In case you missed it: Thoughtful, newsworthy comments from industry professionals, consumers and policymakers.

"The renewable fuels industry in our states—and others—is poised to grow if the EPA sends positive and consistent market signals through increases in the required volumes. That will enhance America's energy security, value-added agriculture, and rural economic prosperity. We urge you to continue to fulfill your promises, to continue your support for all biofuels under the RFS, and to continue to put America first."

— Govs. Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Sam Brownback of Kansas, Eric Greitens of Missouri and Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota, in a letter to President Donald Trump concerning the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). The governors and several Midwestern senators spoke to reporters and others about their concerns that the Environmental Protection Agency would take steps to lower the quantity of renewable fuel required under the RFS, which advocates say could hurt the biogas and biofuel markets.

"Today's architects routinely strive to reduce embodied and ongoing energy and water usage in their designs. Similarly, they should design their buildings to reduce the ongoing waste that’s generated and managed within them as well as the waste from the construction and demolition process itself. Design can change human behavior and incorporate economic and social incentives for wasting less and recycling more."

— From the introduction of new Zero Waste Guidelines - funded by The Rockefeller Foundation - that were put together by architects and waste professionals in New York. The guidelines focus on using building design — or redesign — to reduce waste and better facilitate diversion. In addition to strategies and reports, the guidelines provide a Waste Calculator to help property owners measure waste flows and estimate the effects of different disposal methods, like providing in-sink garbage disposal for food or vertical trash compactors.

"No one in our recycling system wants this to happen, and everyone is working together to make this as short term as possible. This will be the first time in Oregon's decades of strong recycling programs where this may occur on a large scale."

— Julie Miller, an Oregon Department of Environmental Quality communications specialist, in an email to Waste Dive. China's increased restrictions on imports of some material are starting to cause ripple effects, from knocking stock prices and disrupting commodity markets, to local facilities deciding not to to accept certain material. As of Oct. 18, Oregon's DEQ received at least 15 requests for guidance or concurrence to dispose of recyclable materials related to the market effects of China's new scrap import policies.

“At it’s core I believe this is a political issue... I can’t overstate how popular these anti-pollution moves are within mainland China."

— Dylan de Thomas, vice president of industry collaboration for The Recycling Partnership, during a webinar about China's ongoing National Sword import policies. In addition to emphasizing why China believes this shift is beneficial to its economy, the maximum capacity session included reports by market analysts and MRF operators from around the country. Despite a widespread price drop for many commodities, with tighter options for end markets, TRP urged recycling professionals to stay the course and focus on quality.

"We really want to maximize the resources we have and create a real deterrence factor, so that when we do catch people they get a hard hit."

— New York City Business Integrity Commissioner Dan Brownell, in an interview with Waste Dive, about the city cracking down on recycling violations. Since enforcement of new commercial recycling rules began on Aug. 1, the city has issued nearly 1,000 violations to generators and processing facilities. So far all of these violations have been issued by the Department of Sanitation to generators and processors. Brownell told Waste Dive that his staff is investigating and may issue violations to "at least two" waste haulers in the city in the coming weeks.

"We’re already building the next disaster."

— Jose Vargas, a public health volunteer in Puerto Rico, to the Miami Herald. As the island struggles to regain electricity and in some places clean drinking water, debris and waste are piling up. Piles of debris, animal carcasses and other waste could harbor vermin or disease-carrying mosquitos.