Weekly News Bulletin: Feb. 12-18, 2021
2020 Review and Outlook for 2021
Everyone can agree that the defining characteristic of the last year has been the COVID-19 pandemic and the drastic effects it had upon the economy, and by extension, the waste and recycling industry. At its peak, double digit declines in GDP led to close to 20 percent declines in commercial waste volumes, especially as workers not laid off were relegated to working from home. Subsequently, residential volumes spiked upwards of 15 percent often overwhelming municipal collection and recycling programs. It was a double whammy for haulers who had lost volume from higher margin commercial business whose service is charged according to weight or volume while subsequently incurring higher disposal costs on increased residential volumes whose pricing is often service based or rather fixed by contract. On top of that were new safety challenges to protect workers and customers. Waste firms responded by implementing cost-saving measures, deploying more technology, and looking harder at strategic acquisitions to create economies-of-scale...Read More »
The chaotic market for Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) is emblematic of the recycling industry over the last few years. Following China's "National Sword" policy, enacted in January 2018 and similar restrictions in other countries including Indonesia, India and others, the price paid for OCC declined sharply, falling to its lowest level in twenty years by the end of 2019...Read More »
New Data from ReFED Shows Food Waste Has Leveled Off
Excess food waste is a major environmental and economic issue facing the US. Currently, each year, roughly 35% of food goes uneaten, which is equivalent to a loss of about $408 billion. This excess food waste brings with it excess costs to people across the country, needless environmental damage and impacts food insecurity for many. However, a recent study by ReFED, shows that some of our efforts to reduce food waste may be working...Read More »
William "Bill" Caesar Joins Generate Capital
Generate Capital, a company that builds, owns, and operates sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy projects and invests in clean technologies, announced hiring William "Bill" Caesar to lead and expand the firm's operations in the broad range of waste-to-value segments critical to building a more sustainable future. Caesar had been CEO WCA Waste (Houston, TX) from 2014 until it was acquired by GFL Environmental last October for $1.2 billion...Read More »
Meridian Waste Closes Second South Carolina Acquisition
Meridian Waste, a non-hazardous solid waste services company, has announced its second South Carolina acquisition. This newest acquisition is of Ace Environmental Holdings. The earlier acquisition, which occurred earlier in the week, was of Sunrise Sanitation. Both companies are based in the greater Greenville, SC market...Read More »
Republic Allies with Romeo Power to Develop Electric Refuse Trucks
Republic Services is collaborating with Romeo Power, Inc. to deploy Romeo's lithium battery packs and electric motors in two of Republic's existing diesel garbage trucks. The two companies plan to work closely to determine the key performance metrics of Romeo Power's battery packs that will suit Republic's specific refuse use-cases...Read More »
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