01/07/2025
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2023 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries revealed a concerning rise in the fatality rate for refuse and recyclable materials collectors. With 41 fatalities, the occupation is now the 4th deadliest in the United States, up from 7th in 2021 and 2022.
Businesses, governments, and rate payers see the increased cost of insurance coverage for these facilities, the equipment, and their operators. This underscores the need to continuously improve safety to protect our workers by making investments in safer infrastructure, automated systems, and technology. However, decisions in product design and how especially hazardous products are managed can also play a critical role in increasing safety and reducing costs, hence our focus on Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) EPR in 2025.
EPR has been proven to work at not only encouraging product redesign, but ensuring the public has free and convenient options for proper management of products at End Of Life (EOL). In 2025, NSAC is partnering with key environmental legislative champions who who will be authoring marine flare and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) EPR bills in California to ensure they are properly managed and supporting EPR for Electric Vehicle Batteries and solar panels.
Read More at https://bit.ly/40osc51
Photo Source: City of Sunnyvale “The cause of the middle of the night Sunnyvale SMaRT® Station fire on Sept. 11, 2024 was never determined. The fire incinerated two full trash trailers. The Sunnyvale Fire Department believes a lithium ion battery likely ignited inside the compacted load. The fire was substantial enough to also damage the tractors. This is an example of the devastating effects improperly disposed batteries can create.”