Waste Management Services NAICS 562

May 23, 2026 - M&A Activity Slows for Major Waste Firms

• Waste Dive reports that major publicly traded solid waste and recycling companies spent nearly $700 million on mergers and acquisitions in Q1 2026, down from about $1.5 billion a year earlier, with Republic Services leading at $437 million while WM reported no deals. WM remains focused on integrating Stericycle and expects limited tuck-in acquisitions later this year. Republic continues pursuing deals in core and new markets, with about 90% tied to recycling and waste, and aims to exceed $1 billion in acquisitions for the year. Waste Connections and GFL Environmental signaled continued or increased M&A activity, with GFL emphasizing long-term growth. Casella Waste Systems expanded its regional footprint through multiple deals, including Mountain State Waste and Star Waste Systems.
• According to The New York Times, the Trump administration plans to roll back federal limits on certain PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in drinking water, reversing parts of stricter Biden-era rules that linked the substances to numerous health problems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will rescind limits on four PFAS and retain restrictions on two, while allowing utilities up to two extra years to comply. Officials, including EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said the changes correct legal flaws and could lead to stronger future rules, while also committing nearly $1 billion to help states address contamination. Environmental advocates and some supporters criticized the move as weakening protections, noting PFAS are widespread in US water supplies and persist in the human body.

• In May 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 55.6% month over month in May but remained down 86.2% year over year. Natural high-density polyethylene (HDPE) rose 12.4% month over month and declined 4.6% from May 2025. Color HDPE surged 80.9% month over month and increased 256.6% year over year. Polypropylene (PP) climbed 20.2% month over month and was up 120.3% compared to a year ago. A grade film prices were unchanged month over month but were down 17.4% year over year. Prices for old corrugated containers (OCC) increased about 7.6% month over month and were down approximately 11.7% year over year. Aluminum can prices were flat month over month and declined 2.0% from May 2025. Sorted residential paper prices were unchanged month over month and were 45.6% lower than a year earlier.
• A new University at Buffalo study finds that people across the US generate similar amounts of plastic packaging waste regardless of income, education, or location. Still, recycling rates vary widely due to unequal access to infrastructure, according to Resource Recycling. Published in Nature Communications Sustainability, the research shows wealthier, more educated communities are typically closer to industrial recycling facilities, while lower-income areas often lack access. Most residents in high recycling regions live within 30 miles of such facilities. The US trails Europe, recycling 14% of plastic packaging compared to 42.1%, and regional gaps persist, especially in the South and rural states. The findings highlight how limited infrastructure shapes outcomes and underscore significant implications for the recycling industry, including opportunities to expand access and improve system equity.