The slowdown in the commercial building, demolition and C&D recycling sectors brought about by COVID-19 shutdowns and related pullback on investments had many industry participants wary of an uncertain future at the start of the year.

In addition to mass vaccination availability, a sweeping infrastructure plan was the thing many professionals cited as having the potential for counteracting the lingering aftereffects of the pandemic.

Such a plan took shape when President Biden released his administration’s $2 trillion infrastructure initiative in March.

The plan proposes to modernize 20,000 miles of highways, roads and main streets; fix the 10 most economically significant bridges in the country in need of reconstruction; repair the worst 10,000 smaller bridges; replace thousands of buses and rail cars; repair hundreds of stations; renew airports; and expand transit and rail into new communities.

The plan also commits to build, preserve and retrofit more than two million homes and commercial buildings; modernize schools and childcare facilities; upgrade veterans’ hospitals and federal buildings; and eliminate all lead pipes and service lines in the country’s drinking water systems.

Biden, who calls the plan “the single-largest investment in American jobs since World War II,” forecasts that the proposal could help create jobs for millions of Americans. Despite the prospects for industry professionals, the president faces significant political opposition in passing the bill in its current iteration.

Republicans have generally called out the plan for being too costly, having too many elements nonessential to infrastructure included, and relying on increases to corporate taxes as a key funding mechanism as reasons for their opposition.

In an effort to garner across-the-aisle support, Biden has made it clear he is willing to work with Republicans to find common ground.

“I’m prepared to negotiate as to the extent of my infrastructure project, as well as how we pay for it,” Biden has said.

Republicans have countered with infrastructure proposals a quarter to a third of the size the one President Biden initially unveiled.

Though Democrats could conceivably work to pass infrastructure legislation independently through a process known as budget reconciliation, Biden has continued to meet with both sides of Congress to try to build consensus for passage of the bill. While talks are ongoing, the political jockeying could carry on for months as both parties negotiate the scope of the bill.

With the construction, demolition and recycling sector eager to get back to pre-COVID business, the industry will be keeping a close eye on negotiations. With its passage, an infrastructure plan could be a spark that helps lay the groundwork for long-term stability that seemed so elusive just a few months ago.

Wheelabrator announces integration of 10 waste businesses into WIN Waste Innovations brand

Wheelabrator Technologies Inc., Portsmouth, New Hampshire, formerly announced April 6 the integration of 10 waste industry businesses into a single company operating under the WIN Waste Innovations brand name.

WIN Waste Innovations is comprised of the former Wheelabrator Technologies as well as Stamford, Connecticut-based City Carting & Recycling and Tunnel Hill Partners; Londonderry, New Hampshire-based Charles George Waste Disposal & Recycling; Westboro, Massachusetts-based United Material Management; Eliot, Maine-based Shipyard Waste Solutions; Atkinson, New Hampshire-based Bay State Disposal; Westchester County, New York-based County Waste Management Inc.; Fitchburg, Massachusetts-based Fiore Trucking Recycle & Disposal and the commercial and residential subscription business of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts-based Noonan Waste Service.

Wheelabrator first discussed the transition to the WIN Waste Innovations brand in March.

As one entity, the legacy businesses now represent a vertically integrated, curb-to-grid waste management company designed to “enhance customer service and deliver superior, sustainable waste solutions tailored to the needs of each customer,” the company says.

Along with the new operating name, WIN Waste Innovations unveiled its tagline to convey the brand’s dual focus on customer service and sustainability: Performance for the Planet.

“By bringing together these 10 industry-leading companies under a single brand, WIN Waste Innovations has positioned itself to deliver essential services to our customers and communities while performing for the planet,” WIN Waste Innovations President and CEO Robert C. Boucher says. “We strive to exceed our customers’ expectations every day, delivering comprehensive, tailored waste services from a professional, responsible team you can count on. Our passionate and professional employees are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and end-to-end solutions that begin with reliable waste pickup at the curb and end with flexible disposal options designed to support a healthier planet.”

The company operates from Maine to Florida and as far west as Ohio. By retaining the teams that managed the respective legacy brands, the company says that WIN Waste Innovations will broaden and deepen its operational footprint in the Northeast and other markets of strategic interest, while ensuring a seamless transition for customers. In all, the combined company operates 50 strategically located collection, transfer and disposal assets, and serves more than 110,000 collections customers on 231 collection routes utilizing 346 total collection vehicles and eight hauling locations.

“The combination of these established collection, hauling, transfer and waste-to-energy companies enables WIN Waste Innovations to provide the holistic approach to waste management our customers and communities need,” Boucher says. “In addition to providing exceptional customer service at every point along the value chain, we are preserving our natural resources.

“As a combined company, each year we convert 6.7 million tons of waste into clean, renewable energy to power 340,000 homes and recycle more than 234,000 tons of plastic, paper and metal from the waste stream.”

DTG Recycle acquires Kleensweep’s collection and recycling division

DTG Recycle announced March 26 that the company has acquired Kleensweep Construction Services’ collection and recycling business division. The deal is effective immediately.

DTG is a Mill Creek, Washington-based solid waste hauling and recycling company specializing in construction, demolition, industrial and manufacturing waste. The company, whose operations are concentrated in the greater Seattle/Tacoma region, has more than 300 employees, nearly 2,000 roll-off and recycling containers, and nine material recovery facilities.

Kleensweep, Milton, Washington, has been providing collection and recycling services to the southeast Seattle metropolitan region for more than 24 years. According to a release, the company decided to sell its collection and recycling businesses to DTG to focus on its earthwork business.

DTG says that this acquisition will help the company establish itself in one of Seattle’s growth corridors where the company currently has a limited presence.

“I am honored and excited for this acquisition, and am looking forward to adding Kleensweep’s staff and providing them additional opportunities for professional advancement,” DTG Recycle CEO Tom Vaughn says.

“I cannot think of a better company to acquire our collection and recycling division to ensure the legacy of my father and I is carried out in the manner that we want,” Kleensweep CEO Jeremy Stafford says.

Republic’s Don Slager to retire

Republic Services Inc., Phoenix, announced Donald Slager has provided his notice of intent to retire from the company after serving as its CEO for more than a decade. Prior to that, Slager served as the company’s COO for nearly a decade.

Republic President Jon Vander Ark will succeed Slager as the company’s CEO. Vander Ark also will continue in his role as president and be appointed to the board of directors. The transition will be effective June 25.

According to the company, “The move marks the conclusion of a thoughtful and comprehensive, multiyear CEO succession planning process.”

Slager will serve in a consulting capacity for the remainder of 2021 to help complete a seamless transition.

“It has been a pleasure to serve as Republic’s CEO for the past decade,” Slager says. “We’ve built a durable foundation from which the company can continue to prosper. Jon has contributed considerably since joining the team and has been instrumental in launching and integrating several key programs including Capture, Priority Based Selling and Digital Operations. His innovative spirit and passion for sustainability are great attributes. I have every confidence Jon will continue to position Republic as an industry leader throughout the company’s next chapter.”

Manny Kadre, Republic’s chairman of the board, says, “This announcement follows a robust, multiyear CEO succession planning process developed and executed by Don and the board of directors, culminating in this unanimous appointment. Don has groomed an outstanding successor who will continue to serve our customers, our people and our shareholders well. Jon is a proven leader who is poised to build off our strong foundation, leverage our leading market position and capitalize on our momentum.”

“It is an honor and truly humbling to follow Don as the next CEO of Republic Services,” Vander Ark says. “I look forward to building on the great work that has already been done. I am energized for the opportunity to lead this strong Republic team and for what we expect to accomplish on the road ahead. We are off to a strong start to the year which is supported by the positive momentum in the business and macro factors that have been better than anticipated. It is an exciting time to be at this company.”

Kadre also expressed the board’s appreciation and gratitude to Slager for his performance and dedication to the company over the last 35 years.

“Don has left an indelible mark by delivering sustainable shareholder value and transforming Republic while creating a highly ethical, inclusive and engaged culture; a recognized company brand; and a clear identity for Republic’s people. Don has also achieved the unmistakable legacy of building the company and professionalizing the industry while consistently producing exceptional results.”

Slager’s experience in the waste industry has spanned more than four decades. He initially worked in the business as a truck washer while he was a teenager before beginning his full-time career in the maintenance shop in 1980. He then filled multiple driver positions and was appointed to a supervisory role at the age of 24. He was subsequently appointed to positions of increasing responsibility. In 1985, Slager joined National Waste Services, a privately owned company in Chicago, and led that organization in 1992 when it became one of the cornerstone companies of Allied Waste Industries Inc. Slager held numerous roles at Allied prior to joining the corporate team in 1998 and becoming COO in 2002. Slager oversaw Allied’s merger with Republic in 2008 and was named CEO in 2011.

Vander Ark was named president of Republic in May 2019 and currently leads the company’s continued growth with responsibility for operations, sales, marketing and business development. Vander Ark served as the company’s EVP and COO from January 2018 to May 2019. Prior to that, he was the company’s EVP, operations from March 2016 to January 2018.

Baltimore introduces new wood recycling project

A new wood recycling initiative in Baltimore is helping the city create a circular economy and new jobs through the repurposing and reselling of salvaged wood, reports the World Economic Forum.

The Baltimore Wood Project will work with partners such as the U.S. Forest Service to rethink and reclaim wood in the city in order to reduce landfill waste, rejuvenate disused land and engage local communities.

The pilot project plans to salvage wood from abandoned buildings and urban trees before repurposing it and reselling it locally, thereby creating a closed loop system or circular economy which has a host of environmental, economic and social benefits.

According to the Forest Service, wood accounts for more than 10 percent of the annual waste material generated in the U.S. and, in some years, more tree and woody residue has been generated from urban areas than was harvested from national forests. This waste is costly for businesses that have to pay for its collection and disposal.

Post-industrial Baltimore is a particularly relevant base for the scheme, as it is estimated that there are 16,000 empty properties, with some 4,000 of them marked for demolition. Some estimates even put the number of vacant lots in the city at well over 40,000.

By reclaiming wood, the Baltimore Wood Project says it can reduce waste; provide green materials for construction, furniture making and other sectors; and help restore and reclaim neighborhoods.

Wood reclaimed and recycled by the project can be used for sustainable building, furniture and energy, among other uses. The project is intended to help the city achieve its aim of a sustainable future and serve as a model for creating a circular, self-reinforcing economy in urban areas.

Globally, it is estimated that transitioning to a circular economy model could generate $4.5 trillion in benefits by 2030.

The World Economic Forum is supporting moves towards creating a worldwide circular economy through collaboration on The Circulars Accelerator 2021 program.