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

EPA proposes rules that could require utilities to clean up ‘legacy’ coal ash ponds, landfills

Coal ash landfill and impoundment sites that fell outside a 2015 rule would face new regulations under a proposal published Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • May 19, 2023

US waste and recycling industry worth $91B in 2022, landfill capacity consolidation continues

The latest Waste Business Journal data shows growing revenue and disposal prices, along with an ongoing decline of municipal market share. WM now accounts for more disposal volume than all local governments combined.

By Cole Rosengren • May 19, 2023

EPA mapping tool shows how rising sea levels could affect hazardous waste facilities

The federal agency wants such facilities to more quickly prepare for increased flooding and says a new interactive map will help with planning.

By Megan Quinn • May 19, 2023

Environmental Integrity Project urges EPA to adopt better landfill emissions accounting in new report

The EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program doesn’t know which landfills are subject to which regulations, according to a new report. That could change with a newly circulated rule, but advocates want the EPA to go further.

By Jacob Wallace • May 18, 2023