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

Tue Mar 30 18:05:36 EDT 2010

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

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

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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