Top interviews with waste and recycling leaders in 2022

Read some of the year’s most popular conversations with CEOs from Republic Services, WIN Waste Innovations, LRS and Vanguard Renewables, as well as leaders from WM, the U.S. EPA and other organizations.

Dec. 22, 2022

PepsiCo aims to double amount of reusable packaging to 20% by 2030

To meet the target, the beverage giant plans to prioritize four areas, including growing the company’s SodaStream platform and expanding its refillable plastic and glass bottle offerings.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 6, 2022

The US waste and recycling industry in 2022 — what you need to know

Stories on M&A, recycling policy and organics recycling expansion — and how the economy and environmental justice considerations are shaping the industry’s path forward — have driven the news this year.

Dec. 5, 2022

GFL launches first ESG targets, aiming to reduce GHG emissions 15% by 2030

The Canada-based company’s first set of detailed targets comes after its landfill portfolio has doubled in recent years. GFL is focusing on renewable natural gas projects as well as alternative fuel vehicles in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 29, 2022

Rubicon announces layoffs, debt restructuring to stabilize company

The waste broker was previously facing serious liquidity issues, with $102.6 million worth of debt once set to mature in November. A software deal with Palantir Technologies was cited among its notable costs.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 21, 2022

Rubicon pledges ‘progress to profitability’ and shares plans to grow company’s earnings potential

In Rubicon’s first earnings call since going public and seeing its founder step down, CEO Phil Rodoni named “profitability as the core tenet of our strategy and corporate culture going forward” and announced a new company president.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 10, 2022

Upstream CEO talks about the role of EPR in expanding reuse-refill, ‘golden opportunity’ for recycling industry

The reuse-refill sector has become increasingly mainstream, as shown by the nonprofit’s Reusies award event. Matt Prindiville shares his latest outlook on where it’s going next and how the traditional waste industry can be involved.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 7, 2022

GFL Q3 revenue jumps, ESG targets to come this month

GFL Environmental’s revenue bump came amid economic headwinds and notable costs related to fuel, trucks and MRF fires, as discussed on its earnings call Thursday.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 3, 2022

Clean Harbors names co-CEOs in first major leadership change since its founding

Founder Alan McKim, who has led the environmental services company for 42 years, said he’ll still help drive M&A strategy and will pass off current responsibilities to multiple leaders.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 2, 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

Plastic recycling rates are low. Could better data collection help?

Better collaboration between stakeholders and more formalized laws around recycling data collection would give the U.S. a better road map for improving recycling, speakers at a webinar from The Recycling Partnership said.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 27, 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 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

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

Why are PET prices declining? Experts cite a ‘confluence of events’ tied to the shifting economy

The summer’s steep dips have slowed, but economic indicators suggest more short-term turbulence could be afoot. Analysts say it’s too soon to draw conclusions about how this relates to brands’ recycled content commitments.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 19, 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

Rubicon founder Nate Morris steps down as CEO soon after taking company public

Phil Rodoni, previously the company’s chief technology officer, has been elevated to the lead role. Rubicon has seen its financial standing decline less than two months after going public.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 14, 2022

Republic follows WM, Stericycle in agreeing to civil rights audit

Republic says it will conduct an independent audit despite shareholders voting down a similar proposal in May. Groups including the Teamsters and As You Sow want the company to be more transparent about environmental justice.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 7, 2022

RoadRunner Recycling buys Compology to scale AI, metering in collection service

RoadRunner, which provides service through third-party haulers, has raised nearly $130 million to date as it scales quickly. Compology’s AI and camera capabilities will expand its data offerings for ESG-driven customers.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 6, 2022

Where Cyclyx, ExxonMobil, McKinsey and Casella see chemical recycling going next

During a recent MIT event, the CEO of the Cyclyx consortium said waste companies and MRF operators could play a key role in supporting a transition toward chemical recycling.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 30, 2022

US Plastics Pact launches program to boost reuse and refill concepts

Members of the brand-backed group aim to make their plastic packaging 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, but the current scope of U.S. reuse systems remains limited.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 20, 2022

US Plastics Pact activators see federal policy as key to achieving 2025 packaging reduction goals

During a recent webinar, speakers from Mars and Keurig Dr Pepper outlined incremental progress on rethinking their packaging strategies and called for further federal action to accelerate this shift.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 15, 2022

National Sword kicked off a wave of MRF investments. 5 years later, tech and funding continue to advance.

While the initial shock led facility operators to scramble, many have since invested millions in new equipment to improve material quality. Now, brand commitments and state policies are expected to be the next big market drivers.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 14, 2022

WM’s VP of recycling discusses what the Avangard acquisition means for plastic markets

WM has invested in secondary processing ventures before, but VP Brent Bell said the market conditions make this round different. He also shared what the deal could mean for a Honeywell chemical recycling proposal and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 14, 2022