Rule makes history on process but protections from hazardous waste fall short

Not all recycling is as green as it may seem.

195 public interest organizations and individuals from 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, write to express united support for a final Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) rule that protects health, environment and livelihood from hazardous waste released from recycling operations.

A large coalition of environmental justice, public health and green organizations in a letter Thursday called on President Obama to fulfill a consent decree by finalizing a proposed rule that would strengthen safeguards governing billions of pounds of hazardous waste that were excluded from regulation in 2008. “The undersigned individuals and organizations … are committed to…

In a last-minute giveaway to polluters in 2008, the Bush administration passed the Definition of Solid Waste (“DSW”) rule, which stripped federal oversight of recyclers who handle 1.5 million tons of hazardous waste generated by steel, chemical, and pharmaceutical companies each year. With one of its last strokes of the pen, the Bush EPA excused…

Proposed rule reveals concern for protecting vulnerable communities while promoting safe recycling

This petition, filed on behalf of Sierra Club, asks the Obama administration to undo a last-minute rule change by the Bush administration that deregulated 1.5 million tons of hazardous waste.

Companies can burn dangerous waste without complying with hazardous waste laws