[Pharmwaste] Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - WTE vs. hazardous waste incineration

Price, John L. "Jack" John.L.Price at dep.state.fl.us
Tue Apr 6 10:53:13 EDT 2010


Damon: Thank you for a thorough and well-reasoned comparison of WTE and hazardous waste incinerator disposal of waste pharmaceuticals. Besides the equivalency of process and emissions controls and the cost issues, I think your point about a WTE facility recovering some energy and the hazardous waste incinerator using energy with no energy recovery is an important observation. We need to look at these disposal issues holistically and consider such things as relative impacts on greenhouse gases.

Jack
John L. (Jack) Price
Environmental Manager
Waste Reduction Section
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Tallahassee, FL
www.dep.state.fl.us<http://www.dep.state.fl.us/>
850.245.8751
________________________________
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Taam, Damon [DTaam at spokanecity.org]
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 6:05 PM
To: Grasso, Cheri; Gressitt, Stevan; Barry Fernandez; Sue Dayton; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Cc: Shield, Margaret
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free, Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10

Hi Cheri and others,

I respect your opinion, but I have to disagree with your statement that “Hazardous Waste disposal is safer disposal method than a Waste-to-energy facility”.  A hazardous waste incinerator does effective destroy waste pharmaceuticals, but is not necessarily the best method of disposing of waste pharmaceuticals environmentally. Yes, the hazardous waste incinerator is operated at a higher temperature, but just because it is higher does not mean it is better. Typically a modern US WTE facility is combusting the solid waste at approximately 2500oF and the waste is in the boiler for approximately 45 minutes, more than is necessary to destroy organic compounds. Higher temperature combustion increases the likelihood that a greater amount of nitrous oxides gases(NOx) are being generated and thereby also needing to be removed or potentially emitted into the atmosphere.

A high percentage of the pharmaceutical waste is solid waste, not hazardous waste and is best handled in a facility designed to destroy that waste. Waste to Energy Facilities and Hazardous Waste incinerators are very similar in their air pollution control technology, they both have combustion controls to assure temperature and residence time minimums; acid gas scrubbers for SO2, HCL and HF gases; baghouses for particulate control; continuous emission monitors; activated carbon injection; and active NOx emission control.

Boiler temperatures vary in both types of facilities due to varying waste types, but regulatory minimums are always achieved with additional air or fuel. Both types of facilities are monitored continuously (every 15 seconds) for the same items. Hazardous waste incinerators are typically required to do a stack test twice a year vs. a WTE Facility with only once a year. Modern Hazardous waste incinerators and WTE Facilities that are in compliance with MACT regulations are clean and do an effective job in destroying waste pharmaceuticals so they don’t cause any environmental problems.

The big difference in the facilities is that a WTE facility generates energy vs. a hazardous waste incinerator which uses large quantities of energy. A hazardous waste incinerator utilizes large quantities of fossil fuels (natural gas, propane, used fuel oil, virgin fuel oil) to maintain high temperature in a refractory lined fire box or rotating kiln. A Waste-to energy facility combusts solid waste in a heat recovery boiler with a self sustaining fire, recovers the heat in the form of high pressure/high temperature steam and typically generates electricity utilizing a steam turbine/generator. Contrary to your assertion, temperatures are very consistent in a modern WTE facility and probably vary less than a hazardous waste incinerator that destroys liquids and wet solids. For these items, more fuel is necessary to maintain a minimum temperature to assure destruction.

The ash from the Spokane WTE facility has not been a problem, it contains items that do not burn, glass, metals and dirt. Spokane tests it’s ash quarterly for the last 18 years and disposed of it in an ash monofill. The important issue is that all the organics are destroyed. Globally, EPA classifies WTE facilities as a greenhouse gas reducer because it avoids methane generation from landfills; generates energy that would have been generated by fossil fuels; and recycles metals from the ash. Generally every ton of waste combusted, reduces the greenhouse gas emissions in the environment by 1 ton eCO2.

I think the biggest impediment for the proper disposal of waste pharmaceutical is cost. Not recovering the energy value in the waste and utilizing fossil fuels to destroy the waste is expensive and unnecessary. The cost to incinerate at $1.00/lb. is equivalent to $2000.00/ton. Spokane charges $165.00/ton or 8.25 cents/lb. Spokane’s regular garbage rate is $98.00/ton. Please keep in mind that the majority of waste pharmaceuticals are in the garbage and are processed effectively daily in communities that have WTE Facilities. There are over 89 facilities in the USA, we need to support these facilities and encourage them and the communities to take waste pharmaceuticals and avoid the not in my backyard attitude. Also note that Covanta has committed free destruction for only 2010, but to be fair, it is not free, someone is paying.

Damon M.K. Taam
Spokane Regional Solid Waste System
221 N. Wall, Suite 410
Spokane, WA 99201

(509) 625-6580 Office
(509) 625-6537 Fax

dtaam at spokanecity.org

www.solidwaste.org


From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Grasso, Cheri
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 12:31 PM
To: Gressitt, Stevan; Barry Fernandez; Sue Dayton; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Cc: Shield, Margaret
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free,Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10

Washington State does not have a hazardous waste incinerator in the state.  The medicines are sent to Clean Harbor’s Aragonite, Utah facility.

Cheri Grasso
Pharmaceuticals Project
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County
130 Nickerson Street, Suite 100 | Seattle, WA  98109 | 206-263-3089
www.lhwmp.org
________________________________
From: Gressitt, Stevan [mailto:Stevan.Gressitt at maine.gov]
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 11:54 AM
To: Grasso, Cheri; Barry Fernandez; Sue Dayton; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Cc: Shield, Margaret
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free,Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10

You have a hazardous waste facility in your state though, correct? Whereas for others…..

Stevan Gressitt, M.D., Medical Director
Office of Adult Mental Health Services
Department of Health and Human Services
Marquardt Building, 2nd Floor
11 State House Station
32 Blossom Lane
Augusta, ME  04333-0011
Ph: (207)287-4273
Fax: (207)287-1022
Cell Phone: (207) 441-0291
E-Mail : stevan.gressitt at maine.gov<mailto:stevan.gressitt at maine.gov>
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mh/

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________________________________
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Grasso, Cheri
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 2:35 PM
To: Barry Fernandez; Sue Dayton; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Cc: Shield, Margaret
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free,Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10

In Washington State, our retail pharmacy model is disposing of all non-controlled medicines collected at 14 retail pharmacies at a hazardous waste facility for about $1/pound.  This includes transportation.  We are currently working to demonstrate that controlled substances can be disposed at a hazardous waste facility for a reasonable cost.  Now that the health care bill is passed, perhaps the legislation to amend the Controlled Substances Act, introduced by Congressman Jay Inslee (H.R. 1191 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1191) , will be addressed and we will have more options for collection and disposal of unwanted household medicines.

We are working toward disposal of all medicines as hazardous waste for several reasons.  First, if the RCRA chemical products lists were updated to include the new medicines developed in the last 30 years, about 15 percent of medicines would designate as HW.  Because the HW drugs are mixed with the non-HW drugs, it is better to dispose of the entire batch as hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste disposal is a safer disposal method than a waste-to-energy facility for several reasons.

 *   The temperature at a HW facility is higher and consistent whereas the temperature at a waste-to-energy fluctuates;
 *   HW incinerators have better emission monitoring and controls to capture air-borne pollutants and
 *   the ash is tested more frequently and disposed in a HW landfill or other special landfill.

Cheri

Cheri Grasso
Pharmaceuticals Project
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County
130 Nickerson Street, Suite 100 | Seattle, WA  98109 | 206-263-3089
www.lhwmp.org
________________________________
From: Barry Fernandez [mailto:Barry at clean-fuels.net]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 11:18 AM
To: Sue Dayton; Pete Pasterz; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Cc: Bell, Derrick; Mike Ewall; Emily Foeller; wasteq1 at aol.com; Mike Schade
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free,Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10

Sue,

To answer you question with a question:  What's the alternative?


Clean Fuels of Florida, Inc.
D. Barry Fernandez, President
2635 NE 4th Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
Tel: 954-791-9588
Fax: 954-791-9366
Cell: 305-216-4941
Toll Free: 800-725-8711
barry at clean-fuels.net<mailto:barry at clean-fuels.net>
www.clean-fuels.net<http://www.clean-fuels.net/>

________________________________
From: Sue Dayton [mailto:sdayton at swcp.com]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 1:00 PM
To: 'Pete Pasterz'; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Cc: 'Bell, Derrick'; 'Mike Ewall'; 'Emily Foeller'; wasteq1 at aol.com; 'Mike Schade'
Subject: [Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free,Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10
Is this really “safe” destruction of pharms? Thoughts, anyone?

Sue Dayton
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
North Carolina Healthy Communities Program
PO BOX 44
Saxapahaw, NC 27340
(336) 525-2003
sdayton at swcp.com<mailto:sdayton at swcp.com>



Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.   -  Martin Luther King Jr.



________________________________
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Pete Pasterz
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 11:49 AM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Cc: Bell, Derrick; Emily Foeller; wasteq1 at aol.com
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Covanta Offers Free, Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs - Press Release - 3/25/10


Covanta Offers Free, Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted Drugs

Program Aims to Protect Nation's Waterways from Pharmaceutical Contamination

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/covanta-offers-free-safe-destruction-of-residents-unwanted-drugs-89144047.html

FAIRFIELD, N.J., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- To reduce pharmaceutical pollutants being discharged into the nation's waterways, Covanta Energy is launching an important collaboration with municipalities.  As more and more communities establish collection centers for unwanted medications, Covanta will offer, for 2010, a free disposal and destruction service designed to keep these products out of the nation's waterways.

Covanta Energy, a world leader in the development, ownership and operation of Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facilities and other renewable energy projects, is rolling out a national program to process pharmaceuticals collected by local governments in drug take-back programs. These programs provide residents with a safe and proper way to dispose of unwanted medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter and veterinary medications and nutritional supplements. When flushed down the drain, or disposed of in landfills, such products contaminate surface waters and have an adverse effect on the environment.

"Studies have shown that pharmaceuticals are present in our nation's streams and rivers. We want to help prevent the discharge of these drugs into the waters that we drink, the waters where we fish and the waters where we swim," said John G. Waffenschmidt, Vice President, Environmental Science and Community Affairs. "Our facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art combustion controls and air pollution control equipment to ensure the destruction of these drugs in an environmentally sound manner, one that protects the water we depend upon day in and day out. Our facilities ensure that any pharmaceuticals processed in them do not end up in surface waters."

Covanta is a Sustaining Partner of the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), a non-profit group which has been spearheading national efforts to define steps for appropriately handling unwanted drugs. Covanta has worked with PSI, various regulatory agencies, and with municipalities to reduce the potential for contamination of waterways by discharged pharmaceuticals.

"Drugs that are disposed of down sinks and toilets, or simply thrown in the trash, can cause environmental harm," said Scott Cassel, Executive Director of the Product Stewardship Institute. "Take-back programs can lower the environmental and health risks associated with waste pharmaceuticals. Covanta's offer will reduce the cost of take-back programs in municipalities that choose this kind of destruction. Thermal destruction at Energy-from-Waste facilities, hazardous waste incinerators, or medical waste incinerators, provides for the ultimate destruction of these unwanted drugs."

Municipalities interested in participating in the program must obtain appropriate regulatory approvals in order to ensure that such wastes are not classified as hazardous waste from a federal, state, or local perspective. Each program would be subject to a due diligence review by Covanta Energy. Municipalities interested in participating should contact Larry DellaVecchia, Director, Covanta Secure Services at 973-882-7310.

About PSI
The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) is a national environmental institute with membership from 45 states, over 125 local governments, and more than 50 businesses, environmental groups, and organizations that establish cooperative agreements to reduce the health and environmental impacts from consumer products. PSI promotes producer responsibility in the context of shared responsibility for the lifecycle management of consumer products. For more information, visit www.productstewardship.us.

About Covanta
Covanta Energy is an internationally recognized owner and operator of large-scale Energy-from-Waste and renewable energy projects and a recipient of the Energy Innovator Award from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  Covanta's 45 Energy-from-Waste facilities provide communities with an environmentally sound solution to their solid waste disposal needs by using that municipal solid waste to generate clean, renewable energy. Annually, Covanta's modern Energy-from-Waste facilities safely and securely convert approximately 20 million tons of waste into more than 9 million megawatt hours of clean, renewable electricity and create more than 10 billion pounds of steam sold to a variety of industries. For more information, visit www.covantaholding.com.



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