The Latest
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Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity
Private equity-backed Arrow Waste acquired B Green Services, a hauler in Mableton, Georgia, near Atlanta. Momentum Environmental and Superior Environmental also acquired environmental services companies.
Updated May 28, 2024 -
Tracker
Tracking notable recycling laws by state
Colorado’s governor signed a right-to-repair law for consumer electronics. Minnesota’s governor signed an EPR for packaging policy into law as part of a larger environmental budget bill.
Updated May 30, 2024 -
What to know about 4 EPR bills still in play in California
Bills meant to clean up SB 54 packaging rules and establish new programs for marine flares, textiles and household hazardous waste are still under consideration before the legislative session ends in August.
Updated May 29, 2024 -
Waste history group debuts at WasteExpo with vintage San Francisco truck
The Waste Industry Historical Society showcased an antique truck and a video about the evolution of Sunset Scavenger in San Francisco. The group aims to grow its reach and feature more companies.
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Experimentation with label-less containers advances, in effort to improve recyclability
Embossing, laser engraving and direct-to-packaging printing are some of the methods to ease the recycling process, as is using organic inks and labels that easily separate during the sink/float process.
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Plan for these upcoming waste and recycling conferences
Upcoming events in 2024 will cover recycling markets, e-waste, MRF innovations, the Canadian market and more.
Updated May 28, 2024 -
WM focuses on Dallas region as landfill gas hub with opening of latest RNG plant
Chief Sustainability Officer Tara Hemmer said the Lewisville, Texas, project is part of a larger strategy in a state where permitting and local relationships make it easier for projects to be completed.
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Minnesota governor signs packaging EPR law with mixed response from recyclers
Recyclers such as Eureka say the law will improve recycling in the state, while members of NWRA's local chapter say the model still causes some “consternation” despite changes to the bill.
Updated May 23, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Battery electric, hydrogen or CNG trucks? WasteExpo attendees say all of the above
As fleet operators try to keep up with federal and state emissions reduction requirements, the technology available to them is advancing quickly. Executives discussed key themes related to range, cost and infrastructure in Las Vegas.
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Litter audit data could drive more litigation and policy, experts say
A recent global analysis identified Coca-Cola as the source of 11% of all branded plastic found in litter surveyed globally. This type of data is part of growing transparency around packaging outcomes.
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Minnesota legislature passes packaging EPR bill with ‘shared responsibility’ model
If signed by the governor, Minnesota could soon become the fifth state to enact such a law. Eureka Recycling heralded the outcome, and Ameripen described the legislation as “a fair compromise.”
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Rubicon pays down debt, discloses revenue for divested fleet tech business
In its first earnings report since a recent sale of assets, Rubicon shared an updated look at its financial standing. This included specific details on its software-as-a-service business that had not been reported before.
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Apex Waste Solutions aims to scale in consolidated Colorado market
Apex launched with a goal of offering independent service after larger companies bought out many local haulers. Now, with private equity backing from Kinderhook, the company is growing quickly through its own purchases.
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Long-awaited PFAS regulations renew strategy discussions at WasteExpo
Recent EPA announcements and rapidly evolving mitigation technologies led to many conversations about how the waste industry should invest in, manage and research these forever chemicals.
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WM completes $23M MRF upgrades in Pennsylvania, part of multifacility plan
The AI-enabled optical sorter upgrades at the Pittsburgh MRF are designed to better sort polypropylene, WM said. It previously announced similar upgrades at a Wisconsin site and plans another facility opening in Florida next month.
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DTG Recycle names new CEO
Jordan Reber recently took the helm at the Washington-based company, which is backed by Macquarie. He brings experience with heavy equipment and leadership from multiple prior roles.
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Q&A
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.
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New York state recycling needs assessment published amid push to pass EPR
The first phase of the needs assessment, conducted by RRS for the Center for Sustainable Materials Management, shows more material in the state can be recovered, possibly through an EPR program, but more data is needed.
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Q&A
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.
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New York poised to expand organics recycling mandate
The pending bill would lower that threshold of the state’s food recovery and recycling law, which currently applies to entities that generate an average of two tons of material per week, and eliminate another key exemption.
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NWRA fleet safety program gets cohort of 10 smaller waste haulers
A partnership with Together for Safer Roads offers training for smaller operators that may not have the same resources as their larger competitors. Participants include Anchor Disposal, Balcones Resources and Rio Grande Waste Services.
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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.
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Online C&D waste platform seeks to bring industry out of the ‘Stone Age’
Bulk Exchange is bringing information about C&D waste facilities to their customers quicker. Facility owners in California are adding themselves to the list as the company plans to grow nationally.
Updated May 13, 2024 -
Exhibit brings together waste artists-in-residency from DSNY, Recology
Artists who have embedded with waste agencies and haulers around the country are showing work together in one exhibit for the first time. The show shines a light on the civic and environmental possibilities in art.
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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.