Waste Reduction/Recycling / Public News Service

According to the Tennessee Environmental Council, recycling keeps valuable materials in the economy rather than in local landfills. It estimates Tennesseeans throw away $180 million worth of recyclable materials every year. (Sorapop/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

TN Bill Would Revamp Recycling Process Statewide

A bill in the Tennessee Legislature aims to reduce packaging materials that end up in landfills by improving recycling in the Volunteer State…

Many Washingtonians have seen their recycling costs increase in the past few years. (hiv360/Adobe Stock)

WA Bill Introduced to 'WRAP' Up Wasteful Packaging

A bill in Olympia aims to reduce packaging and improve recycling in Washington state. The Washington Recycling and Packaging or WRAP Act is designed …

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, deforestation makes up 12 to 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. (Adobe Stock)

New Company Helps Cities with Reforestation

By Sakshi Udavant for Next City.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

As part of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, Dominion Energy must generate all electricity from carbon free sources by 2045. (Adobe Stock)

Sierra Club VA Chapter: Lots More Work to Do in 2023

The Sierra Club's Virginia Chapter said it has spent the past year working toward climate solutions to benefit everyone in the state, and the work is …

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, manure-based anaerobic digestion generated the equivalent of 1.76 million megawatt hours of electricity in 2021. During the same year, it also helped avoid 6.09 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in greenhouse gases. (Adobe Stock)

New Product Turns Food Waste Into Renewable Energy

By Larin Brink for Royal Examiner.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

According to Consumer Reports, crowded windowless

Study Points to Poultry Litter as Source of NE Water Pollution

A new study is focused on concerns for Nebraska waterways. The three-year, independently funded research identifies rising levels of phosphorus and …

The U.S. oil and gas industry emits 16 million metric tons of methane annually, which has the same near-term climate impact as 350 coal-fired power plants. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Methane Waste Rules Welcomed to Improve Public Health

Public-health advocates are welcoming a new proposal to reduce harmful air pollution by limiting methane waste at oil and gas facilities. Sabrina …

A study found less than a tenth of plastic waste has been recycled. (Richard Carey/Adobe Stock)

Effort Aims to Move WA Away from Plastics Pollution

Plastic waste is a growing problem across the globe, and it is not just an issue for landfills. Policymakers in Washington state are aiming to find …

Officials in Scottsdale, Arizona say for every square foot of grass removed and replaced with native desert plants, the city saves 57 gallons of water. (Katy/Adobe Stock)

Utah to Offer Cash for Replacing Lush Lawns with Desert-Tolerant Landscapes

Starting this week, the state is taking applications for a program to pay up to $1 dollar a square foot of turf to replace water-guzzling grass with …

Nebraska is home to many industrial-scale operations, where livestock live in densely populated, confined quarters. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Nebraskans Urge Better State Management of Factory Farm Animal Waste

Clean-water advocates are urging the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to do more to protect drinking water and soil quality impacted by i…

Black, Hispanic and Native American people are up to two times more likely than white people to suffer from chronic disease, according to the health publication WebMD. (Myrriah G�mez/news.unm.edu)

Environmental Advocates: Empowerment Doesn't End With Juneteenth

Juneteenth celebrations this month commemorated freedom, but Black and Brown people are still disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices …

A bill to phase out plastic packaging has passed several committees and is expected to go to the full California State Assembly for a vote by Friday. (Oceana)

Vote Expected This Week on CA Bill to Phase Out Plastic Mail Packaging

The California State Assembly is expected to vote this week on a bill that would phase out some of the plastics used in online shipping because they …

Companies like Vestas have established a goal of zero-waste wind turbines by the year 2040. (Adobe Stock)

You Can Recycle a Plastic Bottle. What About Wind-Turbine Blades?

This Earth Day, Americans will be reminded of the need to take steps to protect the environment. Wind turbines are a leading clean-energy source…

A litter trap has been installed in the Lockridge Drive Tributary. In 2021, Anacostia Riverkeeper and volunteers collected 12,440 pounds of trash from the shoreline and neighboring tributaries. (Courtesy Chesapeake Bay Trust)

Montgomery County Installs 'Litter Trap' to Keep Trash Out of Waterways

Montgomery County has installed its first-ever "litter trap," which will capture trash and debris and prevent it from flowing downstream into the Anac…

More than 11,600 Adopt-a-Highway and Keep Texas Beautiful volunteers collected 1.29 million pounds of litter during the 2021

The Month of April Means "Don't mess with Texas"

The month of April has special meaning for Texans. It's when many groups - like Adopt-a-Highway and Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates - participate in …

Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources encourages visitors to

PA Parks Make Switch to Paper, Compostables at Concession Stands

Pennsylvania state parks are making a move to go plastic-free and reduce waste, starting with their concession stands, to help meet the …

In a recent survey of 500 Pennsylvanians, 76% said they believe litter reduces property values, increases taxes with cleanup costs, and is an environmental issue. (Adobe Stock)

November Cleanup Campaign Targets Trash in PA Waterways

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania has seen a lot more litter generated during the pandemic, and environmental advocates have launched a cleanup campaign …

Of the Massachusetts users who consulted the website 'iFixit.com' last year, 23% of searches were for cellphone repair guides, and 17% were for laptops. (NorGal/Adobe Stock)

Report: People Face Barriers to Repairing Their Own Electronic Devices

ROSLINDALE, Mass. - A new report finds Massachusetts residents would rather repair electronic devices than send them to landfills, but manufacturers …

A bill in Congress aims to reduce microplastics in the ocean by incentivizing companies to produce more sustainable products and packaging. (Ignacio/Adobe stock)

Groups Promote Bill to Reduce Plastic Pollution

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Conservation groups are calling for passage of a bill to phase out single-use plastics. The Break Free From Plastic Pollution …

Water bottles and other plastic pollution along Lake Michigan can break down into tiny particles that hurt wildlife. (daveynin/Flickr)

Seven Great Lakes Communities Collaborate on Cleanup Effort

LANSING, Mich. -- Some Michiganders are part of a multi-state effort this week to clean up and protect the Great Lakes. The volunteer campaign …

According to the Connecticut River Conservancy, beverage cans and bottles are the top trash items found in the Connecticut River. A new bottle-return bill hopes to change that, by incentivizing people to redeem more bottles. (Adobe Stock)

On Earth Day, CT Environmentalists Rally to Modernize Bottle-Deposit Bill

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A coalition of Connecticut groups and lawmakers in support of new state bottle-deposit legislation are rallying in honor of Earth …

Just 9% of plastics ever created have been recycled. (AdobeStock)

An Earth Day Look at Plastic Pollution in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With Ohioans around the state taking part in Earth Day cleanup events, conservationists said there's no better time to discuss the …

Baltimore to Double Harbor Cleanup with Fourth Trash Wheel

BALTIMORE -- Groups working to clean up the Baltimore Harbor are expediting their efforts by installing a fourth Trash Wheel next month. Dubbed …

This map shows the part of the Inglewood oil field that lies within Culver City, close to several neighborhoods. (Baker & O'Brien, Inc.)

As CA Considers Fracking Ban, Culver City is One Step Ahead

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- State lawmakers proposed a bill, Senate Bill 467, to ban fracking last week, but one city, Culver City, has already taken a …

When China stopped taking certain recycled imports from Oregon, the state decided to rethink its recycling system. (Rick Obst/Flickr)

OR Bill Would Update State's Recycling System

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon lawmakers are considering legislation to clean up the state's recycling system. House Bill 2065 would require more …

Unlike prior years, the 2021 environmental summit will he held online. (Connecticut League of Conservation Voters)

21st Annual Environmental Summit Starts Today, Goes Virtual

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Legislators, advocates and experts are gathering today, virtually, to brainstorm solutions for the myriad threats facing …

People could reduce their carbon footprint by keeping their cell phones longer, rather than replacing them regularly with the

A Guide to Make Used Electronic Gifts Like New

PORTLAND, Ore. -- For holiday gift-seekers this season, one consumer group contends what's old can be new again. The Oregon State Public Interest …

A new poll finds fewer than four in 10 Caucasian adults are aware that both Latino and Black communities face more pollution than does the general population. (Adobe stock)

Poll: Many Caucasians Unaware of Unequal Burden of Pollution

RICHMOND, Va. -- While high pollution often is found in Black and Brown communities, a new poll shows many white Americans aren't aware of this gap…

Allowing leaves to decompose naturally produces leaf mold, which improves soil structure and water retention. (maxbelchenko/Adobe Stock)

For a Better Garden, Leave the Leaves

ALBANY, N.Y. - Conservation groups say one task most homeowners can take off their autumn to-do list is getting rid of all those leaves. Autumn …

An estimated $4 million in tax dollars are spent annually to clean up litter alongside Ohio's highways. (AdobeStock)

Groups: COVID No Reason to Ax Plastic-Bag Bans

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Opponents of a bill that would thwart local plastic-bag bans are making an eleventh-hour plea to Gov. Mike DeWine to veto the …

Ten of the 112 wastewater facilities in Idaho accounted for nearly half of all discharge violations. (MarekPhotoDesign.com/Adobe Stock)

Something Smells: ID Wastewater Treatment Violations Widespread

BOISE, Idaho - Wastewater facilities in Idaho are flush with pollution violations. The Idaho Conservation League's fourth annual wastewater …

New guidelines for mining projects would allocate a portion of revenues generated from mineral development on public lands to offset expenses for mitigation and abandoned-mine reclamation.(Pixabay)

Sourcing Critical Minerals Without Harming Fish and Wildlife

DENVER -- Colorado's Mineral Belt in the central and southwestern parts of the state is rich in deposits of so-called critical minerals, the kind …

The Connecticut River is one of many across the country polluted by companies that have sought environmental waivers during the pandemic. (idenimadept/Wikimedia Commons)

Groups Sue EPA Over Suspending Pollution Rules During Pandemic

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Conservation groups are asking a federal judge to make the Environmental Protection Agency enforce pollution controls. They're …

Tons of crushed concrete will be deposited in the Lynnhaven River near Virginia Beach to restore oyster reefs. (Wikimedia Commons)

VA Restoration Project Creates Oyster Reefs from Tons of Concrete

Correction: 08/03/2020 12:38 p.m. CST - Army Corps of Engineers received $10 million in federal funding, not Lynnhaven River NOW. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va…

Food pantries have had to figure out new ways to acquire and store food as donations from grocery stores have gone down but excess produce meant for restaurants has increased. (Share our Selves)

New Report Highlights Concerns Over Food Waste During Crisis

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Even before the pandemic, Americans wasted about 40% of the food we produced - $218 billion worth each year. Now a report from the …

Researchers estimate about 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Plastic Pollution Predicted to Proliferate Amid Pandemic

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As millions of people pledge to go plastic-free this month as part of the Sierra Club's "Plastic-Free July" campaign, the …

Food production makes up 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, but Americans throw away as much as 40% of edible food. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

New Uses for Food Waste Include Possible Benefits for Environment

PORTLAND, Ore. - Edible food is wasted on a massive scale in the United States, but there are signs that it could be coming back to Americans' plates…

The only waste disposal site permitted for radioactive material in Montana is in the eastern part of the state, near Glendive. (Northern Plains Resource Council)

MT Lawmakers Pause Radioactive Waste Limits, Draw Public Ire

HELENA, Mont. - Lawmakers could sideline Montana's radioactive waste disposal rules from oil and gas industries next week, despite public opposition…

A polar bear sculpture made of trash that's washed up on Oregon beaches is on display at the Oregon Zoo in Portland. (washedashore.org)

The Art of Trash: Ocean Plastics Animal Sculptures Dive Into Waste Issue

BANDON, Ore. -- Researchers estimate 19 billion pounds of plastic get into the ocean each year. What washes back to shore could be trash -- or art…

The federal government has extended assistance through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, meant to help families with high winter energy bills, through August. (USAF)

Coloradans Face Rising Utility Bills During Coronavirus Emergency

DENVER -- Since the coronavirus pandemic forced much of the U.S. economy into a medically induced coma, 30 million Americans have filed for …

The 50th anniversary of Earth Day arrives amid stay-at-home orders, which could make it the perfect time for a backyard compost bin project. (Antranias/Pixabay)

It's 'Virtual' Earth Day: 50th Anniversary Arrives Despite COVID-19

RENO, Nev. -- Today marks the first time Earth Day has been celebrated virtually, and with many people still on "stay-at-home" orders, some …

At least 471 U.S. cities have adopted some form of plastic bag ordinance. (pcullum/Morguefile)

Plastic Bag Fees in MN Cities Underscore National Movement

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minneapolis and Duluth recently entered the fray of U.S. cities either imposing plastic bag fees, or adopting outright bans…

Americans throw away 25% more trash during the holiday season, which amounts to 25 million more tons of garbage that end up in landfills, according to research by Stanford University. (Adobe Stock) <br />

This Black Friday, Consider Recycling Options for Paper, Plastic Waste

RALEIGH, N.C. - If you're unsure what to do with paper and plastic waste from holiday purchases, environmental advocates warn that North Carolina is …

The Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition is planning to revamp a deserted coal mine in Morgantown, W. Va., into a composting facility. (Adobe Stock)

Alliance Aims to Transform Deserted Coal Mines into Viable Businesses

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – A coalition of development groups in central Appalachia aims to give new life to abandoned coal mines in the region by …

Texas students are getting hands on, high-tech experience growing fresh produce inside converted shipping containers. (Freight Farms)

Texas Schools Tap Container Farms to Fill Cafeterias with Fresh Produce

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Texas schools are using refrigerated freight containers converted into hydroponic farms as an extension of the classroom…

Because of concerns for their water sources, residents of Glendive, Mont. are pushing DEQ to make rules about radioactive oil waste. (Tony Webster/Flickr)

MT DEQ Proposes Quadrupling Radioactive Waste Disposal Limit

GLENDIVE, Mont. – The latest proposed rules for disposing of radioactive oil waste in Montana have some residents concerned. The state …

Much of the trash in New Hampshire's landfills comes from out-of-state sources. (New Hampshire State Parks)

Dalton Residents Seek New Zoning Laws to Keep Landfill Out

DALTON, N.H. – Residents of a small North Country town are organizing against a proposed landfill near their beloved Forest Lake. Vermont-…

One study estimates that 100 million pieces of plastic, including single-use bags, pollute Lake Erie. (Indi Samarajiva/Flickr)

State Lawmakers Seek to "Ban the Plastic-Bag Bans" in Ohio

By Nick Pedone/Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman Reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration To help protect the env…

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