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

PFAS prevention legislation model aims to get Northeast lawmakers on the same page

The Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association’s draft PFAS legislation aims to guide lawmakers who want to ban or curb production of PFAS-containing products. It’s the latest waste group to call for more direct action on PFAS. 

By Megan Quinn • May 18, 2023

Senate legislation aims to protect waste and compost industry from PFAS liability claims

Trade groups and WM applauded the bill, saying congressional action is needed to shield the sector from unintended consequences of the EPA’s anticipated PFAS hazardous substance designation.

By Megan Quinn • May 4, 2023

EPR missing from New York state budget, but advocates aim to push issue forward with other bills

This marks the second year in a row that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s efforts to include producer responsibility for packaging in the budget were not successful.

By Megan Quinn • May 2, 2023

New York carpet EPR program start postponed to 2026

The law would have required carpet producers to submit compliance plans by the end of this year, but a bill update officially gives them an extra two years to comply.

By Megan Quinn • April 18, 2023

Should more PFAS types be deemed hazardous? EPA seeks feedback

The agency already plans to include PFOS and PFOA in a hazardous designation under Superfund law but could now go further. The waste industry has previously raised concerns about possible liability and cost burdens.

By Megan Quinn • April 14, 2023

Waste industry groups call for Congressional support against looming PFAS regulations

NWRA, EREF and members of several solid waste and composting groups said in a briefing that anticipated hazardous substance designations for PFAS under the Superfund law could make liability risks and costs skyrocket.

By Megan Quinn • March 28, 2023

As budget deadline looms, New York governor and advocates debate EPR and bottle bill provisions

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Senate have proposed EPR for packaging policies in their draft budgets. The Assembly, along with key environmental and packaging groups, say the policy is best determined through legislation. 

By Megan Quinn • March 27, 2023

6 types of PFAS included in EPA’s long-awaited drinking water regulations

The EPA’s proposal covers a broader range than previously expected. The rule could become important in how waste facilities monitor or handle PFAS-containing material as well as present possible disposal opportunities.

By Megan Quinn • March 14, 2023

Deep well disposal for PFAS attracts heightened interest as new regulations loom

Prior U.S. EPA guidance identified deep wells as a possible alternative to landfilling or incineration for these “forever chemicals,” and multiple facilities are touting their technologies as a solution.

By April Reese • March 6, 2023

Clean Harbors identifies incinerator, PFAS and new service sector opportunities for 2023

Clean Harbors anticipates new business opportunities in 2023 and beyond, possibly with companies following the reshoring trend. The company’s first major leadership change in 40 years is also in the works.

By Megan Quinn • March 2, 2023

With federal agencies still falling behind on PFAS deadlines, activists seek lawmakers’ help

The Environmental Working Group and Safer States say the U.S. EPA is moving too slowly on setting standards for PFAS in water, packaging and more. They’re pushing Congress and state legislatures to act as well.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 10, 2023

Vermont mulls EPR, bottle bill improvements to catch up on recycling goals

A report from the Department of Environmental Conservation recommends adopting EPR for hazardous waste, reducing PFAS and updating the state’s bottle bill to help reach its waste reduction, recycling and composting goals.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 27, 2023

EPA proposes further leachate regulations after study finds PFAS at 95% of surveyed landfills

The agency is assessing new effluent limitation guidelines and pretreatment standards, but their effect on daily operations is not clear. WM, Republic Services and waste trade groups have weighed in on the potential changes.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 24, 2023

Clean Harbors says it can destroy more than 99% of PFAS at incinerator facility

A third-party study commissioned by Clean Harbors said the company’s incineration process can destroy 99.99% of PFAS compounds. The U.S. EPA says research on using incineration for PFAS management is still limited.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 23, 2023

VLS Environmental sees hazardous waste and PFAS opportunities after latest acquisition

VLS, a private equity-backed company, intends to keep growing in the hazardous and non-hazardous waste sectors. Its latest purchase of Texas Molecular may also open up new opportunities for PFAS disposal.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 18, 2023

Some landfills will begin treating PFAS on-site as regulators move to adopt new limits

Companies such as Casella Waste Systems and Waste Connections are building their own wastewater treatment plants for leachate and testing a range of technologies as the industry awaits federal standards.

By April Reese • Jan. 17, 2023

The fragile ecosystem of Massachusetts C&D recycling

The state’s construction recycling requirements have spurred a wave of new infrastructure investments and led to more acquisitions. Some say they’ve also constrained capacity, all while the region’s building boom continues.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 11, 2023

Where recycling and waste laws changed on Jan. 1

California, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, New York and Washington, D.C., are among the jurisdictions enforcing new recycling and waste laws as of Jan. 1, including bag fees, bottle bill updates and organics diversion mandates.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 4, 2023

Tracking PFAS developments in 2023 and beyond

Discussions about how to safely manage PFAS, as well as how they should be disposed of or regulated, have gotten more complex in recent years.

Updated Aug. 17, 2023

In PFAS fight, U.S. Composting Council calls for science over ‘unsound policies’

Executive Director Frank Franciosi says federal agencies can help shed light on how these persistent chemicals affect compost and crops while ensuring that new policies don’t hinder progress on organics recycling.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 19, 2022

With PFAS rules up in the air, MRF operators seek ways to get ahead of regulations

It’s not yet clear how future PFAS regulations will affect MRFs. Operators that want to plan ahead should keep an eye on local food packaging laws and stormwater regulations, WASTECON speakers said.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 12, 2022

The US waste and recycling industry in 2022 — what you need to know

Stories on M&A, recycling policy and organics recycling expansion — and how the economy and environmental justice considerations are shaping the industry’s path forward — have driven the news this year.

Dec. 5, 2022

Advocates call for more composting resources in 2023 farm bill reauthorization

Composting grants, education programs and incentives could get a boost in the 2023 farm bill, but only with advocacy help, the U.S. Composting Council and Kiss the Ground said.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 18, 2022

More PFAS could fall under future drinking water regulations, EPA says

EPA’s newest drinking water contaminant list is expanding to include groups of PFAS chemicals as candidates for future regulation. It’s still on track to propose standards for PFOA and PFAS by year’s end

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 8, 2022