In case you missed it: Thoughtful, newsworthy comments from industry professionals, consumers and legislators.
"We can play a pivotal role in enhancing diversion efforts and lowering costs...by leveraging our strengths in logistics and infrastructure to collect and process materials in an environmentally responsible manner and return them to the economy as secondary resources."
— Dan Pio, executive vice president of strategy and business development for Progressive Waste Solutions, on the company's efforts to combat low commodity prices. Pio, along with other waste leaders, predict that commodity prices will continue to decline in 2016 while diversion costs climb.
"I think the water wheel has gotten so much attention because we did not put out a crazy scheme like those you see almost every week. We built it and showed it working, so people see it is feasible."
— Adam Lindquist, director of the Healthy Harbor Initiative, on the water wheel that is helping to clean Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The wheel, dubbed Mr. Trash Wheel, has removed more than 350 tons of trash from the Harbor since May 2014.
"I don't mind going to multi-day pickup ... I think if you ask people if they'd rather save money than have all the garbage pickups on the same day, they would choose to save money."
— North Aurora, IL Trustee Laura Curtis on the town's consideration to cut ties with Waste Management after five years in order to take on a more basic trash hauler and save money.
"The modernization of sorting centers will confirm Quebec's leadership in the area of glass recycling collected via curbside recycling and will generate significant positive impacts in North America, thanks to a major international partnership … The expertise Quebec develops could be exported all over the continent."
— Denis Brisebois, chairman of Eco Entreprises Quebec (EEQ)'s board of directors, on the company's $4 million investment to promote glass recycling. EEQ will provide sorting centers with glass processing and cleaning equipment, with a goal to achieve 100% recycling of collected glass in Quebec.
"The proposal will particularly impact companies and local governments with manual rear loading trucks that use helpers to collect waste and recyclables. Fortunately, waste trucks do not overturn frequently, but when they do, drivers and helpers can be killed if they are not wearing their safety belts."
— SWANA CEO David Biderman on the FMCSA's proposed ruling to require passengers in commercial motor vehicles to use a seat belt. FMCSA reported that approximately 275 truck occupants killed in crashes in 2013 were not wearing seat belts.
"Following a very challenging year in the metal commodity markets, the company believes the sale of our waste services segment is a critical step in positively positioning the company for future growth and opportunity."
— Industrial Services of America President Sean Garber on the company's decision to sell the waste services portion of its business for $7.5 million. The decision comes at a time when a decline in the scrap market is causing turmoil across the industry.