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

EPA sets drinking water standards for PFAS, kicking off questions for waste operators

The agency’s final rule, which includes more detailed limits than were in its initial proposal, will be phased in over multiple years. It also comes with $1 billion in funding for public water systems and updated disposal guidance.

By Cole Rosengren • April 10, 2024

PFAS destruction solutions advance as EPA drinking water standard looms

The recent Northeast Conference on the Science of PFAS convened regulators from the EPA and state agencies, as well as technology providers, for an in-depth update about what’s next for the forever chemicals.

By Cole Rosengren • April 8, 2024

Leachate evaporation for PFAS separation and sequestration

Recent testing has shown on-site evaporation to be an effective method of reducing the volume of landfill leachate and containing PFAS for retention in a landfill.

By Mike Ditton Product Marketing Manager Heartland Water Technology and Travis Smith, PE Senior Process Engineer Heartland Water Technology • April 1, 2024

Viridi, Casella say expanded AD facility can help address Maine’s biosolids issues

The companies tout their partnership at an anaerobic digester in Brunswick, Maine, as a way to reduce volumes of biosolids that contain PFAS. The facility will also produce power and RNG for the community.

By Jacob Wallace • March 27, 2024

Waste industry implores Senate for PFAS exemptions under Superfund

At a Senate hearing, the waste industry said time is running out for federal intervention to prevent costly lawsuits, which they say could come once the U.S. EPA finalizes a new PFAS hazardous substance designation.

By Megan Quinn • March 21, 2024

Biden’s FY25 budget proposal aims to boost funding for waste-related EPA programs

The budget would set aside money for PFAS-related actions and bolster funding for compliance enforcement, which put landfill emissions in the crosshairs last year.

By Jacob Wallace • March 12, 2024

Enviri sees ‘best quarter in many years,’ awaits regulations to estimate PFAS opportunities

Enviri reported positive growth in its Clean Earth and Harsco Environmental segments as the company continues shifting to focus solely on environmental solutions.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 29, 2024

Republic reports strong core business growth in 2023, eyes new opportunities in 2024

The company surpassed its full-year guidance as core pricing and average yield increased in the fourth quarter. Republic expects additional opportunities, including those related to PFAS, to fuel growth in 2024.

By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 28, 2024

February landfill updates from WM, Republic, Waste Connections, GFL and WIN Waste

Major companies recently faced resistance to expansion, allegations about PFAS contamination and air violations and other issues in California, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Ohio.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Updated Feb. 23, 2024

EPA aims to clarify PFAS cleanup authority at hazardous waste facilities

Proposed new rules would more clearly define “hazardous waste” and list nine specific PFAS under RCRA regulations but are not likely to apply to most operators of MSW and C&D landfills.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 2, 2024

The waste and recycling industry outlook for 2024

Recycling policy, PFAS regulations, landfill methane, organics infrastructure and M&A are all expected to be key topics for the year ahead.

By Waste Dive Staff • Jan. 29, 2024

DOD taps PFAS remediation companies, including Clean Earth, for mitigation research project

The Enviri subsidiary — along with Aquagga, Arcadis, 374Water and others — said this partnership with the federal agency will help scale up PFAS remediation and destruction technologies.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 23, 2024

5 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2024

The evolving M&A market, the rise of EPR, pending PFAS regulations, renewable natural gas and methane reduction are some of the biggest issues facing the industry this year.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Jan. 5, 2024

Here’s where waste, recycling and organics laws changed on Jan. 1

California, Connecticut, Washington and Rhode Island are among the jurisdictions enforcing new laws, including bottle bill updates and organics mandates.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 2, 2024

By the numbers: Key 2023 waste and recycling trends

Look back on the year through data points on issues such as labor, M&A, federal funding, state policy and commodity pricing.

By Jacob Wallace , Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren • Dec. 22, 2023

EPA says final PFAS drinking water regulation and hazardous designations on the horizon

The agency previewed a busy winter of new regulations and disposal guidelines that will have implications for many waste industry operators. This includes a delay for eagerly awaited drinking water standards.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 11, 2023

New Hampshire Environmental Services assistant commissioner leaving for private sector

Mark Sanborn is leaving his government-appointed role for a policy and permitting job with a construction company. The move has “no connection” to controversy over a recent landfill bill, he says.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 11, 2023

With EPA enforcement on PFAS coming, waste groups call for focus upstream

The waste industry hopes the U.S. EPA’s new enforcement initiative for PFAS is a small step in reducing PFAS-containing items at waste sites, but it still wants to be protected from certain liability.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 30, 2023

PFAS packaging alternatives are on the rise as regulatory pressure mounts

Multiple new replacements that can repel grease and moisture are emerging, but details on what they are made of, or which ones are gaining favor, remain limited.

By April Reese • Aug. 25, 2023

EPA enforcement priorities include new focus on landfill methane, PFAS

The agency’s latest update to its National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives drew comments from industry trade groups as well as New York City about potential implications for waste operations.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 21, 2023

Minnesota, a birthplace of PFAS, tackles contaminated waste sites on multiple fronts

The state has funding from settlements with companies such as 3M, but the costs ahead are daunting. A recent report estimates it could take at least $105 million to manage the “forever chemicals” at certain landfills and compost sites.

By April Reese • Aug. 17, 2023

Clean Harbors sees opportunity in PFAS as environmental solutions segment buoys growth

Executives said a recent Department of Defense announcement that it would resume PFAS incineration validates the company’s earlier work on the material and represents a significant growth opportunity.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 2, 2023