Waste Reduction/Recycling / Public News Service

The population of Kane County, Illinois, is about 500,000. Reducing rotting food in landfills will help the county achieve its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 2019 levels by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Kane County uses $500,000 grant to reduce food waste

Kane County officials plan to launch four composting programs at large-scale facilities to reduce food waste, as part of meeting the county's climate …

President-elect Trump's pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is a fan of raw milk, which can contain dangerous pathogens and spread zoonotic diseases, like avian flu. (Adobe Stock)

Cabinet nominees push deregulation of America's food systems

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration…

Portsmouth became New Hampshire's first city to regulate single-use plastics in 2020 after state lawmakers failed to pass legislation aimed at curbing its usage. City properties have eliminated plastic bags and and distribute plastic straws only on request. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups call for vinyl chloride ban

Environmental groups are calling for a ban on vinyl chloride, one of more than 16,000 toxic chemicals used to manufacture plastic. The Environmental …

Maine has one of the oldest populations in the U.S., with more than 20% of residents over age 65. State officials said many could benefit from digital skills training made available through the state's Digital Equity Plan. (Adobe Stock)<br />

ME tackles rural ‘digital divide’ with tech grants, training

A new program aims to ensure rural Mainers can take full advantage of expanding high-speed internet service. Grant applications open this week for …

Plastic bottles blanket a landfill. (Aryfahmed/Adobe Stock)

Why the burgeoning plastics problem is more than a waste issue

By Shi En Kim for Sierra.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Se…

Researchers say microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size. (James Thew/Adobe Stock)

Tiny plastic pieces enter the body in ways you'd never think of

By Julieta Cardenas for Sentient.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

About 30% of agricultural methane emissions stem from manure storage. The other 70% comes from the digestive systems of livestock. (Adobe Stock)

CT, US take steps to mitigate methane emissions

By Seth Millstein for Sentient Climate.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Connecticut News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News …

Over 49,000 New Yorkers signed a petition demanding the city restore funding for the composting program after Mayor Eric Adams cut its funding in 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Composting keeps NYC environmentally friendly

By Doug Bierend for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public …

Many countries in the world have reusable bottle systems. (Alvaro/Adobe Stock)

Two Oregon companies forge sustainable path for beer, wine bottles

By Allison Frost for Oregon Public Broadcasting.Broadcast version by Isobel Charlé for Oregon News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism…

Food systems are responsible for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with meat production, particularly beef, being a significant driver. (CanYalicn/Adobe Stock)

From Ohio to Azerbaijan: How COP29 could shape local farming

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

Researchers have found that online shopping generates 4.8 times more packaging waste than in-store purchases, on average. (Adobe Stock)

Toy safety, environmental impacts cloud e-commerce holiday push

As Minnesotans click the "purchase" button when shopping online for the holidays, they're urged to consider two things: toys from overseas suppliers …

The Buffalo River Watershed Alliance was created to help preserve and protect the scenic beauty and pristine water quality of the Buffalo National River by opposing and preventing the construction and operation of industrial concentrated animal feeding operations within the Buffalo River watershed. (ODell Outside/Adobe Stock)

AR nonprofit works to protect Buffalo National River from contamination

Members of the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance are supporting two moratoriums on concentrated animal feeding operations to be voted on today by the A…

Four companies control 85% of the beef processed in the United States, according to data just released by the advocacy group Farm Action. Consolidation continues to grow in the agriculture industry. (Adobe Stock)

Montana's agriculture industry becomes more consolidated

Advocates for a fair, sustainable and healthy food system have released a report showing increasing consolidation in Montana's agriculture sector…

The Wisconsin State Division of Hearings and Appeals has the power to modify permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or require the agency to include stronger terms and conditions. (Adobe Stock)

Kewaunee County residents take legal action against dairy CAFO

Some northeast Wisconsin residents are challenging a wastewater permit issued by the state to a large dairy operation. The Wisconsin Department of …

This year, Michigan introduced new tools to boost voter confidence, such as a system for tracking absentee ballots that alerts voters to any issues that might affect acceptance.<br />(Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit pushes for ecofriendly legislation in MI

With Election Day near, the League of Conservation Voters is pushing for Michigan legislation to protect democracy, air, land and waterways across …

Three sinks show wastewater after it goes through each purification step at a water treatment plant in Orange County, Calif. (Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline)

Colorado water districts explore methods to recycle sewage water

Colorado is one of a handful of states to allow water utilities to purify sewage for use as tap water and cities like Castle Rock are preparing to mak…

The Gavin Coal Plant in Gallia County is responsible for emitting nearly 10 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, a level comparable to emissions from 3.1 million cars driving for an entire year. (Rosemarie Mosteller/Adobe Stock)

Gavin coal plant sale leaves Ohio communities in limbo

The sale of Ohio's Gavin coal-fired power plant is sparking uncertainty among residents and energy experts alike. The plant, which has been one of …

Water purification in Orange County's Groundwater Replenishment System involves three steps: microfiltration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation. (Adobe Stock)

CA facilities could turn sewage into tap water, but public acceptance lags

By Matt Vasilogambros and Kevin Hardy for Stateline.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Jour…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates more than one-third of food produced in the U.S. is never eaten, wasting the resources used to produce, process and distribute it. (Adobe Stock)<br />

ME tackles food waste in effort to mitigate climate change

A new study found Maine households are a leading contributor of food waste in local landfills, which in turn contributes to climate change. …

Restaurants and food businesses in the U.S. use nearly 1 trillion pieces of disposable plasticware and packaging annually, according to Upstream, a reuse advocacy organization. (Adobe Stock)

Takeout with a side of sustainability: MA restaurants avoid single-use plastic

By Meg Wilcox for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Commonwealth News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public N…

Environmental advocates say the growth of so-called 'fast fashion' is adding to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Buying just one white cotton shirt produces the same amount of emissions as driving 35 miles in a car, according to the climate action group, WRAP. (Adobe Stock)

Serving looks with books: Libraries fight ‘fast fashion’ by lending clothes

By Claire Elise Thompson for Grist.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection, reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana opened a recycling collection operation in 2023 after receiving a $565,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock)

Coushatta Tribe works to overcome obstacles to recycling program

By Taylar Dawn Stagner for Grist.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Louisiana News Connection, reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

About 530,000 tons of food and 45 million gallons of milk is wasted in U.S. school cafeterias each year, according to the World Wildlife Fund. It translates to roughly $1.7 billion worth of uneaten food. (Adobe Stock)

ME school cafeterias become classrooms in effort to reduce food waste

By Bridget Huber for the Food and Environment Reporting Network.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Solutions…

The Cleveland Cliffs Middletown Works project includes replacing an old blast furnace with two electric furnaces to produce iron with nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions. It is expected to create 170 permanent jobs, 1,200 temporary union construction jobs and sustain 2,500 existing jobs. (Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act boosts Ohio’s economy, environment

As the Inflation Reduction Act marks its second anniversary, Ohio communities are seeing changes spurred by investments in clean energy and …

More than 80 percent of Oklahoma's wastewater sludge ends up in crop fields, according to an analysis by Investigate Midwest. (Losonsky/Adobe Stock)

Concern grows over 'forever chemicals' in biosolid fertilizers

By Ben Felder for Investigate Midwest.Broadcast version by Will Walkey for Oklahoma News Service reporting for the Investigate Midwest-Public News Ser…

The industry group Illinois Pork Producers reported hog production and processing supports nearly 58,000 jobs in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Unsafe IL feed facilities harm workers, compromise public health

A new study shows more than 1 million tons of animal waste is produced every year in the U.S. Consumers' desire for more animal protein and better …

A Great Plains Institute study found health benefits valued at $63.8 million to $144 million from reducing harmful co-pollutants by installing carbon capture technologies in the Midwest region. (Ramon Cliff/Adobe Stock)

Carbon capture: Balancing industry, environment in Ohio

Ohio is becoming a focal point in the fight against climate change, thanks in part to its industrial might and a growing interest in carbon capture …

Concentrated animal feeding operations often house thousands of cattle at a single location. (Lukas Vincour/Zv�rata Nej�me/We Animals Media)

Report: CA factory farms perilously close to your produce

By Gabriella Sotelo for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collab…

$Most methane pollution comes from the drilling and processing of fossil fuels, and has been on the rise since the introduction of hydraulic fracturing technology. (Adobe Stock)$

Colorado, nation face public health, climate risks as methane pollution soars

Methane pollution is increasing at the fastest rate in decades, according to a new report, and that's making it harder to turn the tide on climate …

In March, a study by the EPA and others used aerial surveys to assess hundreds of U.S. landfills. The research revealed significant discrepancies between reported emissions and actual emissions.<br />(Punyawee/Adobe Stock)

MI leads nation in toxic methane emissions from landfills

The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating underreported methane emissions from landfills nationwide, and a recent report names Michigan as …

Multiple carbon capture projects have been proposed in recent years in Illinois. (Wolfgang Weiser/Adobe Stock)

Illinois creates guardrails for growing carbon capture industry

Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker has signed a bill to regulate new carbon capture, storage and pipeline projects. The technology involves capturing …

The Biden administration has released a Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan, describing how programs funded by the Farm Bill should adopt practices to improve manure management and substantially reduce methane emissions from livestock, which contribute to climate change. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Farm waste ups dangers of climate change-related weather events

As the Atlantic coast braces for what could be an active hurricane season, environmental groups are warning about the dangers of agricultural …

Radioactive contaminants can create harmful effects on public health, particularly for pregnant people, as well as for the environment. (Alexeiy/Adobe Stock)

Groups renew calls to address radioactive contamination in food, water

Some organizations are renewing calls to address radioactive contamination in U.S. food and drinking water. The issue has gained prevalence in the …

Researchers Anna O'Brien, left, and Ciana Lazu examine a sample of duckweed found at Mill Pond in Durham, New Hampshire. (UNH Marketing)

NH duckweed study aims to counter impacts of manure, farm runoff

University of New Hampshire scientists said a common aquatic plant called duckweed could help filter polluting runoff from dairy farms and so-called m…

Agriculture accounts for nearly 85% of Oregon's water use. (Deyan Georgiev/Adobe Stock)

Oregon seeks public comment on large-scale farming regulations

Oregonians have until July 22 to submit comments on the implementation of new environmental restrictions for the state's largest farms. When the …

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management says the state has a 50% recycling goal for municipal waste, and requires mandatory reporting of solid waste and recycling data to track progress. (Adobe Stock)

IN book offers recycling resources for event organizers

Summer in Indiana produces a variety of festivals, outdoor concerts, and athletic competitions. These attractions produce large crowds and hundreds …

Proposed water permit changes in Minnesota to limit harmful runoff from industrial farms would only cover about 1,000 of the state's 17,000 livestock feedlots. However, environmental groups said the affected farms generate about one-third of the manure spread on agricultural fields. (Adobe Stock)

MN regulators unveil tougher water permit requirements for CAFO's

Minnesota will soon hold public hearings on proposed water permit changes as it seeks to get control of nitrate pollution from industrial farms…

The United States sends nearly 80 billion pounds of food to municipal solid waste landfills annually. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Ohio State tackles household food waste

Ohio State University is spearheading a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded initiative to reduce food loss and waste in the United …

Animal welfare groups say food companies that rely on inhumane practices in their supply chain expose themselves to financial risks, with investors and shareholders showing increasing concern about these issues. (Adobe Stock)

Restaurant chains called into question for meat-production sources

Today is National Animal Rights Day, and some of the more popular restaurant chains in North Dakota are under fire for how the meats they use are …

Deconstruction, basically construction in reverse, is helping cities reduce materials ending up in local landfills. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado embraces deconstruction to keep materials out of landfills

By Syris Valentine for Grist.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News…

A Charlotte Earth Day event will provide children with an Earth Passport, which will help guide them through four

A focus on environmental protection, advocacy for NC Earth Day

April is Earth Month, and North Carolina's climate justice groups are addressing the crucial roles of air, land, water and health in protecting the …

If Minnesota adopts a plan that asks private companies to fund innovations in recycling and the collection of discarded materials, the state also would set a goal of all packaging being reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2032. (Adobe Stock)

MN plan would overhaul its recycling approach

Minnesota ranks high for its recycling rate, but it still has a waste problem, putting more pressure on local governments. A plan in the …

Summit Carbon Solutions had initially hoped to begin construction this year on its carbon dioxide pipeline project for several Midwestern states. However, most of the actions so far have centered around public hearings, legal arguments and regulatory setbacks. (Adobe Stock)

Dakotas among states still weighing controversial pipeline plan

New public hearings and legal decisions are expected in the coming weeks and months about a controversial pipeline project in the upper Midwest…

Controversial Midwest pipeline plan still in play

New public hearings and legal decisions are expected in the coming weeks and months about a controversial pipeline project in the upper Midwest…

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure the funding for the Western Michigan University project. (VectorMine/Adobe Stock)

WMU secures $2.25 million grant for carbon capture research

Western Michigan University has gotten a significant funding boost, with a grant of more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. The …

Smithfield Foods spilled more than 7.3 million gallons of hog waste throughout Missouri according to a public records search by The Socially Responsible Agriculture Project. (Alberto/Adobe Stock)

A California regulation with big Midwest consequences

Family farm advocates in Missouri are concerned a regulation on the other side of the country could have unintended effects on rural Missourians…

Fuel switching to hydrogen for high-temperature processes is a significant decarbonization lever and is applied to 60% of emissions after efficiency by 2050, according to a report from Strategen Consulting. (Antony Weerut/Adobe Stock)

Report: A roadmap for industrial decarbonization in PA

Pennsylvania is a major source of greenhouse gas pollution in the U.S. A new study has identified a path for its industries to reduce their …

Data from 2021 estimated only 3.5% of organic waste generated in Baltimore was diverted for composting. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates see composting as alternative to incineration of Baltimore’s food waste

The founder of the Baltimore Compost Collective wants Baltimore to ditch trash incineration, fight climate change and grow healthier food. Marvin …

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Waste Reduction

Kane County uses $500,000 grant to reduce food waste

Cabinet nominees push deregulation of America's food systems

Environmental groups call for vinyl chloride ban

ME tackles rural ‘digital divide’ with tech grants, training

Why the burgeoning plastics problem is more than a waste issue

Tiny plastic pieces enter the body in ways you'd never think of

CT, US take steps to mitigate methane emissions

Composting keeps NYC environmentally friendly

Two Oregon companies forge sustainable path for beer, wine bottles

From Ohio to Azerbaijan: How COP29 could shape local farming

Toy safety, environmental impacts cloud e-commerce holiday push

AR nonprofit works to protect Buffalo National River from contamination

Montana's agriculture industry becomes more consolidated

Kewaunee County residents take legal action against dairy CAFO

Nonprofit pushes for ecofriendly legislation in MI

Colorado water districts explore methods to recycle sewage water

Gavin coal plant sale leaves Ohio communities in limbo

CA facilities could turn sewage into tap water, but public acceptance lags

ME tackles food waste in effort to mitigate climate change

Takeout with a side of sustainability: MA restaurants avoid single-use plastic

Serving looks with books: Libraries fight ‘fast fashion’ by lending clothes

Coushatta Tribe works to overcome obstacles to recycling program

ME school cafeterias become classrooms in effort to reduce food waste

Inflation Reduction Act boosts Ohio’s economy, environment

Concern grows over 'forever chemicals' in biosolid fertilizers

Unsafe IL feed facilities harm workers, compromise public health

Carbon capture: Balancing industry, environment in Ohio

Report: CA factory farms perilously close to your produce

Colorado, nation face public health, climate risks as methane pollution soars

MI leads nation in toxic methane emissions from landfills

Illinois creates guardrails for growing carbon capture industry

Farm waste ups dangers of climate change-related weather events

Groups renew calls to address radioactive contamination in food, water

NH duckweed study aims to counter impacts of manure, farm runoff

Oregon seeks public comment on large-scale farming regulations

IN book offers recycling resources for event organizers

MN regulators unveil tougher water permit requirements for CAFO's

Ohio State tackles household food waste

Restaurant chains called into question for meat-production sources

Colorado embraces deconstruction to keep materials out of landfills

A focus on environmental protection, advocacy for NC Earth Day

MN plan would overhaul its recycling approach

Dakotas among states still weighing controversial pipeline plan

Controversial Midwest pipeline plan still in play

WMU secures $2.25 million grant for carbon capture research

A California regulation with big Midwest consequences

Report: A roadmap for industrial decarbonization in PA

Advocates see composting as alternative to incineration of Baltimore’s food waste