From WasteRecyclingNews.

As more of our nation’s cities move toward zero waste policies, the traditional hauling and disposal industry is faced with the tough decision: adapt or die.

“There’s a lot of room for the industry to continue to evolve,” said Jay Coalson, executive director of the Zero Waste Alliance. “I don’t think you have to look any further than Waste Management [Inc.] They are clearly transforming their business to be much more of a service provider around the waste stream than they are a waste hauler.”

While Waste Management is clearly not the only company adopting integrated waste management practices, there are still some waste companies that continue to rely on profits from landfill disposal rates and high waste volumes.

“If your business model is predicated on continued landfilling, you’re not going to be in business very long, you’re going to have to diversify,” said Walter Willis, executive director of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, Ill. “I think it’s the companies that are looking ahead, investing in the right technologies, that will continue to be successful or will be successful in the future.”

Many in the industry agree that, in a Continue reading

Republic Services Inc. saw revenue increase slightly during the first quarter as profits dipped for the nation’s second-largest solid waste management company.

The Phoenix-based firm earned $124.6 million, or 34 cents per diluted share, on revenue of $2 billion. That compares to earnings of $142.9 million, or 38 cents per diluted share, on revenue of $1.98 billion for the first quarter of 2012.

Excluding charges, expenses and benefits, net income would have been $167.4 million, or 46 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter of this year, and $140.9 million, or 38 cents per diluted share for the first quarter of last year, the company reported.

Stock analysts predicted revenue of $2 billion and earnings of 40 cents per share, on average, according to Yahoo Finance.

CEO Donald W. Slager, in a statement, said the company’s first quarter performance “reflects an overall improvement in business conditions. We saw sequential increases in core pricing, volume and margins, which drove our strong Q1 results. We continue to profitably grow our core business as evidenced by year-over-year increases in revenue, earnings and free cash flow.”

Shares of Republic Services were up 86 cents to $34.11 in trading at one point this morning, according to Yahoo Finance.