Waste Management Services NAICS 562

Jul 23, 2026 - Waste Industry M&A Activity Maintains Momentum

• Waste Dive reports that waste and recycling M&A remained active in the first half of 2026, particularly in the Southeast, South Central states, and other growing markets. Investors continue to favor the sector despite competition from AI-related infrastructure opportunities and weaker public waste company shares. Improving prices for renewable natural gas and old corrugated containers could strengthen industry results and support additional acquisitions. Texas recorded at least 11 deals, while North Carolina and Kansas each had at least five. Population growth, corporate relocations, and rising commercial and residential waste volumes are attracting buyers to these regions. Private equity-backed platforms are also expanding rapidly through multiple acquisitions. Ample capital, favorable demographics, and continued consolidation opportunities could make 2026 an above-average year for dealmaking in the waste industry.
• According to Resource Recycling, The Battery Network saw strong growth in public interest and collection infrastructure in 2025, even as total battery collections declined 4.8% to 9.3 million pounds. Searches for drop-off sites rose 42%, website visits increased 39%, and the network added 31 stewards, bringing its total to more than 250. The collection of high-energy batteries (over 300 watt-hours) surged from about 3,000 pounds in 2024 to more than 60,000 pounds in 2025. The nonprofit also expanded school, industry, retail, mail-in, and takeback initiatives to keep batteries out of landfills and reduce fire risks at waste facilities. TBN plans to broaden the use of its OneDrum collection system, expand electric-vehicle battery programs, improve its customer portal, and continue supporting state battery-collection laws.

• In July 2026, prices for curbside recyclable materials showed mixed movement across categories, according to RecyclingMarkets.net. The US average price for post-consumer PET bottles and jars increased 11.9% month over month but remained down 68.7% year over year. Natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) declined 7.7% month over month and was down 9.8% from July 2025. Color HDPE declined 15.8% month over month but increased 210.7% year over year. Polypropylene (PP) declined 19.5% month over month but was up 93.8% year over year. A-grade film prices fell 11.7% month over month and 30.5% year over year. Prices for old corrugated containers (OCC) were unchanged month over month and increased slightly from a year earlier. Aluminum can prices were flat month over month and rose 11.0% from July 2025. Sorted residential paper prices remained in the range of $40-$45 per ton compared to June but were 19.6% to 28.6% lower than a year earlier.
• According to Waste Dive, major waste companies are accelerating AI investments to improve routing, pricing, fleet operations, billing, and customer service. Executives at the Waste Leadership Summit said AI tools are helping reduce miles traveled, improve service reliability, detect contaminants, support predictive maintenance, and personalize pricing. Waste Connections plans to spend about $100 million on seven AI projects through 2027, while Republic Services expects AI efficiencies to add $100 million in earnings by 2028. Companies including WM, GFL Environmental, Casella Waste Systems, and Republic are also using AI to boost employee productivity, automate customer service, reduce customer churn, and improve margins.