Waste News articles from November 2006

Waste News archives from November 2006

Rep. Johnson stumps for professional support.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brennan Lafferty An influential member of the U.S. House of Representatives is asking for some help. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, told a gathering of water and wastewater professionals Oct. 23 that she and her House...

In Brief.(Briefs)(Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... Dallas convention sets record for number of exhibits Dallas - More companies than ever are advertising their products and services at the Water Environment Federation's annual convention. The group set a record at its 79th Annual...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
November 6, 2006... Who's at odds? In regard to "U.S. Supreme Court to revisit flow control'' [Oct. 9], I take issue with the claim that "trash haulers and the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority have been at odds over flow control for more than a decade.''...

Federation takes strong climate change stand.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The Water Environment Federation approved a new climate change resolution during its annual Weftec conference. The federation's board of trustees voted Oct. 20 to formally recognize climate change and its...

The journey, not the goal.(waste management)(Viewpoint essay)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Allan Gerlat You might think the Zero Waste people would be the last group talking up Big Business. After all, they represent the radical side of recycling, of pushing the envelope as far as they can, right? Their name itself...

NSR, once and for all.(Opinion)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... The Supreme Court last week heard the arguments in the landmark Duke Energy Corp. case concerning power plant modifications and emissions. The court's verdict will have a major bearing on how companies modify their facilities to meet Clear Air...

Duo stresses need for green.(News)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brennan Lafferty Two experts provided insight Oct. 24 on how to create environmentally friendly models for water systems. San Francisco is no stranger to innovative green projects, and Steve McDonald, a partner at Carollo...

A Look Back.(At Your Disposal)
November 6, 2006... 10 years ago: A federal court rules that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not have the authority to approve landfill Subtitle D programs for Indian tribes. 5 years ago: PepsiCo Inc. reverses an earlier decision to stop using...

Waste Generator Briefs.(Briefs)
November 6, 2006... Automotive Honda sends less waste to landfills Honda cut the amount of waste it sends to North American landfills by 17 percent during its latest fiscal year. In Honda's new environmental report, covering the year ended March 31,...

Waste Industry Briefs.(Briefs)(sales and earnings of waste management industry)
November 6, 2006... Waste Hauling Va. authority nixes NYC waste deal A Virginia regional trash authority intends to raise local garbage fees Jan. 1 after dropping a bid on a project to transport New York City waste to a Portsmouth, Va., incinerator. ...

Inbox.(At Your Disposal)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Pete Fehrenbach On election night I plan to pop some popcorn, turn down the lights in the TV room, and watch the returns roll in from California (unless, of course, my beloved Cleveland Cavaliers have a game on that night). The...

High court hears NSR arguments.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Elizabeth McGowan The three attorneys arguing their case Nov. 1 before the U.S. Supreme Court absolutely had to be paying special attention to Justice Anthony Kennedy. In this newly aligned court, Kennedy most likely will be...

What's in the water? It's cause for concern; Contaminants in drinking water supply worry engineer; EPA works on screening methods.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The United States needs to re-examine its strategy for dealing with constituents of emerging concern in water supplies, according to an engineer who spoke at last month's Weftec conference. "It's time for a new...

The climate's tipping point.(Opinion)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... Let's see, in this issue of Waste News, we have: * A NASA leader warning about flooding and other disasters at home and abroad if global warming is not addressed. * Business giant Wal-Mart saying it would welcome a cap-and-trade...

At Deadline.(Late News)
November 6, 2006... Illinois to recycle all government e-waste Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has signed an executive order directing the state government to recycle all end-of-life electronics it generates. All state agencies, boards and commissions under...

2 EPA rules just weeks from reality; Pesticides, peak flow in final deliberations.(News)(Environmental Protection Agency)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The Environmental Protection Agency likely will complete two significant changes to water regulations within the next few weeks, a top agency official said. Jim Hanlon, director of wastewater management at the...

CAPITAL BRIEFS.(Briefs)(environmental law)
November 6, 2006... LEGISLATION GENERAL ENVIRONMENT New Jersey: Assembly Bill 3490 establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Office of Energy Savings, which would be responsible for implementing a program to increase energy efficiency, reduce...

Summit tackles byproducts; Calif. gathering to include diverse speakers.(News)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... A leader in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's western region will be one of the keynote speakers at the Byproducts Beneficial Use Summit in San Francisco later this month. The conference, a joint effort between the EPA and Waste...

Chicago changes singular recycling strategy.(News)(single-stream cart system)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini Only groceries may be filling bags in the not-so-distant future in Chicago as the city apparently plans to sack its much maligned blue-bag recycling program and significantly expand a pilot single-stream cart system. ...

Bio-plastic bottles cause recyclers headaches.(News)(NatureWorks LLC)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini It sounds great on paper, but biodegradable bottles made from cornstarch have got to go, according to some very concerned folks in the recycling community. Nonprofit recyclers and environmental groups have said they...

Cargill partners with WTE firm.(News)(Environmental Power Corp partnerships)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Jim Johnson Cargill Inc., a large food and agricultural company, is teaming up with Environmental Power Corp., an animal-waste-to-energy company, to form a business development alliance. Cargill Inc., of Minneapolis, also has...

Waste handlers receive advice on bird flu issue.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Jim Johnson New guidance is available for the solid waste industry about how to deal with carcasses created by avian influenza. The eight-page document prepared by the National Solid Wastes Management Association is entitled...

A tough sell; Overcoming resistance to landfills not getting easier, survey shows.(Special Report)(americans oppose landfill development)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Jim Johnson Americans oppose landfill development even more than casinos in their neighborhoods. Not buy much, but still, that's some serious opposition. In fact, more Americans would rather see a power plant or quarry...

Group supports conversion of landfills to parks.(Special Report)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Jim Johnson A land conservation group sees closed landfills as an excellent source of acreage, especially in older cities, to create park space. The Trust for Public Land is out with a report examining the conversion of...

Enviro managers' impact is global.(Viewpoint essay)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brennan Lafferty We've all had those moments. The times when we've wondered whether what we do in our work is important. I'm not talking about concerns of bottom-line results. Rather, it's those middle-of-the-night or...

Emissions on Ben & Jerry's menu.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Elizabeth McGowan Ben & Jerry's can't lick global warming alone. But that doesn't keep the Vermont-based ice cream maker frozen in place. The latest scoop from the company that markets a fossil fuel-flavored dessert is a...

Coming Events.(Calendar)(Calendar)
November 6, 2006... Nov. 8 - Landfill/Bioreactor/Leachate Recirculation Design & Operations Training Session, Albany, N.Y. Contact Peter Kuniholm pkuniholm@scsengineers.com, (845) 353-5727 or visit www.swananys.org. Nov. 8-9 - Water Finance & Investment...

Nuclear energy still splitting opinions.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Allan Gerlat Nuclear energy's popularity is growing again. What hasn't changed is the debate it stirs over whether or not it should be popular. Concern about global warming has prompted some people to look at any energy...

Traveling down the long green road; Businesses realize their efforts are just a start.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Allan Gerlat When it comes to being green, there are a lot of different shades. And those shades can depend greatly on the eye of the beholder. Three of the United States' biggest companies discussed their environmental...

NFL continues work on green Super Bowl; League to buy renewable energy credits in Miami.(News)(National Football League)
November 6, 2006... Professional football is expanding its alphabet. C's are beginning to creep into a field where strategy has been long-dominated by X's and O's. The C, of course, stands for carbon. And in an era when man-made global warming is becoming a...

New England forecast bright for Staples.(News)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Elizabeth McGowan Solar power. Staples has that. Before the end of the year, the $16.1 billion office supply company will eclipse Whole Foods Markets by unveiling the largest solar project in New England. A 433-kilowatt solar...

Global warming convergence; Wal-Mart, other business leaders push for federal carbon answers.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Elizabeth McGowan Scientists have little doubt that man-made greenhouse gases are causing global warming. Congress is reviewing at least seven pieces of emission-slicing legislation. A November Supreme Court case could force the...

Powerful trio goes after consumers; Business groups join EPA, NRC to educate.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini The National Recycling Coalition embarked on a two-year journey Oct. 23 to reignite consumer recycling interest and has picked up some crucial passengers to effectively navigate the voyage. The group has formed a...

Nation's recycling push disappoints advocates; U.S. recycling rate climbs to 32% for 2005.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini Americans recycled nearly one-third of the municipal solid waste generated in 2005, but on the flip side, that means two-thirds of it was buried or burned. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen...

The road to sustainability; Chicago Marathon organizers push the race into the green.(At Your Disposal)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini Bang! The gun sounds to start the Chicago Marathon and the participants begin a long journey of waste generation. Runners begin by casting off extra clothing worn to keep warm while standing around at the starting...

Curbside cart washing firm moves into Illinois.(Can Do Services Co)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Tracy Hayhurst Doctors rarely make house calls, and a milk man delivering glass bottles to the front porch is almost as unusual, but a new breed of business is trying to make its mark with at-your-curb service: the trash cart...

WATER WORKS.(News)
November 6, 2006... WATER WORKS: Mechanic Jason Lee, right, and lab technician Leah O'Connor, left, compete in the collections systems event at last month's 19th annual Operations Challenge at Weftec in Dallas. The Lee and O'Connor team from Aurora, Colo.,...

Brick makers drawn to landfills.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Jim Johnson There was no way Jenkins Brick Co. wasn't going to build near a landfill. The Montgomery, Ala.-based brick manufacturer researched nearly 300 landfills around the United States before deciding to construct its...

NASA leader warns of climate change disaster.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The likelihood of Congress passing meaningful climate change legislation in the next few years is improving as the public learns more about the issue, said James Hansen, one of the nation's top climate change...

Calif. project converts food waste to electricity.(News)(California)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Jim Johnson Food waste from San Francisco and Oakland is fueling a new university-based demonstration project aimed at creating electricity from methane and hydrogen. The new program at the University of California at Davis...

NRC founders see group still evolving; Members debate coalition's role after 25 years.(News)(National Recycling Coalition)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini The National Recycling Coalition celebrated the silver anniversary of its annual conference this year in Atlanta, and some of those who've been around for the entire ride reflected on the past and future of the...

Study: Climate change needs prompt action.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The economic impact of unchecked global climate change could be devastating, especially for poorer countries, according to a study released Oct. 30 by the British government. However, the study's author,...

Stock Report.(At Your Disposal)
November 6, 2006... 3 graphs: Waste News Stock Index * Calvert Social Index Fund * Dow Jones Industrial Average * table: Percentage Change by Market Segment: see print copy.

Federation endorses water monitoring.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brennan Lafferty The Water Environment Federation is taking an active role in protecting international waterways. The group of water and wastewater professionals signed on as a sponsor of World Water Monitoring Day at an Oct. 18...

A Look Back.(At Your Disposal)(waste management)(Brief article)
November 20, 2006... 10 years ago: USA Waste Services Inc., having gobbled up four large waste companies within two years, makes plans to sell some operations to aid its digestion. 5 years ago: Several recycling and waste associations begin working with the...

Sketchy city data impedes aluminum recycling push.(News)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini A year-old aluminum industry initiative to boost container recycling hasn't produced big results yet, partly due to surprisingly poor recycling data from municipalities. Last year, the Aluminum Association and the...

The lurch to the left.(government's focus on environmental issues)(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
November 20, 2006... Environmentalists are happy and business is worried, as Congress shifts to Democratic control from Republican with this month's election. But the real concern should be with making real and reasonable environmental progress and not getting lost...

Alt-energy landfill gas systems enhance green building projects.(News)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Jim Johnson Green building doesn't have to be just about actually building with green products. An area such as alternative energy use can help a business or building become more environmentally friendly, but it might take some...

Ford, Honda find success with plastics; Toyota also leader in non-toxic material.
November 20, 2006... Byline: Jim Johnson Ford and Honda have made significant improvements in their use of sustainable and non-toxic plastics since last year, a Michigan-based environmental group said. The Ecology Center of Ann Arbor released Nov. 15 its...

Rail trend threatens recycling's future.(News)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini Recyclers may be highly disappointed if they are expecting landfill tipping fee and waste-to-energy cost increases to make recycling a more competitive option, but there may be a more significant threat to all three. ...

Vt. e-recycler heads South.(News)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini A Vermont electronics recycler is teaming up with a women's cooperative to operate a new electronics recycling facility in the Sonora region of Mexico. Retroworks de Mexico, a partnership between American Retroworks...

Building a model; Pa. chapter hatches development plan.(News)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Jim Johnson Western Pennsylvania hopes to take the lead in connecting green building product makers with those who ultimately use the environmentally friendly materials. The Green Building Alliance, a chapter of the U.S. Green...

Waste Industry Briefs.(Federal and state agencies collect an enormous amount of waste containers after hurricane damage)(Polyflow Corp plans to build recycling plant in the Cleveland-Akron area )(Intechra Holding Corp acquires Gold Circuit )
November 20, 2006... Hazardous Waste Gulf Coast cleanup nets 17M pounds Federal and state agencies have collected more than 4.5 million hazardous waste containers from areas in southern Louisiana damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The U.S....

At Deadline.(American companies to implement environmental freindly practices in strategic business plans)(Conservation groups sue Bush administration over impact of global warming on the American climate)(TXU Corp invests $500 million on pollution control retrofit plan)
November 20, 2006... More businesses link environment, profits U.S. corporations increasingly are tying profitability to proactive implementation of environmentally preferable building principles and business practices, according to a new survey. Siemens...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
November 20, 2006... Busch says balderdash This letter is in response to "Beverage makers' recycling falls behind'' [Oct. 23], which summarizes the results of a report released by As You Sow and the Container Recycling Institute on the recycling practices of...

Waste Generator Briefs.(BP PLC invests $70 million to expand North American faqcility)(Hewlett-Packard Co tems up with World Wildlife Fund for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions )(Nestle Waters North America Inc earns Silver Certification under the federal government's green building program)
November 20, 2006... Energy BP Solar to double cell-making capacity BP Solar plans to spend $70 million to expand its North American headquarters in Frederick, Md., the BP PLC subsidiary said Nov. 16. BP Solar will expand the facility by 140,000 square...

A new, green state? Environmentalists hope power shift means energy reform.
November 20, 2006... Byline: Elizabeth McGowan At least one skeptic issued a smackdown shortly after some environmental leaders began lauding themselves for the thumping voters issued to Republicans on Election Day. Taking such wide-ranging credit for...

Tiff involving Ohio scrap yard may force move to suburbs.(Lakeside Scrap Metals Inc causes public nuisance)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Jay Miller Crain's Cleveland Business Call it a scrap over scrap. Complaints from neighbors about a scrap yard in Cleveland have evolved to where city officials could wind up using an obscure city ordinance to force the...

Wal-Mart going nationwide with efficient LEDs.
November 20, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini They're called experimental stores for a reason, folks. Generating heat from fryer fat, windmills in the parking lot and low-energy lighting all look great on paper, but the jury is still out on some projects at...

Planned closing of EPA libraries concerns senators.(News)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Bruce Geiselman A group of Democratic senators is launching a campaign aimed at forcing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to halt plans to close public access to its library collections. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif,...

Calif. heat; Greenhouse gases rose 14% in 15 years.(Brief article)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Bruce Geiselman California's emissions of greenhouse gases increased by 14 percent during the 15-year period between 1990 and 2004, according to a recent report by the California Energy Commission. The state has attempted to...

Carbon sequestration program gains funding.(News)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The U.S. Energy Department will provide $450 million over the next 10 years to help fund seven tests throughout the country to advance carbon sequestration technologies. The studies will validate whether the...

Council tackles CO2 emissions.(United States. Green Building Council)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Jim Johnson Even green buildings have an impact on the environment. But the U.S. Green Building Council is taking an intensified view on climate change and wants to increase efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. A series...

Invasion of the cane & corn cars.(automotive industry employs environmental friendly technology)(Brief article)
November 20, 2006... Much of the environmental emphasis on the automotive industry focuses on fuel, and rightly so. But the parts that make up a car make a huge environmental impact. Some of the automakers are showing good stewardship in the materials choices they...

Inbox.(taxation of oil production industries in California by Proposition 87)(Washington's Initiative 937 compels large electrical utilities to conserve energy and usage of renewable energy sources)(victory of democrats to make free-trade pacts approvals difficult)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Pete Fehrenbach Last week's news brought an assortment of intriguing tidbits about Tuesday's election and how it is expected to play out vis-a-vis U.S. business and the environment. A sample: * California's Proposition 87, a...

Tour de D.C. Trio launches emission-free bike cab service in Washington.(At Your Disposal)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Elizabeth McGowan Citizens in the nation's capital have hailed the chief for centuries and taxicabs for decades. Now they can try their hands to flag down three-wheeled bicycles. A trio of young go-getters - all graduates of...

Book of Lists: Associations.(Special Report)(Directory)
November 20, 2006... Air & Waste Management Association 420 Fort Duquesne Blvd. One Gateway Center Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Phone: 412-232-3444 Fax: 412-232-3450 www.awma.org Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers 1298 Cronson Blvd.,...

U.S. EPA Offices.(United States. Environmental Protection Agency)(Directory)
November 20, 2006... HEADQUARTERS U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ariel Rios Building 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Washington, DC 20460 (202) 272-0167 REGIONAL OFFICES Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) 1 Congress St., Ste....

Book of Lists: Solid Waste Contacts.(Special Report)(Directory)
November 20, 2006... Anaheim, CA Dept. of Public Works 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Ste. 276 Anaheim, CA 92805 Gary Johnson - Director www.anaheim.net (714) 765-5176 Atlanta, GA Public Works Dept. 68 Mitchell St. S.W., Ste. 47 ...

Book of Lists: Events.(Special Report)(Calendar)
November 20, 2006... Nov. 28-30 - Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium & Workshop, Washington, D.C. Call (703) 696-2117 or visit www.serdp.org. Nov. 28-30 - European Paper Week 2006, Brussels, Belgium. Contact Daniela Haiduc +32 2 627 4911...

Book of Lists: Municipal Solid Waste.(Special Report)
November 20, 2006... 3 tables: Generation and Recovery of Products in MSW, 2005 * MSW Management Study * Materials Recovery Facilities, 2005 * 2 info boxes: Materials Recovery, 2005 * Landfill Facilities, 2005 * graph: Number of Landfills in U.S., 1988-2005 * pie...

Book of Lists: Water/Wastewater.(Special Report)
November 20, 2006... pie chart: Total Modeled Needs for Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Control * 2 info boxes: Number & Type of Wastewater Treatment Facilities * Documented Water/Wastewater Needs: see print copy.

Book of Lists: Hazardous Waste.(Special Report)
November 20, 2006... table: Hazardous Waste Generated & Managed * pie chart: Distribution of TRI Disposal Or Other Releases, 2004 * info box: TRI On-site & Off-site Disposal Or Other Releases: see print copy.

Stock Report.(At Your Disposal)
November 20, 2006... 3 graphs: Waste News Stock Index * Calvert Social Index Fund * Dow Jones Industrial Average * table: Percentage Change by Market Segment: see print copy.

Grogan receives two honors, looks toward the future.(Lifetime Achievement and 2006 Recycler of the Year awards)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Joe Truini When one has accomplished so much in a career, it's hard to fathom that the best is yet to come. But that's exactly Pete Grogan's outlook. The National Recycling Coalition last month honored Weyerhaeuser Corp.'s...