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12stories — pricing, regulation, M&A, sustainability.
May 6, 2025 · News
Q1 2025 Waste Industry Overview: Growth, Caution, and Consolidation The first quarter of 2025 brought a mixed bag of expansion, earnings resilience, and operational restructuring across North America’s largest waste management companies. While leaders like Waste Management Inc. (WM) and Clean Harbors (CLH) posted strong EBITDA growth, the quarter also highlighted macroeconomic headwinds, mar…
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Mar 16, 2025 · History
Waste Not, Want Not: Waste Management During World War II World War II fundamentally transformed how nations approached waste management, turning garbage into a strategic resource and conservation into a patriotic duty. The massive global conflict created unprecedented challenges in material shortages while simultaneously generating enormous volumes of waste from military operations. The innovativ…
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Mar 16, 2025 · News
Indiana Leads Midwest Recycling Renaissance with $3.7 Million Investment In a bold move to reverse its recycling fortunes, Indiana is launching an ambitious $3.7 million initiative that could serve as a blueprint for other struggling states across the American heartland. Indiana’s Recycling Revolution: Bridging the Sustainability Gap With a recycling rate languishing at 19%—significantly bel…
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Mar 14, 2025 · Waste Guides
Overview of the U.S. Waste Management Industry The United States is one of the largest producers of waste in the world, making waste management a major industry nationwide. In 2022, U.S. waste management services revenue surpassed $140 billion, continuing over a decade of steady growth. The industry handles municipal solid waste (MSW) – the everyday trash from homes, businesses, and institutions –…
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Feb 28, 2025 · News, Pricing Trends
The containerboard industry is facing ongoing price volatility in early 2025 as manufacturers struggle with supply imbalances, shifting demand, and growing frustration over traditional pricing benchmarks. Despite announced price hikes from major producers, price tracking remains inconsistent, raising concerns about how accurately industry indexes reflect real market conditions. Price Adjustments S…
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Feb 28, 2025 · Recycling
Metal recyclers rely on various types of packaging to efficiently store, transport, and process scrap materials. Proper packaging helps prevent contamination, maximizes space, and ensures the safe handling of different types of metals. Here are the most common types of packaging used in the metal recycling industry. 1. Gaylord Boxes Gaylord boxes are heavy-duty corrugated cardboard containers comm…
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Feb 3, 2025 · News
When two major players in the packaging industry team up, you know changes are coming. On January 31, 2025, International Paper and DS Smith finalized their merger, creating a new powerhouse in the packaging, containerboard, and pulp industries. Think bigger operations, greater sustainability efforts, and a stronger position in North America and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). What does th…
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Feb 3, 2025 · News
How New Tariffs on Canada and Mexico Will Affect U.S. Plastic Companies Introduction The introduction of new tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico has sent ripples across industries, and the U.S. plastic industry stands at the epicenter of this economic storm. With $74.2 billion in U.S. plastics exports in 2023, this sector thrives on global trade and seamless supply chains. Coupled with its i…
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Jan 20, 2025 · News
America produces an astonishing amount of waste. From overflowing landfills to oceans brimming with plastic, the U.S. remains one of the largest waste generators in the world, contributing approximately 12% of the planet’s municipal solid waste despite making up only 4% of the global population. Yet, when it comes to addressing this growing environmental and economic problem, it often seems like b…
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Jan 20, 2025 · Waste Guides
Building a Circular Economy: A Guide for Green Startups The growing climate crisis has underscored the urgency of adopting sustainable practices across industries. For eco-conscious entrepreneurs and green startups, one of the most impactful models to consider is the circular economy . Unlike the traditional linear economy—where resources are used to create products that are eventually discarded—a…
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Jan 20, 2025 · Waste Guides
How to Conduct a Waste Audit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses When it comes to running a business, waste management may not be the most glamorous subject, but it’s an increasingly vital one. With environmental responsibility becoming a key expectation from customers, investors, and employees, performing a waste audit is an excellent first step toward building a greener and more sustainable ope…
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Jan 20, 2025 · Waste Guides
10 Sustainable Waste Tips For Businesses As businesses strive to create positive change in their communities, sustainable practices are no longer just “nice-to-haves.” They’re essential. Waste management is a key area where businesses can make a big impact. Adopting sustainable waste solutions not only supports the environment but also increases efficiency, reduces costs, and resonates with eco-co…
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