Municipal

Recent news from the various sectors of the recycling industry

The Recycling Partnership collaborates with EPA on the state of recycling

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and national nonprofit The Recycling Partnership, Falls Church, Virginia, are collaborating on a project to determine the state of curbside recycling in the U.S.

For the project, The Recycling Partnership will examine 400 curbside recycling programs, gathering and analyzing 17 distinct markers for each. Work has already begun, with results expected in September 2016 and final analysis slated for October 2016, The Recycling Partnership says.

“The breadth and depth of data this project will produce, coupled with the meaningful analysis of trends and potential areas of improvement, will allow the EPA to more effectively support communities through their transitions to sustainable materials management,” says Alan Farmer, EPA Region 4 division director. “The potential for positive impact cannot be overstated, and our collaboration with The Recycling Partnership is shaping up to be fruitful indeed.”

The research will focus on EPA regions 3, 4 and 5, but it will expand to capture the national picture, as well, the nonprofit says. Selected communities will include the most populated cities in each state, along with a number of other communities to round out the geographic distribution.

“The secondary material stream begins with local programs, and there is a great deal of untapped potential there,” says Cody Marshall, The Recycling Partnership technical assistance lead. “Looking at snapshots of programs across the country will allow us to cross reference best practices and pinpoint opportunities to increase recovery. Those insights will in turn allow organizations to create targeted action plans.”

Waste Connections and Progressive Waste Solutions complete merger

Waste Connections Inc., The Woodlands, Texas, has completed its merger with Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., Toronto.

As of the close of trading May 31, 2016, shares of old Waste Connections common stock ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WCN,” and shares of Progressive Waste ceased trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BIN.” Effective June 1, 2016, common shares of new Waste Connections stock commenced trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WCN.” In connection with the completion of the merger, the shares of old Waste Connections common stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and will be deregistered under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

“We are pleased to announce the completion of this combination, which creates a leading North American solid waste services company with a strong financial profile and a differentiated and diverse operational footprint,” says Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, chairman and chief executive officer of the newly combined company. “We are excited to welcome the Progressive Waste team to the Waste Connections family, and we look forward to instilling into the combined company the corporate culture, safety focus, operational excellence, capital discipline and accountability that have served us so well and which we believe are necessary for long-term success.”

“This is a very exciting combination for our employees, shareholders and other stakeholders,” says James J. Forese, nonexecutive chairman of the Progressive Waste board of directors. “The combination will deliver a number of compelling strategic and financial benefits, as evidenced by the overwhelming support of our shareholders for the transaction. On behalf of the board of directors, we thank the Progressive Waste Solutions senior management team for their hard work and commitment in facilitating the successful completion of the merger, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Dan Pio, who will continue with new Waste Connections in the role of president, Canada. With proven management and a talented team of employees, I am confident that new Waste Connections is well-positioned for continued growth and success.”

The newly combined company serves more than 6 million residential, commercial, industrial and exploration and production customers from a network of operations in 39 states and the District of Columbia in the U.S. and in six Canadian provinces. It also provides intermodal services for cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest.

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July 2016
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