Wal-Mart Launches Online Environmental Scorecard System for Its Suppliers
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. launched an online database for its suppliers to help them meet targets for cutting packaging waste and to evaluate the environmental sustainability of their products. Wal-Mart executives said that the "packaging scorecard" will help suppliers calculate the net environmental effect of a mix of factors, including the fuel needed to make and transport packaging materials, whether they use recycled components, energy efficiency, durability, upgradeability, end-of-life solutions, among other factors. The upshot is a single number that gives the supplier a ranking against others making similar products, said Matt Kistler, vice president of marketing at Sam's Club and the head of Wal-Mart's packaging reduction efforts. Though Wal-Mart's top down pressure on the supply chain is commendable, critics suggest that Wal-Mart could also reexamine its own store-siting policies and business footprint that emits an estimated 250 million tons of greenhouse gases each year...
Casella Reports Third Quarter Loss Despite Revenue Gain
Casella disappointed analysts who had expected the company to break even, with a net loss of $0.07 per share in the third quarter, compared with net income of $0.02 per share in the same period last year. However, most of the loss was due to a decline in equity income and a higher effective tax rate. In spite of a slight decline in roll-off volume, revenues for the quarter actually increased by 2.2% to $133.5 million from last year. "Regional economic conditions had an impact on our overall results," said John Casella, chairman and CEO. "While landfill pricing is up, volumes remain a challenge. Our GreenFiber unit was adversely impacted by the general slowdown in the housing market and unseasonably warm weather."...Read More »
BFI Canada Posts Big Gains For Quarter and Year
BFI Canada Income Fund, parent company to IESI, posted strong gains in its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006. Net Income for the quarter doubled to 10.1 million and tripled for the year to $33 million on the basis of revenues for the quarter that advanced by 12.6% to $200.3 million and which grew by 14% to $771.8 million for the year...Read More »
Computer Giants and UN Join Forces to Tackle E-Waste
Several major companies including Cisco Systems, Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft have joined the United Nations in a consortium to address the growing problem of electronics waste. The goal of the initiative, called "Solving the E-waste Problem" (StEP), will be to create global standards for recycling, extending the life of products, creating markets for their reuse, and harmonizing world legislation and policy toward e-waste. However, the Basel Action Network has criticized the program which it says violates the UN's Basel Convention by legitimizing the practice of exporting hazardous e-waste from developed countries to developing ones...Read More »
Allied Waste Prices Tender Offer for Its 8.5% Senior Notes Due 2008
Allied Waste Industries, Inc. formally priced its cash tender offer for its outstanding 8.5% senior notes due 2008. Total consideration for each $1,000 principal amount of the notes will be $1,053.04...Read More »
Clean Energy Market Expected to Reach $230 Billion in 10 Years
Revenues from clean energy will grow to $226.5 billion in the next decade, up from $55.4 billion last year, according to Clean Edge. In its annual report on clean energy, the US-based cleantech consultancy said that the market for biofuels, wind power, solar photovoltaics (PV), fuel cells and hydrogen grew 39% in the last year, and is expected to quadruple by 2016...Read More »
Waste Services Appoints New CFO
Waste Services, Inc. has appointed Edwin D. Johnson as EVP and Chief Financial Officer. Johnson hails from Expert Real Estate Services, Inc. In the early 90's he was Finance Director and CFO of Attwoods PLC, an international waste services company later acquired by Browning-Ferris Industries in late 1994...Read More »
MedServe Puts Three More Under its Belt
Houston-based medical waste company MedServe, Inc. recently acquired three companies in Tennessee, Oklahoma and Michigan. Though terms of the deal were not disclosed, the acquired companies include Medical Waste Inc. in Tennessee; Agility Bioservices LLC in Michigan; and Small Quantity Generator Services Inc. in Oklahoma. MedServe said that its 13 acquisitions in less than two years, along with organic growth, have more than tripled its customer base and quadrupled revenue since the company's 2005 inception...Read More »
Sharps Compliance Gets First Big Order Valued at $1.4 Million
Sharps Compliance Corp. announced the Company's first major order, valued at $1.4 million, from a pharmaceutical manufacturer. It includes the Sharps Disposal by Mail System, fulfillment services including product shipment direct to the pharmaceutical manufacturer's patients and data services utilizing the Company's SharpsTracer system. Sharps expects to complete the entire order within the calendar year...Read More »
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