Sustainability continues to be a core focus of the waste industry, as noted in this week's top stories. Q3 earnings calls demonstrated continued revenue growth. Here are the top stories from November 1 through November 5.

1. Waste Management Releases 2021 Sustainability Report

Waste Management (WM) recently released its 2021 Sustainability Report, wherein the company notes progress against its 2025 and 2038 sustainability goals around “people, customers, environment and community, including key investments made through early 2021 to further the company’s sustainability agenda.”

“For all its challenges, 2020 was a pivotal year," said Jim Fish, president and CEO. " [But] the public learned what we at WM have always known: our industry provides an essential service to customers and communities across North America. And it’s our people on the front line—technicians, equipment operators, drivers and route managers—who make it all possible.”

Read the full article.

2. Stericycle's Q3 Earnings Call Highlights Implementation of ERP System

President and CEO Cindy J. Miller described the impact of technology on the medical waste disposal provider with the implementation of an ERP system to streamline operations.

"Overall, our results of the quarter demonstrate that we continue to execute on our key business priorities. We delivered on our quality of revenue initiatives driving organic revenue growth and Regulated Waste and Compliance Services. We also achieved an important milestone in our transformational journey - the launch of our ERP system," she told investors.

Read the full article.

3. GFL Boasts a 43.4% Revenue Increase in Q3; Raises FY21 Guidance

GFL Environmental (GFL) announced its Q3 results today. The company’s results were better than expected (revenue +43.4% YOY) crediting its organic growth, strong proactive pricing and overperformance by recent acquisitions.

"Our employees continued to deliver exceptional results in the third quarter, allowing us to once again exceed our expectations," said Patrick Dovigi, founder and chief executive officer of GFL. 

Read the full article.

4. Photographer Rankin Shows Visual Impact of Food Waste

Rankin, a Glasgow-born photographer known for his collaborations with celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and The Rolling Stones, recently demonstrated the impact of food waste.

Photos taken in collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland show food manipulated to resemble plastic bottles. The images were released shortly prior to the COP26 global climate summit which is being held in Glasgow.

“It’s time we viewed food waste through the same, if not a more dangerous lens, than single-use plastics," he said in a statement.

Read the full article.

5. How Does Your Program Measure Up - Utilizing Data to Negotiate Your Next MRF Contract

In our latest episode of NothingWasted!, we bring you a dynamic session from WasteExpo Together Online, “How Does Your Program Measure Up? Utilizing Data to Negotiate Your Next MRF Contract.”

You will hear from speaker Keysha Burton, community programs manager at The Recycling Partnership (TRP). She presented the work the organization has done on “Building Good MRF Contracts,” with a focus on its Guide to Community MRF Contracts.  

Listen to the podcast.