Hazardous Waste

Taiwan MOENV Announces Prosecutions for Keelung River Waste-Oil Pollution

In April 2026 Taiwan’s environment ministry and prosecutors concluded a major case in which 28 individuals and four companies were indicted for an illegal waste‑oil scheme that polluted the Keelung River and contaminated drinking water for around 150,000 households.[^3^](https://enews.moenv.gov.tw/page/3b3c62c78849f32f/f31779e2-b7f1-4f0f-a1c3-52595723ca2c#:~:text=%E5%85%A8%E6%A1%88%E7%B6%93%E5%9F%BA%E9%9A%86%E5%9C%B0%E6%AA%A2%E7%BD%B2%E6%96%BC115%E5%B9%B44%E6%9C%88%E5%81%B5%E7%B5%90%EF%BC%8C%E4%BE%9D%E9%81%95%E5%8F%8D%E5%BB%A2%E6%A3%84%E7%89%A9%E6%B8%85%E7%90%86%E6%B3%95%E7%AC%AC46%E6%A2%9D%E5%8F%8A%E5%88%91%E6%B3%95%E7%AD%89%E8%A6%8F%E5%AE%9A%EF%BC%8C%E8%B5%B7%E8%A8%B4%E7%9B%B8%E9%97%9C%E7%8A%AF%E7%BD%AA%E5%AB%8C%E7%96%91%E4%BA%BA%E5%85%B128%E4%BA%BA%E5%8F%8A%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8%E6%B3%95%E4%BA%BA%E5%85%B14%E5%AE%B6%EF%BC%8C%E7%8A%AF%E7%BD%AA%E6%89%80%E5%BE%97%E5%85%B1%E8%A8%88%E6%96%B0%E5%8F%B0%E5%B9%A34%E5%84%84297%E8%90%AC%E9%A4%98%E5%85%83%EF%BC%8C%E5%8F%A6%E5%9F%BA%E9%9A%86%E5%B8%82%E7%92%B0%E4%BF%9D%E5%B1%80%E5%B7%B2%E4%BE%9D%E8%A6%8F%E5%AE%9A%E6%92%A4%E9%8A%B7%E5%B0%87%E2%97%8B%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8%E6%B8%85%E9%99%A4%E8%A8%B1%E5%8F%AF%E8%AD%89%E3%80%82) The case signals aggressive enforcement against illegal waste management and falsified tracking data, raising compliance expectations for waste handlers and water utilities on GPS monitoring, manifest integrity and discharge controls.[^4^](https://enews.moenv.gov.tw/page/3b3c62c78849f32f/f31779e2-b7f1-4f0f-a1c3-52595723ca2c#:~:text=%E6%B8%85%E9%99%A4%E5%8F%8A%E8%99%95%E7%90%86%E6%A9%9F%E6%A7%8B%E6%87%89%E7%A2%BA%E5%AF%A6%E7%B6%AD%E6%8C%81GPS%E8%BF%BD%E8%B9%A4%E7%B3%BB%E7%B5%B1%E6%AD%A3%E5%B8%B8%E9%81%8B%E4%BD%9C%EF%BC%8C%E5%88%87%E5%8B%BF%E5%BF%83%E5%AD%98%E5%83%A5%E5%80%96%EF%BC%8C%E4%BB%A5%E8%B2%B7%E8%B3%A3%E8%AD%89%E7%85%A7%E3%80%81%E5%9C%B0%E7%A3%85%E9%80%A0%E5%81%87%E6%88%96%E9%9D%9E%E6%B3%95%E5%81%B7%E6%8E%92%E7%AD%89%E6%83%A1%E5%8B%A2%E8%A1%8C%E5%BE%91%E6%8C%91%E6%88%B0%E5%85%AC%E6%AC%8A%E5%8A%9B%E3%80%82)

10 Apr 2026, 15:52enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

Hawaii Senate Schedules Floor Vote on Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal Resolution SCR83/SR73

On 8 April 2026, the Hawaii Senate scheduled floor consideration of concurrent resolution SCR83/SR73, which requests the City and County of Honolulu to consider developing a dedicated facility to discard lithium‑ion and electric‑vehicle batteries. While non-binding, this step reinforces political pressure for safe end‑of‑life infrastructure for lithium‑ion batteries in Honolulu and could foreshadow future regulatory or permitting requirements around battery waste and related facilities.

10 Apr 2026, 15:52capitol.hawaii.govUnited States

Japan Central Environmental Council Issues Opinion on Future Waste Treatment System Reform

Japan’s Central Environmental Council has issued a comprehensive opinion to the environment minister outlining reforms to the national waste treatment system, focusing on scrap‑yard controls, PCB waste management and disaster‑waste measures (April 2026). If translated into legislation, these recommendations would tighten requirements for waste operators and large waste generators—especially those handling PCBs, lead‑acid and lithium‑ion batteries—and reshape Japan’s hazardous‑waste and disaster‑waste regimes over the coming years.

10 Apr 2026, 15:24env.go.jpJapan

US DOJ and Montana Propose CERCLA Consent Decree for Lockwood Solvent Site

In April 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice lodged a proposed CERCLA consent decree and environmental settlement in the Whittaker, Clark & Daniels bankruptcy that would channel tens of millions of dollars in claims and trust funding to clean up the Lockwood Solvent Superfund Site near Billings, Montana. If approved after public comment, the deal will consolidate EPA and Montana claims into a dedicated environmental response trust, clarifying long‑term remediation funding while reducing direct enforcement exposure for the debtors and shifting residual risk to non‑settling parties.

10 Apr 2026, 15:22justice.govUnited States

Germany: Lower Saxony Approves Interim Storage for Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste from Grohnde Decommissioning

In April 2026, Lower Saxony’s environment ministry approved on‑site interim storage of low‑ and intermediate‑level radioactive waste from the decommissioning of the Grohnde nuclear power plant. This removes a key bottleneck for dismantling and waste logistics but locks in long‑term obligations around nuclear safety oversight, storage capacity and eventual transfer to the federal final repository.

10 Apr 2026, 12:47umwelt.niedersachsen.deGermany

New Hampshire DES Updates Env-Or 600 Contaminated Site Management Rule With PFAS Standards

Env‑Or 600 “Contaminated Site Management” is New Hampshire’s consolidated rule for contaminated‑site investigation, remediation, groundwater management and activity‑and‑use controls, with the compiled chapter stating an effective date of 11‑4‑2025 (4 November 2025).[^1^](https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/env-or-600.pdf) It tightens ambient groundwater and soil remediation standards (including very low AGQS and soil thresholds for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA), formalises notification and emergency‑response timelines, codifies groundwater management zones, financial‑assurance and reporting expectations, and adds PFAS‑specific sampling, record‑keeping and waste‑disposal provisions backed by administrative fines of up to USD 4,000 per violation.[^1^](https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/env-or-600.pdf)

10 Apr 2026, 11:06des.nh.govUnited States

Italy: Albo Nazionale Gestori Ambientali Adopts Geolocation Requirements for Category 5 Hazardous Waste Transport Vehicles

Italy’s Albo Nazionale Gestori Ambientali has adopted binding rules requiring GPS‑based geolocation systems on Category 5 vehicles transporting hazardous special waste, with the new technical suitability requirement entering into force in early April 2026. Waste transport operators must equip eligible fleets, certify compliance by 30 June 2026, and ensure that all new or amended Category 5 registrations from 01 July 2026 meet the geolocation and digital traceability standards, or risk registration and enforcement issues.

10 Apr 2026, 10:52albonazionalegestoriambientali.itItaly

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Approves $1.42 Million in Environmental Penalties Against 88 Entities

On 01 April 2026, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved enforcement orders imposing $1.42 million in penalties on 88 regulated entities for violations of state air, water, waste, and drinking-water rules. This signals sustained enforcement pressure on industrial operators, storage tank owners, municipalities, and public water systems in Texas, reinforcing the need for robust environmental compliance and monitoring.

10 Apr 2026, 10:34content.govdelivery.comUnited States

Taiwan Indicts Waste-Soil Syndicate for Illegal Dumping on Taoyuan Farmland

Taiwan authorities have indicted 33 individuals and 7 companies for large-scale illegal dumping of construction waste on farmland, following a major multi-agency investigation. This enforcement action underscores heightened scrutiny of waste disposal chains and the significant legal and financial risks for companies failing to verify the end-of-life handling of construction materials.

9 Apr 2026, 14:33enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

Connecticut House Marks Sewage Right-To-Know And Materials Management Bills Ready For Floor Action

Connecticut has advanced legislation on sewage spill notifications and state materials management to the House floor for final consideration as of April 2026. These bills signal a shift toward more stringent environmental reporting and waste management frameworks, requiring operational adjustments for utilities and waste-intensive industries.

9 Apr 2026, 14:32cga.ct.govUnited States

Romania CES Issues Favourable Opinion on Draft Amendments to OG 2/2021, OG 2/2001 and Law 101/2006

Romania is advancing a legislative proposal to amend key waste disposal and municipal sanitation laws following a favorable opinion from the Economic and Social Council. Operators should prepare for potential changes to waste disposal obligations and enforcement regimes as the bill moves through parliamentary debate.

9 Apr 2026, 14:24ces.roRomania

US EPA Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Cleanup Plan for Orlando Gasification Superfund Site

The US EPA has proposed a groundwater cleanup plan for the Orlando Gasification Superfund Site, with a public comment period open through May 6, 2026. This development underscores the persistent regulatory focus on legacy site remediation and the long-term liability risks associated with benzene and VOC contamination.

9 Apr 2026, 14:21epa.govUnited States

Montana DEQ Announces Public Meeting on BN Livingston Shop Complex State Superfund Cleanup

Montana DEQ is advancing the BN Livingston Shop Complex cleanup, requiring a revised risk assessment by late 2026 to reflect updated toxicity data. This signals potential tightening of remediation standards for legacy industrial sites, impacting long-term environmental liability and compliance strategies.

9 Apr 2026, 14:15deq.mt.govUnited States

OVAM Launches Sixth Free Asbestos Roof Collection Call for Agricultural Businesses

Flanders launched a sixth call on April 2, 2026, offering free asbestos roof collection for up to 600 agricultural and horticultural businesses. This initiative accelerates the regional 2040 asbestos-safe goal, providing a cost-saving window for operators to manage legacy hazardous waste liabilities and infrastructure upgrades.

9 Apr 2026, 10:19ovam.vlaanderen.beBelgium

Kansas KDHE Adopts Underground Injection Control Permit Fee Regulation

Kansas has established mandatory annual permit fees for Class 1 and Class V underground injection wells, effective April 17, 2026. Impacted facilities must budget for recurring per-well costs—up to $5,500 for hazardous waste sites—and align internal payment cycles with the April 1 annual deadline.

9 Apr 2026, 10:17sos.ks.govUnited States

Kansas Department of Health and Environment Adopts Underground Injection Control Permit Fees Rule K.A.R. 28-46-46

Kansas has established a new annual fee schedule for Class I and Class V underground injection control (UIC) wells, effective April 17, 2026. Operators must integrate these recurring per-well costs—ranging up to $5,500 for hazardous waste wells—into annual compliance budgets and ensure payments are finalized by the April 1 deadline each year.

9 Apr 2026, 09:54sos.ks.govUnited States

US NRC Requests Comment on OMB Renewal of Low-Level Radioactive Waste Manifest Forms 541 and 541A

The US NRC is renewing the information collection requirements for low-level radioactive waste manifest forms, with comments due by May 4, 2026. Operators should verify that existing waste tracking and recordkeeping procedures remain aligned with these mandatory reporting standards to avoid compliance gaps during transport.

9 Apr 2026, 09:45govinfo.govUnited States

US EPA Finalizes Groundwater Cleanup Plan for Radiation Technology Inc. Superfund Site in New Jersey

US EPA finalized a groundwater cleanup plan for the Radiation Technology Inc. Superfund site in April 2026, transitioning from active pumping to monitored natural attenuation. This shift signals a long-term management approach for legacy chlorinated solvent and perchlorate contamination, utilizing institutional controls and technical waivers where full restoration is unfeasible.

6 Apr 2026, 19:52epa.govUnited States

Dutch Government Extends Temporary Steel Slag Ban/Permit Regime to January 2027

The Netherlands has extended its temporary ban and permit regime for new steel slag applications until January 2027 to allow for further environmental and health risk research. Operators should prepare for continued market access hurdles and the likely transition of these national precautionary measures into a formal EU REACH restriction dossier.

6 Apr 2026, 16:43tweedekamer.nlNetherlands

Lithuania Ratifies Hong Kong Convention on Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships

Lithuania has ratified the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling, with mandatory compliance for shipowners and recycling facilities starting three months after the formal deposit of ratification. Operators must ensure robust Inventories of Hazardous Materials (IHM) and align recycling operations with international standards for managing substances like asbestos and PCBs.

6 Apr 2026, 16:21e-tar.ltLithuania