Dive Brief: The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop the momentum for clean technologies and fuels among medium- and heavy-duty fleets, including fleets in the waste sector, according to the 2021 State of Sustainable Fleets report that consulting firm Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA) released last week. While the report covers growth in four categories — propane, natural gas, battery-electric, and fuel cell electric vehicles — refuse fleets are playing a particularly important role in the rise of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, analysts found. Waste Management Chief Operating Officer John Morris said at a virtual event coinciding with the report’s release that the company remains a strong proponent of CNG. “We're going to continue to buy predominantly CNG where the opportunity exists," he said. Waste Management expects 80% of its collection fleet will be operating on CNG within five to seven years, a spokesperson confirmed, up from 70% of its routed fleet now.