The Latest
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ColumnScrap Collector: The secret lives of trash-eating animals and a 'Paris agreement for the seas'
Plus, a 20-yard trash spill in California, the Philippines takes a stand against waste trafficking, and Japan's new "waste-pit" happy hour.
Collections & Transfer -
Democrats introduce $15 minimum wage bill
The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 also would do away with the tipped minimum wage and the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities.
Policy -
Vermont may walk back statewide organics collection requirement
The Agency of Natural Resources recommends haulers only be required to collect organics from multi-family and commercial sites, but still wants to enact a universal food waste disposal ban by 2020.
Collections & Transfer -
Nestlé lays out first steps to making all product packaging recyclable by 2025
The company will begin phasing out straws, using more paper-based packaging and upping its usage of recycled PET this year.
Corporate -
Houston approves $5M for recycling contractor and truck rentals to fix collection mess
The Houston City Council agreed to bring in Texas Pride Disposal Solutions for temporary service on recycling routes, along with new vehicles from Big Truck Rental, as service delays continue.
UPDATED: Jan. 17, 2019 at 7:41 a.m.
Collections & Transfer -
Strategic Materials teams up with North Carolina county to resurrect glass recycling
A new drop-off option, introduced after glass was cut from curbside programs, is expected to save Moore County money and generate cleaner material for Strategic's local processing operation.
Corporate -
Wyoming city to maximize 50-year landfill capacity with full-cost accounting
Cheyenne's public works engineer told Waste Dive what the city hopes to achieve with a new solid waste plan that will be completed by Burns & McDonnell.
Collections & Transfer -
New industry group pledges $1B to combat plastic pollution
More than two dozen global companies, including many of the world's largest plastic chemical manufacturers, have formed a nonprofit called the Alliance to End Plastic Waste.
Corporate -
Waste Management adding 'buffer' truck in Texas after worker fatality
This seemingly unique defense against distracted driving will be used in one particularly high-traffic area, though an ongoing conversion to automated side-load trucks is still said to be a national priority.
Corporate -
$40M mixed waste MRF opening amid Massachusetts disposal 'crisis'
Zero Waste Solutions is backed by the owner of ABC Disposal Service, who has strong feelings about the state's growing reliance on waste exporting.
Recycling -
New York governor pitches bag ban (again) and bottle bill expansion
Andrew Cuomo's upcoming executive budget is expected to include two notable recycling proposals, both with their own complex political factors.
Recycling -
OpinionFood waste doesn't have to be expensive: 4 cost-effective recycling strategies
Rubicon Global's Ryan Cooper breaks down the many factors – waste audits, transportation logistics, local markets and more – that can make organics recycling viable even without regulatory drivers.
Organics -
ColumnScrap Collector: 'Trump's Trash' and the Oakland Garbage Blitz
Plus, an NYC proposal aims for increased private waste industry oversight, and a nonprofit takes on Big Plastic.
Corporate -
Federal judge: Waste Management's Reno, Nevada monopoly protected by state law
A case challenging the city's commercial franchise agreement, brought by Green Solutions Recycling, has been dismissed.
Corporate -
Deltona, Florida suspends curbside recycling indefinitely
With processing costs from Waste Pro now twice as high as landfill disposal, and future market conditions uncertain, city staff recommended the move. Exclusive franchising is also under discussion.
Corporate -
California could ban paper receipts by 2022
Proposed legislation would require businesses to prioritize digital receipts, per estimates that paper versions generate up to 686 million pounds of waste per year.
UPDATED: Jan. 11, 2019 at 12:30 p.m.
Corporate -
Deep Dive6 key questions for the waste and recycling industry in 2019
We'll be keeping an eye on recycling, climate change, landfills, alternative technologies, corporate consolidation, labor issues and much more in the year ahead.
Corporate -
Multi-state coalition demands EPA withdraw proposed delay of landfill emissions regulations
Nine state attorneys general have addressed a letter to the EPA characterizing its proposed rule delay as "arbitrary, capricious, and unsupported by law."
Landfill -
Sweeping single-use plastic ban proposed in Albuquerque, New Mexico
If passed, the Albuquerque Clean & Green Retail Ordinance would ban plastic bags, take-out containers and straws by January 2020.
Recycling -
Virginia Gov. Northam backs bill requiring Dominion to excavate all coal ash
Environmental groups say the governor's move is a "clear acknowledgement" that capping and keeping 27 million cubic yards of the utility's coal ash in place is not a tenable solution.
Corporate -
ColumnMuch ado about pharma residue: EPA rule aims to end waste flushing
Healthcare providers managing hazardous pharmaceuticals will now be required to prevent waste from entering the environment. Rich Thompson breaks down what you need to know.
Recycling -
Connecticut WTE facility stuck with thousands of tons after double turbine failure
The Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority's Hartford facility has been down since November, and officials are struggling to find available disposal capacity in an already tight Northeast market.
Collections & Transfer -
ColumnScrap Collector: Washington state to consider composting the dead, 40-year-old plastic Doritos bag found on beach
Plus, a recycling opportunity that'll thrill the goats in your life, and South Korea's plastic bag ban.
Recycling -
OpinionHow to plan for the best when faced with a worst-case scenario facility fire
Fire Rover’s Ryan Fogelman discusses the importance of planning, training and investing in the proper equipment to achieve the best possible outcome during a fire incident.
Recycling -
China details scrap metal import restrictions for July
Steel, aluminum and copper will be among the regulated recyclable materials, according to a joint announcement from multiple government agencies.
UPDATED: Jan. 8, 2019 at 8:24 a.m.
Recycling