Suez, Rubicon Global announce partnership

Rubicon Global, a cloud-based, full-service waste and recycling company headquartered in Atlanta, and Paris-based waste and recycling company Suez have announced a partnership they say will revolutionize the waste industry. 

This partnership, which combines Rubicon’s model with Suez’s experience in sustainable resource management, will open the way for the deployment of innovative and effective solutions in the U.S. and European markets, the companies say.

Suez and Rubicon say they will partner on technology and data, accelerating the development and deployment of Rubicon’s proprietary cloud-based hauler management platform, customer portal and mobile apps. Suez will use Rubicon’s technology in its fleet of vehicles, which is designed to help modernize and transform the company’s collection business. In addition, the partnership will focus on improving service for municipalities, helping city governments improve residential waste and recycling services through data collection and analysis, as well as through fleet optimization and efficiency, according to the companies. 

Suez says it is pursuing its strategy to develop new services in recycling and waste recovery. The company led Rubicon’s current funding round, which has raised more than $50 million.

While much of the waste industry is moving away from a linear model to a circular model, waste disposal methods are still mainly used in the United States, the companies say.

“Suez is developing its offer to propose disruptive models and solutions in response to its customers’ needs and in favor of the circular economy,” says Jean-Marc Boursier, Suez group senior executive vice president in charge of recycling and recovery in Europe. “We are proud that Rubicon Global has become one of our expert partners. Together, we will add a new dimension to waste management both sides of the Atlantic that is ever more digital and efficient for a sustainable protection of resources.”

Nate Morris, founder, chairman and CEO of Rubicon Global, adds, “This is a new day for the global waste and recycling industry and an extraordinary opportunity to change the world. Waste is an issue that affects every single person living on the planet. Through technology and innovation, we can make it less expensive and more responsible, and this partnership with Suez will help us do just that. With their international reach, incredible longevity as a company, and commitment to innovation and a sustainable future, Suez is a perfect strategic partner for Rubicon and I am particularly happy to have Jean-Marc as a new board member of the company.” 

Rubicon says it works with customers, including many Fortune 500 companies, small and medium-sized businesses, and municipalities, to find inefficiencies and cost-savings in their waste streams and to develop new and innovative ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.

In Europe, Suez says it aims to accelerate the digital transformation of its Recycling & Recovery Division by improving its customer portal and creating digital platforms dedicated to scattered waste volumes. The aim is to optimize the collection of small quantities of waste produced by many customers who are geographically dispersed.