Pay growth continued for top waste and recycling leaders in 2021 as CEO-median employee pay ratio widened

See the latest compensation data for executives at WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, Harsco and Casella Waste Systems in our annual report.

By Cole Rosengren • June 29, 2022

University of Maine researchers: Circular economy concepts may be overlooking environmental justice

The circular economy can offer “transformative promises” and potential job creation, but a recent literature review found many reports overlook EJ's role in sustaining such systems.

By Megan Quinn • June 21, 2022

WM explains plans to accelerate automation amid a 'war for talent'

With the company potentially phasing out up to 7,000 positions in the next few years, Chief Customer Officer Michael Watson elaborated on efforts to “upskill” employees and seize growth opportunities even in a tight labor market.

By Maria Rachal • June 15, 2022

Recycled cotton company Recover raises $100M in funding led by Goldman Sachs

The latest round of funding for a company focused on textile waste speaks to the need for innovation in an industry that creates tons of waste annually.

By Dani James • June 13, 2022

Expecting food waste 'tsunami,' California recyclers focus on infrastructure and end markets

As the state rolls out universal organics collection, major companies such as Agromin, Anaergia, GreenWaste Recovery, Recology, Republic Services and WM are expanding to meet demand. Learn more in Part 2 of our series.

By Cole Rosengren • June 9, 2022

California’s high-stakes experiment to cut organic waste disposal 75% by 2025

Waste companies and local governments in the state are making massive investments and operational changes to meet the demands of SB 1383. Explore the implications with our ongoing series.

Updated Nov. 14, 2022

How SEC ESG disclosure rules will impact private companies

The environmental reporting requirements, once they’re finalized, will sweep in a broader range of companies than many general counsel might realize.

By Robert Freedman • June 7, 2022

How New Jersey’s environmental justice law is beginning to affect operators around the country

Environmental lawyer Matthew Karmel offers insight on the law's newly-released draft rule language, plus M&A considerations and tips for navigating EJ risk assessments in any state.

By Megan Quinn • June 7, 2022

Climate-related disclosure annually costs companies $677K on average

The Securities and Exchange Commission is pushing a climate risk rule that would require companies to budget for detailed analysis of their greenhouse gas emissions. The agency is also seeking more disclosure for ESG funds.

By Jim Tyson • May 25, 2022

Big Food's sustainable packaging goals hit supply and demand reality

As consumer packaged goods companies set targets to cut virgin plastic use, the pandemic, poor weather and war have complicated their timelines.

By Samantha Oller • May 25, 2022

WasteExpo highlights big ideas for solving food waste, recycling, data and infrastructure problems

Speakers from Recology, ERI, Generate Upcycle, Orlando and the state of California shared advice on how to advance waste, recycling and organics operations.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Updated May 23, 2022

How top waste companies are competing around M&A, recycling, inflation and labor

Hear what executives from Casella Waste Systems, Coastal Waste & Recycling, LRS, Republic Services, USA Hauling & Recycling, Waste Connections and others had to say about key trends at WasteExpo.

By Cole Rosengren • May 18, 2022

What does environmental justice mean for waste? Data, community partners can provide greater clarity

Though the U.S. EPA has touted environmental justice as a major priority, many waste and recycling facility operators are unclear where they fit in and how the concept translates to day-to-day actions, panelists at WasteExpo said.

By Megan Quinn • May 18, 2022

Electric evolution increasingly seen as inevitable for waste and recycling fleets

Timeline predictions vary, but conversations at WasteExpo suggested a wider consensus is forming that refuse fleets are destined for electrification. With that, the focus shifts from doubts about trucks to infrastructure stresses.

By Maria Rachal • May 16, 2022

Global ESG standard-setting gains speed

Faced with a patchwork of inconsistent measurement frameworks, regulators and other standard-setters worldwide are now building a consensus behind uniform rules for gauging sustainability.

By Jim Tyson • May 4, 2022

Q1 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.

By The Waste Dive Team • Updated May 6, 2022

Casella forecasts $1B in annual revenue, growing M&A pipeline

The Northeastern company reported a positive quarter despite facility construction setbacks, inflation issues and lower landfill volumes. It also previewed upward of $500 million in potential acquisition opportunities.

By Megan Quinn • April 29, 2022

Big brands targeted for plastic reduction and refill commitments in 2022 proxy season

Plastics remain a potent issue for shareholder advocacy this year, with commitments already made by companies such as Coca-Cola and votes still pending at Amazon, McDonald's and ExxonMobil.

By Cole Rosengren • April 27, 2022

Environmental justice, including at waste sites, takes center stage at Houston event

As current and former EPA officials called for greater action on environmental justice, the author of seminal research on inequity issues around Houston landfills and incinerators shared how the concept got its start.

By Cole Rosengren • April 27, 2022

WM describes 'conservative' approach on M&A, sees strong Q1 price and volume trends

Executives at the industry's top company kicked off earnings season with updates on efforts to offset inflation, reduce head count through automation and focus more on ESG investments than on big acquisitions.

By Cole Rosengren • April 26, 2022

Stericycle shareholders pass civil rights proposal; similar proposals pass at WM, fail at Republic

The Teamsters and investment firm Parnassus previously said independent audits could clarify progress on corporate ESG and DEI goals. The companies have said they already provide needed data on the issues.

By Megan Quinn • Updated June 2, 2022

M&A trends, DEI improvements and the future of electronics repair are the talk of NERC conference

At a virtual Northeast Recycling Council event, the DOJ weighed in on its antitrust review process, panelists discussed "rethinking our internal structures" on DEI and electronics repair advocates celebrated state legislative progress.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 29, 2022

Wegmans will soon say 'goodbye' to single-use plastic bags chainwide

The grocery chain, which has already eliminated the bags at more than half of its stores, plans to fully do away with them by the end of this year.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • April 18, 2022

After years of growing awareness, ReFED director sees a 'rubber-meets-the-road moment' for food waste

The U.S. government's 2030 food loss and waste reduction goal is fast approaching, and food prices are on the rise. Dana Gunders discusses what this all means for ongoing efforts to reduce, recover and recycle wasted food.

By Cole Rosengren • April 6, 2022

Dramatic expansion potential for waste projects seen by RNG Coalition CEO as climate efforts intensify

RNG projects at North American landfills, anaerobic digesters and other sites are set to grow exponentially in the coming years. Johannes Escudero breaks down what's ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • April 1, 2022