5 takeaways on emerging trends from the National Zero Waste Conference

Recycled content, plastics policy, climate connections and racial justice are among top priorities heading into 2021. The event also marked the latest sign of a revived National Recycling Coalition. 

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 16, 2020

2020 shapes up as major year for M&A, consolidation in waste and recycling industry

Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Wheelabrator and many others all had a particularly active stretch of deal-making across numerous states.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 15, 2020

Vanguard Renewables eyes national anaerobic digestion expansion with new alliance

Initial members of the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance include Unilever, Starbucks and Dairy Farmers of America, all of which will direct their organics to a rapidly expanding network of Vanguard facilities across the country.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 14, 2020

Organization of the Year: Sanitation Foundation

As New York sanitation workers were caught in the initial epicenter of the pandemic, hundreds were infected and multiple died. A city nonprofit played a key role in supporting them and adapting to a very eventful year.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

The Waste Dive Awards for 2020

During a year of crisis and challenge, these are some of the people, groups and initiatives that met the moment.

By Waste Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Quest CEO talks first acquisition, weathering pandemic and growing demand for sustainability

The "asset-light" company's national platform of commercial accounts took a hit this year, like many others. Leader Ray Hatch, formerly of Oakleaf, sees signs of a recovery and more potential deals ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 30, 2020

Former Recology executive charged with laundering bribes worth more than $1M in San Francisco

The two charges against Paul Giusti stem from alleged attempts to influence former city Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, who was arrested earlier this year, in exchange for his approval of rate increases and other actions.

By Cole Rosengren , Gloria Gonzalez • Nov. 24, 2020

Urgency around climate change, plastics ramps up circular economy interest in US

Georgia Sherwin of Closed Loop Partners highlights how the concept is becoming more tangible for businesses, with a look at implications for reuse models, policies and diversity in the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 19, 2020

EPA sets 2030 national recycling goal, stakeholders call for more federal action

Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a 50% recycling rate target for 2030, while the latest annual data showed a decline to 32.1% and multiple financial pressures continue for the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Ongoing evolution in ESG and climate plans among waste and recycling companies

Companies have been setting more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets and announcing related investments in recent years.

By Waste Dive Team • Updated Sept. 22, 2021

Tracking ESG climate targets from US waste and recycling companies

Republic Services is the latest company to report on its emissions reduction goals, but it opted not to update a specific report as it awaits the outcome of a Securities and Exchange Commission climate disclosure rule.

By Nami Sumida, Cole Rosengren, Leslie Nemo • Updated July 27, 2023

Calculating the costs of climate change in the waste, energy sectors

Waste Dive, Utility Dive and Smart Cities Dive teamed up for a series presenting the way their sectors are evaluating the impacts and costs of mitigating climate change.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

US waste and recycling sector faces mounting risks and opportunities from climate change

As the industry increasingly recognizes its contribution to climate change and sees business opportunities in potentially mitigating those effects, the sector could be at a notable inflection point in the years ahead.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 18, 2020

Biden's Build Back Better is an opportunity for organics recyclers

Jeremy Brosowsky, CEO of Agricity, makes the case for why food waste reduction and composting should be a key part of the next administration's economic recovery and climate change efforts.

By Jeremy Brosowsky • Nov. 17, 2020

Recology COO discusses how the West Coast company is weathering a year of wildfires, pandemic disruptions

Sal Coniglio – recently promoted to one of the company's top jobs – talks future plans, COVID-19 business effects and how previous fires taught the company to stock up on masks.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 11, 2020

How the 2020 election could impact the waste and recycling industry

The outcome could affect major issues like climate change, PFAS, taxes, M&A, recycling policies and more. 

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 2, 2020

Republic Services to acquire Minnesota hauler Randy's Environmental

The family-owned company describes itself as the largest independent operator in the state, with numerous contracts in the Minneapolis area. It is also known for a unique co-collection system for organics.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 23, 2020

RTS acquires organics recycler and circular product manufacturer Ambrosia

The deal includes Ambrosia's processing facility in New Jersey, making RTS vertically integrated for organics in the New York metro area. Future facilities will be considered in other markets.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 22, 2020

Disposing 'forever' toxics: How the waste and recycling industry is tackling the PFAS chemicals crisis

Found everywhere from Arctic seawater to the blood of most humans, PFAS are inevitable in the waste stream. With the prospect of regulations and litigation mounting, the industry is figuring out how to handle one of its most difficult issues in years.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020

'We can never get to zero': Organics recyclers face hard choices in responding to PFAS contamination

Composting and biosolids stakeholders worry regulations will decimate their industry, while environmental and health groups say action is critical.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 19, 2020

Waste Management updates sustainability plan with 2025 targets focused on climate

Existing 2038 sustainability goals haven't changed, but executives recognized the need for more near-term progress. Procuring more renewable energy and reducing recycling contamination are among the newly announced priorities.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 15, 2020

Texas conference highlights growing PFAS, environmental justice concerns

Speakers at the 2020 Texas Recycling and Composting Summit covered PFAS contamination in biosolids, a state market development study, racial issues in the industry and more.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 13, 2020

New guidelines aim to address labeling confusion for compostable packaging

The Biodegradable Products Institute will offer manufacturers input on labeling and identification strategies — addressing a long-running problem for organics diversion and an uptick in legislative attention.

By E.A. Crunden • Oct. 5, 2020

Multi-state West Coast initiative enlists food retailers in push to reduce waste 50% by 2030

Led by the Pacific Coast Collaborative, a growing voluntary agreement aims to support goals across the region through public-private partnerships and on-the-ground collaboration, as well as measurement and reporting metrics.

By E.A. Crunden • Sept. 23, 2020

New York sanitation commissioner warns against 'devastating' budget cuts ahead of resignation

After six-plus years on the job, Kathryn Garcia is considering a run for mayor. In an exit interview, she discourages further layoffs, forecasts more commercial waste zone delays and says "zero waste" by 2030 is likely unattainable.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 14, 2020