NWRA CEO Hoffman says ‘playing offense’ is key to better industry representation

Michael E. Hoffman discusses his first few months on the job and the association’s outlook on important policy and regulatory changes related to EPR, climate and the upcoming election.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 8, 2024

Do more with less: Supercharge waste and recycling fleet operations

Digital enablement allows fleet authorities to compress route times and mileage, saving on fuel costs and vehicle wear and tear. 

Oct. 7, 2024

Recycling industry eyes export improvements after port strike resolution

Ports important to recycled commodities trade are expected to reopen now that a labor strike is tentatively resolved, but some residual logistics and commodity price impacts could linger due to backlogs.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 4, 2024

LRS releases first sustainability report, unveils emissions reduction plan

LRS’ sustainability report offers baseline greenhouse gas emissions data and a general plan for reducing emissions from landfills and fleet vehicles while maintaining recycling rates and continuing to improve safety rates.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 3, 2024

Notable waste and recycling conferences in 2025

Organizers have already begun planning conferences for 2025, with new locations announced for events by SWANA and ReFED. See details about next year’s events covering business trends, organics, plastic recycling and more.

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Oct. 4, 2024

WM to close Maryland MRF and reduce temp workforce as part of upgrade plan

The Elkridge facility’s closure is the latest development in WM’s efforts to invest more than $1 billion in new and upgraded recycling facilities across the US through 2026.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 19, 2024

OSHA sets late December comment deadline for extreme heat standard

The agency’s proposed rule would require employers to develop heat injury and illness prevention plans, among other actions.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 3, 2024

GFL and EEOC to settle discrimination suit alleging women were barred from truck driver jobs

GFL and its subsidiaries in Georgia are expected to finalize a consent decree with the EEOC, effectively ending the case alleging the companies had a pattern of blocking women from driver roles since 2016.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 22, 2024

Focus on heat illness intensifies after death of Baltimore sanitation worker

In the wake of the death of Ronald Silver II, a city employee, labor groups are calling for more heat safety protections — and fast. Pending state and federal heat standards could help.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 20, 2024

What the Supreme Court’s Chevron reversal could mean for PFAS and labor regulations

Ripple effects of the Chevron doctrine reversal may not affect operations for waste and recycling companies yet but could affect future federal rulemaking and legal challenges. NWRA’s CEO and legal experts weigh in.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 6, 2024

Waste Connections touts big M&A growth, ramps up rail tons to Arrowhead Landfill

CEO Ron Mittelstaedt said the company is on track for an annual record in private company acquisition spending. He also touted ongoing improvements in employee retention, recycling earnings and energy waste services.

By Cole Rosengren • July 25, 2024

Republic ups guidance amid stronger commodity prices, despite lower volumes

The company said a weak construction market and the shedding of some contracts will likely lower volumes through 2024. However, underlying financial metrics remain strong thanks to strong pricing growth.

By Jacob Wallace • July 25, 2024

Pay rose for multiple waste and recycling CEOs in 2023, especially GFL

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

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • July 22, 2024

Proposed OSHA heat rule leaves waste industry with operational questions

Waste and recycling groups say the proposed standard raises practical questions of how to change schedules and other operations to better protect workers from the heat.

By Megan Quinn • July 11, 2024

LRS receives credit rating downgrades, hires chief revenue officer

Moody’s and S&P both downgraded the Midwest recycler in June due in part to high debt leverage, but they maintained stable outlooks. LRS is searching for a CFO after Luke Chenery returned to Macquarie.

By Megan Quinn • July 9, 2024

OSHA proposes rule to protect workers from extreme heat

The standard would require employers to provide water and rest breaks when high heat creates a hazardous work environment.

By Zachary Phillips • July 2, 2024

7 key questions to ask before upgrading your billing software

Think simplicity, connectivity and efficiency when exploring new billing systems. 

By Jed Dawson, VP Product Engineering at Routeware • June 24, 2024

Republic shareholders nix Teamsters’ proposal to report labor impact of climate policies

A strong majority of shareholders voted against the proposal, which sought to compel Republic to more explicitly detail how its investments in automation and artificial intelligence affect workers.

By Jacob Wallace • May 30, 2024

Casella president outlines growth plans for mid-Atlantic and other priorities

Ned Coletta, roughly six months into his role as president, is working on multiple aspects of the company’s strategy. He recently shared updates on disposal capacity, PFAS treatment, RNG projects, training and more.

By Megan Quinn • May 16, 2024

Waste Pro leaders talk employee training and growth plans in the Southeast

CEO Sean Jennings and COO Keith Banasiak say offerings like CDL and technician schools, plus a focus on customer service and selective acquisitions, could help them hit the $2 billion revenue mark in a few years. 

By Megan Quinn • May 14, 2024

Mittelstaedt touts ‘significant’ labor improvements after returning as Waste Connections CEO

The company is making major labor and retention changes, investing in internal training and hiring and reducing voluntary turnover, CEO Ron Mittelstaedt said during WasteExpo.

By Megan Quinn • May 13, 2024

4 ways safety managers recommend building trust with front-line workers

Better employee engagement comes from everyday interactions with workers, said safety leaders from Casella Waste Systems, GFL Environmental, Lytx, Republic Services and Waste Connections during a panel at WasteExpo.

By Megan Quinn • May 10, 2024

GFL eyes new opportunities in Canada amid improving cash outlook

Revenues outperformed expectations and costs improved in the first quarter of the year, executives said, leading to an updated outlook for the company for the full year.

By Jacob Wallace • May 2, 2024

Stericycle reports progress on workforce and fleet optimization plan, touts new document service

The company reported margin improvement from various cost saving measures, and shared construction updates for an upcoming incinerator project in Nevada.

By Megan Quinn • April 26, 2024

NWRA hires industry veteran Hoffman as next CEO

Michael E. Hoffman, a longtime financial analyst who currently works at Stifel, is taking on the lead role at the industry’s largest trade association.

By Cole Rosengren • April 26, 2024