Houston’s plan for plastic recycling faces major hurdles and fire hazards

The ambitious Houston Recycling Collaboration, aimed at addressing plastic waste, is stalling as unprocessed plastic piles up at a site with multiple fire code violations and no state approval.

James Bruggers reports for Inside Climate News and CBS News.

In short:

Plastic waste from Houston's advanced recycling program has been piling up for over a year at a facility with multiple failed fire inspections.
The chemical recycling process promoted by the city and corporate partners has yet to be implemented, with major safety and environmental concerns mounting.
Industry partners are distancing themselves from the project, questioning its legality and safety.

Key quote:

“Five acres of paper and plastic piled up with little or no fire suppression: What could go wrong?”

— Richard Meier, private fire investigator

Why this matters:

As the plastic waste accumulates, so do concerns over environmental health and the effectiveness of so-called 'advanced' recycling methods. For a city that wants to set the standard, the reality is proving far more complicated—and messy—than anyone anticipated. Read more: What is chemical recycling?

insideclimatenews.org

Houston’s plan for plastic recycling faces major hurdles and fire hazards

For many New Yorkers, home is no escape from the heat

'Slumping' South Korean corals worry divers, scientists studying climate change

Greenland ice reveals a pollution mystery that began after 1990

Climate ‘feedback loops’ could worsen global warming by 30%, study finds

Trump emergency order casts uncertainty over grid battery growth

States sue feds over endangered species rollbacks

The ozone paradox: a growing cost of a warmer atmosphere

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.