Waste Management

Australia: NSW Government Passes Mandatory Battery Stewardship Laws to Cut Fire and Pollution Risk

NSW has passed nation-leading laws to create a mandatory product stewardship scheme for small, removable batteries, shifting end-of-life responsibility and costs onto battery brand owners from October 2026.[^1^](https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/epamedia/260407-nsw-leads-the-country-in-battery-reform-to-fight-fires-and-pollution#:~:text=The%20new%20laws%2C%20which%20recently%20passed%20Parliament%2C%20cement%20NSW%20as%20the%20first%20state) Strategically, this raises compliance and reporting expectations for battery suppliers while accelerating fire risk reduction and circular-economy infrastructure for batteries in Australia’s largest state.

10 Apr 2026, 16:05epa.nsw.gov.auAustralia

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

Oregon Governor Signs HB 4144 Establishing Battery Producer Responsibility Program for Batteries

Oregon has enacted HB 4144, creating a mandatory statewide producer-responsibility regime for portable and medium-format batteries and battery-containing products following the Governor’s signature in April 2026. Over the next three years, battery producers must organise into DEQ-approved programmes, fund dense collection and recycling infrastructure, and comply with performance targets and civil-penalty-backed obligations that materially raise EPR expectations for battery supply chains in Oregon.

10 Apr 2026, 15:41olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

California Coastal Conservancy Approves Beneficial Use of Dredged Sediment for San Francisco Bay Wetland Restoration

California’s State Coastal Conservancy has approved, and filed a Notice of Determination for, a grant‑funded agreement with USACE to beneficially reuse dredged sediment from federal navigation channels at wetland restoration sites around San Francisco Bay under RWQCB’s existing CWA Section 401 certification and Waste Discharge Requirements. This locks in long‑term dredging and sediment placement operations through 2034 but requires ongoing sediment‑quality testing and multi‑agency coordination, signalling continued scrutiny of contamination risks and operational constraints for dredging contractors and restoration sponsors in the Bay.

10 Apr 2026, 15:28ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

Brazil Senate CAE Postpones Vote on National Deplastification Policy Bill

Brazil’s Senate Committee on Economic Affairs has postponed its vote on PL 258/2024 (National Deplastification Policy) and instead approved a public hearing to debate the bill, which would phase out single‑use plastics nationwide over a two‑year transition period if adopted.[^1^](https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/materias/2026/04/07/cae-adia-votacao-e-aprova-debate-sobre-politica-do-fim-do-plastico-de-uso-unico#:~:text=O%20PL%20258/2024%2C%20do%20senador,debate%2C%20cuja%20data%20ainda%20ser%C3%A1%20marcada.)[^2^](https://www12.senado.leg.br/noticias/audios/2026/04/cae-adia-votacao-do-fim-de-plasticos-descartaveis-e-aprova-debate#:~:text=um%20substitutivo%20que%20define%20prazo%20de%20dois%20anos%20para%20a%20substitui%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20dos%20pl%C3%A1sticos%20de%20uso%20%C3%BAnico%20no%20pa%C3%ADs.) The move signals growing political momentum for a federal single‑use plastics phase‑out, but also highlights that key design choices and timelines remain open to influence during the upcoming hearing, making this a critical moment for affected industries to prepare positions and assess potential transition scenarios.

10 Apr 2026, 15:27www12.senado.leg.brBrazil

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

Minnesota HF 4819 Would Fund Critical Materials Waste-Stream Study

Minnesota’s HF 4819 would fund a 2027 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency study of United States Department of Energy–defined “critical materials” in the state’s waste stream, with a report due by 1 October 2028. The bill is an early signal that Minnesota may tighten policy on recovering critical materials from products and waste, which could later translate into new recycling, reporting, or stewardship expectations for manufacturers and waste handlers.

10 Apr 2026, 15:12revisor.mn.govUnited States

Minnesota SF 1690 Second Engrossment on Battery and Electronics Stewardship Set for Senate Environment Committee Hearing

In April 2026, Minnesota’s SF 1690 reached second engrossment and is set for a Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee hearing, outlining a statewide producer‑funded stewardship programme for batteries, circuit boards and electrical products, alongside a 2029 ban on most mercury‑containing batteries.[^1^](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/1690/versions/latest/#:~:text=relating%20to%20environment%3B%20establishing%20stewardship%20program%20for%20circuit%20boards%2C) If enacted, battery and electronics manufacturers and importers serving Minnesota would need to join a stewardship organisation, fund a compliant collection network, redesign labelling and sales practices, and prepare for stricter waste‑management and mercury‑control obligations from 2027–2029 onward.[^3^](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/1690/versions/latest/#:~:text=Subd.%201.%20Due%20dates.)

10 Apr 2026, 13:15revisor.mn.govUnited States

Oklahoma SWMAC To Consider Petition to Add New Location Restrictions Rule Under OAC 252:515 Subchapter 5

Oklahoma’s Solid Waste Management Advisory Council will use its 16 April 2026 meeting to consider a public petition to add a new Location Restrictions rule to OAC 252:515 Subchapter 5 under the Oklahoma Solid Waste Management framework.[^1^][^2^] If DEQ advances this petition into a formal rulemaking, solid waste operators with existing or planned facilities in Oklahoma may face changes to the location restrictions they must satisfy and will likely want to engage early in the process. [^1^](https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/deq/documents/land-division/AGENDA%20SWMAC%20April%202026%20final.pdf) [^2^](https://oklahoma.gov/deq/divisions/executive-offices/office-of-communication-and-education/events/2026/april/swmac-4-16-26.html#:~:text=The%20Solid%20Waste%20Management%20Advisory%20Council%20Advisory%20Council%20(SWMAC)%20serves%20as%20the%20initial%20rulemaking%20body)

10 Apr 2026, 12:57oklahoma.govUnited States

Ireland Adopts Small Wastewater Discharge Register Regulations 2026 (S.I. No. 65/2026)

Ireland has adopted S.I. No. 65 of 2026, requiring all qualifying small wastewater discharges (≤150 population equivalent) to be registered in a new EPA‑maintained Small Wastewater Discharge Register and to comply with binding technical and monitoring standards under the EU Water Framework Directive. This creates a more permit‑like regime for dispersed small wastewater systems, increasing compliance, monitoring and data obligations for Uisce Éireann (and indirectly for housing developments relying on these works) while strengthening enforcement tools for the EPA around water quality protection.

10 Apr 2026, 12:56irishstatutebook.ieIreland

Taiwan MoENV “Circular City” Exhibition Highlights Planned Resource Circulation Promotion Act Amendments

In April 2026, Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment launched the “Circular City” installation and related exhibitions to promote reuse of construction and industrial materials and to highlight planned amendments to the Resource Circulation Promotion Act. The initiative signals that future public works procurement in Taiwan may be required to use a defined share of recycled building materials, creating demand for circular construction supply chains and expanding markets for high-quality recycled aggregates.

10 Apr 2026, 11:13enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

EU Commission Invites Organisations to Join Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform

In April 2026 the European Commission opened a call for organisations to join the renewed Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform, with applications due by 5 May 2026. Participation offers companies and other stakeholders early visibility and influence over how EU zero‑pollution and water resilience policies on air, water, soil, waste and chemicals are implemented, although the call itself does not introduce new legal obligations.

10 Apr 2026, 11:11environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

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

Rhode Island House Bill H8400 Proposes Ban on Thermal Waste Conversion at Quonset Point

Rhode Island lawmakers have introduced House Bill H8400 to ban thermal waste conversion facilities, such as pyrolysis plants, within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park as of April 2026.[^1^](https://legiscan.com/RI/bill/H8400/2026#:~:text=Prohibits%20the%20operation%20of%20any%20thermal%20waste%20conversion%20facility%20such%20as%20pyrolysis%20within%20the%20Quonset%20Point%2FDavisville%20Industrial%20Park.) If passed, this would effectively close off a key industrial site to advanced thermal waste‑conversion projects, signalling heightened siting and permitting risk for such technologies in Rhode Island.

10 Apr 2026, 10:49webserver.rilegislature.govUnited States

Brazil: São Paulo CETESB Board Decision Updates Criteria For Environmental Penalties

São Paulo’s environmental agency CETESB has adopted Board Decision No. 007/2026/C/I to update how administrative environmental fines are calculated and applied, including a 10,000‑UFESP cap (doubled for recidivism) and new rules on when state versus federal sanctioning regimes are used.[^1^](https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2026/03/cetesb-updates-criteria-for-environmental-penalties-in-sao-paulo#:~:text=The%20new%20regulation%20also%20sets%20a%20limit%20of%2010%2C000) This materially increases penalty exposure for companies in São Paulo with pollution, wastewater, reverse‑logistics or SIGOR MTR non‑compliance, making robust environmental management and documentation more critical.[^1^](https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2026/03/cetesb-updates-criteria-for-environmental-penalties-in-sao-paulo#:~:text=The%20Environmental%2C%20Climate%20Change%20and%20Sustainability%20Practice)

10 Apr 2026, 10:26mayerbrown.comBrazil

Netherlands ILT Reports Poor Compliance With Single-Use Plastic Cup Ban at Events

Dutch authorities reported widespread non-compliance with the 2024 single-use plastic ban at events, with most organizers failing to meet high-quality recycling targets required for exemptions. Businesses must shift from outreach-based compliance to strict operational adherence as the ILT signals a transition toward active enforcement and rising collection targets.

9 Apr 2026, 14:48ilent.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Plans Bal Amendment Moving Ferrous Scrap Storage to Dust Class 5

The Dutch government plans to reclassify ferrous scrap storage to a lower dust class (Class 5) by mid-2027, removing the default requirement for enclosed storage of rusty scrap. This shift aims to reduce operational costs and administrative burdens for the recycling sector while maintaining environmental protection through standardized dust-control plans and general duty-of-care obligations.

9 Apr 2026, 14:46iplo.nlNetherlands

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

Minnesota S.F. 4976 Proposes Financial Assurance and Abandoned Manure Reporting for Large Feedlots

Minnesota has introduced legislation (S.F. 4976) requiring large-scale feedlots to provide financial assurance for facility closure and establishing a statewide tracking system for abandoned manure storage. This signals a shift toward stricter environmental liability for the agricultural sector, increasing long-term operational costs and reporting burdens for major livestock producers.

9 Apr 2026, 14:24revisor.mn.govUnited States