How Republic's investment in secondary plastics processing puts a 'different twist' on vertical integration

It's been less common for haulers and MRF operators to have a further role in the supply chain, but growing postconsumer recycled content demand and other market factors could make the strategy more profitable.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 30, 2022

Companies must venture into 'jungle' of approaches to ESG ratings

CFOs committed to providing sustainability disclosures confront a confusing variety of inconsistent standards and measurements, according to a panel of experts at a recent Economist event.

By Jim Tyson • March 23, 2022

Is jet fuel from waste finally ready for takeoff?

Multiple projects to create sustainable aviation fuel from waste are underway, including a Fulcrum BioEnergy plant a decade in the making. Questions remain about whether it will be a scalable, viable success for the circular economy.

By Danielle Beurteaux • March 23, 2022

Walmart signs up for West Coast food waste-reduction project

As a member of the Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment, the retailer will provide data that will help give a more precise estimate of waste across the retail sector and identify key "hot spots" to focus on.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • March 22, 2022

SEC proposes 'rules of the road' for climate disclosures

Investors with $130 trillion in assets under management have pushed for consistent, comparable disclosures on climate risk, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said Monday.

By Jim Tyson • March 21, 2022

Fuel price bump prompts surcharges, renewed interest in waste and recycling fleet transitions

Many private-sector and city fleet operators have systems in place to pass along heightened costs. Meanwhile, industry leaders are also monitoring how the war in Ukraine could further strain supply chains for trucks and parts.

By Maria Rachal • Updated March 17, 2022

'Target Zero' appeals to consumers' sustainability concerns

The retailer worked with vendors including third-party brands and its own private labels to design more eco-friendly packaging for hundreds of products.

By Daphne Howland • March 10, 2022

Waste Dive Live: What's next for waste and recycling in 2022?

Watch the videos from our Feb. 10 virtual event to hear perspectives from the Waste Dive team, The Recycling Partnership and Reloop.

By The Waste Dive Team • March 9, 2022

Plastic supply pressures create market challenges and opportunities for recycled resins, analysts say

At the Plastics Recycling Conference, IHS Markit analysts suggested volatile crude oil prices from the war in Ukraine could drive up virgin resin prices and recycled resin demand. Meanwhile, supply is still tight for PET, PP and PE.

By Megan Quinn • March 9, 2022

White House accelerates plans for zero-emission trucks

The Biden administration announced new grant funding for manufacturers and a proposed rule to dramatically curb nitrogen oxide emissions by 2031.

By Jim Stinson • March 7, 2022

Global treaty aims to tackle plastic pollution through its full life cycle, including waste and recycling

ISRI, NWRA, SWANA and others expect the landmark treaty to affect high-level operations, but the details won't be known until 2024.

By Megan Quinn • Updated March 3, 2022

CEO says longevity sets Ameresco apart in the landfill gas-to-energy space

A 20-plus-year reputation and broad range of clients — including municipalities, military bases and private companies — will keep the company going as competition ramps up in the waste sector, executives said.

By Megan Quinn • March 2, 2022

Coors Light to begin global shift from 6-pack plastic rings in 2022

Molson Coors will spend $85 million to start the transition to cardboard-wrap carriers for the brew while upgrading machinery so its entire North American portfolio can use the material by the end of 2025.

By Christopher Doering • March 1, 2022

SEC to take hard stand against corporate 'greenwashing'

The SEC soon plans to propose rules for sustainability disclosure standards that will feature detailed guidelines for reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, according to SEC Commissioner Allison Herren Lee.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 24, 2022

The pandemic pushed paper markets to record levels. How long will those prices continue?

Fiber markets soared in 2021, thanks in large part to the pandemic's e-commerce boom. Now, billions of dollars in infrastructure investments are coming online and demand is expected to remain strong.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 23, 2022

3 takeaways from GWMS on the future of environmental justice, greenhouse gas emissions and leachate at landfills

Landfill operators, consultants and researchers shared the latest trends they're following at last week's biennial event. Microplastics were called out as an emerging contaminant of concern, akin to how PFAS science has evolved.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 23, 2022

Casella lays out 2024 strategy, touts Northeast disposal projects and Boston MRF upgrade

After years of M&A, the Vermont-based company is on track to approach $1 billion in revenue for 2022. Executives said they have wide flexibility to adjust prices amid inflation and outlined multiple areas for growth.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2022

Q4 earnings: Waste companies close out 2021 with inflation offset plans, sizable M&A activity, ESG spending

Pricing strategies are helping mitigate inflationary pressures, labor remains a challenge, MRF investment is growing and renewable natural gas projects at landfills are on the rise. Catch up on our takeaways from key public companies.

By The Waste Dive Team • Feb. 18, 2022

Republic Services CEO talks what's next after the US Ecology transaction

Jon Vander Ark elaborated on Republic's environmental services expansion in terms of next steps to close the deal, a strategic review of market areas, potential capital investments, PFAS opportunities, future M&A and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 18, 2022

Waste Connections closes 2021 with more than $1B in M&A spending, sees path to $10B in revenue

The company says it's prepared to handle pressures around inflation, labor and other issues. It also closed 30 deals last year and sees more to come, following an active start to 2022.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 17, 2022

WM drops 'waste' from its name, frames ESG approach at annual sustainability forum

The newly rebranded industry giant described itself as a "circular logistics operator" that is part of a "renewable energy revolution." Plus, panelists spoke on economics, circularity, climate justice, diversity, leadership and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 16, 2022

Waste Connections' James Little calls for faster action on PFAS management, investment in RNG at landfills

Speaking at the Global Waste Management Symposium, Little expressed optimism about the industry's ability to meet ESG goals, despite environmental and regulatory challenges, and touted landfills as renewable energy producers.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 16, 2022

As compost volumes grow, policy and research help boost market expansion

Composters are continuously exploring market options as organics recycling expands. Transportation projects, carbon sequestration, green roofs and cannabis farming are among many opportunities.

By Leslie Nemo • Feb. 14, 2022

Republic Services highlights 'both and' approach to grow solid waste, environmental solutions segments

On its fourth quarter and full-year 2021 earnings call, the industry's second-largest player touted a bundled services approach as part of the pending US Ecology buyout and said spending will continue across both businesses.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 11, 2022

GFL Environmental spinning off infrastructure division into new 'GFL 2.0,' says plenty more M&A ahead

GFL closed out its second year as a public company with sizable increases in revenue, fueled in part by spending CA$2.3 billion on 46 acquisitions. The Canadian company is eyeing dozens of new deals and more growth this year.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 10, 2022