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

CEA releases study on electronics recycling “The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), a technology trade association headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, has released a study showing that electronics recycling continues to receive significant support from consumers. The report, titled ‘Recycling and Reuse Study, 2014 Edition,’ shows that 82 percent of U.S. adults say that recycling obsolete electronics is important.’” (Recycling Today)

St. Petersburg Council approves recycling contracts “The City Council gave final approval on Monday night to a new ordinance and two multimillion-dollar contracts needed to launch its universal curbside recycling program. During the next several months, the city will spend $4.1 million on new 95-gallon bins and a little more than $2 million on new trucks for the residential recycling pickup program, which will be rolled out next summer and cost residents $2.95 a month.” (Tampa Bay Times)

Waste station opponents release de Blasio attack ad “Opponents of the East 91st Street garbage transfer facility launched a new ad attacking Mayor Bill de Blasio today for purportedly ignoring the plight of Upper East Side minorities and low-income residents in building the station. The 30-second spot, titled ‘De Blasio's Dirty Little Secret,’ features several unnamed individuals citing their concerns about the facility which is scheduled to open in 2016.” (Capital New York)

Minneapolis considers statewide mattress recycling “The Minneapolis City Council is proposing the creation of a statewide mattress recycling program to ease the burden of the cumbersome and costly items at landfills. Mattresses pose many problems for both trash collectors and taxpayers. They're tough to move, they take up a lot of space and they hold so much air they don't like to stay buried. They're expensive to recycle, too.” (The Associated Press)

Board approves more than $45 million for landfill projects “Members of the Comox Strathcona Waste Management board approved Thursday a bylaw to borrow $45 million-plus for three major landfill projects. The cost to close the Comox Valley landfill in Cumberland is estimated at $10,620,000 while closing the Campbell River facility is expected to exceed $13 million.” (Comox Valley Record)

Waste Management : Texas Settles Waste Management Waste Pit Site Lawsuit “Waste Management Inc. said a lawsuit that had involved the company and a Harris County, Texas, Superfund waste pit site located on the San Jacinto River has been resolved with a $29.2 million settlement. Houston-based Waste Management said that to avoid further litigation costs it was pleased to see Harris County and the state of Texas’ lawsuit against McGinnis Industrial Maintenance Corp.” (4-Traders.com)

Sims to Pay Nearly $2.4 Million in Hazardous Waste Settlement “Sims Group USA will pay nearly $2.4 million to settle a civil environmental enforcement action resulting from a hazardous waste disposal investigation in California. The state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control investigated Sims’ Redwood City facility and alleges that scrap metal recycling operations releases light fibrous material, some of which deposits onto nearby property and becomes a waste.” (Environmental Leader)

Safford moves to increase longevity of landfill “Something stinks at the landfill, and the City of Safford is working to combat the problem. The city landfill, according to current estimates, will be full by 2023. Thanks to studies done by Kimley-Horn and Associates consulting firm, the current costs to close the landfill will cost the city $7 million in related fees, with an additional $2.7 million expected in post-closure costs. Instead, the city is working to extend the life of the landfill by another 30 years.” (Eastern Arizona Courier)

Comfort Research achieves Zero Landfill goal “Furniture and soft seating manufacturer Comfort Research achieved its 2014 sustainability goal by becoming Zero Landfill. To achieve Zero Landfill, businesses divert the materials through reuse, recycling and composting. The Zero Waste International Alliance has previously defined Zero Landfill to be 90% or greater diversion.” (Furniture Today)

Emerald Park landfill remains a classroom “Advanced Disposal's Emerald Park Landfill has achieved Corporate Lands for Learning re-certification for the next three years from the Wildlife Habitat Council. The re-certification recognizes the facility's commitment to innovative teaching and learning techniques as well as its conservation efforts. Emerald Park Landfill, W124 S10629 124th Street, Muskego, has an outdoor classroom where students and adults learn how the landfill is constructed and maintained to preserve the surrounding ecosystem.” (Muskego Now)