In case you missed it: Thoughtful, newsworthy comments from industry professionals, consumers, and legislators.
"The fact that we still have an active landfill speaks volumes."
— Ecomaine CEO Kevin Roche to Waste Dive regarding the nonprofit's operations in southern Maine. Ecomaine has been slowly making adjustments to its MRF, WTE and landfilling operations over the years to help the state reach its overall diversion goal of 50% by 2021.
"If we could have a fleet full of Santa Clauses and garbage trucks, that would be freaking amazing."
— Waste Management driver Nic Greer to KING 5 regarding his tradition to wear a Santa suit on his collections route in Seattle. Greer told the station that he has been dressing up for the past 10 years — mostly to bring holiday cheer to his youngest customers.
"...We’ve perhaps lost sight of the concrete environmental impacts that come from recycling."
— Waste Management CEO James C. Fish Jr in a written statement regarding the company's 2016 Sustainability Report. The report had a unique focus on greenhouse gas emissions instead of recycling tonnage, marking Waste Management's gradual shift away from weight-based metrics.
"Giving out $20 gift cards does not pass the smell test. It is giving someone the equivalent of cash."
— Advanced Disposal attorney Neil Schiller regarding Waste Management's campaign to win a collections contract in Jupiter, FL, as reported by Palm Beach Post. Advanced Disposal said these actions violated lobbying rules and filed a bid protest in late November, but the Jupiter town council denied the bid protest in a Dec. 14 vote
"Trust the experts. Let's give this order a chance."
— Republic Services' attorney Thomas M. Bruen regarding the company's plan to reduce odors at the Sunshine Canyon Landfill, as reported by Los Angeles Daily News. Despite pushback, Republic will plan to divert up to 350 tons of organic waste per day from the landfill.
"Will consumer battery recycling behavior change overnight? Probably not. But there are reasons to be optimistic."
— Call2Recycle CEO and president Carl Smith in an exclusive piece on recycling accessibility for Waste Dive. Smith explained that in order for consumers to recycle more batteries, they must be conveniently located to a drop-off site and have the option to recycle more than one material at each site.