The Latest
-
Senate confirms Peter Wright to run EPA's OLEM
The former Dow Chemical lawyer's nomination as assistant administrator had been delayed for more than a year, but he will now take over the agency's top solid waste position.
UPDATED: July 11, 2019 at 2:43 p.m. -
Connecticut bag ban spurs contentious food waste debate
One of the year's more mildly worded state bag bans was prefaced by heated discussion around whether compostable products should be exempt.
-
Lawsuit over Keurig coffee pod recyclability moving forward
The company had hoped a California judge would dismiss a complaint claiming its "recyclable" labels are misleading.
-
Q&ALocal governments may have more recycling power than they realize
Neil Seldman of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance has long been a proponent of grassroots policymaking. He shares examples of cities and counties taking the lead on glass, organics and more.
-
Waste Management aiming to expand Wisconsin's largest landfill via Superfund excavation
Once thought to be nearing capacity, the Orchard Ridge Landfill could now remain open for years following the proposed project and a previously approved expansion.
-
Terracycle's Loop expands to 5 new states
The circular packaging concept, described as a grand experiment, kicked off its first U.S. pilot in May. The program is now expanding in the Northeast due to increased demand.
UPDATED: July 10, 2019 at 10:35 a.m. -
Boston casts wide net for organics options, including in-sink
The city's first move on its "zero waste" plan indicates large-scale ambitions. Two new RFPs for curbside food and textile collection also serve as a reminder of current budget constraints.
-
Food waste is piling up. How are manufacturers responding?
More than 1.6 billion tons of food go to waste annually, representing $1.2 trillion in value and a third of all global food production — and according to a 2018 report, it's getting worse.
-
Oregon governor signs laws banning plastic bags, straws
Legislation signed by Gov. Kate Brown last month is the latest in a series of statewide plastic reduction measures to pass this year.
-
Report: Supply chains cause 40% of food waste in North America
Companies and countries will need better data as they move forward with food waste reduction plans, according to data from the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization.
-
Oregon Senate rejects statewide polystyrene foam container ban
The proposed ban was defeated in a 15-14 vote after three Democrats sided with Republican lawmakers in voting against the bill.
UPDATED: July 8, 2019 at 9:49 a.m. -
Q&AOff the Route: Von Hernandez on 'turning the tide' of plastic pollution
Hernandez spoke to Waste Dive about his career as a waste and toxics campaigner, waste dumping in Southeast Asia and the path toward creating mass systemic change around plastics.
-
Michigan launches statewide educational campaign on recycling
The humor-infused "Know It Before You Throw It" campaign aims to combat consumer confusion around recycling.
-
PepsiCo to trial Aquafina in aluminum cans
The company also pledged to switch its bubly brand to all cans and move its Lifewtr products to 100% recycled plastic by the end of 2020.
-
Recyclers request government mandates for recycled plastic content in bags
Twenty-seven industry signatories are asking for recycled content legislation or procurement policies in Canada.
UPDATED: July 3, 2019 at 1:12 p.m. -
GFL-operated Georgia landfill battles court injunction
A district court sided with residents complaining of odors, buzzards and fugitive debris at the 122-acre Grady Road Landfill — but operator Waste Industries is pushing back with a request to stay the 90-day injunction.
-
Chinese port shuts out scrap metal imports 3 days before new restrictions take effect
The port of Sanshan was unable to handle the influx of material it received ahead of China's new scrap metal regulations.
-
ColumnScrap Collector: Environmentalists criticize 'narrow' scope of G20 marine plastics goal
Plus: Pacific Island nation to enact world's first disposable diaper ban, and waste giant Biffa convicted of exporting household trash to China.
UPDATED: July 2, 2019 at 11:17 a.m. -
Advanced Disposal shareholders approve sale to Waste Management
The company also agreed to add new information to SEC filings in response to multiple lawsuits that were attempting to delay or end the deal.
-
California to require data reporting on recycling and composting
This push for more accurate data gathering will help the state track material flows, better estimate recycling and composting, and improve operational efficiencies.
-
New Jersey passes food waste bill favoring landfills and WTE
A bill once intended to promote diversion to compost and digestion facilities will now allow unique exemptions due to lobbying from landfill and incinerator operators.
UPDATED: June 28, 2019 at 11:22 a.m. -
Court stays suspension of St. Paul, Minnesota collection system
A November referendum on St. Paul's collection system remains in play — pending the city's appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
UPDATED: June 28, 2019 at 11:15 a.m. -
San Diego approves new recycling contracts, keeps foam recycling
The San Diego Environmental Services Department reversed an initial recommendation to cut EPS foam from the city's curbside program earlier this week ahead of a broader vote on new recycling contracts.
-
EPA recommends Georgia become second state to run coal ash permit program
Oklahoma is the only state currently operating its own program as part of the Trump EPA's agenda to give more flexibility on coal ash regulations.
-
Deep DiveSorting out the future of mixed paper
Amid the current focus on plastics, market issues for fiber tend to get overshadowed. What does the future hold for all the mail, magazines and small shipping boxes still inundating MRFs?
UPDATED: June 28, 2019 at 4:28 p.m.
