Asphalt Pro Magazine’s Post

In the vast natural beauty of Montana’s landscape, landfills play a crucial role in waste management by facilitating the safe and efficient disposal of waste materials while minimizing environmental impact. However, with this responsibility also comes the potential for environmental harm. Determining liability for pollution emanating from landfills is a complex issue, often entwined with legal, regulatory, and environmental considerations. At Western Justice Associates, PLLC, we know that understanding when a Montana landfill can be held liable for pollution requires navigating through a maze of local and federal laws and regulations. In this blog post, we’ll examine the key factors holding landfill owners accountable for environmental pollution and shed some light on how waste management is governed in the Treasure State. #Montana #Landfill #Pollution #Laws #Lawyers https://lnkd.in/eBaEKs7Q

A couple of points on this: 1. The moratorium was on planning, specifically the wording was "no further planning permission for incineration facilities should be granted" which has thus far been upheld 2. There were a number of plants through planning and permitting but awaiting financial close and contracting which pre-dated the moratorium policy, these are the ones now progressing to build and operations 3. Increases to throughputs in existing plants is a permitting matter, often to do with issues other than capacity, not subject to a planning moratorium 4. I get that some will disagree with, and actively want to fight against energy from waste, but without the presence of competing costed proposals there is a credibility issue (and please don't say 'recycle more' - the recycling rate has stalled for over a decade in the face of a landfill ban) 5. Publishers such as LetsRecycle (amongst others) need to accept the responsibility of being a trusted source of news and do a better job at correcting inaccurate statements in stories (i.e. the Scottish Government at no point stated they wanted to 'reduce incineration capacity') https://lnkd.in/ehgmttkT

Landfills are a vital part of our waste infrastructure, and as such it's important to know what is happening from a regulatory standpoint. Across the U.S., landfills are dealing with various challenges, from regulatory shifts to community opposition. In Oregon, Coffin Butte Landfill's expansion proposal was rejected, reflecting growing public resistance to landfill growth, particularly in regions where environmental concerns like PFAS contamination are at the forefront. Meanwhile, in New York, Brookhaven is looking to close its landfill by 2024 due to capacity and environmental issues, which has spurred discussions about how to manage waste in the region going forward. In Florida, Volusia County is considering expanding its Tomoka Farms Road Landfill, while SCS Engineers is working on innovative solutions to manage landfill gas and leachate. These developments highlight a broader trend of communities and governments grappling with the need to balance waste management needs with environmental protection and public health concerns. As regulations tighten and community voices grow louder, the future of landfills in the U.S. is increasingly uncertain, with sustainability and innovation at the core of ongoing discussions. Great article expanding on some of this. #waste #landfills #recycling #environmental #reducereuserecycle #themoreyouknow #outreach #GVentures

Swakopmund quells public concern over hazardous material storage: Niël Terblanché The Chief Executive Officer of the Swakopmund Municipality, Alfeus Benjamin, announced that it is yet to approve a controversial rezoning request by Namaquanum Investments CC. The company aims to utilize Erf 3954 along Einstein Street in the coastal town’s Industrial Area for the storage of radioactive materials. The proposal has sparked a wave of discontent among the residents of Swakopmund. This development came to light following a February advertisement by the property owners, which indicated their intention to store harmful materials on the premises, leaving the Swakopmund community unsettled. Erf 3954, located in Swakopmund Extension 10 (Industrial Area), is primarily zoned for general industrial use, encompassing activities such as industrial building, light industrial operations, and warehousing. However, it also allows for consent uses – subject to municipal approval – covering a range of other activities, including noxious industries, which is the category under which the proposed storage facility falls. Benjamin during a press briefing at the Erongo Governor’s Office, emphasized the municipality’s commitment to rigorous procedural adherence, stating that any activity classified as a hazardous substance facility requires a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study and an Environmental Clearance Certificate from the Environmental Commissioner before proceeding. “The decision by Council to grant or not to grant its consent will be informed by the EIA report as well as the feedback from the public,” Benjamin clarified. The process has been set in motion, with the Town Planning Consultant initiating public consultation as the first step in the consent use procedure, as stipulated in Clause 6.2 of the Swakopmund Zoning Scheme. Despite the initial advertisement, Benjamin pointed out that the Council has yet to receive a formal application for the rezoning, leaving the timeframe for a decision open-ended. Adding to the discourse, André Faul, an environmental practitioner for Geo Pollution Technologies, assured that “no radioactive waste will be stored at Erf 3954 of Swakopmund’s Industrial Area.” The company has been assigned the task of conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment for the plot, a critical component that will ultimately influence the municipality’s decision. Benjamin said that the Swakopmund Municipality faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with the imperative of safeguarding its residents’ health and the environmental integrity of the region.

In the quaint town of Westbury, Wiltshire, a heated debate simmers over the future of waste management. The proposed incinerator by Northacre Renewable Energy Limited (NREL), designed to convert non-recyclable waste into electricity, has ignited a firestorm of opposition from residents and environmental campaigners. The controversy reached a pivotal moment when the government, expressing concerns over environmental obligations, temporarily halted the issuance of permits for new incinerator plants in England. Andrew Murrison, the Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire, has become a vocal critic of the incinerator, advocating for a more responsible approach to waste management. His stance aligns with a growing consciousness that the path to a sustainable future is paved with waste reduction, recycling, and greener technologies—not the burning of refuse. Murrison's call to revoke the permit for the Westbury incinerator, bolstered by the government's pause on new permits, reflects a broader shift towards environmental stewardship and the pursuit of alternative solutions. This local conflict underscores a global challenge: balancing the need for energy and waste disposal with the imperative to protect our planet. As the world grapples with the climate crisis, the story of Westbury becomes a microcosm of the larger struggle to transition from traditional, often harmful practices to innovative and sustainable ones. The outcome of this dispute may well set a precedent, influencing waste management policies far beyond the borders of this English town. For further details on this evolving story, you can read the full article on the BBC website: [. #WestburyIncinerator #SustainableWasteManagement #EnvironmentalPolicy

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Our latest insights? They're here. Read the update on the waste and environmental services industry. bit.ly/3ygv5K7

Our latest insights? They're here. Read the update on the waste and environmental services industry. bit.ly/3ygv5K7

Our latest insights? They're here. Read the update on the waste and environmental services industry. bit.ly/3ygv5K7

Our latest insights? They're here. Read the update on the waste and environmental services industry. bit.ly/3ygv5K7