This Week in Waste: Top Stories for March 11 – March 14, 2024

#5 - EPA Proposes Rule for Safe Disposal of Waste Explosives Including Fireworks and Munitions

The rule is the latest push from the Biden-Harris Administration, which has advanced environmental justice efforts to protect indigenous and disadvantaged communities throughout the country. The proposed measure would curb open burning and open detonation of waste explosives such as fireworks, munitions, and flares which carries “serious and environmental and public health impacts,” commented EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

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#4 - A Snapshot of Trending Waste Technologies

More private haulers and municipalities are turning to technology tailored just for their industry as one means to persevere. Automated tools are replacing manual bin audits. Artificial-intelligence (AI)-powered bots are “talking” to and servicing customers. Smart sensors do jobs from telling drivers when containers are full to letting dispatch know how those drivers are doing on the road. Then there is technology to integrate all of these applications and many others.

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#3 - Study: Researchers Successfully Recover Metals from E-Waste Using Spent Brewer’s Yeast

The waste industry is always looking for new ways to deal with e-waste materials and, according to a new report, beer of all things may be a new solution for e-waste recycling.

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#2 - 15 States Push to Enshrine Right to a Healthy Environment Into Law

Lately, 15 more states have proposed, or are working on, similar proposals. California is among the most recent of them to take a leap forward; its green amendment should wind up on the ballot for the 2024 general election if it passes both houses. Maya van Rossum, founder of nonprofit Green Amendments For the Generations, launched the movement after winning that legal action years ago in her role at the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

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#1 - EPR and Other Emerging Policies and Laws to Spur Composting

In this Q&A, Rhodes Yepsen, executive director of the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) World and Alex Truelove, BPI’s legislation and advocacy manager, jointly provide insight to catch us up on evolving composting regulations.

Read the full article here.