Tainted Toy Disposal Presents Problems
According to articles in the Associated Press, the massive recall of toys laced with lead paint or powerful magnets is likely to pose a challenging disposal problem for the manufacturers. The lead-painted toys in particular, would have to be destroyed or sent to an appropriate disposal facility whereas the magnetic toys only need be recalled. However, there is potential legal liability if they find their way into a Salvation Army store or some other resale venue. Manufacturers do not yet appear to have a specific plan...Read More »
STB Rules against another Potential Rail Transfer Station
Aided by the efforts of a grass roots environmental group, the federal Surface Transportation Board rejected an application for construction of a controversial solid waste transfer station in Freehold Township, NJ. Even though the decision cited vague, incomplete and confusing information provided by the applicant: Ohio-based Ashland Railroad Inc., opposition came from more than 800 residents who signed letters to Sens. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both D-N.J...Read More »
Ohio EPA Sends Terse Letter to Republic's Countywide Landfill
The Ohio EPA is seeking to preempt Republic Services owner of the Countywide landfill in Stark County from capping portions of the 88 acres suspected to have been on fire earlier this year. Capping those sections of the Pike Township landfill would be premature and a violation of EPA Director Chris Korleski's orders, as well as state law, Ed Gortner said in an EPA letter to Republic Waste Services of Ohio. A company filing in May called for synthetic caps over the 88 acres to keep liquids and oxygen out of the buried wastes. The EPA has fined Countywide $1 million for the fires, which the company blames on chemical reactions from buried aluminum wastes coming into contact with landfill liquids...Read More »
Washington Group Favored To Operate UK Nuclear Waste Site
A consortium led by Washington Group International of the US has been named as the preferred bidder to operate the Drigg nuclear waste repository located in West Cumbria in northern England. The U.K. Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) estimates the contract could have a value of between $400 million and $1 billion. It will initially run for five years from October, but can be extended to up to 17 years. The group is also expected to implement government policy on the future disposal of low-level nuclear waste, including a possible expansion of the Drigg facility, which is filling up...Read More »
GE Capital Solutions Launches Dedicated Refuse Sector Team
GE Capital Solutions has launched a dedicated refuse industry group to address the specific needs of the waste industry and to offer financing products for waste collection, processing and disposal equipment, and asset acquisition. The new group, which is a subsidiary of the Transportation Finance unit, will be lead by Peter Hart, who has been named national sales manager for the refuse sector at GE Capital. "We want to be known as the premier lender to the refuse sector," said Hart. "The refuse industry has a unique set of requirements and business needs, which change with market conditions. Customers can be reassured that we'll provide financial support for the long term."...Read More »
Wind Farm Proposed for Former Fresh Kills Landfill
The former Fresh Kills landfill, which was New York City's primary repository of waste for more than 50 years, may soon host a wind farm. Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro announced the feasibility of such a project based on a year-long feasibility study which concluded that wind patterns at the former landfill are sufficient to power seven 400-foot wind turbines to deliver enough clean, renewable energy to power as many as 5,000 homes. "It is by far the best renewable project that is about to happen in New York City," said Paul Curran, managing director of Patterson, N.Y.-based BQ Energy, which cost-shared the study with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority...Read More »
Sony to Establish Bold Recycling Program
Sony will begin offering free recycling of Sony-branded electronics at 75 Waste Management Recycle America drop-off centers in the U.S. beginning on September 15. The number of participating centers is expected to increase to 150 within a year, and Sony and Recycle America are looking to develop enough drop-off locations in the future to have at least one center within 20 miles of 95 percent of the U.S. population. Customers who don't live near a Recycle America drop-off center will also be able to ship their electronics to a participating venue. Sony's ultimate goal is to recycle one pound of old consumer electronics equipment for every pound of new products it sells...Read More »
Oklahoma Officials Guilty of Using Inmates to Remove Asbestos without Protection
A federal jury found two Oklahoma City officials guilty of allowing prisoners to remove asbestos without proper protection. The case was jointly investigated and prosecuted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and the State of Oklahoma. Evidence presented at trial showed that the City Manager of Elk City, Okla., Guy R. Hylton, Jr. and a building superintendent, Chick Arthur Little, used inmates from the Elk City Work Center to remove asbestos from an old railroad depot in 2003. The inmates were not provided with protective clothing and other protective measures, as required by law. "All people deserve protection from exposure to environmental hazards." said Granta Nakayama, EPA's assistant administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance...Read More »
Waste Industries USA Declares 12 Cent Quarterly Dividend
On the heels of positive earnings reports, Waste Industries USA is rewarding shareholders with a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share...Read More »
Startech Environmental Sells its First Plasma Converter in EU
Startech Environmental reports having sold a plasma converter system for a new recycling facility, its first in the European Union. The company said that it had already received a 10% cash down- payment from Plasma Processing Technologies Ltd of England and Wales for a 20,000 pound per day Plasma Converter System which is scheduled for start-up in 2008...Read More »
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