AGP Executive Report

Facility Safety: A fire at the Arva recycling centre near London, Ontario, sent heavy black smoke into the sky on Tuesday; officials asked residents to keep emergency lines clear. Textile Recycling: A U.S. Government Accountability Office report says limited funding and domestic infrastructure could hinder textile collection and recycling, despite policy options such as producer-responsibility programs and tax credits. Tire Recovery: Ontario raised its tire-management target to 80% and plans to expand collection sites from about 4,300 to 6,500 in 2027, but industry voices warn that clearing today’s backlog won’t guarantee a lasting supply for recycling. Repair and Reuse: A Bengaluru repair event fixed everyday items and offered reuse workshops, building on 152 events that have repaired more than 20,000 belongings since 2023. Waste Policy: Ontario is proposing Blue Box program changes to control costs and improve transparency. In Bengaluru, the city is retendering 16 waste-management packages amid allegations of contract irregularities, with GPS tracking and new vehicles planned under revised contracts.

Deposit Returns: Australia’s Northern Territory scheme refunded A$10.7 million last year as residents returned 107 million containers, sending more than 5,100 tonnes of glass, plastic and aluminium for recycling. Recycling Contamination: Auckland Council says more than 30% of kerbside recycling is being landfilled because of contamination, costing ratepayers NZ$3.5 million a year and sending about 37,000 tonnes to landfill. Food Waste: A Bhutanese startup has diverted 35 tonnes of food waste from landfill in nine months by turning it into compost with earthworms. Waste Policy: Spain plans to prioritize wood products, reuse and recycling over burning forest biomass for energy when setting support schemes. Community Recycling: Sahara Group Foundation opened its 23rd Lagos recycling hub, aiming to turn household recyclables into income and strengthen local waste recovery. Landfill Expansion: Eau Claire County’s Parks and Forest Committee rejected GFL’s request to buy county land for a landfill expansion that would have added an estimated 15 years of capacity.

Recycling Infrastructure: Maryland’s JLT Recycling has selected Van Dyk to build a $30 million materials recovery facility, designed to process up to 25 tons of commercial recyclables an hour. Battery Circularity: A new analysis warns that recovering battery materials is not enough: recyclers must connect with refiners and manufacturers so recovered materials can replace new supplies. Clean-Tech Waste: African governments are developing rules for end-of-life solar panels and batteries as solar installations surge, with the continent projected to add a record 17 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2026. Waste-to-Value: A U.S. partnership will turn plastic from retired synthetic turf into railroad ties, with capacity to process up to 350,000 pounds of material monthly. Recycled Fuels: A Chinese facility using steelmaking gases to produce ethanol has gained certification to market the fuel in European markets. Community Recycling: Parañaque, Philippines, is offering residents groceries in exchange for recyclables through a new mobile recovery program.

Deposit Returns: Aldi has proposed a bottle-and-can return point at its Norwich store, anticipating about 38,000 returns a week ahead of the UK’s 20p deposit scheme in 2027. Composting Oversight: Belfast residents continue to report foul odours from a composting site after inspectors carried out 60 tests over four years; the environment minister says an enforcement notice was recently issued for one site. Kerbside Recycling: Tendring’s expanded green-box service more than doubled the weight of recyclables collected in its first two weeks, after 70,000 extra containers were delivered to households. Waste Recovery: Malkajgiri says it turned about 7,000 tonnes of festival flowers into incense, keeping the material out of general rubbish. Canberra has also begun work on a new recycling facility designed to process up to 115,000 tonnes of mixed recyclables a year. Landfill Diversion: Cape Town’s Blue Route Mall earned Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification, which requires at least 90% of operational waste to be diverted from landfill over 12 months.

Waste Enforcement: Malaysia recorded 17,732 littering notices nationwide through Oct. 22. New rules allow fines of up to RM2,000 and community service, as officials push to treat waste as a resource rather than simply collect and dispose of it. Waste-to-Value: Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation turned nearly 7,000 tonnes of festival flowers into incense and dhoop sticks, keeping the material out of regular garbage. Food Waste: A Georgia elementary school cut food waste by about 70% with share tables, composting and student education; a new report estimates U.S. schools waste up to 40% of food served. Local Recycling: Regina still has more than $500,000 in incentives for businesses and multi-family properties preparing for mandatory recycling and composting, but the funds are available only while they last. Plastic Claims: Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Danone agreed to revise recycling claims on plastic bottles after EU pressure. Nuclear Waste: Finland licensed the world’s first permanent nuclear waste repository, a milestone in long-term disposal.

Hazardous Waste Accountability: A Philippine court sentenced importer Adelfa Eduardo to up to 20 years in prison and a 1-million-peso fine for bringing in a misdeclared shipment of mixed plastic waste and used diapers from Canada—the first criminal conviction of an importer in the case. Water Pollution: Anglian Water was fined £1.6 million after a sewage overflow killed hundreds of fish and polluted nearly 14km of the River Brain. Recycling Rules: Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Danone will revise EU plastic-bottle recycling claims after regulators found the wording could mislead consumers; India also ordered a crackdown on hospitals reusing single-use medical devices. Circular Operations: Oxford University’s Raff Lab won a climate innovation award for reusing 85% of its lab plastics and recycling another 14%, avoiding nearly a tonne of plastic waste each year. Waste-to-Value: Sahara Group opened a new recycling hub in Lagos as part of a programme it says has converted 1,000 tonnes of waste into economic opportunities.

Recycling Safety: A fire at AIM Recycling sent thick smoke over central Phoenix; the cause remains unknown as crews work to contain it. Waste to Value: Stellenbosch startup Urobo Biotech says its enzymes can turn discarded bioplastics into saleable chemicals, offering waste operators an alternative to costly incineration. Biogas Plans: Sindh has proposed a $30 million project to build five facilities that would process livestock manure into biogas, biomethane and fertilizer. Medical Waste: India has ordered hospitals to stop reusing single-use medical devices, citing infection risks and reports that patients were charged for reused equipment. Industry Deal: EQT agreed to acquire Australia’s Cleanaway Waste Management in a deal valued at about A$9.3 billion. Recycling Capacity: Norfolk County is storing up to 3,000 unwanted fridges and freezers as a shortage of specialist processing facilities disrupts collections.

Waste Rules: The U.S. EPA’s RCRA reform push includes plans to move hazardous-waste tracking fully online and allow abandoned scrap tires to be used as fuel, alongside efforts to speed cleanups and modernize permitting. E-Waste Controls: Thailand has begun inspecting every imported metal-scrap container to catch illegal electronics hidden in shipments. Hard-to-Handle Waste: TerraCycle launched a nationwide U.S. collection service for vape devices; nicotine pods will be incinerated under applicable rules, while lithium-ion batteries pose fire risks if thrown in regular rubbish. Industry Deal: EQT agreed to buy Australian waste giant Cleanaway in a deal valued at about A$9.3 billion. Recycling Claims: Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Danone agreed to change plastic-bottle recycling claims following pressure from the EU Commission. Nuclear Waste: Finland granted a licence for the world’s first permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel.

Plastic Reduction: The Philippines’ DENR launched a “Bring Your Own Bote” campaign in Bicol, urging reusable bottles and containers to cut plastic waste. Waste Rules: England’s Environment Agency is preparing to phase out T8 waste exemptions for end-of-life tyres by April 2027. Recycling Claims: Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Danone agreed to change plastic-bottle recycling claims following EU pressure over how they are presented. Waste Infrastructure: Viridor’s Runcorn energy-from-waste carbon-capture project will be delivered in two phases, while Abu Dhabi is advancing a facility designed to sort and recycle 400,000 tonnes of waste annually. Industry Deal: Investment firm EQT agreed to buy Australian waste giant Cleanaway in a deal valued at about A$9.3 billion. Worker Safety: Sherbourne Recycling warned that used needles and weight-loss injection pens are increasingly appearing in kerbside recycling, putting sorting staff at risk. Nuclear Waste: Finland granted an operating licence for the world’s first permanent repository for used nuclear fuel at Olkiluoto.

Plastic Reduction: The Philippines’ DENR launched a “Bring Your Own Bote” campaign in Bicol, promoting reusable containers and shared responsibility to cut plastic waste. Recycling Claims: Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Danone agreed to revise plastic-bottle recycling claims after pressure from the European Commission. Waste Infrastructure: Finland licensed the world’s first permanent nuclear-waste repository, a milestone in long-term radioactive-waste disposal. New Rules: Odisha is working to implement India’s 2026 solid-waste rules, with a focus on segregation, scientific processing, digital monitoring and public participation. Reuse and Recovery: A Kent recycling-centre shop diverted 31 tonnes of reusable goods from disposal in its first year; Leicestershire has also opened reuse zones at all 13 waste sites. Solar Waste: Australia is considering mandatory producer responsibility for end-of-life panels, as recycling capacity struggles to keep pace with growing volumes. Industry: EQT agreed to acquire Australian waste company Cleanaway in a deal valued at about A$9.4 billion.

Abu Dhabi Facility: Tadweer has begun work on a material recovery facility designed to process 400,000 tonnes of municipal, commercial and industrial waste annually from 2028. Plastic Claims: Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Danone will clarify bottle recycling labels after EU pressure, including specifying that “100% recycled” excludes caps and labels. Recycling Access: Lane County opened four free drop-off centers for items such as plastic film, shredded paper and foil. UK Rules: England’s Environment Agency plans to end the T8 exemption for end-of-life tyre treatment in April 2027, requiring operators to secure permits. India Policy: The environment minister says rules now cover nine waste streams, with 50 million tonnes processed; he called for stronger recovery of materials from batteries and e-waste. Major Deal: EQT agreed to acquire Australian waste giant Cleanaway in a reported $9.4 billion deal. Nuclear Waste: Finland licensed Onkalo, the world’s first permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel, after more than two decades of construction.

Waste Enforcement: EPA Victoria found almost 60% of inspected skip-bin operators lacked proper registration, while one in four could not show where their waste went. In Melbourne, a property leased for alleged illegal dumping faces a potential A$2 million cleanup bill after asbestos was found among buried industrial waste. Circular Infrastructure: Iligan, Philippines, signed an agreement with the EU to develop a proposed 23-hectare facility to recover materials, process organic waste and reduce landfill use. Packaging Recycling: Pact and Aldi are turning household plastic into new bottles, with nearly 800 tonnes of recycled resin expected to be used annually; seven laundry products will contain up to 50% recycled plastic. Straw Study: A government-commissioned lifecycle assessment found paper straws scored 6.33 times higher than conventional plastic on a modeled carcinogenic-impact measure. That is not a measure of cancer risk to users, and plastic had lower impacts in 10 of 16 categories. Industry Deal: EQT completed its A$9.3 billion acquisition of Cleanaway, Australia’s largest waste-management company.

Circular Economy: Iligan City and the EU signed an agreement to advance a proposed 23-hectare facility that would recover recyclable materials and turn organic waste into useful products, reducing reliance on landfill. Landfill Pressure: Construction and demolition waste from data-centre projects helped push Cedar Rapids-area landfill volumes above 200,000 tons in fiscal 2026. With capacity estimated at 10 to 13 years, the agency is exploring shipping some waste elsewhere. New Rules: Odisha is planning stronger source separation, scientific processing and remediation of legacy dumps under its 2026 solid waste rules, with tighter oversight of large waste generators. E-Waste Value: Kenya’s discarded electronics contained an estimated $48 million to $50 million in recoverable metals in 2025, but improper disposal risks releasing hazardous substances. Industry Deal: Kuwait’s Metal and Recycling Company will collect and recycle plastic waste from Equate Petrochemical’s operations. Mattress Recovery: Connecticut’s recycling programme collected a record 219,675 mattresses and foundations, though it recycled 69% of material handled, short of its 75% goal. Waste Business: EQT agreed to acquire Australia’s Cleanaway Waste Management for A$9.3 billion.

Household Recycling: Philippine Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas has filed the “Basura to Ayuda” bill, which would let households and community groups exchange recyclables for cash aid or essential goods. Industry Deal: EQT agreed to buy Australian waste giant Cleanaway for A$9.3 billion, a major shift in the sector’s ownership. Plastic Pollution: Fiji is refining a national plan to cut plastic waste and improve recycling. In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says the state produces about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, with plastics making up 15% and clogging waterways. Waste Infrastructure: Mohali has invited bids for a ₹21-crore overhaul including collection and segregation centres, while Karachi has opened Sindh’s first engineered landfill. Recycling Advances: Researchers in China report a process that removes and recovers plastic encapsulant from end-of-life solar panels; EU lawmakers also backed simpler waste-compliance rules for small businesses.

Recycling Incentives: A bill filed in the Philippines would let households and community groups trade collected recyclables for cash aid or essential goods, building on a program in Quezon City. Industry Deal: EQT agreed to acquire Australian waste company Cleanaway for A$9.3 billion, or A$3.095 per share. Construction Waste: Mumbai collected 206,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste through Oct. 18 and processed about 201,000 tonnes, already exceeding the city’s full-year 2025 collection. Pollution Control: Penang plans sediment removal at Parit Cina and Sungai Kereh from early 2027, while investigating pollution sources and directing farm waste to biogas plants. Circular Economy: Ghanaian business leader Siaw Agyepong says waste recovery can create jobs and supply materials for industry, urging a shift away from landfill disposal. Critical Materials: EU lawmakers backed proposals for a raw-materials centre and controls that could keep recyclable magnet-containing waste within the bloc; negotiations with member states are next.

Major Takeover: EQT has signed a binding deal to acquire Australian waste giant Cleanaway for about A$9.4 billion, subject to shareholder, court and regulatory approvals. Landfill Investment: Karachi has opened the first phase of its $105 million engineered landfill at Jam Chakro, designed to curb pollution and health risks; methane capture could also generate carbon credits. Plastic Recycling: A new £20 million Corby plant aims to process more than 30,000 tonnes of soft plastic packaging a year into pellets for new packaging, as UK recycling capacity has fallen. Circular Economy: A regional forum in Colombo is developing a South Asia roadmap for resource efficiency and inclusive growth. Waste-to-Energy: Delorean has secured an operating licence for its Adelaide-area plant, which will turn organic waste into renewable gas; construction is about 90% complete. Deposit Returns: The UK’s container return scheme is set to launch in October 2027, with retailers required to provide collection points for eligible drinks packaging.