By the numbers: 2024 waste and recycling trends

Reflect on the year through key data points about labor, the economy, M&A, federal and state policy, recycling trends and more.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • Dec. 20, 2024

Waste and recycling collection was fourth deadliest occupation in 2023: BLS

The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows an increase in the rate of fatalities for the refuse and recyclable materials collection occupation. The total number of fatalities in MRFs also increased.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 20, 2024

Aspen Waste announces organic expansion into Colorado, bucking M&A trend

Family-owned Aspen Waste enters the Colorado market during a time of consolidation in the region. It aims to offer a customer service-focused choice as the state prepares to implement its EPR for packaging law.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 16, 2024

Trump nominates Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer for secretary of labor

The Teamsters president voiced support for Chavez-DeRemer, saying she previously pledged to “protect and respect labor in America.”

By Ginger Christ • Nov. 25, 2024

AMP names former Republic exec as new CEO

Tim Stuart will step into the role as founder Matanya Horowitz transitions to chief technology officer. The AI robotics company has expanded its offerings in recent years to include facility design.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 12, 2024

Injury rates for waste industry workers fell in 2023, but illnesses rose

Injury rates still haven’t fallen back to historically low 2021 levels. Meanwhile, solid waste collection workers experienced significantly more illnesses than in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 8, 2024

4 employment actions to expect under a second Trump presidency

Employers are likely to see immigration raids, agency chair replacements and a slowing in regulatory activity, experts at Littler Mendelson predicted.

By Emilie Shumway • Nov. 6, 2024

WM reports strong Q3, says Stericycle synergies estimate was ‘conservative’

WM noted solid collection and disposal activity, higher commodity prices and continued RNG and recycling project completion during Q3. It’s on track to complete its acquisition of Stericycle in Q4.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 29, 2024

Waste Connections reports record M&A activity, sees good momentum into 2025

CEO Ron Mittelstaedt confirmed the company expects to close between 30 to 35 deals this year, with $700 million in revenue acquired so far. Waste Connections also raised its 2024 guidance and previewed 2025.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 24, 2024

How the 2024 election could affect waste and recycling policy

The presidential nominees have different takes on environmental and regulatory policies that could affect the industry, including those addressing emissions, recycling, PFAS, labor and environmental justice.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace , Cole Rosengren • Oct. 22, 2024

GFL, Waste Pro to pay millions for settlements of EEOC race and sex discrimination lawsuits

Waste Pro in Florida will pay $1.4 million and subsidiaries of GFL Environmental in Georgia will pay $3.1 million to settle separate lawsuits with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 21, 2024

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

The C&D World Conference & Exhibition and EREF Summit on Landfill Emissions are the latest industry events to add dates for 2025. 

By Waste Dive Staff • Updated Dec. 11, 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