​On May 4, 2017, Governor Larry Hogan signed House Bill 171 ("bill") entitled Yard Waste, Food Residuals, and Other Organic Materials Diversion and Infrastructure – Study, Chapter 384, Acts of 2017.  The bill became effective July 1, 2017 and required the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to study, review, explore, identify, and make recommendations regarding specified matters related to the diversion of yard waste, food residuals, and other organic materials from refuse disposal facilities; and to evaluate the status of infrastructure in the State.

Deadline is September 4, 2019.

Projects awarded through the removal grant competition will create long-term, quantifiable ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources, with priority consideration for efforts targeting derelict fishing gear and other medium- and large-scale debris. Projects will also foster public awareness of the effects of marine debris to further the conservation of living marine resource habitats, and contribute to the understanding of marine debris composition, distribution, and impacts.

The LOI submission period for removal projects will extend from July 15 to September 4, 2019. Applicants who submit successful LOIs will be invited to submit a full proposal following the LOI review period.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the launch of the Green Interns Program where recent college graduates interested in environmental issues can service their county while gaining valuable work experience. Participants will receive training, mentoring and full benefits with a potential path to full employment within the federal government.

Do you know someone that is an expert leader in the solid waste industry? Or a recycling program that knocks it out of the park? The National Recycling Coalition has announced its “Call for Nominations” for the 2019 Awards! The awards will be presented at the Resource Recycling Conference August 26-28, 2019 in New Orleans. 

All you need to do is write TWO word documents – a summary of 150 words and 1000 words or less on how the nominee meets the criteria (self-nominations allowed). Submit your nomination by clicking here.  

Over 150 solid waste management and recycling professionals convened on Tuesday, June 11 at the BWI Marriott in Linthicum Heights, MD to learn about and discuss the hottest topics in the industry including the effect of a changing climate on waste management and recycling plans and models, commodities markets, customer service, new technologies and more.

Twenty-four exhibitors also displayed a wide variety of products and services from software to hardware, equipment to consulting and everything in between. Together with the numerous networking opportunities, conference attendees walked away with several bins of new tools and ideas they can put to work.