Minnesota looks to reduce Twin Cities’ waste fast as disposal capacity tightens

A proposed 20-year plan for the metro area places an emphasis on strategies to reduce waste at its source and would require local governments to make numerous changes in collection programs and other policies.

By Jacob Wallace • July 13, 2023

Allonnia gets $30M funding round for PFAS remediation, biotech projects

The company's series A extension will bring it up to $90M in funding to help improve PFAS remediation technology and commercialize a detection biosensor, along with other initiatives.

By Megan Quinn • July 13, 2023

California to consider satellites, covers and flaring in landfill emissions rule update

The California Air Resources Board is in the process of updating its landfill methane regulation for the first time since 2010, with an eye toward new technologies and better practices to reduce emissions.

By Jacob Wallace • July 6, 2023

Missouri Gov. Parson vetoes budget language that could have delayed Kansas City landfill

The proposed greenfield project has elicited months of controversy at the state and local levels, with opponents raising concerns about its proximity to residential areas.

By Cole Rosengren • July 6, 2023

Connecticut governor signs waste bill into law but cites ‘concerns’ over long-term sustainability

Gov. Ned Lamont said the law won’t divert as much waste from disposal or help prevent more waste from being shipped out of state compared with the version of the bill he first introduced.

By Megan Quinn • June 30, 2023

Environmental advocates rally in support of EPA legacy coal ash rule

The groups urged the EPA to press forward with a proposed rule for certain legacy coal ash sites while pushing for further regulation.

By Jacob Wallace • June 30, 2023

How the waste industry prepared for and reacted to the EPA’s 2023 Renewable Fuel Standard update

The agency’s final rules to generate renewable energy credits from certain systems are seen as a benefit for anaerobic digesters and certain landfill projects. Catch up on coverage of key developments.

June 29, 2023

Fast fashion waste problem needs better solutions, lawmakers say

Two lawmakers are requesting that the federal government look into what can be done to reduce waste from textiles.

By Jacob Wallace • June 28, 2023

Bill pausing permits for new landfills moves forward in New Hampshire

If passed, the state will pause siting new landfills for two years and will hire a consultant to review its rules on setbacks near bodies of water. A separate food waste bill, passed in the state budget, also aims to divert organics.

By Megan Quinn • June 27, 2023

Environmental Integrity Project and other groups petition EPA for faster action on landfill methane

It’s the latest move in EIP’s ongoing efforts to spur the agency to enact stronger methane regulations, calling the emissions a pollution and environmental justice matter. 

By Megan Quinn • June 26, 2023

Waste industry groups, lawmakers vow to continue push for eRINs

Waste industry groups, including WM and the Waste-to-Energy Association, have said they will continue to work with the U.S. EPA to enact the program despite its exclusion from the recently updated Renewable Fuel Standard.

By Jacob Wallace • June 26, 2023

3M to pay at least $10B in “forever chemicals” settlement

The chemical giant will fund testing for public water systems across the U.S. and be relieved from some PFAS-related water contamination claims.

By Sara Samora • June 23, 2023

EPA releases final Renewable Fuel Standard rule without proposed credit market for EV fueling

The new rule was published without the lucrative but controversial eRIN program. But the EPA proposed better credits for RNG, something biogas industry advocates had called for.

By Jacob Wallace • June 21, 2023

Plastics manufacturing, environmental justice interests spar at Senate hearing

Curbing plastics production and disposal is the only way to alleviate the material's health impacts, EJ advocates said, but business representatives called halting production unrealistic and harmful for jobs and the economy.

By Megan Quinn • June 16, 2023

Tip fees at MSW landfills see highest increase since 2018, report says

Average weighted tipping fees surpassed $60 nationwide last year, according to a new report from EREF. The increase occurred amid a highly inflationary environment and ongoing industry consolidation.

By Jacob Wallace • June 12, 2023

Houston, DOJ reach settlement over alleged environmental justice violations in illegal dumping case

Houston will implement a $17.8 million cleanup plan and undergo federal monitoring and training, among other agreements. Some residents applauded the development, but others worry it won’t lead to long-term changes. 

By Megan Quinn • June 9, 2023

Contentious Connecticut waste and recycling bill heads to governor’s desk, without EPR

Legislators cut packaging EPR details from a sweeping bill that includes requirements for recycled content and organics diversion, as well as initial plans for new in-state processing capacity.

By Megan Quinn • June 8, 2023

GFL closes sale of Colorado assets to Republic; its Casella divestiture gets DOJ approval

GFL Environmental expects to complete its broader divestiture campaign by the end of June, netting gross proceeds of about $1.6 million (Canadian). This specific package covers Denver and other key Colorado markets.

By Jacob Wallace • June 5, 2023

Supreme Court decision to limit Clean Water Act considered beneficial for landfill development

The Sackett v. EPA decision, which the Biden administration criticized, is part of a long-running debate over wetlands definitions. This can often be a factor in landfill construction or expansion.

By Cole Rosengren • May 26, 2023

Minnesota governor signs bills with statewide waste reduction goal, right-to-repair law for electronics

A sweeping state budget bill contains a new waste reduction goal of 90% by 2045. A detailed report explaining how to get there is due in 2024.

By Megan Quinn • Updated May 24, 2023

Sale of Arkansas landfill to LRS stuck in limbo amid local and state opposition

Despite a recently-signed emergency law that places new restrictions on shuttered landfills, officials are still divided over how and whether to proceed with a sale to LRS.

By Jacob Wallace • May 24, 2023

California commission recommends a pause on SB 1383 organics law, industry disagrees

The Little Hoover Commission, a bipartisan group appointed by state officials, found that California is “poised to miss” its 2025 organic waste reduction targets. Companies such as Republic Services said it’s too late to turn back.

By Cole Rosengren • May 24, 2023

Waste Connections discusses PFAS leachate remediation deal with Altra Sanexen

The company sees PFAS as an urgent issue at its landfills and says remediation services, such as this effort at two Minnesota sites, are an early way to manage the chemicals as the industry awaits federal regulations.

By Megan Quinn • May 23, 2023

Pay continued to grow for many top waste and recycling CEOs in 2022

See the latest compensation data for executives at WM, Republic Services, Waste Connections, GFL Environmental, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, Harsco, Casella Waste Systems and Rubicon in our fifth annual report.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023

WIN Waste Innovations’ first sustainability report touts material recovery, avoided emissions

The Northeast-based company’s initial report includes statistics on the overall amount of material being recycled and managed, though it isn’t disclosing greenhouse gas emissions data yet.

By Jacob Wallace • May 22, 2023