University of Kansas Hospital to be Honored for Reducing Waste
Saturday, January 14, 2012-- The University of Kansas Hospital of Kansas City, Kan., will be honored next week by EPA for reducing its volume of solid waste through innovative recycling programs. EPA will present a 2011 WasteWise Gold Achievement Award for waste reduction in the workplace. -- (full text)
[EPA]

Universal pharmaceutical waste disposal coming to Michigan
Sunday, January 08, 2012-- MDEQ has decided to allow hospitals, health clinics, pharmacies, and veterinarian offices to collect and dispose of all their pharmaceutical waste as universal waste. -- (full text)
[University of Michigan Health System]

Dumpster Rental Company Explains Chemical Waste and Proper Disposal
Sunday, January 08, 2012-- A dumpster rental White Lake MI company defines chemical waste and how to dispose it. They realize that improperly handled waste will not have a positive environmental impact on the community, and they want to help reshape that. -- (full text)
[Emailwire]

More states ban disposal of electronics in landfills
Sunday, January 01, 2012-- Seventeen states have banned electronic waste from landfills, requiring it to be recycled so its toxic materials don't leach into groundwater. Seven of these bans took effect this year, and two more will take effect soon: Illinois in January 2012 and Pennsylvania in January 2013. -- (full text)
[USA TODAY]

Chemical spill shuts down St. Joseph's emergency room
Sunday, January 01, 2012-- The leaked chemical has been identified as a liquid formaldehyde solution that can cause watery eyes, nausea, coughing and skin rashes. -- (full text)
[Your Houston News]

EPA Approves Three Alternative Refrigerants to Replace Hydrofluorocarbons in Commercial and Household Freezers
Thursday, December 15, 2011-- EPA took action after requests from Ben and Jerry's and General Electric, as well as A.S. Trust & Holdings, and True Manufacturing, a family-owned small business. These businesses are helping to clear the way for U.S. companies to use ozone layer-protective hydrocarbon refrigerants. The three hydrocarbon refrigerants approved as acceptable substitutes, with use conditions, are propane, isobutane, and a chemical known as R-441A. -- (full text)
[EPA]

Health Care Pharmaceutical Waste Management Workshop - Michigan
Thursday, December 08, 2011-- The workshop is intended for health care pharmacists, registered nurses and other clinical staff, environmental services, compliance and safety directors and other facilities handling pharmaceutical wastes. -- (full text)
[MI DEQ]

Workshop/Webinar: EPA's New Air Quality Regulations for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE); Jan. 11 & 18, 2012
Friday, December 02, 2011-- Melanie King (rule writer) of the US EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards will provide an overview of EPA's National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE). -- (full text)
[EPA]

Healthcare Waste Conference: May 2-3, 2012
Monday, November 28, 2011-- The Healthcare Waste Institute's Annual Healthcare Waste Conference is an industry-recognized educational event that focuses on the largest regulatory, legislative, and technical issues that affect the healthcare waste business. -- (full text)
[EPA]

EPA Proposes Rule to Clarify Efficacy Data Requirements for Prion-Related Products
Friday, November 18, 2011-- The proposed guidance may impact hospitals and veterinary clinics that have patients who are infected by prions, as well as medical device reprocessors that process these devices. Comments must be received on or before January 17, 2012. -- (full text)
[EPA]