This Week in Waste: Top Stories Feb. 5 – Feb. 8, 2024

#5 - Circular.co Connects Sellers and Buyers of Recyclables

A disconnect between buyers and sellers is at the heart of the problem, and it’s fueled by a lack of information available to these stakeholders, believes Shannon Gordon, COO of Circular.co.

Read the full article here.

#4 - Survey: Consumers Seek Sustainable Products and Packaging, Transparency

Consumers exhibited a heightened awareness of sustainability and transparency, particularly in relation to their favorite brands and products. However, 69 percent still were skeptical, believing that companies are not accurately reporting on sustainability goals and metrics. Additionally, 40 percent of respondents express discomfort in purchasing products from companies not actively progressing towards sustainability goals.

Read the full article here.

#3 - CiCLO Biodegrades Polyester and Nylon in a Few Years

Polyester and nylon are top contributors.  The two most common clothing fabrics, they are recognized for their durability, high-performance—and for their persistence in the environment. CiCLO fibers, made by Intrinsic Advanced Materials – a joint venture between Intrinsic Textiles Group and spun yarn supplier Parkdale Advanced Materials — is among evolving technologies aiming to lessen these materials’ plastics pollution load.

Read the full article here.

#2 - GWMS 2024: David Risk Puts Methane Measurement to the Test with Controlled Experiments

David Risk, Professor at Brian Mulroney Institute of Government Research Chair at Saint Francis Xavier University, is leading a GWMS session with an interesting experiment looking at methane emissions. Risk’s presentation “A Controlled Release Experiment for Investigating Methane Measurement Performance at Landfills” looks at an experiment his team built to see if vendors could measure methane.

Read the full article here.

#1 - Apartment Owners Sue City of Pasadena, Texas for Exclusive Trash-Collection Contract with WM

The lawsuit alleged that the City Fee, which the Owners characterized as a “kickback,” is an impermissible tax by the city on customers who must accept trash-removal services from WM under the city-created monopoly and must pay an excessive and unconstitutional 25% tax on the mandated services. The Owners asserted that they paid the illegal fee under duress.

Read the full article here.