In case you missed it: Thoughtful, newsworthy comments from industry professionals and players.

"I think we just have to step up to the plate. You can't be fearful. You need to have mentors in this field. It's great if you can find a female mentor, but you're probably going to need some male mentors as well."

— Phoenix Public Works Director Ginger Spencer in an interview with Waste Dive. Spencer talked about developing more female leadership in the waste industry and how Phoenix has made progress pursuing a zero waste goal.

"The San Jacinto Waste Pits site was added to the National Priority List nearly a decade ago, and I am pleased to announce a decision has been made to permanently address the highly toxic materials to ensure health and safety in the surrounding communities."

— Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, in a statement, announcing that a Superfund site that was damaged by Hurricane Harvey officially has a new cleanup plan. 

"No task is too small. I'm only there for a week, so I have to do as much as I can in seven days."

— Bonacio Crespi a driver for M&M Sanitation Services in New York City, in an interview with Waste Dive. Crespi and other volunteers traveled to Puerto Rico to help with cleanup and relief efforts after the island was slammed by Hurricane Maria. 

"We're asking for fair wages, comprehensive healthcare benefits and retirement contributions...There's no rhyme or reason why [Advanced is] behaving the way that they are."

—Tom Scott, a spokesperson for Operating Engineers Local 324, on motivation behind the ongoing strike at Advanced Disposal's Arbor Hills Landfill in Michigan.

"We were disappointed by the local's decision to strike today, as both parties have proposals outstanding that do not expire until the end of this week."

— Kelly Rooney, Arbor Hills district manager, in a press release about the strike.

"...it is unclear whether China will consider any changes to the proposed import ban or contamination standard. To date, [the Ministry of Environmental Protection] has been reluctant even to clarify some questions about the affected materials and applicable contamination standards... Some recycling programs in the United States have recently experienced reduced market prices for their material, and continued volatility can be expected in the short term."

— A letter from the Solid Waste Association of North America to all 50 state environmental agencies about China's changing policies on scrap imports. The association had a number of recommendations for state agencies and stressed the importance of tight standards at processing facilities to keep bale quality as high as possible.