Podcast - Hot Topics in Nuclear Waste
On July 1, 2025, Oregon’s Plastic Pollution & Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) will significantly change the state’s recycling system. The RMA places responsibility on “producers” to fund and manage the recycling process for...more
In the latest edition of the PFAS Primer Quarterly Update, our roundup of regulatory, litigation, and scientific actions involving PFAS, states exempt PFAS products – except the states that don’t, defendants can remove PFAS...more
Three individuals (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) filed on April 18th a class action Complaint (“Complaint”) against Eco-Vista, LLC (“Eco-Vista”), in the Circuit Court of Washington County, Arkansas. See 72CV-25-1748....more
Sustainability in México - Environmental General Counsel (“EGC”) continues its Global Sustainability Series with a focus on Mexico. EGC Founder and Principal Catherine W. Johnson recently interviewed Luigi Pontones Brito,...more
California recycling claims restrictions - On April 4, 2025, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) published its Final Findings of the SB 343 Material Characterization Study. The report...more
The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (“ASTSWMO”) submitted testimony to the United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Other Related Agencies. The...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. (“OB”) entered into an April 8th Consent Agreement (“CA”) addressing alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and...more
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (“ADEM”) and TCI of Alabama, LLC (“TCI”) entered into a Consent Order (“CO”) to address alleged violations of the Alabama Hazardous Waste regulations. See Consent Order No....more
H.B. 177 has been submitted into the 2025 General Session of the Utah Legislature addressing recycling of glass....more
House Bill 381 was introduced on March 4th into the Alabama legislature which would provide certain incentives for utilization of recyclable materials. ...more
Chemical recycling of plastic is at a turning point in Europe, with several large projects poised to start but still facing regulatory and market challenges. As highlighted in the study recently published by consultants...more
A recent lawsuit against Synagro Technologies, Inc. raises important questions about the role of biosolids in PFAS contamination and the legal responsibilities of manufacturers. The case, Farmer v. Synagro Tech., Inc., No....more
After 15 years without significant revisions, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is proposing an overhaul of its recycling rules. The proposed regulations, which ADEM released for public notice and...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery issued a January 17th memorandum titled: Response to Region 1 Request Regarding PCB Bulk Product Waste Storage...more
In what should be welcome news to industry and others who generate hazardous waste in California (including contaminated soil), the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the Department of Toxic Substances...more
Affected landowners may be able to avail themselves of certain protections under state and federal environmental laws. In the aftermath of the wildfires in the Los Angeles area in January 2025, a cleanup effort is...more
In its recent decision in San Francisco v. EPA, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Ninth Circuit interpretation of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), the second case in just two years where the Court has disagreed with the EPA’s...more
For the past four years, multiple states have worked to pass laws (called Extended Producer Responsibility laws, or “EPR”) that reallocate the burden of dealing with end-product waste (and related recycling efforts) to the...more
March includes a major deadline for companies obligated under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging and paper. By March 31, 2025, Oregon’s program requires that “producers” under the law must register with...more
Waste treatment, recycling and take back obligations in relation to electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and waste of such electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) have long been a focus area for EU regulators, and now...more
Senate Bill 726 has been introduced into the 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly which would address municipal solid waste landfills. The Bill would require the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill to...more
The food and beverage industry is in the midst of a dynamic and challenging time, marked by more regulatory scrutiny, evolving consumer awareness, and unrelenting litigation. Three key trends could potentially drive...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has extended the public comment period for the Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) (“Draft...more
Our Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources and Food & Beverage Groups examine the growing industry compliance impact of states’ extended producer employer production responsibility (EPR) laws....more
In a previous post, I mentioned that contracts between public entities and private waste management companies usually contain compliance and regulation clauses. Such a clause requires a waste management company to comply...more