EPA says it has no obligation to regulate PFAS in biosolids in federal lawsuit

The agency filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by farmers in Texas who allege they’ve been harmed by PFAS contamination from the spreading of sewage sludge, or biosolids, on agricultural land.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 16, 2024

Judge approves agreement limiting PFAS pollution from GFL landfill in North Carolina

The consent decree between GFL Environmental and the Southern Environmental Law Center, first released in August, will address PFAS contamination, odors and other issues at the facility.

By Jacob Wallace • Updated Dec. 10, 2024

California Gov. Newsom signs textile EPR bill into law; vetoes and signs other recycling bills

Newsom also signed laws updating PaintCare, carpet stewardship and organics procurement programs. He vetoed bills related to marine flares and vehicle traction battery management.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Updated Sept. 30, 2024

4 landfill stories to follow this summer

WM won a court victory in New York, and a new county landfill got approved in Florida. Meanwhile, federal lawmakers are scrutinizing a Republic site in Oregon, and a recent study examined PFAS levels in landfill gas.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn • Aug. 8, 2024

ReMA urges federal court to review EPA’s PFAS hazardous substance designation

ReMA’s petition challenging the CERCLA hazardous substance designation for certain PFAS follows a similar petition from NWRA. Recycling and waste industry groups worry about unintended consequences from the rule.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 1, 2024

Waste companies announce more PFAS projects in July

A federal appeals court dismissed Chemours’ lawsuit against the EPA related to a PFAS advisory, while Waste Connections, Montrose Environmental and Crystal Clean all announced notable PFAS mitigation projects.

By Megan Quinn • Updated July 31, 2024

Dueling farm bills address anaerobic digestion, composting, PFAS

The House and Senate versions of the farm bill, which remain far from reconciliation, contain changes to programs that have benefited the organic waste industry along with other food waste reduction measures.

By Jacob Wallace • July 16, 2024

NWRA and others challenge EPA’s PFAS hazardous substance designation in federal court

The National Waste & Recycling Association wants the court to consider multiple aspects of the EPA’s decision to classify certain PFAS as hazardous under Superfund regulations. Environmental groups are pushing back.

By Megan Quinn • July 15, 2024

Superfund enforcement of PFAS started Monday. Where does waste and recycling go from here?

The regulation exposes certain parties to liability for cleanup of contamination from certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. While the EPA has said some disposal facilities won’t be targeted, concerns about cost remain.

By Jacob Wallace • July 8, 2024

Enviri outlines long-term plans for ‘complete suite’ of PFAS services, rail divestment

During an investor day event, Enviri touted plans to offer a broad range of PFAS services as part of its move to become a full-service environmental remediation company and potentially hit $2.7 billion in revenue by 2027.

By Megan Quinn • June 25, 2024

Water treatment company Ovivo expands PFAS treatment, destruction offerings

Ovivo’s licensing deal with Evocra allows the company to offer a foam fractionation technology on top of existing destruction services. EPA regulations have spurred mitigation companies to broaden their PFAS offerings.

By Megan Quinn • June 12, 2024

Hazardous waste incinerators see PFAS disposal opportunity, emissions questions remain

The U.S. EPA’s latest destruction and disposal guidance provides updated data on incineration's effectiveness, while noting the need for more research about the products of incomplete combustion.

By April Reese • June 5, 2024

Leachate disposal in a PFAS-filled world

Leachate disposal has always been challenging for waste facilities, but PFAS has significantly complicated the process. Explore  how landfill operators can manage PFAS in leachate, navigate new regulatory challenges and implement innovative treatment methods to protect drinking water and the environment.

By Leanne Hersey • June 3, 2024

Long-awaited PFAS regulations renew strategy discussions at WasteExpo

Recent EPA announcements and rapidly evolving mitigation technologies led to many conversations about how the waste industry should invest in, manage and research these forever chemicals. 

By Megan Quinn • May 20, 2024

Casella president outlines growth plans for mid-Atlantic and other priorities

Ned Coletta, roughly six months into his role as president, is working on multiple aspects of the company’s strategy. He recently shared updates on disposal capacity, PFAS treatment, RNG projects, training and more.

By Megan Quinn • May 16, 2024

Clean Harbors announces Noble Oil acquisition, ‘stronger than expected’ Q1

Clean Harbors is also in the process of integrating its recent HEPACO acquisition, and its Safety-Kleen segment will soon partner with Castrol on a recycled lubricant partnership.

By Megan Quinn • May 2, 2024

Veolia, looking to double US footprint, targets PFAS

The company is looking across its network for opportunities to increase capacity as emerging pollutants like PFAS create more demand for hazardous waste treatment assets. It plans to double its size by 2030.

By Jacob Wallace • April 29, 2024

Casella highlights pricing growth, infrastructure project progress in Q1

The Northeastern company detailed plans for fleet optimization, M&A positioning and major mid-2024 facility projects related to rail and RNG improvements.

By Megan Quinn • April 26, 2024

Waste Connections seeing labor retention improvements as it eyes ‘record’ M&A year

The company reported better-than-expected revenue for a quarter which included a sizable acquisition in Indiana. CEO Ron Mittelstaedt also shared updated thoughts on how PFAS regulations will affect the sector.

By Jacob Wallace • April 25, 2024

Tracking PFAS developments in 2024

The EPA designated certain PFAS hazardous, set drinking water standards for some of the chemicals and updated destruction and disposal guidance. Follow Waste Dive’s ongoing coverage of what it will mean for the industry.

Updated Dec. 10, 2024

Waste industry groups still seeking legislative exemption to PFAS hazardous substance designation

NWRA, SWANA, USCC and others say the EPA didn’t go far enough to protect the waste and composting industries from Superfund liability. They see federal legislation as their next step in cementing liability protections.

By Megan Quinn • April 23, 2024

EPA’s latest PFAS guidance offers more data but it raises new questions about destruction and disposal

The agency’s first update since 2020 discusses the many considerations involved with handling the chemicals via different categories of landfills, incinerators, injection wells and other technologies.

By Megan Quinn • April 22, 2024

US EPA designates PFOS, PFOA as hazardous substances

The waste industry has long worried that the hazardous substance designation would create costly liability issues. The U.S. EPA says it won’t focus on enforcement at municipal landfills, water utilities or farms that apply biosolids.

By Megan Quinn • April 19, 2024

State officials list batteries, tires, PFAS-containing materials as most challenging to manage

The survey found a need for more resources and infrastructure to address the challenging materials.

By Jacob Wallace • April 15, 2024

Waste industry reacts to PFAS drinking water standards

The EPA’s new drinking water standards for PFAS may affect waste facility relationships with water treatment plants and add costs, waste industry groups say. WM, Republic Services, Casella, SWANA, NWRA and others weigh in.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 23, 2024