Groups weigh in on EPA’s planned update to landfill air emission rules

The U.S. EPA released 10 white papers last year examining a host of factors that influence landfill emissions. A range of interested parties commented, hoping to influence an expected update to landfill air regulations.

By Jacob Wallace • June 23, 2025

Veolia touts plans for U.S. expansion, unveils new water treatment plant in Delaware

At a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event Wednesday, CEO Estelle Brachlianoff said Veolia targets 50% growth in the U.S. in coming years to meet PFAS management demand fueled by health impact concerns.

By Megan Quinn • June 20, 2025

Senate confirms John Busterud to lead EPA waste office

Busterud has a background in environmental law and previously served as administrator for EPA Region 9. This is the first time the position has been filled since 2021.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Oct. 7, 2025

Veolia says incinerator test shows over 99% PFAS destruction

The company's research, shared with the U.S. EPA, aims to lend credibility to incineration. Veolia expects demand for PFAS management services to grow despite regulatory challenges.

By Megan Quinn • May 20, 2025

PFAS a ‘high priority’ for EPA waste office nominee Busterud

During a confirmation hearing, the Office of Land and Emergency Management nominee expressed support for passive receivers and called for more frequent updates to the EPA's destruction and disposal guidance.

By Megan Quinn • May 16, 2025

EPA’s future PFAS manufacturing effluent limitation guidelines raise new questions

The Trump administration will pursue regulations for certain manufacturers of chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibers after pausing implementation of a similar Biden-era proposal. Landfill regulations may come in the future.

By April Reese • May 15, 2025

EPA rolls back part of PFAS drinking water standards

The agency will continue regulating PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, but will extend compliance timelines. It has rescinded rules for four other PFAS chemicals. 

By Megan Quinn • May 14, 2025

Environmental groups launch coalition to halt the use of biosolids as fertilizer

The Coalition for Sludge-Free Land, made up of local, regional and national groups, is pushing for biosolids to be dewatered and landfilled instead. 

By Jacob Wallace • May 2, 2025

State bills tackling PFAS in biosolids advance

A bill in Washington would require wastewater facility operators to test PFAS levels in their biosolids. It’s the latest state legislative effort to address a problem increasingly attracting attention.

By Jacob Wallace • April 22, 2025

EPA’s Zeldin says agency will announce PFAS updates in ‘coming weeks’

During a Monday press conference, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said unspecified PFAS announcements were on the way and noted the agency is well aware of waste industry concerns over potential PFAS regulatory impacts.

By Megan Quinn • April 22, 2025

New Mexico governor signs 2 laws banning PFAS

The newly signed laws ban PFAS in most products and designate PFAS-containing firefighting foam as a hazardous waste, a move to more tightly regulate PFAS cleanups in the state.

By Megan Quinn • April 9, 2025

Fort Worth, Texas, ends Synagro’s biosolids contract early

The city council voted to terminate their 10-year contract with Synagro early and will take over a biosolids drying facility. The decision comes amid questions over PFAS contamination and responsibility in the region.

By Jacob Wallace • March 27, 2025

Synagro seeks to dismiss lawsuit over PFAS in its biosolids, citing new research

The company, backed by a Goldman Sachs fund, argues its treated sludge from the Fort Worth, Texas, wastewater system could not have caused harmful contamination on farmland.

By Jacob Wallace • March 19, 2025

EPA revisiting dozens of climate, environment rules in ‘day of deregulation’

The agency said it would roll back a range of rules and programs, including some that are foundational to its climate change work. A new WOTUS definition is expected, as well as rollbacks to an emissions reporting program.

By Jacob Wallace • March 12, 2025

Enviri changes board, amends credit facilities as steel prices slump

The company is working to complete unfavorable rail contracts and expects its finances to improve in 2025. Executives plan to offset impacts from a weak steel market with continued growth in Clean Earth.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 21, 2025

Clean Harbors plots growth from incinerator opening, PFAS in 2025

The company noted strong growth in its environmental services sector and highlighted the opening of its incinerator in Kimball, Nebraska, but experienced headwinds in its Safety-Kleen sector.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 19, 2025

8 Trump actions that could affect waste and recycling

Trump administration executive orders have called for numerous changes related to climate change initiatives, greenhouse gas research, grant funding and potential tariffs.  

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 24, 2025

Groups urge New York DEC to require on-site landfill leachate treatment

Toxic pollutants like PFOA and PFOS are being released into drinking water through the practice of shipping leachate for disposal in wastewater treatment plants ill-equipped to handle the contamination, they say.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 23, 2025

PFAS and waste solutions funded in final days of Biden EPA

The EPA under former President Joe Biden funded two dozen small businesses working on early-stage environmental technologies that incorporate materials like agricultural waste and wasted glass.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 21, 2025

EPA nominee Zeldin advances out of committee for final confirmation vote

During a prior confirmation hearing, Lee Zeldin highlighted his plan to balance environmental and economic concerns. He also addressed PFAS passive receiver issues and plastics.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Jan. 23, 2025

EPA warns of PFAS exposure from biosolids in long-awaited report

Farmers could be at risk due to the chemicals leaching into food and water, the agency said in its draft risk assessment, which is now open for comment. EPA noted plans to focus enforcement upstream on industrial sources like landfills.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 15, 2025

5 issues likely to shape the waste and recycling industry in 2025

Plans for the second Trump administration, state EPR implementation, climate policy and PFAS regulation are evolving, as is landfill monitoring technology. Here’s how each could affect the industry in 2025.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Jan. 9, 2025

By the numbers: 2024 waste and recycling trends

Reflect on the year through key data points about labor, the economy, M&A, federal and state policy, recycling trends and more.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Jacob Wallace • Dec. 20, 2024

Crystal Clean ‘all in’ on PFAS remediation services amid shifting regulatory landscape

Crystal Clean’s Darci Ackerman said the company is expanding its PFAS remediation services, researching new options for treatment and calling for more research into soil remediation and other PFAS science. 

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 10, 2024

PFAS opportunities coming as Trump enters office, waste executives say

Executives from WM and Clean Harbors said the incoming Trump administration could roll back the EPA’s hazardous substance designation for PFAS, but they expect continued business opportunities with the material.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 25, 2024