[Pharmwaste] RE: Covanta Offers Free, Safe Destruction ofResidents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10

Tue Mar 30 11:51:21 EDT 2010

We have that rate too, but it doesn't include transportation and packaging.  A few collections that have primarily operated as partnerships with county HHW programs get that better rate for the non-controlled's, but if a pharmacy has an event and ships on it's own, the total cost has been $500 - $700 for a little over 100 lbs. per site.  We have a few permanent collections at law enforcement facilities that get closer to the $1/lb.  The driving issue is more the super high cost of managing controlled's.  We were originally considering whether WTE technology was good enough for controlled's, then it followed that it should be considered for all pharms.  We're still in the evaluation mode.
________________________________
From: Grasso, Cheri [Cheri.Grasso at kingcounty.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 10:26 AM
To: Volkman, Jennifer (MPCA); 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 ofResidents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10

We use the Washington State blanket contract for HW disposal and that is why we can get $1/pound fee for non-controlleds.  This contract can be used by non-profits as well.  I assume other states must have similar contracts that could be used by agencies and non-profits.

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: Volkman, Jennifer (MPCA) [mailto:Jennifer.Volkman at state.mn.us]
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 7:57 AM
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 ofResidents' Unwanted Drugs - PressRelease - 3/25/10

That is a super deal!  In MN it is more like $5-7 per pound, all inclusive for a pharmacy to ship legends and OTC's.  Controlled substances are $50 to $60/lb all inclusive including the law enforcement escort for witnessed burn at a HW incinerator out of state.  We're definitely looking at WTE facilities as an option here.  I plan to follow what Washington State is developing on cost reduction too.  In MN, 30-40% of solid waste is burned for energy recovery.  In those areas of the state where waste is burned, I feel comfortable telling households to follow our current fact sheet that describes conceal and trash disposal.
________________________________
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Grasso, Cheri [Cheri.Grasso at kingcounty.gov]
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 2:31 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/

Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s).  It may contain confidential and privileged information.  Any unauthorized review, copy, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this is strictly prohibited.  Please contact me by reply e-mail or telephone and destroy all copies of this message.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, or national origin, in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities, or its hiring or employment practices.  This notice is provided as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Maine Human Rights Act and Executive Order Regarding State of Maine Contracts for Services.  Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the ADA may be forwarded to DHHS’ ADA Compliance/EEO Coordinators, 11 SHS-221 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04333, 207-287-4289 (V), 207-287-3488 (V), 1-800-606-0215 (TTY).

________________________________
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.

________________________________
Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Learn More.<http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_1>
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to Google
Groups "GreenYes" group.
To post to this group, send email to GreenYes at googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
GreenYes+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com
To change email delivery options visit http://groups.google.com/group/GreenYes?hl=en

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to greenyes+unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the words "REMOVE ME" as the subject.

________________________________
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/pipermail/pharmwaste/attachments/20100330/2d7ff7cc/attachment-0001.html