News Clips

Select news and information on sustainability and environmental regulatory and enforcement issues affecting the retail industry.

EPA fines PM Properties for violations related to underground storage tanks in northern Virginia (Source: EPA)

PM Properties, Inc. will pay $27,483 in penalties for environmental violations associated with underground storage tanks of fuel at CrossAmerica Partners fuel stations in Verona and Weyers Cave, Virginia, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

7/22/2021

Plastic bags banned in Washington starting October 1 (Source: KING 5)

If customers choose to use compliant plastic or paper bags from a business, the ban requires that the business charge eight cents per bag.

7/22/2021

Where's All This Waste Going? The Environmental Impact of Vaccinations in the Time of COVID-19 (Source: Pharmacy Times)

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased vigilance over the proper disposal of vaccine-related materials, such as vials, needles, syringes, and bandages.

7/16/2021

CARB settles with grocery chain for $5.1 million for violations of the Refrigerant Management Program (Source: California Air Resources Board)

$2.55 million to fund installation of school filtration system in L.A. area and to support a community-based project in Placer County

7/14/2021

LanzaTech, lululemon Partner to Create First Fabric Made from Recycled Carbon Emissions (Source: Sustainable Brands)

The carbon-capture experts and the high-end yoga pants purveyor have developed a waste-gas-based polyester with the same appearance, properties and functionality of virgin polyester — a lower-carbon potential game-changer for the apparel industry.

7/14/2021

EPA bans sale of COVID-19 disinfectant authorized under Trump (Source: The Hill)

The EPA issued an order stopping the sale of a disinfectant that the Trump administration granted emergency authorization to combat COVID-19.

7/9/2021

California report sparks debate over PP collection (Source: Resource Recycling)

The California Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets & Curbside Recycling in late June published an expansive report with recommendations for lawmakers.

7/8/2021

Academic journal devotes issue to ‘plastics dilemma’ (Source: Plastics Recycling Update)

The latest issue of Science discusses mechanical and chemical recycling, global policy and more.

7/8/2021

How plastic undermines eco-friendly efforts like composting (Source: The Hill)

As we grow aware of the harms inflicted by non-biodegradable products, we can turn to sustainable solutions that keep our environment safe.

7/6/2021

Article Importers May Face Another TSCA Obligation, This One Related to PFAS (Source: Beveridge and Diamond)

If any of the articles, or article components, that your company imports contain PFAS, you may become subject to extensive reporting requirements.

6/29/2021

Single-Use Plastic Bans Coming to Maine, Philadelphia (Source: Progressive Grocer)

As legislation and debate on the long-simmering issue continues in many parts of the country, retailers in Maine will not be able to provide single-use plastic bags for packing groceries after July 1.

6/23/2021

EPA “Listening Session” on RMP Rule Foreshadows Regulatory Changes (Source: The National Law Review)

On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, EPA held the first of two public “listening sessions” to inform its review of the Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations pursuant to Executive Order 13990.

6/22/2021

Maine lawmakers approve first-in-nation packaging EPR bill (Source: Resource Recycling)

Legislation creating an extended producer responsibility program for packaging has cleared both the Maine House of Representatives and Senate.

6/22/2021

IKEA Accelerates Suppliers’ Shift to 100% Renewables (Source: Environment + Energy Leader)

IKEA has launched a new supplier program that will allow its 1,600 suppliers to consume 100% renewable electricity in their production.

6/21/2021

U.S. EPA fines California auto parts companies for selling ‘defeat’ devices, harming air quality (Source: EPA)

Over $280,000 in penalties paid for violating Clean Air Act

6/17/2021

United Parcel Service, Inc., (UPS) Settlement (Source: EPA)

EPA announced a settlement with United Parcel Service and TForce Freight, requiring the companies to correct hazardous waste violations and pay a civil penalty of $3.8 million.

6/16/2021

US Plastics Pact releases national strategy (Source: Recycling Today)

The national strategy aims to ensure plastic packaging is fully reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

6/15/2021

Ten Tips for Sustainability Professionals in the Fashion & Textiles Industry (Source: The National Law Review)

Particularly for the fashion and textiles industry, a clear understanding of product components and corresponding legal requirements form the necessary foundation to ensure compliance and minimize environmental enforcement risk.

6/9/2021

EPA, states settle lawsuit over imported asbestos (Source: Reuters)

The EPA settled a lawsuit in San Francisco federal court by a dozen states and public health groups over asbestos oversight by agreeing to close "loopholes" that have allowed the substance to enter the country unrecorded as part of imported products.

6/8/2021

Largest Canadian province to roll out full EPR (Source: Resource Recycling)

Officials estimate shifting funding responsibility completely to producers will save municipalities an estimated 156 million Canadian dollars (about $129 million U.S.) per year.

6/8/2021

Here’s something to chew on: researchers turn food scraps into materials stronger than concrete (Source: Anthropocene)

Their novel method diverts organic waste from landfills, provides useful materials for construction or packaging—and the end product still tastes good.

5/27/2021

The big global greenwashing crackdown (Source: Vogue Business)

As sustainability claims become increasingly prominent, regulators are scrambling to tighten guidance and clamp down on breaches. What does this mean for fashion?

5/27/2021

Closed Loop Partners Launches Multi-Million Dollar Circular Plastics Fund with Dow, LyondellBasell, & NOVA Chemicals to Accelerate Investment in Plastics Recycling Infrastructure (Source: Closed Loop Partners)

This partnership represents an initial investment and an invitation to stakeholders across the plastics recycling value chain to join forces with this catalytic capital strategy.

5/26/2021

Washington Joins Chorus of States with Major Environmental Justice Laws (Source: JD Supra)

Washington State has joined a growing number of states that have adopted keystone environmental justice laws. On May 17, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee signed the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, E2SSB 5141, into law.

5/19/2021

Industry group calls for billions in recycling investment (Source: Resource Recycling)

A new report implies the necessary funding will require efforts from all industry stakeholders.

5/18/2021

Chemists are reimagining recycling to keep plastics out of landfills (Source: Science News)

Too much of today's plastic is impossible to recycle.

5/13/2021

Updates to e-Manifest Frequent Questions (Source: EPA)

On May 12, EPA posted updates to the e-Manifest Frequent Questions (FQs). These updates included FQs related to the upcoming June 30, 2021 deadline for phasing out mailed paper manifests.

5/12/2021

Report Shows Climate Change Tops the Agenda for Institutional Investors in 2021 (Source: Environment + Energy Leader)

When institutional investors with $29 trillion in assets under management were asked what issue was most likely to prompt them to engage with company boards, climate change topped the agenda.

5/12/2021

Amazon Issues $1 Billion Sustainability Bond (Source: Environment + Energy Leader)

Amazon has announced the issuance of a $1 billion sustainability bond.

5/12/2021

Maine EPR bills differ on producer control (Source: Resource Recycling)

Lawmakers in Maine are considering two bills that each establish extended producer responsibility programs covering packaging of all material types, but with key differences in program management.

5/11/2021

E-Commerce Mega-Warehouses, a Smog Source, Face New Pollution Rule (Source: NYT)

5/8/2021

How2Recycle announces updated criteria for assessing end markets to determine whether a package is recyclable (Source: How2Recycle)

This new rule seeks to bring more meaning and precision to this concept of end markets in a way that increases the accuracy of recyclability claims and provides feedback to the packaging industry to drive improvements in the recycling system.

5/6/2021

World Logistics Center Project/Settlement Agreement: Developer Agrees to $47 Million in Solar/Electric Vehicle Upgrades (Source: JD Supra)

The developer of a 40.6 million square foot California development project for a large-scale logistics operation and various environmental/community groups entered into a Settlement Agreement requiring certain actions related to energy use.