Government and Regulations — June 26, 2018California Raises Penalty for Improper Hazardous Waste Disposal Nearly 180 PercentA California civil law passed last fall has gone into effect, raising the maximum penalty for mishandling hazardous waste to $70,000. Previously, the fine was $25,000. It now covers “for each separate violation or, for continuing violations, for each day that violation continues.” This law especially effects HVAC contractors because it also explicitly covers […] Government and Regulations — June 26, 2018
Government and Regulations — June 12, 2018RetreadInstead® Headed to Capitol HillRetread Instead® is a coalition of retread industry supporters that seeks to inform and educate on theenvironmental and economic benefits of supporting retreading instead of buying, selling and running low quality Chinese non-retreadable tires. Retread Instead® supports imposing tariffs on commercial Chinese truck and bus tires that are imported into the United States because, China is a “non-market economy” that […] Government and Regulations — June 12, 2018
Government and Regulations — June 12, 2018EPA Region 7 Starts Work Wednesday on the Cleburn Street Well Superfund Site in Grand Island, NebraskaWednesday, June 13, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will begin the Remedial Action phase at the Cleburn Street Well Superfund Site in Grand Island, Nebraska. EPA is conducting thermal treatment at the site to address soil and groundwater contamination by trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and petroleum hydrocarbons. “Innovative remedies, such as thermal […] Government and Regulations — June 12, 2018
Government and Regulations — June 5, 2018NWRA Launches Federal Political Action CommitteeThe National Waste & Recycling Association filed paperwork today with the Federal Election Commission establishing a political action committee. The committee, officially known as the National Waste & Recycling Association PAC, will also be referred to as NWRA PAC or Waste & Recycling PAC for short. “NWRA PAC is the only political action committee solely dedicated to advancing the waste […] Government and Regulations — June 5, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 29, 2018Pennsylvania Legislature Approves New Municipal Alternative Energy ProgramOn May 23, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 234, which creates the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program. SB 234, which was approved by the Senate in January of this year, would help owners of agricultural, commercial and industrial properties obtain low-cost, long-term financing for energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy […] Government and Regulations — May 29, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 25, 2018NYC Councilman Proposes a Ban on All Plastic Straws in NYCPlastic straws may soon be on the chopping block. An NYC councilman is introducing a bill today hoping to ban the use of plastic straws in restaurants, bars, and cafes across the city — joining a growing national movement to mitigate the environmental impact of the utensil. Councilman Rafael Espinal, who represents portions of Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Brownsville, Crown Heights, […] Government and Regulations — May 25, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 23, 2018NWRA Releases 2018 Legislative and Regulatory PrioritiesThe National Waste and Recycling Association has released its 2018 Federal Legislative and Regulatory Agenda. This document details three dozen policy issues impacting the waste and recycling industry at the federal level. A summary of the agenda can be found on NWRA’s web site. “Through the hard work of our members and our leadership team, […] Government and Regulations — May 23, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 17, 2018$2.3B Hanford (WA) Spending Bill Pushes for Cheaper Nuclear Waste TreatmentThe U.S. House is proposing spending more money next fiscal year at Hanford than requested by the Trump administration, including paying for a tank waste demonstration project. Supporters of a proposal to encapsulate some waste in concrete-like grout rather than treating it at the site’s vitrification plant could save billions of dollars. The House Appropriations […] Government and Regulations — May 17, 2018
Collection/Transfer — May 17, 2018Vermont Legislature Delays Curbside Food Scraps Pick-Up Until 2020Lawmakers have decided to put off a requirement to have solid waste haulers pick up food scraps from in front of residential homes in 2018. Vermont passed a universal recycling law in 2012, and as the law is rolled out in phases haulers, solid waste districts and consumers have had to meet deadlines to divert […] Collection/Transfer — May 17, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 15, 2018NWRA Endorses Legislation to Combat Opioids CrisisThe National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) sent a letter in support of H.R. 5628, the “Access to Increased Drug Disposal Act of 2018,” to bill sponsor Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.) as well as cosponsors, Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Tom Marino (R-Pa.), and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) “We thank Congressman McKinley for his leadership on H.R. […] Government and Regulations — May 15, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 13, 2018How St. Louis, MO Area Members of Congress Voted on Nuclear Waste, Federal Judge, Other IssuesHouse Storage of Nuclear Waste • The House on May 10 passed, 340-72, a bill to revive a long-dormant federal plan for permanently storing tens of thousands of metric tons of radioactive waste from active and retired nuclear power plants in 39 states and government weapons sites in at least six states in a repository […] Government and Regulations — May 13, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 11, 2018Berkeley Food Container Plan Addresses Global WasteMunicipalities throughout California are striving toward their zero-waste goals. Big strides have been made toward achieving these goals through expanded recycling programs, the introduction of composting and educational campaigns. But many cities are risking falling short. Why? Because these programs, while laudable, aren’t enough. They don’t get to the heart of our waste problem: Attacking […] Government and Regulations — May 11, 2018