Regulation
Oregon EPR law doesn’t violate Constitution, judge rules
U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon in Oregon ruled that the state's extended producer responsibility (EPR) law for packaging does not violate the U.S. Constitution's dormant Commerce Clause and Due Process Clause. The plaintiff, the National Association of Wholesalers (NAW), expressed disagreement and is considering an appeal. The ruling may affect similar lawsuits in California and Colorado.
Messy packaging EPR process provides opportunities for brands, recyclers
During Wednesday's Be Waste Wise webinar, experts noted that despite legal challenges and uncertainties in implementing packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations in seven U.S. states, the process also offers long-term opportunities for brands and recyclers to build better systems.
TPS terminations prompt hiring, training changes for waste industry
The U.S. termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program impacts the waste and recycling industry, leading to worker attrition and employment instability. Companies such as Waste Pro are addressing this by hiring more staff, enhancing cross-training, and seeking legal counsel, while also dealing with the compounded effects of new Commercial Driver's License (CDL) regulations.
Toast among first companies sued under Colorado’s electronics repair law
Acme Revival, a Colorado-based repair platform, has filed lawsuits against Toast, Owl Labs, and Blackmagic Design, alleging violations of the state's new electronics right-to-repair law. The cases mark some of the first legal challenges under the statute, which took effect in January.
US Plastics Pact removes transport EPS from ‘problematic’ list
The U.S. Plastics Pact has removed expanded polystyrene (EPS) transport packaging from its Problematic & Unnecessary Materials list, marking the first removal since the list's inception in 2022. The decision follows a request from the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance and is based on new recycling data showing a 31% recycling rate for transport EPS in North America.
Widespread errors found in EPA’s E-Manifest hazardous waste system
The U.S. EPA's Office of the Inspector General identified thousands of errors in three years of data from the E-Manifest system, which tracks hazardous waste shipments electronically. The office attributed the errors to an incomplete transition from paper manifests, undermining confidence in the system. The report coincides with EPA's consideration of a proposal to require full electronic use, which has drawn opposition from industry groups citing cost and statutory concerns. The OIG argues that full adoption would prevent many errors and achieve projected savings.
Nearly 60 members of Congress call for aluminum pricing investigation
美国众议院58名议员（42名共和党人、16名民主党人）联合致信商务部长霍华德·卢特尼克，要求调查国内铝销售中的“定价异常”。议员们指出，中西部溢价（MWP）作为全美范围的铝价基准，将特朗普政府的50%铝关税纳入其中，导致即使使用国产铝或再生铝的企业也承担关税成本。铝业协会、啤酒协会等组织表态支持调查，而标普全球普氏则反驳称MWP是独立透明的市场基准。
New York advocates urge stricter leachate pretreatment rules, citing drinking water risks
Environmental group New York River Watch is pressing New York's Department of Environmental Conservation to expand and strengthen a proposed rule on landfill leachate pretreatment. The group's report identifies more than 500 million gallons of leachate sent to municipal sewage treatment plants each year from 2019 to 2023, with one-third discharged into waterways used for drinking water. The group seeks broader PFAS coverage, inclusion of inactive landfills, and a precautionary approach to chemical approvals.
Circular Services 评估电池探测技术，以强化火灾主动防控
电池火灾长期困扰废物与回收行业。Circular Services 近期在两天内遭遇三起事故，其首席商务官 Joaquin Mariel 表示，公司正测试 CP Group 的 Sentry 系统，利用 X 射线、RGB 相机与 AI 图像分析在传送带上实时探测并自动移除电池等隐患。行业层面，NWRA 关注联邦《电池回收美国竞争力法案》及 EPA 关于锂电池通用废物分类的规则进展，同时多个州已通过电池 EPR 法律，以改善收集与回收体系。