Environmentalists Everyday » Legal Issues

Factsheet: New Illinois eWaste Recycling Law

Thom Metzger — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:12:36 +0000

The Illinois Chapter of NSWMA developed a factsheet that NSWMA members may share with their customers. The factsheet explains the new Illinois law (Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act) that goes into effect on January 1, 2012. Download the factsheet here.

NSWMA Files Suit Against the City of Dallas Over Flow Control Ordinance

Thom Metzger — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:26:56 +0000

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA), certain members and non-members filed suit against the City of Dallas today in U.S. District Court to stop implementation of flow control. Read release providing details about filing here.

Connecticut Chapter Launched New Website

Thom Metzger — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:51:17 +0000

NSWMA’s Connecticut Chapter launched new website (www.CTrecyclingandtrashfacts.com) today, containing lots of information about new waste and recycling rules and reporting requirements in the state. Visit the new site here.

Press Release: NSWMA Files Amicus Brief in Support of Open Borders

Thom Metzger — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:21:49 +0000

NSWMA in early September filed an amicus brief in the Court of Appeal for the State of California supporting Potrero Hills Landfill and Solano County in their legal battle over Solano County’s Measure E. Several organizations, including the Sierra Club, filed lawsuits seeking enforcement of Measure E in 2009 as part of their strategy to block the expansion of the Potrero Hills Landfill. Believing the Measure is unconstitutional, Solano County has not enforced the measure for at least 19 years. This continues NSWMA’s long history of fighting similar laws. For decades, NSWMA has opposed and successfully challenged such laws in counties and localities throughout the country. Read full release here.

Press Release: Federal Court Strikes County Flow Control Law as Unconstitutional

Thom Metzger — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:30:00 +0000

The United States District Court in Syracuse, New York struck down Oswego County’s Flow Control Law earlier this week as unconstitutionally vague. This decision means a transfer station in the county will no longer be subject to the county’s waste disposal monopoly, and will help a small private company stay in business. Read the full release here.

NSWMA Joins Coalition of Groups in Commenting on STB Rules

Thom Metzger — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:27:41 +0000

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) joined a number of other parties in recently submitting comments to the United States Surface Transportation Board (STB) expressing support for proposed rules, intended to implement the provisions of the Clean Railroads Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-432, 122 State. 4848 ["CRA"]).

Greenhouse Gas Reporting Delay

Thom Metzger — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:49:37 +0000

The U.S. EPA announced an extension for the reporting requirement deadline associated with its new Greenhouse Gas (GHG) data reporting program. EPA says that it is extending the deadline — originally March 31 — and plans to have the final uploading tool available this summer, with the data scheduled to be published later this year. EPA says it will provide more detail in coming weeks.

Minnesota Chapter of NSWMA Participates in Maplewood, MN meeting

Thom Metzger — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:18:56 +0000

Here’s YouTube video from a presentation show Doug Carnival, representing the Minnesota Chapter of NSWMA, at a community meeting in the City of Maplewood commenting on the chapter opposition to organized collection.

NSWMA Comments on Proposed EPA Rules

Thom Metzger — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 08:17:09 +0000

NSWMA has filed comments regarding proposed rules by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) on the Identification of Additional Classes of Facilities for Development of Financial Responsibility Requirements Under CERCLA Section 108(b) (75 FR 816). NSWMA’s comments argue that currently operated hazardous waste and municipal solid waste facilities should not be required to obtain financial responsibility under CERCLA (the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act), because they do not share anything in common with past practices and are already covered by financial assurance program that are working under RCRA (the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act).

Get the full news release here.

U.S. DOT publishes anti-texting ban in Federal Register

Thom Metzger — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:07:09 +0000

Effective January 27, 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented a texting ban for drivers of commercial motor vehicles subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. NSWMA expressed support for the DOT announcement prohibiting texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The prohibition is the latest in a series of actions taken by DOT to address distracted driving since it convened a national summit on the issue last year. NSWMA was one of the first associations to advocate for a national ban on texting while driving. NSWMA has publicly supported legislation introduced by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) to ban texting while driving. NSWMA participated in the DOT’s September 2009 Distracted Driving Summit. Many NSWMA members already prohibit texting or cell phone use while driving company vehicles.