As the e-commerce trend grows, how does it affect waste streams?

Online shopping generates massive amounts of packaging, but whether it produces more or less carbon footprint depends on multiple factors.

By Arlene Karidis • March 3, 2016

Ontario reconsiders Harvest Power's controversial waste, composting plant

Planning Director Scott Murphy said he originally rejected the idea due to concerns about traffic, and because the plan did not comply with land-use policies.

By Arlene Karidis • March 2, 2016

EPA Administrator: 'We can and must do more on methane'

The EPA says methane levels — which are substantially higher than expected — are believed to rise by 25% by 2025 unless actions are taken to reduce them. 

By Kristin Musulin • March 1, 2016

Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf debates best way to utilize funds from proposed tipping fee increase

The governor intends to put the funds toward environmental programs, while Sen. John Blake wishes to pump the funds into municipal recycling programs.

By Arlene Karidis • March 1, 2016

Kentucky state legislators propose bill that would reassess authority of solid waste boards

The proposed bill comes shortly after Mayor Greg Fischer put a plastic bag ban on the Louisville Metro region to keep the plastic out of yard waste and commercial compost.

By Kristin Musulin • March 1, 2016

Sort it out: How high-tech equipment results in high recovery rates — and even higher profits

"Upsize your equipment. There is always more material, so buy the biggest you can afford," said Penn Waste Director of Operations Kathy Masch.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 29, 2016

Zero Percent crowdfunding project diverts food waste while supporting charities in Chicago

The organization has diverted one million pounds of food since December and plans to expand its reach to Nashville and Minneapolis.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 25, 2016

South Los Angeles' $1M cleanup initiative to boost sanitation services, add trash bins

"I am confident we can win the war on trash," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price regarding the Ninth District's "Clean & Green" campaign.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 24, 2016

Report: Green packaging market to grow at 7.35% CAGR from 2016 to 2020

A demand for advanced packaging technology is driving product developers to focus on durable, recyclable materials that can stand up to elements such as moisture and heat.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 23, 2016

'World's first' biogas plant for untreated household waste to open in England

With an annual capacity of 120,000 tons, the DONG Energy plant will receive waste from 110,000 households.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 23, 2016

Nebraska city invests nearly $15K in 'Big Red Worms' composting program

The Nebraska Farmers Union said if the compost project works, it would be great for other rural communities to use.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 22, 2016

U.S. Chamber Foundation report: 'The circular economy offers a wealth of opportunity'

The 5,589 companies in the study could save almost $1 billion by cutting paper waste by 1%, with paper constituting 37% of their waste.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 22, 2016

Sawmill, utensils are suspected sources of lead-contaminated compost in Nova Scotia

According to Councilman Ken Langille, chair of the Yarmouth water utility, the material "had far more residuals in it than Class B compost, under [what] environment guidelines allows."

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 22, 2016

Report: Covanta expands commitment to sustainability, sets future goals

Moving forward, Covanta aims to track workplace safety culture performance metrics and ensure 100% compliance limits at its facilities, among other objectives.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 19, 2016

The date debate: Senator pushes reform for 'sell by' standards to tackle food waste

Connecticut Senator Blumenthal's proposed national standard on 'sell by' dates aims to eliminate confusion over labels and cut food waste.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 19, 2016

Apple official: 'There's an e-waste problem in the world'

The tech giant said it collected 40,000 tons of e-waste in 2014 from recycled devices, including enough steel to lay 100 miles of railway track.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 18, 2016

Call2Recycle, Battery Solutions partner on collection and sorting initiative

Call2Recycle's collection containers are beginning to be sorted by Battery Solutions' locations in Howell, MI and Mesa, AZ.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 18, 2016

TerraCycle announces 'zero waste boxes' for collection of hard-to-recycle materials

The containers are priced from $80, including return postage for the filled boxes, which are shipped to a TerraCycle facility for processing.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 17, 2016

Report: South Australia considers accepting 13% of world's nuclear waste

The proposed nuclear waste facility would deliver $257 billion in revenue for the Australian state over the course of its lifetime.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 16, 2016

Chicago suburbs boost food scrap recycling, composting efforts

"We're going to be trend setters, I like to think ... We know this is going to be a big test," said Adrian Marquez, assistant to the Highwood, IL city manager.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 16, 2016

Covanta's 'dirty MRF' project suspended in Indianapolis

Proponents of the "dirty MRF" say processing mixed waste is the only way Indiana can reach its 50% recycling goal, but opponents don't agree with the contract terms.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 11, 2016

Meet Trashbot: The robotic trash can that will automatically separate waste

While educational programs and new MRF technologies are being developed to combat contamination issues, the industry may need a new hero — and it may be in the form of a robot.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 10, 2016

NY/NJ Baykeeper study: 165M plastic particles are contaminating state waters

"Coupled with consumer education, legislation should be a priority, especially in the ‘to-go’ city," said Sandra Meola, communications and outreach associate at NY/NJ Baykeeper.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 10, 2016

Maryland legislature to review several solid waste-focused bills

Proposed bills, such as the Maryland Redeemable Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Act, aim to promote proper waste management across the state.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 10, 2016

SRI releases Environmental Product Declaration to assess materials' life cycle impact

"Environmental impacts of materials are critical decision factors for architects, engineers, and builders," said Lawrence W. Kavanagh, president of the Steel Market Development Institute.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 10, 2016