Waste Management Services NAICS 562

Dec 22, 2025 - Lithium-Ion Batteries Increase Fire Risk at Waste Facilities

• Waste and recycling operators face rising fire risks as lithium-ion batteries from electronics and disposable vapes continue to enter waste streams, according to consultant Ryan Fogelman, as reported by Resource Recycling. His data show facility fires in the US and Canada have sharply increased in recent years, with vapes a major contributor. Fogelman argues bans on single-use vapes are ineffective, urging tobacco and vaping companies to fund battery collection through extended producer responsibility programs. He highlights the hazards of vapes, which combine biohazard, chemical, and battery risks, and calls for design changes requiring removable batteries. Fires linked to discarded batteries are costing the industry about $2.5 billion annually, alongside risks to workers and communities. Fogelman warns that without better design, infrastructure, and manufacturer accountability, the “vape effect” will continue to escalate.
• In December, 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 rose 2.5% month-over-month but dropped 64.9% year-over-year. Natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) remained unchanged from November and declined 29.4% compared to December 2024. Color HDPE increased 9.1% month-over-month but was down 44.8% year-over-year. Polypropylene (PP) remained flat month-over-month and decreased 40.6% year-over-year. Prices for old corrugated containers (OCC), used in the manufacturing of new boxes, held steady month-over-month and were down 34.5% year-over-year. December’s aluminum can prices remained unchanged month-over-month and declined 9.7% compared to the same time last year. Sorted residential paper prices were steady from November and were 43.3% lower than a year earlier.

• Large waste firms continued their consolidation efforts in the third quarter of 2025, according to Waste Dive. GFL Environmental led U.S. solid waste M&A activity in Q3 with $235.77 million in deals, acquiring haulers in Illinois, Oklahoma, and Georgia. Republic Services followed with $122 million, targeting recycling, waste, and environmental services, including Green River Waste and Tri-County Disposal. Waste Connections spent $116.6 million, closing deals with Florida-based Great Waste and Florida Express Environmental. Casella Waste Systems invested $42.3 million, continuing its strategy of tuck-ins and larger deals, with more expected in Q4 and early 2026. WM had the lowest Q3 spend at $29 million, focusing on integrating Stericycle assets and completing smaller acquisitions, such as Countrywide Sanitation.
• Redirecting 50% of plastic waste from landfills to recycling could generate 173,200 US jobs, $12.8 billion in payroll, and $48.7 billion in economic output, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC). The report highlights the combined potential of mechanical and advanced recycling technologies, which together can process a wider range of plastics. While mechanical recycling handles common curbside items, advanced methods convert hard-to-recycle plastics, such as flexible packaging and textiles, into raw materials for new products. The U.S. has 245 plastic recycling facilities, but many plastics still end up in landfills due to infrastructure limits. Over $10.5 billion has been invested in recycling, with $4.6 billion toward advanced systems. ACC advocates for federal policies, such as extended producer responsibility and harmonized recycling legislation, to boost innovation and investment.