The Latest
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Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity
Foss Recycling acquired scrap assets from Wall Recycling; CARDS acquired an Arkansas hauler; GFL acquired a Michigan hauler; Convertus acquired a Virginia composting facility.
Updated April 23, 2024 -
EPA’s latest PFAS guidance offers more data but it raises new questions about destruction and disposal
The agency’s first update since 2020 discusses the many considerations involved with handling the chemicals via different categories of landfills, incinerators, injection wells and other technologies.
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The data on climate change’s link to employee deaths, injuries
Exposure to extreme heat, ultraviolet radiation and air pollution poses a serious threat to workers globally, the International Labour Organization said.
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Former Eureka Recycling leader joins TRP as chief policy officer
Kate Davenport will advocate for extended producer responsibility and other policies related to recycling access and viability in her new role.
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US EPA designates PFOS, PFOA as hazardous substances
The waste industry has long worried that the hazardous substance designation would create costly liability issues. The U.S. EPA says it won’t focus on enforcement at municipal landfills, water utilities or farms that apply biosolids.
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EPA agrees to finalize emissions enforcement plan for commercial and industrial incinerators
The Sierra Club has argued that dozens of incinerators are following decades-old standards because the EPA failed to implement a federal plan. The decree would force a final plan.
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Canadian organics processor kick-starts US expansion with Virginia deal
Convertus primarily has been expanding in Canada since it was formed via a private-equity backed merger. Now it’s eyeing several U.S. markets for expansion.
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REMADE conference explores the future of the circular economy
The conference aimed to translate scientific research into tangible circular economy solutions for the researchers, government officials and private companies in attendance.
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Covanta announces rebrand to Reworld
The new branding marks a shift in the company as it attempts to bolster its environmental services and sustainable materials management services.
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Pacific Coast grocers reduce wasted food tonnage by nearly 25% over 4 years
The reductions came via a public-private partnership among stakeholders across the food supply chain to share best practices to reduce food loss and waste 50% by 2030.
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Q&A
Stericycle executive talks sustainability, long-term efficiency plans
Cory White, Stericycle’s chief commercial officer, says data insights and customer demand are driving the company’s long-term sustainability strategy, including through fleet optimization, recycling and other efficiencies.
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Compostables break down in real-world conditions, but more work needed: report
The Composting Consortium, which is managed by the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, calls this study the largest known North American field test of certified compostable packaging.
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Waste industry reacts to PFAS drinking water standards
The EPA’s new drinking water standards for PFAS may affect waste facility relationships with water treatment plants and add costs, waste industry groups say. WM, Republic Services, Casella, SWANA, NWRA and others weigh in.
Updated April 23, 2024 -
State officials list batteries, tires, PFAS-containing materials as most challenging to manage
The survey found a need for more resources and infrastructure to address the challenging materials.
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Landfill methane, overall waste sector emissions continued to decline in 2022
The U.S. EPA’s latest inventory of greenhouse gas emissions also tallied emissions from municipal solid waste combustion and anaerobic digestion.
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Green Li-ion opens battery materials recycling plant in Oklahoma
The company aims to close the loop on battery materials with the new facility, which produces raw materials from unsorted scrap.
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Waste Connections alleges broker Haulla stole business by impersonating customers
Waste Connections says Haulla, part of Ecube Labs, illegally used its online platform to steal customers in Texas. Haulla’s website offers to help new customers break contracts with their existing haulers.
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Education, transparency key to improving New York City’s recycling system, experts say
Recycling capture rates declined from 2017 to 2023 in New York City. Critics say DSNY is losing its focus on waste reduction and should redouble its efforts to get recycling and organics collection right.
Updated April 11, 2024 -
5 packaging innovation trends to watch in 2024: SPC
AI, digital labeling and “paperization” top the movements highlighted in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s inaugural Packaging Innovation Trends Report.
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CNG vehicles, now mainstream, remain popular options for the waste industry
While electric vehicles are gaining more attention, waste companies and vendors such as Labrie Group say demand for compressed natural gas vehicles is growing as an alternative to diesel.
Updated April 11, 2024 -
EPA sets drinking water standards for PFAS, kicking off questions for waste operators
The agency’s final rule, which includes more detailed limits than were in its initial proposal, will be phased in over multiple years. It also comes with $1 billion in funding for public water systems and updated disposal guidance.
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Filco Carting hires CFO with Macquarie, Tunnel Hill experience
Dymah Paige joined the company as it prepares to start servicing commercial waste zones in New York City and scales up municipal contracts in New Jersey — where it recently prevailed in a court battle.
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Divert chooses North Carolina for its 3rd anaerobic digestion facility
The facility follows two projects under construction in California and Washington. It’s part of Divert’s push to expand its AD capabilities throughout the U.S.
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PFAS destruction solutions advance as EPA drinking water standard looms
The recent Northeast Conference on the Science of PFAS convened regulators from the EPA and state agencies, as well as technology providers, for an in-depth update about what’s next for the forever chemicals.
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Multiple landfills approved for expansion in past month, including WM site in Arkansas
Private and publicly owned landfills in Arkansas, California, New York and South Carolina all received expansion approval, while Waste Connections backed off plans for another county-owned site.