy bills

The package includes bills regulating recyclability and compostability claims on products, restricting exports of plastic scrap and updating the state's container redemption program.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Oct. 6, 2021

Archaea Energy merger completed, setting up major landfill RNG producer

Archaea and Aria Energy have joined forces in a deal led by a special purpose acquisition company, signaling that the waste industry sees increasingly lucrative potential in high-Btu landfill gas projects.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 16, 2021

Republic Services purchases ACV Enviro for environmental services expansion

The acquisition of this New Jersey-based operation follows CEO Jon Vander Ark's prior comments about growing the company's environmental services business, including hazardous waste.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 2, 2021

Recycling Partnership grants could boost curbside polypropylene acceptance by 6%

The Polypropylene Recycling Coalition has awarded $4.2 million to date for equipment upgrades as consumer product companies look to bounce back from last year's recyclability access downgrade by How2Recycle.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Sept. 7, 2021

Tesla made electric trucks 'cool.' Now fleets face financial hurdles.

Total cost of ownership for electric trucks is more attractive than diesel, executives said at ACT Expo, but issues around charging are significant.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 1, 2021

Raven SR's waste-to-hydrogen project with Republic Services could have implications beyond California

Creating green hydrogen from organics is one way to meet the state's SB 1383 goals, but Raven's CEO said he hopes this process can be a competitive way to handle waste streams in any state.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 31, 2021

Brand commitments contributing to higher recycled HDPE prices

The recent run of strong pricing, especially for HDPE natural, has caught recyclers' attention. At least one expert believes market dynamics have decoupled recycled resin and virgin prices.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 26, 2021

Natural gas trucks: A fit for all fleets?

There are multiple factors to consider even before examining overall cost, including range needs and infrastructure access, one executive said.

By Amanda Loudin • Aug. 19, 2021

Progress report: Brands face increasing pressure on recyclability claims in 2021

Major corporations have pledged to make big recycling-related changes by 2025, and environmental groups are holding them accountable through reporting requirements, shareholder agreements and lawsuits.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 12, 2021

Waste-to-energy supporters aim to 'clear the air,' reposition technology as landfill alternative

Recent research shows better performance across multiple environmental measures for WTE versus landfills, but few U.S. communities show an interest in new facilities, and opposition continues to limit growth.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 4, 2021

Republic Services Q2: 'no pause' on M&A after Santek, eyeing environmental solutions deals

The labor shortage and coronavirus pose some uncertainty, the company acknowledged, but it raised guidance based on strong recovery trends. Executives also discussed new landfill gas and recycling opportunities.

By Maria Rachal • July 30, 2021

GFL launches renewable energy platform, forecasts ample M&A opportunities

While Canada's economic recovery is expected to roll into next year, the company is already seeing pre-pandemic volumes in other areas and big free cash flow gains. A new focus on landfill gas projects may boost that trend.

By Cole Rosengren • July 29, 2021

Waste Management's first chief sustainability officer aims to expand recycling, organics revenue

In her first Waste Dive interview since starting the new role, Tara Hemmer describes sustainability as a "growth lever" for the industry giant. She also weighs in on the landfill emissions debate, plastics and waste reduction.

By Cole Rosengren • July 26, 2021

Too few companies advocate for climate-friendly policies despite lofty goals: report

Only around 40% of the country's top 100 firms lobby for green legislation. We have "run out of time to waste," said sustainability nonprofit Ceres.

By Chris Teale • July 13, 2021

'The strongest have survived': Anaerobic digestion companies see clear path to scaling up

Anaergia, BDC, Generate Capital and Vanguard Renewables believe they're poised to expand food waste recycling around the country. ESG trends, rising disposal tip fees and state or local policies are all key drivers.

By Cole Rosengren • July 12, 2021

Waste CEOs emphasize labor, ESG and M&A as top priorities after pandemic

Leaders from Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and other groups weighed in on labor solutions, fleet technology and the economy at WasteExpo.

By Cole Rosengren • July 6, 2021

'Electric is not easy': LA, NYC look to build capacity for more battery EVs in refuse fleets

"If I ordered a truck and I got it in nine months, it may sit for 14 months waiting for the ability to plug it in," one Los Angeles sanitation official said, highlighting the need to focus on the electricity poised to power upgraded fleets.

By Maria Rachal • July 2, 2021

Shifts in attitudes on EPR could mean quicker policy change: Circularity 21

Conference speakers pointed to the U.S. Plastics Pact road map and Ellen MacArthur Foundation's recent endorsements as signs that EPR is coming into its own — as long as state and federal policy can catch up.

By Megan Quinn • June 23, 2021

GE announces European partnerships to advance full wind turbine recycling

"Europe may be ahead of the U.S. in requiring recyclable systems, but all will soon follow," said Paul Veers, chief engineer at NREL's National Wind Technology Center.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 16, 2021

Waste Management looks to surpass 80% CNG collection fleet

With 70% of its routed fleet already there, that goal is for the next five to seven years. “We're going to continue to buy predominantly CNG where the opportunity exists," said COO John Morris, following a new fleets report.

By Maria Rachal • June 2, 2021

Moving from value to values: an ESG assessment

CFOs should create a new agenda around "the three R's": risk, regulation and returns, in an effort to better understand the trade-offs between economic outcomes and broader value outcomes, panelists said at Gartner's CFO & Finance Executive Conference.

By Jane Thier • May 28, 2021

Plastic resin makers launch $25M recycling fund for PP, PE plastics

Dow, LyondellBasell and Nova are working with Closed Loop Partners to invest up to $100 million in projects meant to develop markets for polypropylene and polyethylene, two resins that face market and recycling challenges.

By Megan Quinn • May 26, 2021

Republic shareholders reject ESG-linked pay proposal while industry sees another year of rising CEO compensation

A recent Teamsters-backed effort to tie executive compensation to environmental performance was unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the pay gap between solid waste CEOs and median employees continues to widen.

By Cole Rosengren • May 25, 2021

Waste Management offering no-cost education for employees' dependents to improve retention

The program will expand in 2022 to include employees' nearly 34,000 benefits-eligible dependents, and will be a "key differentiator" for the company, said Chief People Officer Tamla Oates-Forney.

By Emilie Shumway • May 20, 2021