This Week in Waste: Top Stories October 7 – Oct. 10, 2024.

#5 - Waste Can Be Central to Carbon Markets – a Climate Week NYC Reflection

Household waste has an enormous potential to play a role in carbon markets. The U.S. alone is responsible for over 292 million tons of waste annually, more than a third of which are organics, including food waste and unrecyclable paper. These organics, when sent to decompose in landfill, are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 10% of all human-sourced methane emissions.

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#4 - GFL Environmental and OPAL Fuels Begin Commercial Operations of Their Second RNG Facility

GFL Environmental Inc. (NYSE: GFL) (TSX: GFL) ("GFL") and OPAL Fuels Inc. (Nasdaq: OPAL) today announced their joint venture, Paragon RNG has commenced commercial operations of their new renewable natural gas ("RNG") facility at the Sampson County Landfill. The landfill, owned and operated by a subsidiary of GFL, is located in Roseboro, North Carolina. The plant is producing and injecting pipeline quality RNG. EPA registrations have been filed for the project and we expect a normal ramp-up period for the facility.

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#3 - Louisville, Colo. and Republic Services Roll Out Nation's First All-Electric Waste and Recycling Fleet

The new vehicles began collection routes on Oct. 1, 2024. The fleet comprises three McNeilus Volterra ZSLs and a Peterbilt 520EV rear-loader for alley service. The latest safety technology, including 360-degree cameras, an enlarged windshield for improved visibility, lane-departure sensors and automated braking, guides drivers along routes.

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#2 - Wastewater Treatment Plants Sue PFAS Manufacturers

Now more than drinking water is in the limelight, including wastewater. EPA recently set federal discharge permit limits for some PFAS compounds and now faces pressure to outlaw PFAS in biosolids and sludge used as fertilizer. Currently, the agency allows land application, but some states are coming down on this practice.

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#1 - Washington State Department of Ecology Hands Out Over $400,000 in Fines to Plastic Producers

Last week, the Washington State Department of Ecology announced fines for 35 plastic producers for failing to use enough recycled plastic.

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