Latest news with #MRFs
Malaysian Reserve
4 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Circular Services Selected as Recycling Partner for Mecklenburg County, NC
The agreement brings Circular Services' leading recycling operations to North Carolina, supporting Mecklenburg County's efforts to modernize its recycling infrastructure and advance material recovery. CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Circular Services, a leading developer and operator of circular economy infrastructure in the United States, announced it has been selected by Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, to serve as their recycling processing and operations partner. Circular Services will take over operations of the County's two Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), supporting the region's growing need for modernized recycling infrastructure and advancing local efforts to recover valuable materials at scale. Starting June 2025, Circular Services will operate the County's 48,510 sq. ft. MRF at 7833 Pence Road under a five-year agreement with two one-year extensions. Initially, the facility will serve in an interim capacity to process residential single-stream recyclable materials while the County undertakes a major retrofit of its flagship Metrolina MRF on Amble Drive. Once the retrofit is complete, expected in mid-2026, Circular Services will transition residential single-stream processing to the upgraded Metrolina MRF and repurpose the Pence Road facility as a construction and demolition (C&D) recycling facility—optimized to meet the region's growing demand for industrial material recovery. Circular Services will operate the Metrolina MRF under a separate five-year agreement with two one-year extensions. The partnership was formally celebrated at a ribbon-cutting event held on June 17, where leaders from Mecklenburg County and Circular Services gathered at the Pence Road MRF to mark the start of this new collaboration. The event underscored both parties' shared commitment to building local recycling capacity and investing in long-term solutions for material recovery. Speakers included Ebenezer Gujjarlapudi, Director of the Land Use & Environmental Services Agency (LUESA); Elaine Powell, Commissioner for District 1 & Chair of Environmental Stewardship Committee; Jeff Smithberger, Director of Solid Waste; and Ron Gonen, CEO of Circular Services. 'This partnership reflects Mecklenburg County's forward-thinking commitment to strengthening local recycling infrastructure,' said Gonen. 'We are proud to bring our operational expertise to North Carolina and support the County's efforts to maximize recovery, reduce landfill disposal costs, and build a more circular local economy.' '[The new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)] is a picture of the County's ongoing investment in environmental stewardship, sustainability and innovation,' said Gujjarlapudi during his remarks. 'Recycling in Mecklenburg County is not optional, it is essential.' Mecklenburg County expects to deliver over 6,000 tons of residential single-stream material to the Pence Road facility each month. Circular Services will manage the processing and marketing of these materials, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities. The company anticipates hiring 35 full-time employees to support the site's operations, not including County staff. The MRF at Pence Road features a BHS processing system engineered for flexibility, enabling a smooth future transition from residential recycling to industrial and C&D material processing. The facility is located just a few hundred yards from the County's Hickory Grove Recycling Center, ensuring continued accessibility and convenience for residents. This agreement further expands Circular Services' national footprint, aligning with the company's mission to build resilient, regional infrastructure that keeps valuable materials in circulation, eliminates landfill disposal costs, and supports local economic growth. About Circular Services: Circular Services is a leading developer and operator of circular economy infrastructure and services in the United States. With 27 operating locations, Circular Services provides holistic materials management services to municipalities and businesses across the country, keeping valuable materials in circulation and minimizing the cost and environmental impact of landfills. Media Contact:Alexandra GyarfasCircular
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Circular Services Selected as Recycling Partner for Mecklenburg County, NC
The agreement brings Circular Services' leading recycling operations to North Carolina, supporting Mecklenburg County's efforts to modernize its recycling infrastructure and advance material recovery. CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Circular Services, a leading developer and operator of circular economy infrastructure in the United States, announced it has been selected by Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, to serve as their recycling processing and operations partner. Circular Services will take over operations of the County's two Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), supporting the region's growing need for modernized recycling infrastructure and advancing local efforts to recover valuable materials at scale. Starting June 2025, Circular Services will operate the County's 48,510 sq. ft. MRF at 7833 Pence Road under a five-year agreement with two one-year extensions. Initially, the facility will serve in an interim capacity to process residential single-stream recyclable materials while the County undertakes a major retrofit of its flagship Metrolina MRF on Amble Drive. Once the retrofit is complete, expected in mid-2026, Circular Services will transition residential single-stream processing to the upgraded Metrolina MRF and repurpose the Pence Road facility as a construction and demolition (C&D) recycling facility—optimized to meet the region's growing demand for industrial material recovery. Circular Services will operate the Metrolina MRF under a separate five-year agreement with two one-year extensions. The partnership was formally celebrated at a ribbon-cutting event held on June 17, where leaders from Mecklenburg County and Circular Services gathered at the Pence Road MRF to mark the start of this new collaboration. The event underscored both parties' shared commitment to building local recycling capacity and investing in long-term solutions for material recovery. Speakers included Ebenezer Gujjarlapudi, Director of the Land Use & Environmental Services Agency (LUESA); Elaine Powell, Commissioner for District 1 & Chair of Environmental Stewardship Committee; Jeff Smithberger, Director of Solid Waste; and Ron Gonen, CEO of Circular Services. "This partnership reflects Mecklenburg County's forward-thinking commitment to strengthening local recycling infrastructure," said Gonen. "We are proud to bring our operational expertise to North Carolina and support the County's efforts to maximize recovery, reduce landfill disposal costs, and build a more circular local economy." "[The new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)] is a picture of the County's ongoing investment in environmental stewardship, sustainability and innovation," said Gujjarlapudi during his remarks. "Recycling in Mecklenburg County is not optional, it is essential." Mecklenburg County expects to deliver over 6,000 tons of residential single-stream material to the Pence Road facility each month. Circular Services will manage the processing and marketing of these materials, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities. The company anticipates hiring 35 full-time employees to support the site's operations, not including County staff. The MRF at Pence Road features a BHS processing system engineered for flexibility, enabling a smooth future transition from residential recycling to industrial and C&D material processing. The facility is located just a few hundred yards from the County's Hickory Grove Recycling Center, ensuring continued accessibility and convenience for residents. This agreement further expands Circular Services' national footprint, aligning with the company's mission to build resilient, regional infrastructure that keeps valuable materials in circulation, eliminates landfill disposal costs, and supports local economic growth. About Circular Services: Circular Services is a leading developer and operator of circular economy infrastructure and services in the United States. With 27 operating locations, Circular Services provides holistic materials management services to municipalities and businesses across the country, keeping valuable materials in circulation and minimizing the cost and environmental impact of landfills. Media Contact:Alexandra GyarfasCircular View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Circular Services Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Menstrual waste management gets a sustainable shift in DK panchayats
Mangaluru: As part of a zero-waste model initiative, 10 gram panchayats in Dakshina Kannada were identified for waste management interventions through Hasiru Dala. However, managing sanitary waste emerged as one of the most pressing and often overlooked challenges. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We receive about 200kg of sanitary waste every day, including diapers and pads. Some panchayats alone generate 100–300kg of such waste daily," said Nagaraj Raghav Anchan, project manager, Hasiru Dala. He said that this kind of waste poses a major environmental and logistical challenge. In response, Hasiru Dala launched a proactive campaign promoting the use of menstrual cups. "We distributed menstrual cups in seven panchayats so far. Wherever we conduct meetings on menstrual hygiene, we create WhatsApp groups, collect feedback, and even have a doctor on hand to address women's concerns. Nearly 90% of the women who where present during wareness shifted to menstrual cups," he added. Beyond menstrual waste, the project focused on improving waste collection systems. "There is no point blaming only the public. We must set up a functioning system," said Anchan. Working closely with Sanjeevani self-help group, the initiative ensured door-to-door collection and awareness drives through IEC activities. The project is supported by SBI Foundation. "We realised that once a proper system is in place, we collect nearly one tonne of waste per day. Wet waste is managed at composting units, while dry waste is routed to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)." The campaign also includes educational outreach in schools through sessions on Trashonomics, fostering environmental responsibility from a young age. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now DK zilla panchayat deputy secretary Jayalakshmi Raikod said that awareness is happening, but it will take some time for public mindset to change. 2.5 tonne waste cleared in Neermarga A significant clean-up drive was carried out in Neermarga, recently, by volunteers from Hasiru Dala, with active support from residents. The team cleared nearly 2.5 tonnes of waste from a steep black spot that became an unofficial dumping site. Nagaraj Anchan said that the area was used for waste disposal due to irregular waste collection services. The pile-up led to a strong stench and posed health and environmental concerns. "The situation was quite severe. The terrain made it challenging, but with the help of the community, we managed to clear the spot," he said. Hasiru Dala is also planning a month-long awareness programme in the region. The campaign will focus on educating citizens about responsible waste segregation, proper disposal, and the importance of community involvement in keeping their surroundings clean.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NERC notes slight commodity value improvements, while MRFs announce significant upgrades
This story was originally published on Waste Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Waste Dive newsletter. MRFs in the Northeast noted an increase in average commodity prices for the first quarter of 2025, according to a report from the Northeast Recycling Council. In Q1, average blended commodity value without residuals was $102.34, an increase of more than 9% from the previous quarter. When calculating the value with residuals, prices were closer to $89.62, an increase of 8.6%, the quarterly MRF Commodity Values Survey Report says. Single-stream MRFs saw values increase by 12% without residuals and 11% with residuals, while dual-stream or source-separated MRFs saw increases of about 10% without residuals and 9% with residuals. Major publicly-traded waste companies echoed some similar commodity trends during their Q1 earnings calls. In a new format from previous reports, NERC's latest version also provided average prices for specific commodities. Surveyed MRFs reported an average OCC price of $99.68 and $54.92 for mixed paper. For plastics, MRFs reported PET at $363.31 per ton and natural HDPE at $1,910.20 per ton, among other plastic commodity prices. The Q1 report also noted some general trends, including an 8% increase in residue since the same period in 2022. It also highlighted that MRFs recorded lower volumes of outbound tons in 2024 compared to 2022, except for PP and bulky rigids, which increased by 40% and 29%, respectively. NERC says its reports are not meant to be used as a price guide for MRF contracts. NERC's quarterly report includes data from 19 MRFs across 12 Northeastern states. It surveys a variety of MRFs in a variety of markets, including those in five states with beverage container deposit laws, which affect material flows into MRFs. It presents a regional look at price trends and is a part of NERC's ongoing work to promote and boost recycled commodity supply and demand in the Northeast. Numerous factors can influence commodity values, but increasing operational efficiencies and MRF upgrades are often contributing factors that can help operators fetch higher prices. Here's a look at several companies throughout the U.S. that have recently announced significant MRF upgrades: The nonprofit recycler invested $12 million to upgrade the facility, which it unveiled as part of its 20th anniversary celebration in April. Eureka added four optical sorters, including three along its paper line. 'That was a huge thing for us, so now our paper quality is just so much better,' said Miriam Holsinger, Eureka's co-president, in an April interview. An upgraded cardboard separation system aims to increase small-format cardboard recovery, and a bigger conveyor belt aims to reduce downtime caused by cardboard jams. The improvements have cut maintenance time by about 60%, Holsinger said. Improved paper quality will be key for Eureka as it looks for new markets to sell the material, she said. 'If you want to stay ahead of the curve, especially to prepare for a possible economic downturn, having solid quality is always helpful in making sure we can continue to move material.' Casella's newly renovated MRF features $20 million in upgrades, including sorting equipment from Machinex, along with new power infrastructure and lighting. Casella also replaced the tipping floor and installed an improved fire suppression system. The upgrade, meant to improve material quality and operational efficiency, is expected to nearly double its processing capacity. Prior to the improvements, the Willimantic facility processed about 60,000 tons a year. During the company's Q1 earnings call, Casella executives said the facility is on track to deliver $4 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization in 2025. The company says it has spent more than $50 million on other related recycling improvements in the last three years. The City of Phoenix's Public Works Department recently reopened its MRF after four years of construction. The improvements are meant to help Phoenix reduce contamination, which makes baled materials more valuable, officials said in a news release. The MRF, operated by Balcones Recycling, has all-new equipment including a front-end trommel, two ballistic separators, a sorting robot and 11 optical sorters. It processes about 30 tons an hour. The improvements are also meant to help Phoenix more efficiently manage recyclable material as its population grows. The city collects recyclables from about 420,000 households. Republic Services, Bridgeton, Missouri: A new MRF, scheduled for groundbreaking in Q1 2026, will serve the greater St. Louis area. Plans for the facility include at least 10 optical sorters for identifying and separating paper and plastic, as well as AI-enabled systems to help reduce contamination and adjust operations to maximize volumes. Republic expects to process about 45 tons an hour in the 105,000-square-foot facility. The project will employ about 60 full-time employees once it is completed in 2027, the company says. Portsmouth, Virginia: The city announced a new $200 million recycling facility, which will be built in a partnership between the Southeast Public Service Authority and AMP. The facility will use AMP's AI-assisted technology to sort single-stream recycling and will extend the life of the region's landfill, said Mayor Shannon Glover, who announced the partnership during an annual State of the City address on May 2. He did not announce a timeline for the project. Portsmouth's transfer station already uses AMP's technology. This story first appeared in the Waste Dive: Recycling newsletter. Sign up for the weekly emails here. Recommended Reading Northeast MRFs saw 40% jump in commodity values in a year: NERC report Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Panacea Healthcare Solutions Examines the Current and Future of Price Transparency Enforcement in Latest Podcast Episode
CEO Kevin Chmura and Financial Services President Govi Goyal unpack the impact of Trump's executive order and what's next for hospitals ST. PAUL, Minn., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In the latest episode of Beyond the Bottom Line, Let's Talk Healthcare Finance, Revenue Cycle and Compliance, the official podcast from Panacea Healthcare Solutions, CEO Kevin Chmura sits down once again with Govi Goyal, President of the Financial Services Division, to discuss the far-reaching implications of the executive order signed by President Trump on February 25, 2025. The order, aimed at accelerating enforcement of hospital price transparency, has sparked a wave of CMS compliance actions—and signals much more to come. In this timely follow-up episode, Chmura and Goyal explore how the order has already led to increased scrutiny of hospitals' machine-readable files (MRFs), with CMS issuing a growing number of violation notices. They also analyze what may be next: expanded reporting requirements, increased update frequency for MRFs, and a broader push for standardization and quality integration. "It's clear the enforcement environment is shifting fast," said Kevin Chmura, CEO of Panacea Healthcare Solutions. "Hospitals that once viewed price transparency as a back-office requirement now face tangible penalties—and must elevate compliance efforts to meet growing regulatory expectations." The episode outlines how CMS is currently focused on text file accessibility and website accuracy, with a move toward automated validation and deeper review of the contents of MRFs expected soon. Even minor missteps—such as using the word "pricing" instead of "price" in a footer—have triggered official notices. Goyal, a nationally recognized expert in price transparency strategy, shared both strategic insight and practical guidance for hospitals. "We're seeing a phased enforcement approach, and hospitals need to be ready for what's coming next," said Govi Goyal, President of Panacea's Financial Services Division. "That means reviewing your text file, running your MRF through the CMS validator, and making sure your patient estimation system aligns with your posted rates. Don't wait for the letter—proactively address compliance gaps now." Beyond enforcement, the discussion highlights the broader implications of the executive order. With commercial payers required to update their pricing files monthly, Goyal suggests that hospitals could soon face similar update frequencies. The episode also explores potential legislative moves to expand transparency requirements to non-hospital providers and incorporate quality data into pricing disclosures. This episode is essential listening for compliance professionals, CFOs, revenue integrity leaders, and legal teams seeking to stay ahead of federal price transparency enforcement and regulatory change. Listen to the Podcast To hear the full conversation and learn what actions your organization should take now, visit:Listen Now on Panacea's Website. Also available on Apple Podcasts About Panacea Healthcare SolutionsPanacea Healthcare Solutions provides strategic, innovative, and compliant financial, revenue integrity, and pricing solutions to healthcare organizations nationwide. From chargemaster and price transparency tools to financial strategy and compliance services, Panacea empowers providers to optimize performance and stay ahead of regulatory change. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Panacea Healthcare Solutions
