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

"We worked so hard to get to this point, but it was worth it. This contract ensures that the workers who recycle New York City’s waste will be treated with respect and will be able to take care of their families."

— José Lopez, a Sims worker and union leader, in a press release. Employees at Sims Municipal Recycling were approved to join the local Teamsters union, giving them immediate access to raises and other benefits.

"We are moving more and more toward a landfill-free city, a landfill-free society. That brings with it significant changes, and important changes in behavior. Sometimes they do come with additional costs."

— LA Sanitation Director Enrique Zaldivar during a meeting of the Los Angeles City Council's Energy, Climate Change and Environmental Justice Committee. The committee approved a motion that asks LA Sanitation to explore cost reduction options for the RecycLA franchise system. The motion will go to a full vote Aug. 23.

"It’s hard to estimate because it’s not like we’ve done anything quite like this before."

— Melanie Widmer, owner of Madras Sanitary Service in Oregon, to The Bulletin, on preparing for the influx of people coming to the area to view the total solar eclipse Aug. 21.

"[T]he organized criminal groups involved in illicit waste trafficking should be warned that they will be caught."

— Joseph Poux, deputy chief, Environmental Crimes Section, U.S. Department of Justice, and chair of the Pollution Crime Working Group at Interpol, in a press release. The international agency seized more than 1.5 million metric tons of illegal waste during a 30-day global operation.

"We're very encouraged to see this legislation introduced. It provides a common sense road map for tackling food waste in the United States."

— JoAnne Berkenkamp, senior advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council, talking about a newly-introduced federal food waste bill.