10 Things You Need to Know for the Waste & Recycling Industry Today (August 26, 2014)

2 Dead In Recycling Plant Explosion Caused By Mortar Round: Cops “Police in a St. Louis suburb where a recycling plant explosion killed two people say it was caused by a mortar round. The explosion happened Monday morning at Totall Metal Recycling in Granite City, Illinois, about 8 miles northeast of St. Louis. Granite City Police Chief Rich Miller says Totall Metal Recycling has contracts with the military. He says it's not unusual for the plant to have items such as ‘military engines and ammunition casings.’” (Associated Press)

Mass. takes heat for mercury recycling law “Too many mercury-laden products still end up in landfills, however, which prompted passage last month of a state law intended to boost the dismal recycling rate of mercury in Massachusetts. But environmental advocates say industry lobbyists persuaded lawmakers to strip recycling requirements from a previous law and argue the new law pales in comparison to similar laws in other states that seek to curb mercury. Even minuscule amounts can cause grave health consequences and poison the environment.” (Boston Globe)

Raley’s to pay $1.6 million to settle waste disposal suit “Raley’s has been ordered by a judge to pay nearly $1.6 million in civil penalties, costs and funding for environmental projects as part of a settlement related to hazardous waste disposal violations. The judgment is the culmination of a civil enforcement lawsuit filed in San Joaquin County to stop the West Sacramento-based supermarket chain from unlawfully transporting and disposing of retail hazardous waste, according to a press release from at least two of the 25 district attorneys who announced the suit.” (Sacramento Bee)

Denver rolls out composting plan for Red Rocks, other venues “Denver Arts & Venues is partnering with a pair of Colorado companies to compost more of the waste generated at its most prominent venues, including Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Colorado Convention Center. The environmental program announced Monday brings in Boulder-based Eco-Products and Commerce City-based Alpine Waste & Recycling. Eco-Products, which makes cups and other products that can be composted, will supply the packaging for food and drinks at Red Rocks, the convention center, Denver Coliseum and the Denver Performing Arts Complex.” (Denver Business Journal)

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group is Serious About Reducing Waste “Dr. Pepper Snapple Group has surpassed several of its environmental targets, as its latest corporate social responsibility (CSR) report reveals.  The company that has over 50 beverage brands is really serious about reducing waste. DPS set a goal of recycling 60 million pounds of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic by 2015, but last year recycled 60.7 million pounds. The company also achieved its goal of an 80 percent recycling rate by 2015 — four years early in 2011. DPS set a new goal of a 90 percent recycling rate of its solid manufacturing waste. It is well on its way to meeting the new goal: In 2013, it recycled over 85 percent of its manufacturing solid waste, a 3 percent increase from 2012.” (TriplePundit.com)

Waste-to-energy incinerator bidders want more time “Finalists for a waste-to-energy incinerator at a pre-bid conference Thursday asked county officials for more time to prepare their proposals, but Mayor Billy Kenoi, on a fast track to get a facility on the ground before he leaves office in late 2016, said three months is long enough. Finalists were also concerned about whether the County Council will approve the price of the project, which will likely have a 25-year contract costing more than $125 million.” (West Hawaii Today)

Landfill closures result in increased recycling “Three years ago, Sundance’s city council made a bold decision to require all of its residents to recycle household items. Each house received a blue bag for everything from water bottles to newspapers to be placed on the curb each week. A truck from Gillette came by to collect. Bills went up $4.35 per month and residents grumbled, but everyone knew the stakes.” (Casper Star Tribune)

Environmental Justice Advocates Question Houston's Recycling Plan “Little has changed in the three decades since Bullard completed a study showing that most of Houston’s waste facilities — landfills, incinerators and transfer stations — were located in predominantly minority neighborhoods. As the city considers a radical new plan for boosting its dismally low recycling rate — one that might place a new waste-sorting plant near an existing landfill — Bullard worries that legacy will continue.” (Texas Tribune)

Halifax looking for new solid waste manager “Halifax is looking for a new manager to head up its waste management system. Gord Helm had been in the position for about five years, but as of Friday is no longer with the city. Halifax is currently undergoing a major overhaul of its garbage system, making it a tough year to be the city's solid waste manager.” (CBCNews)

Austin Expands Recycling Program to Include More Plastics “Austin Resource Recovery curbside customers are now able to recycle all hard plastics in their blue recycling carts along with other accepted materials at no extra cost. In addition to plastic bottles and containers, the City’s recycling program now accepts hard plastics such as buckets, lawn chairs, laundry baskets, pet carriers, milk crates, non-battery operated toys, totes and lids, tubs, flower pots and trays, dish drainers, and trash cans. Only hard plastics are accepted; plastic foam, plastic bags, and plastic wrap are not allowed.” (AustinTexas.gov)