PFAS Accountability: The US EPA and DOJ reached a landmark $450 million settlement with Chemours over alleged PFAS discharges into major rivers, with major funding for alternative drinking water and compliance upgrades. Circular Recycling Breakthrough: Evonik is scaling a hydrolysis process at its Hanau site to recycle polyurethane foam waste (like mattresses and furniture) back into chemical building blocks, aiming to cut fossil use and emissions. Textile Waste Crackdown: The EU anti-fraud office (OLAF) helped uncover large-scale illegal textile waste exports from Italy to Turkey, with nearly 7,000 tonnes seized after shipments were misdeclared to dodge stricter recycling rules. Local Heat Impacts on Recycling: Suffolk recycling centres will close early and shut at noon on Friday due to extreme heat, while other UK areas report service disruptions and early closures. Seasonal Waste Separation Push: Portugal’s waste agency is touring communities with a summer campaign urging proper waste separation during peak months, when waste volumes spike. Food Waste & Recycling Innovation: Michigan’s NextCycle Michigan “Shark Tank”-style pitch event backed solutions to divert waste from landfills, including expanded food waste collection. Policy Pressure on Plastics: California’s anti-plastics packaging law is drawing backlash and a lawsuit from 17 states, as producers face rising recycling/compostable requirements. Food Program Oversight: Indonesia is strengthening cross-ministry risk management for national food programs, explicitly including waste management in oversight. Waste Collection Changes: Lake Charles, Louisiana adjusted garbage pickup schedules for the July 4 weekend, and recycling stations will close briefly.