Lee Zeldin, a former congressman from New York, is the new administrator of the U.S. EPA. | Courtesy of C-Span
There are few indications how incoming U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin might shift the agency’s solid waste and recycling work, but he won the support of the Recycled Materials Association and other stakeholders who say he likely brings an understanding of local solid waste management challenges. Continue Reading
State regulators described permit and documentation issues related to an alkaline battery processing line. | Kinek00/Shutterstock
Washington state regulators this month announced an enforcement action against longtime processor Total Reclaim, stemming from battery processing violations observed during a 2023 inspection. Continue Reading
The 38 members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development were required to report by Jan. 15 on how they’ll interpret the most recent Basel Convention amendment. | Sebastien Coell / ShutterStock
Countries within the OECD have announced how they’ll each enforce new Basel Convention rules. As was foreshadowed by their previous failure to agree on uniform enforcement among all members, there is a fair amount of variance by nation.
A site investigation found mercury vapor from lamp recycling throughout an Ohio facility, including administrative offices. | BOONJAEM/Shutterstock
A recent report from a U.S. occupational safety unit found significant levels of mercury vapor throughout an Ohio e-scrap and lamp recycling facility, leading the team to provide recommendations for protecting worker health. Continue Reading
After allegations of illegal e-scrap imports, Malaysia’s Department of Environment announced it would improve standard operating procedures and oversight. | Mayday6510/Shutterstock
On the heels of high-profile illegal e-scrap import claims and updates to the Basel Convention, Malaysian officials said they would be tightening operating procedures. Continue Reading
E-scrap processor URT will pay $129,000 in fines for failing to protect workers from lead and cadmium exposures during cathode ray tube device processing, OSHA announced. | Boonchuay1970/Shutterstock
E-scrap processor URT will pay reduced but still hefty fines totaling $129,000 for failing to protect workers from lead and cadmium exposures during cathode ray tube device processing at the company’s facility in Janesville, Wisconsin. Continue Reading
The state of California and Walmart reached a multimillion-dollar settlement over the alleged improper disposal of e-scrap and hazardous material into municipal landfills. | Sundry Photography/Shutterstock
Several years after the State of California first sued Walmart over the alleged unlawful disposal of e-scrap, hazardous and medical waste to municipal landfills, a multimillion-dollar settlement is before the judge. Continue Reading
Rob Lawson-Shanks, CEO and co-founder of Molg spoke about battery legislation at the 2024 E-Scrap Conference, joined by Leo Raudys, president and CEO of Call2Recycle; Jeff Farano, manager of compliance and governmental relations for SA Recycling; and Jeff Gloyd, founder of Gloyd Recycling Solutions. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling
Legislative action on batteries is speeding up, but some of those laws are missing their marks and creating a regulatory environment that is difficult to recycle in, panelists said at the recent E-Scrap Conference in Orlando. Continue Reading
Wisconsin-based URT was cited for employees being exposed to heavy metals during CRT dismantling, and the company president emphasized that the company has been working with OSHA for a year on the issues. | Drazah/Shutterstock
Federal regulators have fined URT more than $200,000 for multiple instances of workers exposed to elevated lead and cadmium levels during cathode ray tube device dismantling at the company’s Wisconsin location. Continue Reading
The EU will roll out Digital Product Passports in 2027, to provide a clear accounting of the life cycle of batteries and eventually many other items. | Giannis Papanikos/Shutterstock
Although the European Union is still several years away from implementing its inaugural Digital Product Passport regulations, e-scrap market participants who do business with Europe are preparing for this new phase in sustainability regulations.