Environmentalists Everyday » Climate Change

NSWMA releases updated greenhouse gas fact sheet

Thom Metzger — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:07:41 +0000

NSWMA releases updated greenhouse gas fact sheet. Download a copy of this factsheet.

Press Release: NSWMA Comments on Biogenic Sources of Greenhouse Gases

Thom Metzger — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:19:00 +0000

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) recently submitted comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on how greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from biogenic sources should be treated under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule (generally referred to as the “Tailoring Rule”). NSWMA argued that the GHG produced from biomass should not be regulated in the same manner as anthropogenic GHG (i.e., fossil fuel use) under the Tailoring Rule. Read full release here.

Press Release: NSWMA Comments on Proposed EPA and OSHA Rules

Thom Metzger — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:25:48 +0000

Institutes of the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) recently submitted comments regarding proposed rules by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). NSWMA’s Landfill Institute offered comments on EPA’s proposed rule regarding amendments to the mandatory reporting of greenhouse gases, and NSWMA’s Healthcare Waste Institute recently submitted comments regarding OSHA’s blood-borne pathogens standard. Read full release here.

On Earth Day, Solid Waste Companies Pledge Support for Zero Waste

Thom Metzger — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:11:32 +0000

NSWMA published a new position paper today on “zero waste.”

In it, we state, “We see America transitioning slowly but surely to a zero waste society. This does not mean that no waste will be produced in the future. Instead, it means that the amount going to disposal will continue to progressively decline. We support this transition. The objective of zero waste is to reduce the waste stream to the point at which no commercially achievable economic value exists for the remaining residue of the waste reduction process. Experienced, knowledgeable environmental services companies with proven and permitted collection, processing and disposal activities will lead the way in this transformation ”

See news about this release here.

Newsweek Ranks Greenest Big Companies in America

Thom Metzger — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:52:46 +0000

In its September 28 issue, Newsweek ranked the Greenest Big Companies in America. For more than a year, the magazine worked with leading environmental researchers KLD Research & Analytics, Trucost, and CorporateRegister.com to rank the 500 largest U.S. companies based on the actual environmental performance, policies and reputation. A number of EIA members companies are on this list: Caterpillar was ranked 73. Cummins was ranked 91. Waste Management was ranked 109. Deere was ranked 141. PPG Industries was ranked 335. And Navistar International was ranked 424.

NSWMA’s Parker quoted in Governing Magazine

Thom Metzger — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:52:57 +0000

In an article titled, “Methane from Landfills Localities are finding new ways to use a potent greenhouse gas,” Governing Magazine’s September issue quotes NSWMA’s President and CEO Bruce Parker. “Methane can be used for multiple purposes,” says Bruce J. Parker, president and CEO of the National Solid Wastes Management Association. What’s more, Parker says, it’s reliable. “Unlike sun and solar power, you have continuous access. A landfill is taking gas out 24/7.”

Republic Services has published a new sustainability report

Thom Metzger — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:24:12 +0000

Republic Services has published a new sustainability report. “The sustainability report was an opportunity to identify and discuss what we already do to protect the environment and to set a course to do more,” CEO James E. O’Connor said. “Being green is not just a philosophy at Republic. We’ve been doing it for years.” The report is available at www.republicservices.com/sustainability.

Concern over Proposed EPA Updates to Landfill Emission Factors

Thom Metzger — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:53:52 +0000

On May 5, NSWMA joined the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) in submitting comments on the EPA’s proposed revisions to AP-42, Fifth Edition, Volume I, Chapter 2.4 Municipal Solid Waste Landfills and the Background Information Document for Updating AP-42 Section 2.4 for Estimating Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills. These emission standards are very important to the landfill industry because they affect federal, state and local air quality permits. NSWMA and SWANA expressed concern on the following issues:

- The rejection of non-methane organic compounds concentration data from NSPS/EG Tier 2 studies using the geoprobe method; and
- The rejection of data submitted in 2000 and 2001 and the failure of EPA to advise of the rejection until 2009.

The two associations hope that through the further review of new data submitted by their members and a thorough review of current published technical literature, EPA can revise the draft AP-42 and background information document accordingly.

Interview on Big Think website

Thom Metzger — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:42:56 +0000

NSWMA’s Bruce Parker was interviewed by Zach Shtogren Big Think’s senior editor. It is an interesting exchange about environmental issues related to the solid waste industry.

EIA Womens Council Announces Lunch and Learn Event

Thom Metzger — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:28:29 +0000

The EIA Women’s Council has scheduled its first 2009 education program for April 9. This lunch and learn webinar/teleconference (offered at no cost for NSWMA and WASTEC members) will examine the developing standards in accounting for greenhouse gas emissions and illustrate how they apply to the solid waste industry. Topics that will be presented include the types of reports, determining what needs to be reported, the reporting process, methods for quantifying GHG emissions, and a sample of some of the sector-specific reporting requirements for solid waste operations.