Waste Management Services NAICS 562

Mar 24, 2026 - Waste Firms, Unions Push Back on CDL Ruling

• A new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule restricting certain non-citizen drivers from obtaining or renewing commercial driver’s licenses is expected to strain the waste management industry by reducing an already limited labor pool, according to Waste Dive. Companies such as Waste Pro say the rule could affect up to 20% of drivers in some regions, leading to service delays and operational disruptions. The industry already faces challenges in recruiting and training drivers, with hiring processes taking 60 to 75 days. Haulers warn that losing trained workers will be difficult to offset due to federal limits on driving hours and the time required to certify replacements. Industry groups and labor unions argue the rule could worsen driver shortages, disrupt collection routes, and impact essential sanitation services, while regulators say the changes are needed to improve safety and compliance.
• In March, 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 dropped 59.3% month over month and fell 89.9% year over year. Natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) increased 15% month over month but was down 32.5% from March 2025. Color HDPE rose 14% month over month and declined 46.5% year over year. Polypropylene (PP) climbed 32.7% month over month but was 32.4% lower than a year ago. A grade film prices increased 7.0% month over month but were down 24.2% year over year. Prices for old corrugated containers (OCC) rose about 10% month over month and were down approximately 28.4% year over year. Aluminum can prices increased 9.1% month over month and declined 6.5% from March 2025. Sorted residential paper remained flat month over month and was 43.3% lower than a year earlier.

• Republic Services, WM, and Waste Connections all closed the year with solid momentum, each posting year-over-year revenue and net income gains. Republic saw Q4 net income rise 6.4% to $545 million and full-year net income increase 4.9% to $2.1 billion, with steady revenue growth driven by pricing and cost discipline. WM also delivered a strong finish, with Q4 revenue up 7.1% to $6.3 billion and net income jumping 24% to $742 million, while full-year revenue climbed 14.2% to $25.2 billion. Waste Connections saw Q4 revenue rise 4.8% to $2.4 billion and the firm swung from a loss of $196 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 to $258.5 million in net income in Q4 2025, while full-year revenue rose 6.1% and net income surged 74.4% to more than $1 billion. All three expect continued growth in 2026 as margins, pricing, and operating performance strengthen.
• Waste industry insiders suggest the EPA’s move to roll back the endangerment finding will not directly change core emissions rules for the waste and recycling industry but will create other challenges, according to Waste Dive. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin framed the rollback as a major deregulatory step, while environmental groups warned it would raise long-term climate and public health risks. Waste industry organizations noted that a warming climate could worsen worker safety challenges and increase severe-weather impacts. Landfill air emissions rules remain unchanged because they are based on non-methane organic compounds rather than greenhouse gases. The decision adds uncertainty as the administration also seeks to dismantle the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, potentially forcing landfill operators to navigate a patchwork of state rules. Environmental groups plan to challenge the rollback of the endangerment finding in court.