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Baltimore's trash collection and disposal infrastructure faces high-cost challenges
Baltimore's latest ten-year solid waste plan draft proposes reducing reliance on incineration facilities, but alternative solutions such as expanding transfer stations are expected to cost nearly $90 million, while also facing pressure to restore recycling services and hire staff.
Taming the 'Wild West' of Green Marketing: A History of the U.S. Green Guides
In 1992, under pressure from multiple parties, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission issued the Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (the Green Guides), aiming to provide clear standards for corporate environmental advertising. Over more than three decades, the guides have undergone multiple revisions, witnessing shifts in topics from ozone protection to plastic recycling, and from 'biodegradable' to 'chemical recycling.' Now, amid declining consumer trust, increasing state legislation, and disputes over recycling systems, a new round of updates could become a significant turning point in the FTC's regulatory approach.
Demand for recycled plastics in packaging rises, health risk concerns also heat up
As demand for recycled plastics in packaging grows, concerns about their potential health risks are also increasing. Latest reports from agencies such as the UN Environment Programme show that various chemicals in plastics may harm health, prompting a re-examination of existing regulatory and recycling systems. This article reviews relevant research, regulatory developments, and industry responses.
California Leads the Electric Transition, Waste Management Industry Faces 'Bumps and Bruises'
The California Air Resources Board passed the Advanced Clean Fleets Rule, requiring garbage truck fleets to achieve 100% zero emissions by 2042. Industry executives expressed concerns at WasteExpo about charging infrastructure and technological maturity, while some companies have already begun piloting electric garbage trucks.
Brookhaven Landfill to Close Soon: Is Long Island Ready?
Long Island, New York, faces waste disposal pressure from the closure of the Brookhaven Landfill. The region's fragmented planning system, limited alternative facilities, and potential increases in transportation costs have sparked new crisis discussions locally.
Regulators are brewing new rules, and some landfills will start on-site PFAS treatment
Amid growing public concern over PFAS health risks and upcoming new regulations, landfills across the United States are beginning to consider or build on-site PFAS treatment facilities. Casella Waste Systems is constructing an on-site treatment facility at its Coventry, Vermont landfill to address PFAS in leachate. On the regulatory front, Vermont is adopting limits on five PFAS substances, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) significantly lowered its drinking water health advisory levels for PFOS and PFOA in 2022. Industry experts note that state actions are ahead of federal ones, putting pressure on landfills, but treatment technologies are costly and may not be economical for small and medium-sized landfills.
New Trends in Door-to-Door Recycling: Curb-Side Recycling Services Break Traditional Category Boundaries
In response to the limited categories covered by curbside recycling programs, various paid door-to-door recycling services have emerged in the United States, provided by startups and large transportation companies, collecting items such as plastic film, foam plastics, batteries, light bulbs, and textiles, and handing them over to partners for reuse or recycling. These services prioritize convenience, adopting a subscription model with one to two pickups per month. The competitive landscape of the industry is evolving, with companies like TerraCycle, Ridwell, and Rabbit Recycling expanding their presence, while giants such as WM and Waste Connections are also participating in pilot projects.
California's Organic Waste Recycling Law May Reshape the Future of Landfills
California's SB 1383, as the most comprehensive organic waste reduction policy in the nation, is forcing landfill operators to rethink their business models. This article explores the law's potential impacts on landfill capacity, private company strategies, and the national waste market.