10 Things You Need to Know For the Waste & Recycling Industry Today (June 6, 2014)

Food-Waste Recycling Faces Hiccups “More states want to recycle their food waste instead of dumping it into landfills, but they have run into a snag: The infrastructure needed to turn huge quantities of table scraps into fertilizer or electricity isn't ready…. Most people are willing to try separating their food waste for compost, but they aren't willing to pay more for its disposal that way, according to a recent poll commissioned by the National Waste & Recycling Association, a trade group. In many places, however, it may no longer be optional.” (The Wall Street Journal)

10 recycling and waste management trends to look out for in the near future “The past few years have been an interesting time for the eco-movement. It's been a time of cardboard bicycles and eco-friendly urban housing; a time where some countries might be recycling too much, while some cities have a hard time recycling anything at all. As 2014 rolls into the summer months, we are continuing to see new developments, innovations, and even new problems in sustainability ventures and recycling efforts. To get a better sense of where we are headed in the near future, for good or bad, here are ten forthcoming trends and expectations we predict we'll hearing more of soon.” (Treehugger.com)

EU touts 70% recycling and zero landfill law for 2030 “Europe could be recycling 70% of its municipal waste by 2030, if a binding proposal that would phase out the environmentally harmful practice of landfill disposal is approved by the European Commission this month, EurActiv has learned. The bloc is already committed to recycling half of its waste and "virtually eliminating" landfill by 2020, but while Germany’s recycling and composting rate stands at 65%, Romania’s is just 1%. In general, the EU’s north and west recycles more than its south and east.” (EurActiv.com)

You asked, we found out: 3 states ship treated sewage to SC landfills “After more than 18 tons of treated human waste on its way to Columbia from out of state spilled Tuesday on Interstate 77 in Fort Mill, you wanted to know just how much waste is shipped to S.C and where it was coming from…. A WIS investigation uncovered North Carolina isn't the only state that sends its human waste into the Palmetto State. New York also sends its de-watered human sewage to South Carolina.” (WISTV.com)

How This David Beat Goliath in the Waste Management Industry “In 2013, Waste Connections, the third-largest solid waste company in the U.S., managed to raise prices by close to 3%, compared with a price increase in excess of 1.5% for its larger peer Waste Management. With revenues less than 15% of Waste Management's, how did Waste Connections exhibit stronger pricing power? Also, how does Waste Connections compare with other peers, such as Stericycle? (The Motley Fool)

Southington Approves Proposed $20M Recycling Plant “Zoning approval of an organic recycling plant proposed for 37 acres off Spring Street includes a stipulation that odor be controlled so not to bother any neighbors, Town Manager Garry Brumback said Thursday…. The town planning and zoning commission Tuesday night approved the request from Turning Earth Inc. of Pennsylvania to build a $20 million facility to turn collected food waste into biogas, which will be burned to produce electricity, and turn collected yard waste into compost for improving soils.The recycling plant also will include industrial-size greenhouses powered by the electricity, where vegetables will be grown.” (The Hartford Courant)

Police: Arrest warrants issued in connection with $1 million scam “Multiple arrest warrants have been issued in relation to a trail of criminal activity resulting in the theft of more than $1 million from a Fulton County business, authorities said. Police began an investigation in mid-April when Waste Management Inc. made a complaint regarding Willow Oak Landfill, which it owns, following an anonymous tip and a private investigation, according to the Palmetto Police Department today.” (AJC.com)

Primary Energy Recycling Is Up For Sale “Primary Energy Recycling Corp. has put itself up for sale, according to people familiar with the matter. The Oak Brook, Ill., clean energy company, which recycles heat into electricity and steam, has a market capitalization of about $221 million. It could fetch more than $275 million, based on the addition of a typical takeover premium of at least 25%.” (The Wall Street Journal)

Company proposes waste landfill in Smith Township “A waste treatment company will host a meeting this month to solicit public input on a proposed residual waste landfill in Smith Township. MAX Environmental, which primarily treats Marcellus Shale waste, will submit a plan to the state Department of Environmental Protection to expand its Bulger facility south of Route 22, which has been in operation since 1958. The company also operates a facility in Yukon, 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.” (Observer-Reporter.com)

San Jose: Seven arrested in copper wire theft ring “Seven people were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of either buying or selling several thousand pounds of stolen copper wire during the past few months, police said. The identities of those arrested were not released, but San Jose Police Department spokesman Officer Albert Morales said all arrests took place at either San Jose Metals Recycling Center, on North 10th Street, Elite Recycling Services, on Tully Road, or Patricia's Salon, on Southside Drive.” (San Jose Mercury News)