The Latest
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ColumnScrap Collector: Virginia's landfill solar aspirations, garbage arsonist(s) terrorizing Orlando
Plus, a new online waste sorting game, NASA's plans for astronaut trash and China's new food waste solution (hint: it's cockroaches).
Recycling -
Fulcrum BioEnergy promises $600M waste-to-fuel project in Gary, Indiana
The company's second facility, including a yet-to-open site in Nevada, has backing from BP, United Airlines, Waste Management and Waste Connections.
Corporate -
Coca-Cola invests in European PET recycling company
Ioniqa Technologies is developing the tools to process otherwise hard-to-recycle plastics as the soda company wants to transition to at least 50% recycled packaging materials by 2030.
Corporate -
Want to combat plastic straw waste? Consider rewiring consumer psychology.
According to Travis Wagner, co-author of a new paper on plastic straw reduction efforts, policymakers may want to restructure the consumer choice architecture.
Recycling -
Congress passes Farm Bill with unprecedented level of food waste action
The bill includes $125 million for local reduction and composting pilots, plans for a new USDA food waste study, multiple provisions to boost biogas and a variety of other details to enhance food recovery. It now awaits President Trump's signature.
UPDATED: Dec. 13, 2018 at 9:28 a.m.
Organics -
Connecticut authority approves state's first source-separated glass pilot
Amid limited options for MRF glass, the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority is moving ahead with plans to collect glass separately from curbside bins, pending final state approval.
Collections & Transfer -
Minnesota city moves on $12.5M RDF project with Xcel Energy
The new RRT-designed Red Wing solid waste campus is set to open later next year after a fire delayed construction.
Recycling -
Whole Foods stops using compostable containers with PFAS
A study on food packaging in five major grocery companies found that more than two-thirds may have been treated with PFAS. Advocates are now calling for commercial composters to stop accepting the material.
Corporate -
Gold Medal pursues new type of vertical integration with Apple Valley deal
This recent acquisition gives the New Jersey company a stake in the soon-to-open Entsorga West Virginia MBT project, plus access to new markets such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Corporate -
Akron, Ohio's ban on glass recycling creates confusion between city and processor
The city said Waste Management wanted the glass ban. The company said this isn't the case. Now, residents are caught in the middle.
Corporate -
Waste Connections acquires American Disposal Services
The deal, first hinted at in October, brings an estimated $175 million in acquired revenue and 400,000 customers.
Corporate -
EPA shoots down civil rights complaint against Alabama environmental agency
The complaint was filed after a landfill-related lawsuit prompted Alabama's Department of Environmental Management to rescind its civil rights policies.
Landfill -
Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2019 give biogas a big boost
The American Biogas Council is encouraged by improving stability after initial uncertainty during the Trump administration's early days.
WTE -
ColumnScrap Collector: $16M California recycling fraud bust, lessons from Flint's water crisis
Plus, accusations of "politically motivated" sanitation worker sickout, wasting disease in animal carcasses and the triumphant return of Garbage Hill.
Collections & Transfer -
Rubicon wins collection tech contract in Spokane, Washington
The deal, which includes new technology in 100 vehicles, is worth more than $923,000 if extended for a full five-year term.
Corporate -
Q&AE360S CEO Ardellini ready to make acquisitions "right across North America"
The brand new Canadian company is starting out with $100 million in private equity backing, a big name hockey legend and a recently acquired Alberta hauler.
Corporate -
Louisiana DEQ: Waste Connections landfill responsible for odors
The report comes as work allowing for improved drainage and gas capture at the Jefferson Parish site is set to be completed.
UPDATED: Dec. 6, 2018 at 10:19 a.m.
Corporate -
Waste Management reaches $4.1M settlement over Ohio landfill
Ongoing odors led to a class-action suit against the Stony Hollow Landfill, which will have to implement infrastructure upgrades per the agreement.
Corporate -
Denver adds coffee cups to recycling list amid growing interest in solutions
The expansion came through a collaboration with Alpine Waste & Recycling, the Foodservice Packaging Institute, Sustana and city officials.
Collections & Transfer -
San Francisco passes ordinance requiring waste audits for large generators
More than 400 locations will now be subject to a review of their recycling practices every three years and could be required to hire on-site "zero waste facilitators."
UPDATED: Dec. 5, 2018 at 10 a.m.
Recycling -
Des Moines, Iowa landfilled 20 tons of mixed paper each day this summer
Mid America Recycling, the city's processor, blames plummeting material prices and a saturated domestic market.
Recycling -
Emissions crackdown on Wheelabrator Baltimore incinerator gains political traction
Calls for tighter restrictions around the WTE facility are seeing growing support from state and local officials.
Corporate -
Dive AwardsEducation Initiative of the Year: Global Recycling Day
The inaugural Bureau of International Recycling event sets the foundation for recycling to become a climate issue.
Recycling -
Dive AwardsMarket Developer of the Year: Agilyx
In the nascent move toward chemical recycling, Agilyx has found new use for a product stream that is often seen as low-value.
Corporate -
Dive AwardsInnovator of the Year: Seattle Public Utilities
City contract language — in partnership with BYD, Recology and Waste Management — has set a model for future fleet electrification.
Corporate