Illegal Dumping Crackdown (Oakland): Oakland held a free “Bulky Block Party” disposal event for large items, aiming to stop dumping by making legal drop-off cheaper and easier. Battery & Vape Fire Risk (Somerset/Devon): Fire services warned that lithium-ion batteries and vapes—when damaged or mixed with general waste—are driving depot and collection fires; separating them is urged to prevent fast, hard-to-extinguish blazes. Recycling Push (UK): West Oxfordshire launched a resident survey with Oxford Brookes to tackle barriers and lift recycling rates, citing large amounts of waste still being thrown away. Food Waste Composting (Minnesota): Clay County won a $2 million grant to start an organics composting program, beginning with schools and meal sites to divert food scraps from landfill. Zero Waste Reporting (Ghana): GAIA Africa trained Ghanaian journalists in zero-waste coverage ahead of the Africa Zero Waste Academy, focusing on practical solutions and stronger accountability. Plastic Pollution Spotlight (India): PM Modi used “Mann Ki Baat” to urge proper disposal of single-use plastic and highlighted Bihar’s “waste to wealth” benches made from recycled plastic. Coastal Cleanup (Delaware): Delaware Coastal Cleanup volunteer registration opened for Sept. 19, with sites statewide to remove litter and debris from beaches and waterways. Sanitation Guidance (Uganda): Uganda’s National Cleaning Day rollout included instructions to reduce health risks and avoid travel disruptions during cleaning hours. Wildlife Tragedy (Sri Lanka): A photo of an elephant dying after consuming plastic waste won another award, but the photographer says no real solution has followed. Recycling Center Planning (Wales): North Wales Police sought permission to extend archive storage by moving a recycling storage area, with an ecology report flagging potential impacts to bats and birds.