Price meltdown roils markets

Teamsters, groups query waste pricing

By Joe Truini

Teamsters and a pair of consumer groups are raising concerns about what they allege are questionable pricing practices in the trash business.

The union, along with the Na-
tional Association of Consumer
Advocates and Consumer Ac-

Scrap commodity prices are tanking right along with the economy.

That’s the gentle, family-

friendly version. And it is a great concern to recyclers, businesses, municipalities and everyone else who realizes there are better options to dumping resources in the trash.

“It’s almost similar to what we’re seeing in the global financial system,” said Paul O’Donnell, director of commodities for FCR Inc., a subsidiary of Casella Waste Systems Inc. “We’re see-

ing a meltdown.”

O’Donnell, a 20-year industry veteran, said he’s never seen such an abrupt change in the re-

See Price, Page 21

WASTE NEWS 2008 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS

Waxman

See At Deadline, Page 20

This year’s models
snatches

IN THIS ISSUE

Hewlett-Packard & King County, Wash.,
take home WN’s annual enviro honors
energy

SOLID WASTE

chair

Central Ohio officials are investigating a buried trash truck, 1,013 old tires and 16. 7 tons of debris found on a closed salvage yard. Page 3

HAZARDOUS WASTE

Thirty-two electronics recyclers have joined North America’s first independently audited e-scrap certification program. Page 6

AIR

UPS will put seven hydraulic hybrid vehicles into service. Page 7

WATER

Page 12

By Bruce Geiselman

Nordex USA Inc.
plans to manufacture
wind turbines at a
new plant in Jones-
boro, Ark. Page 5

Waterless Co. LLC has created a no-water urinal that also promotes recycling. Page 9

Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., wrested control of the House Energy and Commerce Committee away from Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich.

Waxman won a narrow 137- 122 majority vote among the

Democratic members of the House in a Nov. 20 vote. The issue went before the full

House one day after Dingell failed to win a majority vote from the House Steering and

Policy Committee. The committee, Waxman chaired by

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., recommended Waxman for the chairman’s position by a 25-22 vote.

Waxman, who had been a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee under Dingell, released a statement Nov. 5 stating his desire to take over the leadership role from Dingell, who has seniority, because he felt better qualified to move legislation through the committee relating to energy and climate change.