Anaergia shifting to ‘capital-light’ strategy amid feedstock challenges for anaerobic digesters

Projects in California and Italy have ramped up slower than planned, prompting financial challenges. CEO Andrew Benedek urged investors not to “give up hope” on the company, citing the tailwinds behind RNG in its core markets.

By Jacob Wallace • May 17, 2023

Maryland governor signs EPR, organics and electric vehicle laws

Maryland’s legislative session ended with the passage of several bills meant to boost composting, promote electric trucks and explore EPR for packaging.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 11, 2023

WM CEO Jim Fish discusses the economy, labor automation and sustainability investments

The industry’s most high-profile executive weighed in about what will and won’t be changing when it comes to WM’s strategy on temporary labor, secondary processing for recyclables, anaerobic digestion and more.

By Cole Rosengren • May 10, 2023

Rep. Chellie Pingree discusses federal food waste proposals ahead of farm bill debate

The co-founder of the Bipartisan Food Recovery Caucus, who has been one of the more active members of Congress on this issue, hopes that funding increases for the U.S. EPA and USDA could grow momentum.

By Jacob Wallace • May 9, 2023

The next frontier in California organics recycling: edible food recovery

Even Bay Area cities with organics programs are new to working with food donation organizations. Now, local waste professionals are learning additional skills to help meet a 20% edible food waste reduction goal by 2030.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • May 8, 2023

Senate legislation aims to protect waste and compost industry from PFAS liability claims

Trade groups and WM applauded the bill, saying congressional action is needed to shield the sector from unintended consequences of the EPA’s anticipated PFAS hazardous substance designation.

By Megan Quinn • May 4, 2023

Major waste companies spent an estimated $563M on Q1 acquisitions, with more to come this year

Catch up on the latest deal totals and 2023 outlooks from WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental and Casella Waste Systems.

By Cole Rosengren • May 1, 2023

New York’s Brookhaven Landfill is closing soon. Is Long Island ready?

A prime destination for incinerator ash and C&D will soon be out of capacity. Winters Bros. Waste Systems has acquired rail transfer assets with plans to build a new site and is looking to play a lead role in the region’s next chapter.

By Cole Rosengren • April 26, 2023

Coalition wants more than $200M in food waste funding in next farm bill

ReFED and multiple advocacy groups are calling on Congress to include greater funding and new policy initiatives at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and EPA.

By Jacob Wallace • April 26, 2023

Boston plans to triple the size of its curbside organics program this summer

The city had already planned to reach 20,000 households this year but will now scale that even more. In the meantime, a USDA grant will help fund efforts to assess the potential for a new organics recycling site within the city.

By Cole Rosengren • April 25, 2023

EPA calls for greater EJ focus in new plastics pollution prevention strategy

The agency wants public feedback on its new plastics strategy, which calls for waste and composting improvements while making operations safer for surrounding communities.

By Megan Quinn • April 25, 2023

Have we reached peak food waste? New data shows changing patterns

New data from ReFED and the U.S. EPA show that wasted food per person increased before the pandemic but may be beginning to decline.

By Jacob Wallace • April 24, 2023

Federal bills for recycling infrastructure grants, composting strategies make a comeback

The two bipartisan bills sailed through the Senate with industry support last year but didn’t make it to the finish line. One could lead to recycling project grants worth up to $750 million.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 24, 2023

Should more PFAS types be deemed hazardous? EPA seeks feedback

The agency already plans to include PFOS and PFOA in a hazardous designation under Superfund law but could now go further. The waste industry has previously raised concerns about possible liability and cost burdens.

By Megan Quinn • April 14, 2023

Boston ‘reconsidering everything’ for its next residential collection contract

Boston’s Public Works Department aims to rethink setout times, containerization, competition and more before awarding a 2024 contract. Meanwhile, the city’s recycling and disposal contracts could be extended.

By Cole Rosengren • April 12, 2023

Anaergia earnings slip after Los Angeles organics collection delays prompt ‘strategic review’

Executives noted the company met revenue guidance, but higher costs caused adjusted earnings to fall below expectations, owing in part to the sluggish ramp-up of its Rialto, California, anaerobic digestion facility.

By Jacob Wallace • April 11, 2023

Maryland poised to institute clean trucks rule, explore closing waste authority

Environmental advocates view the measures as a step forward in decarbonizing Maryland’s waste industry, but the trucking industry has raised concerns about fleet availability. 

By Jacob Wallace • April 10, 2023

Closed Loop enters $25M agreement to boost HomeBiogas

The deal extends Closed Loop Partners’ rights to distribute HomeBiogas equipment in North America. The anaerobic digester company has plans to grow its business from rural households to commercial projects. 

By Jacob Wallace • Updated April 5, 2023

Connecticut environmental justice law could expand to transfer stations, chemical recycling facilities

The state’s legislature is advancing a bill that would expand the existing EJ law to include cumulative impact requirements in permitting decisions. This would follow similar laws in New York and New Jersey. 

By Megan Quinn • April 3, 2023

Connecticut legislative committee approves key waste bill with changes to EPR, disposal fee provisions

Changes to the bill include removing a MSW disposal fee and delaying an EPR for packaging provision until neighboring states adopt their own. A section expanding organics separation programs remains.

By Megan Quinn • March 29, 2023

Bioplastics industry hopes farm bill can address Biden’s plastic replacement goal

Product manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Composting Council and others discussed investment priorities at the Plant Based Products Council’s first conference on Tuesday.

By Jacob Wallace • March 29, 2023

Waste industry groups call for Congressional support against looming PFAS regulations

NWRA, EREF and members of several solid waste and composting groups said in a briefing that anticipated hazardous substance designations for PFAS under the Superfund law could make liability risks and costs skyrocket.

By Megan Quinn • March 28, 2023

New York City to roll out yard waste separation mandate in all five boroughs by 2024

The Department of Sanitation’s yard waste diversion proposal follows a high-volume organics collection pilot in Queens and the recent announcement of a universal organics collection program.

By Jacob Wallace • March 27, 2023

Republic Services acquires first anaerobic digester as California organics recycling market heats up

The facility, located about 70 miles north of Sacramento, allows the company to further vertically integrate its collection services. Republic has been scaling its infrastructure as the state mandates organics recycling.

By Jacob Wallace • March 27, 2023

Connecticut bill overhauling state waste management practices could see big changes

Pressure from stakeholders could mean the removal of MSW disposal fee and delay an EPR for packaging provision, but organics separation and recycled content sections could remain.

By Megan Quinn • March 24, 2023