November 2008

Alberta Announces Construction Waste Recycling Program
In late October, an agreement reached between Alberta's Ministry of Environment and two industry associations will create the first construction waste stewardship program in Canada.

Palo Alto Becomes Latest Plastic Bag Battleground
During a public meeting (study session) last week, Palo Alto, California’s City Council gave tentative support for a ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and pharmacies, although it did not vote to implement the measure.

Public Hearings Underway In Massachusetts On Mercury Reg Amendments
Today the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) began a series of public hearings across the state on proposed amendments governing mercury-added products.

Chicago Launches Prescription Drug Take Back Program
On November 1, the Chicago Department of Environment and the Chicago Police Department jointly launched a drug take program for city residents.

Changes To New Jersey’s E-Waste Law Introduced
In late October, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora introduced Bill 3343, which would create a number of revisions to New Jersey’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act, specifically in regard to the recycling of televisions.

Violators Caught In New York Returnable Container Act Enforcement
In an effort to enforce the state’s Returnable Container Act (RCA), police with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently tried redeeming beverage bottles and cans at 652 retail outlets throughout the state. Violation notices were issued to 127 merchants that refused to accept authorized containers.

Electronics Recycling Certification Program To Add Accreditation
The day after the CBS TV show 60 Minutes aired a report on illegal exports of electronics waste from the United States to China, the Basel Action Network (BAN) announced that its voluntary e-Steward Certification program for recyclers would soon include an “ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) certification system with third-party auditing.”

Stewardship Ontario Addresses Phase II MHSW
Stewardship Ontario recently held a consultation on Phase II Municipal Hazardous Solid Waste during which the current generation and collection figures for several products was announced.

Metal Bills on the Move
A number of states have metal bills moving or newly introduced to combat metal theft.

Alberta Enacts Expanded Bottle Bill
Alberta recently became the first province in Canada to add milk containers to their deposit system.

Legislative Update
Bills Moved or Introduced October 20-27, 2008

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