Organics: Page 12
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Composting in wine country: Napa Valley’s multi-decade circular economy story
California’s organics recycling law is driving new demand for processing infrastructure. Longstanding efforts by Upper Valley Disposal and others to compost grape pomace have given the region a head start.
By Karine Vann • Oct. 19, 2022 -
Q&A
New nonprofit Just Zero taking a national approach to zero waste and closing disposal sites
Zero waste advocates formerly with the Conservation Law Foundation say the group will provide local activists with national-level resources for drafting legislation and more.
By Megan Quinn • Oct. 18, 2022 -
Deep Dive // California's organics experiment
What California’s organics recycling law could mean for the future of landfills
As the state looks to dramatically reduce disposal volumes in the coming years, the shift is prompting new questions about the waste industry’s operating model. Orange County is one notable landfill operator pivoting to composting.
By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 13, 2022 -
Q&A
Sustainable Generation CEO talks solar-powered composting and infrastructure trends
Scott Woods, founder of the compost equipment company, highlights a new facility built at a Republic Services landfill as well as trends around PFAS, community relations, infrastructure funding and more.
By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 12, 2022 -
Divert to provide RNG for BP from food waste digesters via 10-year contract
The $175 million agreement involves gas from three upcoming food waste digesters in California, Pennsylvania and Washington. It marks the latest sign of investment into waste-related projects that produce renewable natural gas.
By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 11, 2022 -
Zero waste should be an important part of climate plans, GAIA urges
Through food waste prevention, single-use plastics bans, robust composting and recycling, and other strategies, the waste sector can support the Paris Agreement’s targeted limit to global warming, a new report said.
By Maria Rachal • Oct. 5, 2022 -
EPA action plan details environmental justice efforts across waste programs
A report from the Office of Land and Emergency Management details how the agency will consider disadvantaged communities in projects related to waste and recycling, including through grants from the infrastructure law.
By Megan Quinn • Oct. 4, 2022 -
California’s last 2 WTE facilities under pressure following new state law
Now that jurisdictions can no longer count waste sent to “transformation” facilities toward their recycling targets, Covanta-operated sites in Long Beach and Stanislaus County may see a shift.
By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 29, 2022 -
City Haul: Making yard waste programs more resilient
Despite staffing shortages, contamination challenges and other issues, municipal waste leaders are working to better serve residents and help diversion goals by making programs more consistent and expansive.
By Maria Rachal • Sept. 26, 2022 -
Council hearing features ideas to boost New York City’s stagnant diversion rate
During a public hearing on Tuesday, residents urged the Department of Sanitation to direct more time and resources to organics programs, education efforts and outreach to overlooked communities.
By Megan Quinn • Sept. 21, 2022 -
California Gov. Newsom signs many recycling and waste bills, vetoes two
Bills concerning the state’s container redemption program, incineration rules, battery recycling programs, plastic bag regulations and organic waste diversion were among those Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September.
By Megan Quinn • Updated Oct. 3, 2022 -
Deep Dive // NYC commercial waste reform
Los Angeles had a rocky commercial waste zone rollout but is seeing results. What’s in store for New York?
New York has big goals for its zone system to boost diversion rates, infrastructure investment and labor standards. First, the city and haulers must navigate a transition process that one LA official called “six months of hell.”
By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 19, 2022 -
Renovare Environmental CEO steps down, reverse merger with Harp Renewables still pending
Details about the fate of the small-scale digester company remain limited, but it’s now working to raise new funding and pay off debt ahead of a possible transaction. In the meantime, CEO Tony Fuller is out.
By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 14, 2022 -
Inflation may have reduced food waste, but food banks worry about lower donation supply
During a recent ReFED webinar, speakers from Feeding America, BlueCart and Purdue University said they see opportunities for partnerships to further reduce food waste during times when inflation affects donations.
By Megan Quinn • Sept. 12, 2022 -
Bio-based packaging companies say mushrooms and seaweed are the next alternatives to plastic
In a recent webinar, companies made their case for “bioregenerative” packaging that uses renewable, compostable materials with the same properties as plastic. Markets and supply chains are still warming to it.
By Megan Quinn • Sept. 6, 2022 -
Divert seeks to scale food waste prevention tech, recycling platform with $100M investment
CEO Ryan Begin said the company is coming out of stealth mode after cultivating a large retail client base. He discussed rethinking the food recovery hierarchy and previewed multiple new digester projects.
By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 31, 2022 -
Q&A
LRS CEO outlines how M&A and sustainability are creating a Midwest powerhouse
One year into Macquarie’s ownership of LRS, CEO Alan Handley shared what’s next for the company’s expansion, talked plans to hit a $600 million revenue run rate, previewed a new Chicago MRF and more.
By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 30, 2022 -
Jersey City mapping food rescue opportunities with support from NRDC grant
Jersey City’s public works and health and human services departments are working to better map and distribute food resources as part of a broader focus on reducing food waste that is saving $1 million per year so far.
By Maria Rachal • Aug. 29, 2022 -
As EPA seeks to label certain PFAS hazardous, landfill operators worry about cost, liability
The federal government is targeting PFOA and PFOS, two of many “forever chemicals,” for inclusion under the Superfund law. Landfill operators want a targeted exemption, citing significant legal liability and costs.
By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 29, 2022 -
Waste Connections acquiring 3 franchise haulers around San Jose, California
The newly confirmed transactions involving haulers that service San Jose, Milpitas and Livermore, California, all come with long-term municipal contracts that fit the company’s acquisition strategy.
By Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 25, 2022 -
Deep Dive // NYC commercial waste reform
New York commercial waste haulers hold their breath after submitting bids for 10-year contracts
Bids are in to operate in the Department of Sanitation’s upcoming commercial waste zone system. Haulers of all sizes are waiting to learn their fates while operating under lingering pandemic and inflationary pressures.
By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 24, 2022 -
Anaergia says federal tax credits, boosted by California policy, will unlock new US biogas projects
In a recent earnings call, executives shared updates on expanding organics pre-processing and digestion operations to meet California’s SB 1383 mandate along with financing for projects in North Carolina and Rhode Island.
By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 19, 2022 -
Where the Teamsters are looking to grow their ranks in waste and recycling
General President Sean O’Brien’s “militant” approach is reportedly influencing discussions with employers and members alike as the waste industry’s biggest union looks to expand its reach.
By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 18, 2022 -
Biden signs Inflation Reduction Act with waste implications and $369B for climate efforts
Groups representing companies that produce RNG from waste touted the law as a major step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The president called it “one of the most significant laws in our history.”
By Megan Quinn • Updated Aug. 17, 2022 -
Massachusetts climate bill includes anaerobic digesters in state peak energy incentive program
A major bill recently signed by Gov. Charlie Baker has implications for digesters as well as landfill gas facilities. The National Waste & Recycling Association and Vanguard Renewables supported the provisions.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 16, 2022