Chemical Recycling Bills Gain Momentum and Opposition in States
States facing a mounting volume of plastic are turning to a recycling method that uses heat and chemicals to break down materials, even as critics say the process could do more harm than good to the environment.
Amazon, E-Commerce Companies Targeted in California Plastic Bill
Bubble wrap, air pillows, styrofoam peanuts, and other single-use plastics placed in e-commerce packages would have to be reduced throughout California under a bill pending in the legislature.
FDA Seeks Information on Potential PFAS-Contaminated Containers
Information on certain plastic food storage containers that may transfer PFAS onto food is being sought by the Food and Drug Administration through a request for information issued Tuesday.
Lawmakers Warn EPA of Several Risks From Chemical Recycling
More than 30 House and Senate members told the EPA on Thursday they have concerns over chemical recycling technology contributing to the climate crisis. Chemical recycling, sometimes called advanced recycling, includes a suite of technologies that use non-mechanical processes to break down plastics.
Louisiana Fertilizer Maker to Spend $84 Million on Cleanup
A former fertilizer manufacturing facility in Louisiana will need to treat more than one billion pounds of hazardous waste in the next several years under an agreement that federal and state officials announced Thursday.
Federal Purchases of Single-Use Plastics Targeted by Biden’s GSA
The General Services Administration is targeting the federal purchases of single-use plastics and packaging, the agency proposed Thursday in an action that environmentalists called an encouraging step.
Newsom Signs Bill Aiming to Cut California’s Plastic Pollution
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to tackle the state’s plastic pollution issues following passage of the measure with broad support earlier this week. The legislation, SB 54, requires producers to reduce single-use plastics packaging by at least 25%, by both weight and height, by 2032.
Plastic Reduction, Responsibility Bill Passed in California
The bill passed hours before a deadline to serve as an alternative to a ballot initiative in the November general election. Introduced in 2019 by lead author Sen. Ben Allen (D), it passed in the Senate 29-0 Thursday, following a 67-2 vote in the state Assembly on Wednesday.
Plastic Pollution Bill in California Amended, Clears Committee
A California bill that tackles the plastic pollution crisis at the source by requiring a reduction in single-use plastics was advanced by the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on Tuesday after its author added environmental justice provisions.
Chesapeake Bay Group Cites Pollution Data Concerns
The current pace of reducing agricultural pollution in the Chesapeake Bay is off track, an advocacy group said Wednesday. As part of the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, the bay’s jurisdictions are committed to implementing practices and programs that will lead to restored water quality in local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay by 2025.
New York Approves $300 Million Battery Energy Storage Facility
A battery-based energy storage facility in New York City was approved Tuesday for construction and operation by the New York State Public Service Commission. The $300 million Luyster Creek Energy Storage facility in Astoria, Queens, will have capacity up to 135 megawatts and is expected to be operational by 2024.
Democrats Praise Biden’s Ocean Climate Plan, But Voice Concern
Democrats on a House climate panel praised Biden administration officials at a hearing Thursday for hitting the ground running on ocean climate action, but expressed worry about deepening issues of climate change.
Career Meteorologist Named National Weather Service Director
Kenneth Graham, who has led the nation through hurricanes since 2018, was named director of the National Weather Service on Tuesday, effective immediately. The former director of the National Hurricane Center will be responsible for day-to-day civilian weather operations for the weather service, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Global Plastic Waste Set to Triple by 2060, OECD Says
Global plastic waste production is projected to triple by 2060 due to economic and population growth, the OECD reported Friday. The global community is far from achieving its long-term objective of ending plastic pollution unless significantly strict and coordinated policies are implemented rapidly.
Pesticide Label Safeguards Sought For Workers, Rare Species
Pesticide labels should include warnings in Spanish to help protect farmworkers who don’t read English, the Center for Biological Diversity said in a petition for rulemaking to the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs.