Container deposit fraud allegations against a Waste Management subsidiary in California were settled for $1.1 million last summer.
Resin and packaging giants this month committed $1 billion over the next five years to “end plastic waste.” While recycling and sustainability stakeholders say they are encouraged by the effort, they also want to ensure materials recovery remains part of the solution.
There were 18 deaths connected with the solid waste and recycling industry during the first few weeks of 2019. Most fatalities were members of the public killed in incidents involving collection vehicles.
In Vancouver, British Columbia, private-sector backing for recycling collection has freed up resources to tackle ambitious initiatives from local leaders.
The U.S. Department of Energy will dedicate millions of dollars to advance recycling of lithium-ion batteries, which present major challenges when they are improperly recycled and end up in MRFs.
Massachusetts officials recently reported the 2018 results of their rigorous disposal ban enforcement program, noting OCC made up the vast majority of improperly disposed recyclables.
Multiple virgin plastics manufacturers recently purchased PET recycling operations, citing rising demand from brand owners looking to use recycled material.
Year-end customs figures from the Chinese government quantify the country’s marked decrease in recyclable material purchases in the first year of new import restrictions.