Date: February 11, 2025
Looking Back at 2024
Stepping into 2025, now is the perfect time to reflect on the key trends, challenges, and achievements that shaped 2024. For Envita Solutions, 2024 was marked by industry growth, evolving customer needs, and the ongoing push for sustainability in total waste management. Here are some learnings from the last year and what they mean for the year ahead:
Industry-Wide Capacity Issues
The waste management industry continued to grapple with capacity constraints in 2024. Increased demands paired with limited infrastructure have made it critical for total waste management providers to advocate for their customers and partners. By representing entire portfolios rather than individual accounts, Envita has been able to secure access and resources more effectively.
Economic Shifts Impacting Business
2024 felt like an economic balancing act. The year began with high inflation rates, which eased significantly by year-end. While this cooling off brought some relief, it also introduced new pressures. Customers leveraged the lower inflation to push for cost savings, while vendors continued to pass on price increases. In response, Envita prioritized strategic cost management and supplier negotiations to maintain stability while ensuring value for customers.
Surging EV Battery Manufacturing
One of the most notable growth areas this past year was the EV battery sector. With 35 plants under construction across North America, Envita is positioned to capture a significant share of this flourishing market. However, the flood of materials from these plants has overwhelmed existing recycling infrastructure. To address this challenge, Envita is leveraging its strong supplier network and key partners within The Heritage Group family. That includes Cirba, a leader in lithium battery recycling. Cirba’s cutting-edge solutions help divert end-of-life batteries from landfills while safely recycling each component. By collaborating with industry pioneers like Cirba, Envita is driving innovation and expanding capacity to meet the growing demand for sustainable battery recycling.
Changing Regulations
A key regulatory shift in 2024 was the impending Basel Convention amendments, which will limit the export of plastic and electronic waste which took effect January 1, 2025. This change has spurred investments in domestic recycling networks, a trend Envita anticipates will drive significant growth and operational adjustments in the coming year. Additionally, new guidelines from the EPA provided clearer guidance on PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. This clarity marks a turning point, enabling industries to develop compliance strategies and allowing businesses to address these materials responsibly.
Evolving Solutions
Sustainability conversations have evolved beyond “zero-waste-to-landfill” to broader, more creative solutions. This shift reflects growing recognition for what Envita has known for years, total waste management is complex and needs innovative solutions tailored to specific materials and industries.
Looking Ahead to 2025
While the future remains unpredictable, there are several key trends and opportunities that stand out as Envita embarks on a new year dedicated to driving sustainable solutions.
Food and Beverage Industry Growth
This industry offers immense potential with increasing regulations around food waste. Envita expects and is preparing for heightened awareness and demand for structured solutions in this sector.
Producer Responsibility Initiatives
Manufacturers are being called upon to account for the lifecycle of their products and where they end up. This trend is already gaining traction in California and is expected to expand nationwide, which would reshape how consumer products are recycled.
Sustainability in Oil and Gas
Historically, this industry has been slow to adopt sustainability practices. However, the oil and gas sector presents new opportunities for growth in 2025. Collaboration on sustainability goals could create a massive impact on environmental performance industry wide.
Envita takes pride in meeting customers wherever they are on their sustainability journey. Whether they’re pioneers in sustainability or taking their first steps, Envita offers tailored solutions to help them achieve their goals. With their customers at the forefront of their minds, Envita navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and laid the groundwork for an even brighter 2025.
For more on how Envita Solutions can help you reach your sustainability goals in the new year, visit envitainc.com/contact-us/.