10 Things You Need to Know For the Waste & Recycling Industry Today (April 15, 2014)

EPA Forum Addresses Controversial Clark County Landfill “The US Environmental Protection Agency hired a third party to conduct a public forum Wednesday night in Springfield to discuss the agency's plan to clean up the Tremont City Landfill. Several residents showed up to voice their displeasure concerning the EPA's decision to rebury some of the waste and empty drums at the site instead of removing it all.” (WYSO.org)

Ban On Fracking Waste Clears Committee “State lawmakers worried about toxic byproducts from natural gas drilling wells in other states persuaded the legislature's judiciary committee Monday to approve a ban on ‘fracking’ waste coming into Connecticut for storage or treatment. The panel voted 34-6 in favor of the measure, which now heads to the Senate. The legislation faces potential competition from another proposal backed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for more state regulation of fracking waste. A third bill would put a two-year moratorium on allowing natural gas drilling byproducts to enter this state.” (The Courant)

Duke Energy to take coal ash to N.C. landfill “A spokesman for Duke Energy said the utility plans to take the coal ash accumulated near the Schoolfield Dam to a dry landfill in Roxboro, N.C. Jeff Brooks told the Danville Register & Bee the Upper Piedmont landfill, owned by Republic Services, could possibly be the site where 2,500 tons of coal ash deposited on the upstream side of the dam would be taken.” (The Roanoke Times)

First 100% Recycled Grade Introduced “FutureMark Paper Group launched Future Vantage, North America’s first 100-percent recycled coated #3 freesheet. Until now, there has not been a 100 percent recycled option for high-end corporate marketing materials and magazine, catalog, book, direct mail and retail applications, the company said. Previously, recycled content was only available if specified by the buyer and typically the maximum available was 30 percent.” (EnvironmentalLeader)

Case against landfill moved to federal court “A lawsuit against the regional landfill will be held in federal court. Deb Watson Lentsch, of Fort Dodge, former director of recycling and administration/finance for the North Central Iowa Regional Solid Waste Agency, claims in a lawsuit she was fired for being a whistleblower.” (The Messenger)

Dane County, Wisc., announces $20 million landfill expansion “The $20 million expansion of the county’s Rodefeld landfill, the key to a comprehensive solid waste strategy that will save county taxpayers an estimated $180 million, extend the life of the landfill another 30 years, and enable the county to continue its clean energy innovation is moving forward, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced on Monday, April 14.” (The Star)

E-waste tops Metro Vancouver list of illegally dumped recyclables “Too many Metro Vancouver residents and businesses are still chucking unwanted electronics in the trash despite them being banned from landfills. Electronic waste made up 35 per cent of all recyclable materials that were found to have been improperly put in the garbage last year, up from 20 per cent in 2010, according to a Metro Vancouver report.” (The Surrey Leader)

Charlotte PCB cleanup costs to top $1.3 million “The toxic chemicals found in the sewer system in February will cost Charlotte more than $1.3 million to clean up as the city increases testing for the substances. PCBs traced to a grocery store grease trap were detected as they flowed into the Mallard Creek treatment plant in early February.” (Lake Wylie Pilot)

Cal Am will pay fine for improper disposal of hazardous waste “California American Water will pay a $390,000 penalty for improperly disposing of arsenic extracted from three local water systems. According to the District Attorney's Environmental Protection Unit, Cal Am agreed to the settlement for violations of laws governing the disposal of hazardous waste. Cal Am director of operations Eric Sabolsice confirmed the company has taken responsibility for improper disposal of the hazardous waste, which consisted of naturally occurring arsenic removed from the company's Ryan Ranch, Ambler and Toro water systems.” (The Monterey Herald)

Naperville residents may pay $36 for new recycling carts “Naperville homeowners would need to pay $36 for a new recycling cart even if they don't recycle, under a proposal up for a vote by City Council Tuesday. However, the plan contradicts some of the discussion of the carts last summer.” (Chicago Tribune)