Waste News articles from October 2008

Waste News archives from October 2008

WM to help landfill owners create own gas projects.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson America's biggest trash company is also America's biggest landfill owner and America's biggest developer of trash-to-gas renewable energy projects. Now Waste Management Inc. wants to help the owners of other...

Future uncertain for enviro budgets.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The $700 billion economic bailout package passed by Congress and signed by the president is likely to put a squeeze on the federal budget in coming years, possibly affecting environmental programs, but no one knows...

Inbox.
October 13, 2008... Licking Their Chops: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision not to regulate a toxic rocket-fuel ingredient in drinking water has environmental litigators rolling up their sleeves and getting ready to file. The EPA announced...

A Look Back.
October 13, 2008... 10 years ago: The long dominance of independent waste haulers in New Jersey dwindles as three public companies file applications for 19 acquisitions in the state. 5 years ago: Newly elected California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's vague...

Allied facility to take 1,500 tons a day.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson Allied Waste Industries Inc. expects to eventually handle about 1,500 tons of construction and demolition debris per day at its new recycling facility in Chicago. The $8 million project is taking in 400 to 500 tons...

DeGroote to call shots at Waste Services Inc.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson Waste Services Inc. is turning to a well-known name to directly help lead the trash company that has operations in the United States and Canada. Longtime company investor Michael G. DeGroote is becoming chairman of...

Correction.(Correction notice)
October 13, 2008... Due to incorrect information provided by EnviroSolutions Inc., a brief that appeared on Page 6 of the Sept. 29 issue contained inaccuracies. EnviroSolutions and Anastasio Group have not formed a waste-hauling joint venture with CSX....

BFI Canada sees opportunities to grow.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson BFI Canada sees plenty of opportunity for growth now that the firm has transformed its corporate structure. The Toronto-based solid waste management company, which has operations in the United States and Canada,...

Wal-Mart may reopen store built on landfill.
October 13, 2008... Byline: John Booth Wal-Mart's decision to close its Garfield Heights, Ohio, store last month silenced 147,000 square feet of retail space at City View Center, but there's plenty of noise behind the scenes about the big retailer's move, the...

Recycling leader to retire.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini After a quarter of a century in the business, one of the most well-known and well-liked characters in the recycling industry is stepping aside, but cautioned his colleagues to not lose sight of the future. "This is...

Automakers to push "clean-diesel' in U.S.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Jean Halliday Soon you might see Patrick Dempsey and Sandra Bullock tooling around in diesels but not those loud, stinky vehicles from years ago. Coming is a new breed of clean and quiet engines that can meet even strict emission...

Sustainably swamped; Honda taps rainwater to create wetland at central Ohio facility.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Ralph Kisiel A large white egret stands motionless in several inches of water as cattails sway in the breeze and ripples race across the surface of the water. This is the scene that Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. was...

At the summit; Meeting to address plastics sustainability.
October 13, 2008... Two dozen presenters will gather in Chicago Nov. 5-7 to help manufacturing company owners and managers understand and implement best-practice business strategies related to sustainability, energy management, waste reduction, green design and...

Data growth spurs push for efficiency.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Phil Carson The inevitable explosion in wireless data usage may well present the biggest challenge to an industry as eager as any other to go "green,'' according to officials speaking at the recent Green Telecom Summit. Global...

Investors focus on positive footprints; "Best in class'.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Raquel Pichardo When it comes to the environment, institutional investors have gone to accentuating the positive from focusing on the negative. While investors have been passively screening out companies with a poor green track...

Personnel.
October 13, 2008... ADVANCED WASTE SERVICES INC. Thomas Hipp appointed director of professional services. AMERICAN WATER WORKS CO. Walter Lynch appointed president of regulated operations; John Young appointed president of American Water Services. ...

Digging in; Eco-friendly tableware maker, compost supplier join forces.
October 13, 2008... Byline: John Booth Nature Friendly Products is betting there's long-term money to be made in short-term tableware. The Beachwood, Ohio, company has hooked up with Garick Corp. of Cleveland, a supplier of compost and other landscaping...

Phil Clapp.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman Phil Clapp, an often-quoted environmental advocate and deputy managing director of the Pew Environment Group, died Sept. 17 during a visit to Amsterdam. A Pew spokeswoman declined to reveal the cause of death....

At Deadline.
October 13, 2008... EPA rule urges hazwaste recycling EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson signed a final rule Oct. 7 that will encourage businesses to recycle hazardous secondary materials instead of disposing of them as waste. The new rule streamlines the...

Capital Briefs.
October 13, 2008... LEGISLATION California: Assembly Bill 109 requires implementation of the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program and provides a public competitive process for fund allocation. Signed by governor Sept. 26. ...

Climate bill slowed by transition, economy.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini Climate change action could be slowed by the new White House transition and the current financial upheaval. "No big climate change bill is going to pass early in the next Congress because of the vast implications of...

Fed automaker loans could sting taxpayers.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Harry Stoffer Automakers and suppliers that tap $25 billion in federal loans will repay taxpayers with interest and create jobs, advocates insist. But neither of those outcomes is guaranteed, independent experts respond. ...

House unveils '09 climate plan.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The Democratic leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee has unveiled a draft climate change plan that will serve as a starting point next year for talks on cap-and-trade legislation. Rep. John...

Calif. passes law to halt sprawl, cut GHG.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation Sept. 30 that discourages urban sprawl in hopes of helping the state curb its greenhouse gas emissions. Senate Bill 375 directs the state's Air Resources...

Effects of crisis, bailout start to unfurl; Tax credits help renewable energy.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The future of renewable energy projects in the United States will get an economic shot in the arm thanks to the financial bailout bill passed by Congress Oct. 3. The House approved the measure in a 263-171 vote...

Awards.
October 13, 2008... Calif. county wins groundwater award The Orange County [Calif.] Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District have won the Toshiba Green Innovation Award for their jointly designed groundwater replenishment system. Orange...

MRM launches e-waste site.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini A manufacturer-led company has launched a Web site to help electronics makers keep up with state e-waste recycling laws. Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company's Web site, www.MRMrecycling.com, will...

Congress OKs mercury export ban.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman A bill is on its way to President Bush's desk that would ban the export of mercury from the United States. However, an association representing mercury recyclers warns the measure may have some unintended...

Wyndham to launch green initiatives at hotel properties.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson Wyndham Worldwide is looking to make a big impact at nearly 70,000 properties around the world through the company's new environmental and sustainability program. The hotel and vacation property company is launching...

Coming Events.(Calendar)
October 13, 2008... Oct. 12-17 23rd Annual Hazardous Materials Management Conference on Household and Small Business Waste, Burlington, Vt. Call (877) 292-1403, (303) 433-4446 or visit www.nahmma.org. Oct. 13-16 Solar 2008 Conference, San Diego, Calif....

Supplier News.
October 13, 2008... Marathon forms NexGen unit Marathon Equipment Co. has created a separate business unit for its NexGen product group to enable further departmental focus in manufacturing, technical service and finance. Gene Laminack, Marathon's CFO and...

R.I., N.J. planning offshore wind farms.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini Two eastern states are moving forward to build what could be the nation's first offshore wind project. Rhode Island has awarded a contract to Deepwater Wind, which beat six competitors to win the right to build an...

Facilities meet demand for cleaner recyclables.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini Modern material recovery facilities are a technology-rich environment that are becoming more sophisticated to meet the demand for cleaner recyclables while sorting becomes more challenging. Facilities are getting...

Tax break helps companies that buy new recycling equipment.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The financial rescue plan passed by Congress and signed by the president Oct. 3 will extend tax breaks to businesses purchasing new recycling equipment. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, which has...

SWANA encourages "carbon neutral' trip.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The Solid Waste Association of North America is encouraging exhibitors and attendees to this year's Wastecon trade show to make their trip to Tampa "carbon neutral.'' SWANA has devoted this year's program almost...

EPA won't limit perchlorate in tap water.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The U.S. EPA has tentatively decided not to regulate perchlorate in drinking water. Perchlorate is a chemical used in rocket fuel, munitions and fireworks that has been linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women,...

NE carbon auction nets $39M.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The first-in-the-nation auction of carbon dioxide credits under a cap-and-trade program netted nearly $39 million for six Northeast states. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative held its first auction of...

Effects of crisis, bailout start to unfurl; Trash firms are somewhat insulated.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson Solid waste companies, with their predictable flow of cash coming in, are positioned to weather the credit crisis that is gripping the nation. Businesses and residents generate trash. Haulers pick up that waste....

Acquisition less appealing to WM.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson Waste Management Inc. is continuing to explore options in an attempt to acquire Republic Services Inc., but an SEC filing this month indicates the company views a deal as less attractive due to the current credit...

Veolia, WM to study fugitive air emissions.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson Two of the country's largest solid waste management companies are teaming up to study fugitive air emissions from landfills in an attempt to curb greenhouse gases. Veolia Environmental Services North America and...

Waste Generator Briefs.
October 13, 2008... Transportation Flexjet allows users to offset emissions Flexjet, a fractional business jet ownership program, is starting a program to allow users to offset carbon emissions created when they fly. Flexjet, which is owned by...

Waste Industry Briefs.
October 13, 2008... Recycling Smurfit-Stone upgrades California plant Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. has spent $42 million to upgrade an existing corrugated container manufacturing plant in Cerritos, Calif. Dubbed a "super plant'' by the company, the...

Calif. adopts green chemistry program.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman California is enacting a comprehensive green chemistry program to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in products and the environment. The plan won the support of environmentalists and many in the...

Stay calm in the storm.(Brief article)
October 13, 2008... Byline: Allan Gerlat The ongoing economic crisis is a lot of things scary foremost among them. It's also hard to fully comprehend for a lot of us without financial degrees. It's probably why more than once we've had George Bailey...

A change in the weather.
October 13, 2008... The House's climate change plan proposed last week is a good start toward climate change legislation next year. It's also encouraging given the current overriding concerns with the financial crisis that a climate change plan was issued at all....

Economy worries green energy developers.
October 13, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini Renewable energy developers won a major victory when Congress passed the $700 billion bailout package, but they're unsure what the overall economy holds in store for them. The renewable energy production tax credit...

Methane issues bust out all over.
October 13, 2008... This issue is packed with interesting news on the landfill gas front. Waste Management Inc. is expanding its work in developing LFG-to-energy projects to encompass partnerships with private and municipal landfill owners. And WM and Veolia...

WASTE GENERATOR BRIEFS.
October 27, 2008... Retail Wal-Mart issues obligations for partners Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has laid out environmental and social requirements for companies who want to do business with the mega-retailer. Wal-Mart outlined its expectations to build a...

Exhibitors forced outside at Wastecon.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman Three equipment manufacturers displaying their large compactors at Wastecon in Tampa Oct. 21-23 had to deal with a last-minute change of plans. During the week before Wastecon, Tampa Convention Center officials...

Oregon electronics makers beat recycling timetable.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini Electronics manufacturers have launched a mandated recovery and recycling program in Oregon three months ahead of schedule. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has given preliminary approval of the...

Beginning of a new era.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Allan Gerlat On a clear day, you can see all the way to the next hill. The landscape has cleared somewhat in the solid waste industry, as Waste Management dropped its bid to buy Republic Services. The move paves the way for...

Waste Connections says it is positioned to buy.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson Waste Connections Inc. has amassed a war chest approaching $1 billion with an eye towards additional acquisitions. With $525 million in cash and access to another $375 million in credit, the Folsom, Calif.-based...

EPA reform good for all.
October 27, 2008... Many people believe the environment has suffered from the policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the past few years. But the EPA last week made a significant change to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act that should prove...

A LOOK BACK.
October 27, 2008... 10 years ago: President Clinton signs a federal spending bill without embattled Superfund provisions that would have provided liability relief for scrap recyclers and certain municipal solid waste generators. 5 years ago: New York...

Attorneys discuss Supreme Court flow control decision.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman Local government officials and the solid waste industry are still trying to understand the impact of a decision on flow control issued by the U.S. Supreme Court 18 months ago. During this year's Wastecon...

AT DEADLINE.
October 27, 2008... Group sues EPA for not updating rules An environmental group has put the federal government on notice that it intends to sue over the alleged failure to update emission standards for hundreds of landfills. Environmental Defense Fund...

California oil re-refiner plans to double capacity.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Chrissy Kadleck As one of only two re-refiners of used oil in the United States, Evergreen Oil Inc. has been a pioneer for more than two decades in the production of virgin-like quality lube base oil from used lube oil. Based...

Waste ad campaign: Eco-conscious 24/7.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson Environmentalists. Every Day. That's the message that the National Solid Wastes Management Association wants to bring to America about its members. A new program sponsored by the trade group aims to build a...

System eases disposal for Colo. med firm.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Chrissy Kadleck Bagging close to $800 of biomedical waste a month at its two obstetrics and gynecology offices, Women's Health Care Associates' office manager knew she had to find a way to curb costs. Debbie Harman switched...

Democrats push for climate legislation.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman More than 150 Democrats in Congress signed a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., urging passage of global warming legislation and outlining specifics they would like to see in the final legislation. ...

Citgo fined $13M for Louisiana spill.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini Citgo Petroleum Corp. has pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act and will pay a record-breaking $13 million fine for negligently failing to maintain stormwater tanks and adequate stormwater storage capacity at...

WASTE INDUSTRY BRIEFS.(Casella Waste Systems Inc., American Retroworks Inc. )
October 27, 2008... Recycling Vt. e-waste recycler expands operations American Retroworks Inc. has expanded its New England electronics recycling operations. The company has bought a 50,000-square-foot facility in Middlebury, Vt., that will add...

EPA toughens lead air emission rules.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson signed into law new standards that dramatically strengthen the nation's air quality standards for lead. Environmentalists largely applauded the action, but called on the...

COMING EVENTS.(Calendar)
October 27, 2008... Oct. 27-29 Agra Informa Second Annual Biogas Congress, Brussels, Belgium. Visit www.agra-net.com/biogas. Oct. 28-31 Eco Expo Asia 2008, Hong Kong. Call (852) 1830-668 or visit www.ecoexpoasia.com. Oct. 29-30 Hazardous Waste Disposal...

Wind, nature groups join forces to protect bats.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini The wind power industry and conservationists are partnering to study the interaction between wind farms and bats by conducting the first U.S. effort to look at the impact of shutting down wind turbines to reduce bat...

Children's book dreams big about enviro policymaking.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini Inspired by a kindergartner and President George W. Bush, a former waste reduction manager in Florida is teaching children how to care for the environment. "If I Were President, This is How I'd Save the Earth'' is a...

End of the line; WM halts bid for Republic.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson Two of America's top three trash companies appear to have a clear path toward their merger now that a potential suitor for one of the firms has backed away. Shareholders for Republic Services Inc. and Allied Waste...

Inbox.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Peter Fehrenbach Let's start today with a cleaned-up version of comedian Chris Rock's devastating rap on hmm, what to call them? deadwood, I guess. Loiterers. People who sleepwalk through life taking five. [Deadwood] always...

Orlando wants to be first in solid waste gasification.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The city of Orlando, Fla., hopes to become the home of the nation's first municipal solid waste gasification system. It would turn Orange County's trash into electricity. Orlando hopes to issue a request for...

Fuel supply disrupted, EPA waives Ariz. rules.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has temporarily waived certain requirements for gasoline sold and distributed in the Phoenix area because of a disruption in the supply of fuel from Gulf area refineries and...

Michigan cleanup finished.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman The U.S. EPA last week wrapped up a $2 million cleanup of the ChemServe Corp. property in Detroit, where the company manufactured dyes, soaps and drain cleaners. The cleanup began in late April. On March 25, the...

Mayors join to promote eco-friendly schools.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Jim Johnson Mayors from around the country are joining together to push for creation of environmentally friendly schools. Dubbed the Mayors' Alliance for Green Schools, the new group aims to promote the benefit of green...

Calvert to offer sustainable mutual funds.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Sue Asci The Calvert Group Ltd. is looking to broaden its market and expand socially conscious investment policies with a new series of funds. The series, called Calvert SAGE (Sustainability Achieved through Greater...

EPA seeks to boost haz material recycling; Chemical firms benefit.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Bruce Geiselman Business may save $95 million a year as a result of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reform of solid waste laws to encourage the recycling of secondary hazardous materials. The agency finalized the change,...

Automakers tout electrics at Paris show; Gov't, utilities are key.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Dave Guilford Although overshadowed by the flood of hybrids, electric vehicles are winning converts at the world's automakers. No gasoline backup engine. No onboard generator. And, their advocates add, no emissions. At...

Some "elect' to recycle; Texas capital recycles.
October 27, 2008... Byline: Joe Truini Whether you think what comes out of politicians' mouths is a load of rubbish, one thing is for certain, they sure generate a lot of it running for office. Mailings, campaign signs and even relatively new voting...