Government and Regulations — May 10, 2018PennFuture Statement: New State Program Will Advance Clean Air ProjectsPennFuture supports Gov. Tom Wolf’s creation of a new program that will provide funding for projects to advance cleaner air across the Commonwealth, using $118 million from a settlement reached with Volkswagen. The settlement funds, paid by Volkswagen after the company cheated on its air emissions tests, may be used in various ways across the […] Government and Regulations — May 10, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 8, 2018EPA Selects Bronx and Brooklyn, NY Organizations for Job Training FundingToday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected two New York City organizations to receive funding to operate environmental job training programs for local residents. Funded through the agency’s Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) Program, Sustainable South Bronx and St. Nicks Alliance will receive a total of approximately $399,931 to help residents learn […] Government and Regulations — May 8, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 8, 2018Maryland Enacts Slow Down To Get Around Bill Into LawThe Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is pleased to announce that today, Governor Hogan will sign the bill Operation When Approaching Vehicle with Visual Signals into law, making Maryland the 18th state to pass Slow Down To Get Around legislation. “SWANA is very pleased that Maryland has enacted these important protections for waste […] Government and Regulations — May 8, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 7, 2018Congress to Study Ways to Reduce Food WasteA group of lawmakers will seek opportunities to reduce food waste by U.S. consumers. The bipartisan House food Waste Caucus will look for ways to promote food waste reduction across the food supply chain. Announced be Representatives Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, and Iowa Republican David Young, the group is expected to “shine a […] Government and Regulations — May 7, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 7, 2018China to Suspend Checks on U.S. Scrap Metal Shipments, Halting ImportsThe North American unit of a Chinese customs inspection firm said it would suspend checks on cargoes of scrap metal from the United States for a month from Friday, effectively halting all imports of U.S. Scrap. The suspension comes amid a broad crackdown on pollution in China and stricter regulation around waste imports. It poses […] Government and Regulations — May 7, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 7, 2018Solid Waste Management District Approves 4 Grants for FY 2019The Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments announced the following grant projects were recently approved by the Solid Waste Management District Executive Board. According to the news release, the grant applications will be sent to the Department of Natural Resources for approval and allocation of funds. It is expected the new projects will be approved […] Government and Regulations — May 7, 2018
Government and Regulations — May 4, 2018Oakland City Council Approves Ordinance to Limit Use of Plastic StrawsThe Oakland City Council has voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that will prohibit the use of single-use plastic straws in the city’s restaurants, bars and cafes unless customers ask for them. City Councilman Abel Guillen, who authored the ordinance, said in a statement, “Plastic straws pose a long-term threat to marine life, waterways and natural habitats, such as […] Government and Regulations — May 4, 2018
Government and Regulations — April 29, 2018EPA Approves Public Participation Changes to Texas’ Clean-Air Plan The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the state of Texas’ revisions to the state’s clean-air plan regarding public participation for granting permits. The revisions remove obsolete requirements and consolidate other public notice requirements for concrete batch plant permits. “Public participation is an important component of the air permitting process,” said Regional Administrator Anne […] Government and Regulations — April 29, 2018
Government and Regulations — April 19, 2018Berkeley, CA Legislation Aims to Curb Use of Disposable FoodwareThe Berkeley City Council will soon consider the Disposable Foodware and Litter Reduction Ordinance, the most ambitious and comprehensive piece of municipal legislation in the US aimed at reducing single-use disposable foodware. The “Disposable-Free Dining” ordinance will get its first hearing at the April 24 Berkeley City Council Meeting. At 3pm that same day, Mayor Jesse Arreguin, […] Government and Regulations — April 19, 2018
Government and Regulations — April 17, 2018Earth Day 2018: Here Are 6 California Bills that Aim to Reduce Plastic Litter and PollutionState lawmakers got the memo in advance. The theme of Earth Day (Sunday, April 22) is “End Plastic Pollution,” but California legislators are already on the case. Four years ago, they made California the first state to ban single-use plastic grocery sacks — and 52 percent of voters agreed with the law in a 2016 referendum. […] Government and Regulations — April 17, 2018
Government and Regulations — April 13, 2018Slow Down to Get Around Legislation Passes in NebraskaOn April 6, the Nebraska legislature passed LB 909, which contains language that would require drivers to slow down and safely change lanes when approaching solid waste and recycling vehicles from behind. This legislation, commonly known as Slow Down to Get Around (SDTGA), is a priority for the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), which […] Government and Regulations — April 13, 2018
Government and Regulations — April 11, 2018Plastics Leaders Rally for Better Recycling Infrastructure Priorities on The HillThe Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) and eleven partner associations delivered a letter to Capitol Hill today calling on the house majority and minority leaders to develop and advance an infrastructure investment package to address the United States¹ need for better recycling efforts and innovation. The timely and urgent call for discussion cites recent decisions […] Government and Regulations — April 11, 2018