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3/23/2022

EPA Shows How America will Recycle with National Recycling Strategy (Source: Waste 360)

The National Recycling Strategy builds on the 2019 National Framework for Advancing the U.S. Recycling System and is step forward to achieving a circular economy for the United States.

11/16/2021

EPA fines grocery retailer for selling unregistered product with unsubstantiated COVID claims (Source: EPA)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $206,805 settlement with a grocer for selling G-Sol Antibacterial spray, an unregistered product making disinfectant claims in violation of federal law. Today’s settlement follows a series of enforcement actions the Agency has taken to protect human health and the environment from misleading and harmful claims during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

11/10/2021

U.S. EPA fines SoCal auto parts company over $152,000 for selling ‘defeat’ devices (Source: EPA)

This settlement is part of EPA’s National Compliance Initiative, which focuses on stopping the manufacture, sale, and installation of defeat devices on vehicles and engines. The enforcement action was taken in collaboration with the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

11/1/2021

EPA proposes regulating 'forever chemicals' under hazardous waste law (Source: Reuters)

The rule would list four PFAS compounds as hazardous waste under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The listing could spur litigation involving plants and manufacturers.

10/26/2021

New Report Ranks U.S. States Based on Recycling Performance; Finds Data, Policy and Infrastructure Investment Critical to Improve Recycling Rates (Source: PR Newswire)

First-of-its-kind analysis provides a benchmark to inform state-by-state policy and investment decisions, while nationwide polling shows strong support for measures to improve recycling rates and advance circular economy.

10/25/2021

Starbucks and McDonald’s add $10 million to NextGen Consortium (Source: Resource Recycling)

The NextGen Consortium is directing funds toward the recycling of PP used in foodservice settings, as well as other projects.

10/20/2021

Report compares recycled-content certification programs (Source: Resource Recycling)

The report comes as governments around the world move toward requiring the use of recycled plastic in certain products.

10/20/2021

APR Announces New Design Guidance for PE Film Packaging (Source: Association of Plastic Recyclers)

Developed over the past year by a working group of APR's Film Reclamation Committee, the updated guidance reflects the consensus of a diverse group of stakeholders including film recyclers, converters, and brands.

10/13/2021

California set to become first state to ban gasoline-powered lawn equipment (Source: Washington Post)

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that would phase out the sale of new gas-powered lawn equipment in the state by 2024.

10/12/2021

The Importance of Sending Consumers’ Used Lithium-ion Batteries to Electronic Recyclers or Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities (Source: EPA)

EPA released a report analyzing the impacts of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, generally from consumer devices (e.g., cell phones, tablets, vacuums, etc.), going into the municipal solid waste management process.

10/11/2021

New California law bans use of recycle logo on non-recyclable packages (Source: The Fresno Bee)

Senate Bill 343, authored by Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, prohibits the sale, distribution or import of a product or packaging that makes a deceptive or misleading claim about the recyclability of the product or packaging.

10/5/2021

Prepare for California’s Upcoming Organic Waste and Food Collection Requirements (Source: Beveridge and Diamond)

California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutants organic waste and food collection regulation[1] (SLCP) becomes enforceable on January 1, 2022. This alert outlines the portion of the regulation that applies to businesses with California locations that generate organic and/or food waste.

10/1/2021

Greenhouse gases in gorcery freezers are more powerful than carbon. The EPA now plans to slash their use. (Source: Washington Post)

Agency's final rule will slash the use and production of hydrofluorocarbons- often found to be leaking from U.S. supermarket freezers- by 85 percent over the next 15 years.

9/23/2021

SEC sends companies a climate ‘wake-up call’ (Source: E&E News)

The Securities and Exchange Commission has started to put more pressure on publicly listed companies to say more about how climate change affects their business.

9/23/2021

Judge ends Greenpeace’s labeling suit against retailer (Source: Resource Recycling)

Attorneys for Walmart argued that Greenpeace could not actually claim that the packaging materials in question are not recyclable.

9/22/2021

Solano DA, others settle hazardous waste case with beauty store chain (Source: The Reporter)

Settlement requires the company to pay $439,500 in civil penalties, $250,000 in plaintiffs' costs, and $62,500 in supplemental environmental projects.

9/20/2021

EPA Honors Several Retailers for Cuts in Refrigerant Emissions (Source: EPA)

Meijer, Aldi, Target, and Food Lion were recognized for outstanding achievements in reducing emissions from supermarket refrigeration systems and meeting stringent GreenChill certification criteria.

9/14/2021

U.S. EPA, CalEPA Launch Joint Effort to Strengthen Environmental Enforcement (Source: Waste 360)

U.S. EPA and CalEPA signed a five-year, first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding to expand joint activities supporting the agencies’ shared goals of reducing pollution burdens, increasing environmental compliance, and improving public health outcomes in overburdened California communities.

9/13/2021

U.S. EPA Penalizes Four California Facilities More Than $800,000 for Clean Air Act Chemical Safety Violations (Source: EPA)

Under settlements, facility owners will pay fines, make safety improvements

9/9/2021

New York Bans Sale of Gasoline-Powered Cars Starting in 2035 (Source: Bloomberg Law)

The measure sets into law a state goal to have all New York sales or leasing of new passenger cars and trucks—as well as off-road vehicles and equipment—be zero-emissions by 2035. All new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold will have until 2045 to meet the goal, according to the bill.

9/8/2021

The Big Problem With Plastic (Source: Consumer Reports)

CR reveals where most of the plastic you throw away really ends up and explains what to do to limit its environmental harm.

9/8/2021

California passes new wood waste legislation (Source: Construction & Demolition Recycling)

Construction & demolition recyclers in the state have noted the complications the previous legislation imposed on California businesses.

9/7/2021

CDP Water Watch Impact Index Pinpoints Worst Industries for Water Consumption (Source: Environment + Energy Leader)

Last Wednesday, environmental reporting company CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) brought online its latest water impact assessment tool Water Watch, which tracks strain on freshwater resources across more than 200 industry activities.

8/31/2021

EPA Fines Companies in Iowa and Nebraska for Alleged Vehicle ‘Defeat Device’ Violations (Source: EPA)

“Aftermarket defeat devices are a significant contributor to harmful air pollution,” said Diane Huffman, acting director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “These illegal practices also impede federal, state, and local efforts to implement air quality standards that protect public health.”

8/31/2021

EPA Expands Use of FIFRA Criminal Enforcement As It Targets COVID-19 Claims (Source: Beveridge & Diamond)

Anyone in the chain of sale or distribution of an unregistered or misbranded pesticide product may be subject to civil enforcement or, in the case of “knowing” violations, criminal prosecution under FIFRA.

8/30/2021

EPA Announces Penalty Issued against Southern California Company for Selling Illegal Antimicrobial Products (Source: JD Supra)

Based on the sale or distribution of an unregistered pesticide and the unregistered establishment, EPA assessed a penalty in the amount of $150,000.

8/30/2021

Nearly $2 Million Settlement Reached With Beauty Retailer In Hazardous Waste Disposal Case (Source: CBSN Los Angeles)

The settlement is the result of an investigation conducted by a coalition of district attorneys and city attorneys across California into how the retailer's stores improperly stored, handled, and disposed of hazardous waste products.

8/20/2021

DOT releases updated Hazmat Guidance chart (Source: U.S. Department of Transportation)

The document provides general guidance on markings, labeling and placarding.

8/19/2021

Biden Reverses Trump Energy Efficiency Moves for General Service Lamps (Beveridge and Diamond)

DOE issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to adopt revised definitions of general service lamps and general service incandescent lamps, which would impose strict energy efficiency standards on a wide array of lamps.

8/18/2021

EPA releases report on importance of collecting and recycling used lithium-ion batteries (Source: EPA)

EPA released a report analyzing the impacts of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, generally from consumer devices (e.g., cell phones, tablets, vacuums, etc.), going into the municipal solid waste management process.

8/16/2021

Oregon governor signs country's second EPR law for packaging (Source: Waste Dive)

Under the law, most producers will need to become a member of a producer responsibility organization (PRO).

8/9/2021

TerraCycle and brands sued over recycling claims (Source: Resource Recycling)

The lawsuit alleges TerraCycle is enabling brand owners to mislead the public on the recyclability of their products.

7/28/2021

Plastics producer invests $10 million in Closed Loop funds (Source: Resource Recycling)

SK Global Chemical has a goal of recycling 900,000 tons of plastic scrap per year by 2025.

7/28/2021

Plastic Bag Ban Violators Getting Away with Breaking Law as Enforcers Check Out (Source: The City)

State regulators charged with overseeing the ban on single-use plastic shopping bags are overwhelmed by complaints, with more than 300 reported violators yet to be checked on, data obtained by THE CITY shows.

7/26/2021

EU Enforcement Action on Plastic Food Contact Materials Made of Bamboo Powder (Source: UL)

Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials for food contact mandates that the materials may only be manufactured with certain substances.

7/23/2021

EPA settles chemical accident prevention planning violations at eight Yakima Valley cold storage facilities (Source: EPA)

EPA: “Zillah and Yakima families deserve better protection from chemical hazards.”

7/22/2021

Maine Adopts Broad Ban of PFAS-Containing Products

While the law takes a phased approach over the next few years, it will essentially ban the sale of new products that contain intentionally added PFAS starting January 1, 2030.

7/22/2021

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

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