[Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free,
Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted
Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10
Bunnell, Ross
Ross.Bunnell at ct.gov
Tue Mar 30 11:51:15 EDT 2010
Sue:
I'm sorry if I've hit a hot-button topic, here. I certainly didn't
intend to be glib about incineration, since there are certainly very
valid concerns about air emissions with these facilities.
However, to address your interest in the stack testing data, here in CT
we have monitored our "RRFs" as we call them (stands for "resources
recovery facility" - a statutory definition for a municipal solid waste
incinerator) for dioxins and furans since the late 1980s. We have also
monitored the ash (on a quarterly basis) for dioxins and furans. Later
the air monitoring was expanded to include metals, HCl (hydrochloric
acid), NOx (nitrogen oxides), and particulates. Initially this sampling
was performed entirely by staff of the CT DEP, but after several years
it was made a requirement of the RRFs to hire a consultant to do the air
testing (with oversight by DEP). In the nearly twenty years of stack
testing of RRFs, there have only been a couple of instances where there
were exceedances of emissions standards found during this testing at
RRFs.
In CT, we also have "continuous emissions monitoring" by which CT DEP
receives continuous, real-time data on these facilities emissions for
NOx, SO2, CO, and O2 (all key indicators of emissions quality). This
real-time monitoring allows us to spot short-term upward excursions of
emissions, and identify possible problems with emissions at RRFs.
If you're interested in seeing the actual stack testing data, we have
hardcopies of all reports from about 1995 forward here in our offices
(unfortunately they are not in an electronic format). You can contact
Steve Anderson at (860) 424-3453 if you'd like to obtain copies of this
data.
With respect to biomedical waste incinerators, we too had a case of a
biomedical waste incinerator in Connecticut that consistently failed to
meet emissions standards. To make matters worse, they submitted
falsified testing data. We sued this facility and shut it down in 1995.
The facility simply was not properly designed such that it could
consistently meet emissions standards.
--Ross Bunnell, Sanitary Engineer 3
CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance
Waste Engineering & Enforcement Division
Tel. 860.424.3274
Fax 860.424.4059
ross.bunnell at ct.gov
From: Sue Dayton [mailto:sdayton at swcp.com]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 2:09 PM
To: Bunnell, Ross; 'Pete Pasterz'; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Cc: 'Bell, Derrick'; 'Mike Ewall'; 'Emily Foeller'; wasteq1 at aol.com;
'Mike Schade'; 'David Mickey'; bradley at greenaction.org
Subject: RE: Covanta Offers Free,Safe Destruction of Residents' Unwanted
Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10
Hi Ross:
Thanks for your summary. With all due respect, your statement, "they can
handle them, no problem" says nothing about the emissions data, and I
would be interested in seeing the results of yearly stack tests and any
violations to date.
We are currently trying to shut down 3 medical waste incinerators in NC.
No, they're not the clean "waste-to-energy" plants that you have in CT.
But they, too, must adhere to the same "strict Clean Air Act design,
equipment and emissions standards." They, too, legally release a number
of toxic air pollutants into the air under the Clean Air Act.
They still pollute the air, and they still stink.
Sue
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
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter. - Martin Luther King Jr.
________________________________
From: Bunnell, Ross [mailto:Ross.Bunnell at ct.gov]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 1:52 PM
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
Here in Connecticut, almost all of our municipal solid waste is burned
in "trash-to-energy" plants. We have repeatedly inquired with our
colleagues in the CT DEP's Air Bureau whether or not these facilities
are capable of destroying pharmaceuticals without increasing emissions,
and the response is always the same: they can handle them no problem.
Keep in mind the following:
* These facilities are subject to strict Clean Air Act design,
equipment, and emissions standards. In addition, in Connecticut, we
have continuous emissions monitoring on these facilities for certain key
pollutants to monitor combustion effectiveness at these plants.
* The volume of pharmaceuticals relative to the municipal solid
waste (MSW) stream that would be going into these plants is miniscule.
Therefore, the ability for discarded pharmaceuticals to affect emissions
is greatly reduced.
* In a number of ways (e.g., combustion temperature, various
design features, etc.), these plants are intended by design to be able
to safely handle a wide variety of household hazardous wastes (e.g.,
household cleaners, paints, solvents, insecticides, etc.) many of which
are more of a potential hazard than even the worst pharmaceuticals would
be (most notably insecticides and those that are dioxin precursors such
as chlorinated solvents). In addition, although our regulations in CT
prohibit CESQGs from placing their hazardous waste in their MSW as is
allowed under federal HW rules, we know that this happens in CT (either
through malfeasance or ignorance of the law), and these facilities have
to be able to accommodate those materials without causing emissions
problems.
Is incineration at a trash to energy plant the best option? No, it's
not. It still allows the opportunity for "pharming" when residents
place their unwanted or expired drugs in their regular trash, and it
also presents potential exposure hazards for sanitation workers that
handle garbage prior to feeding it into the incinerator. However, this
is what we currently recommend that residents in CT do with their meds
(see
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/p2/individual/consumerpharmdisposalfactshe
et.pdf). We have had numerous one-day collections and will continue to
support them, but until we can provide comprehensive state-wide
collections, we will continue to advise residents to handle their meds
in this manner.
--Ross Bunnell, Sanitary Engineer 3
CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance
Waste Engineering & Enforcement Division
Tel. 860.424.3274
Fax 860.424.4059
ross.bunnell at ct.gov
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Sue
Dayton
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
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-destruc
tion-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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