This Week in Waste: Top Stories September 12 - September 16

1. WM Enhances Recycling Capabilities with Avangard Innovative U.S. Acquisition

Stefanie Valentic

Houston, Texas-based Waste Management (WM) has acquired the largest recycler of post-consumer resin manufacturing in the Americas; Avangard Innovative. The company, also based in Houston, will function independently as Natura PCR. This deal is a large stepping stone in WM's advancements in the recycling industry.

Check it out here.

2. Episode 164: Saving Shorelines & Recycling with Glass Half Full

Liz Bothwell

In this episode of the NothingWasted! podcast, Franziska Trautmann, CEO, and co-founder of Glass Half Full NOLA, sits down to tell us about the establishment of the company. Glass Half Full NOLA is a recycling facility that collects glass products and recycles them into sand. This glass material is then used in coastal restoration efforts.

Listen here.

3. SWACO: Central Ohio Achieves 51 Percent Waste Diversion Rate in 2021

Stefanie Valentic

The 2021 Community Impact Report by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio was recently released. In the report, SWACO explains how they achieved a 51 percent waste diversion rate. “Our region’s progress is a direct result of the tireless efforts of numerous public and private partners working together to create a safer, healthier and greener community," said Joe Lombardi, SWACO executive director, to the media.

Read more here.

4. Meridian Waste Densifies Southeastern U.S. Operations with NC Dumpster Acquisition

Jonathan Pierron

Mary O'Brien, Chief Marketing Officer of Meridian Waste, meets with Waste360 to share details on the company's newest acquisition. Purchasing NC Dumpster, the company is working to build stronger networks of operation in the region they call home; the Southeast U.S. Acquiring new workers and tools, the company is excited to density their operation field to make their services more efficient.

Read the full story here.

5. Women Leaders in Waste: Dayna Miller of Waste Pro

Stefanie Valentic

Working with Waste Pro for 15 years, Dayna Miller is now the director of government affairs in the Northeast Florida Region. Starting her career journey in property management and retail management insurance, the waste industry is not where she expected to end up. In this article Miller walks us through the importance of not only being kind to others, but building meaningful connections in the industry.

Read more here.