[Pharmwaste] Best way to destroy collected Pharmaceuticals?

Wed Sep 8 15:19:57 EDT 2010

I concur, reduction is the first priority and but there is limit on what we can prevent. We need to accept the reality that we don't live in dictatorship and waste happens. How we deal with this reality will affect future generations and the environment. It behooves us to do the best job possible, typically that is not what is required by law. Just an opinion, as a manager, that has had to clean up messes done by others in compliance with the law. 

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: Catherine Zimmer [mailto:zenllc at usfamily.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 8:08 AM
To: Pete Pasterz
Cc: Taam, Damon; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: Re: [Pharmwaste] Best way to destroy collected Pharmaceuticals?

Hi Pete, Damon and all,

The EPA"s WARM calculator can give you an estimate of metric tons CO2 generated or reduced based on the various solid waste management options.   However, before we get too wound up in the waste management/disposal shell game, I think we should try to invest our energy, pun intended, on source reduction, which provides the most CO2 reductions.  Also available on the WARM calculator.  

Very truly yours,

Catherine Zimmer, MS, BSMT

"Improving Healthcare and the Environment"
Zimmer Environmental Improvement, LLC 
St Paul, MN 55104
zenllc at usfamily.net
651.645.7509

On Sep 7, 2010, at 1:46 PM, Pete Pasterz wrote:

Just curious, for comparison, do you know how many tons CO2 equivalents are saved through recycling the various constituents of that ton of resources instead?

Have you calculated the BTU value of pharmaceuticals?

þ Pete Pasterz, NCQRP

Cabarrus County Recycling and HHW

PO BOX 707

Concord, NC  28026

704-920-3280

www.cabarruscounty.us/waste

If you're not for ZERO Waste, how much Waste ARE you for?

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Taam, Damon
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 2:34 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Best way to destroy collected Pharmaceuticals?

The cost for the 25 clinical pharmacies utilizing the Spokane Waste to Energy Facility is 8.25 cents per pound ($165.00/ton) at the gate. The most of the pharmacies utilize a reverse distributor for transport and to assure regulatory compliance with the regulations. As per previous discussions, WTE Facilities generate power, vs incinerators that use lots of fossil fuels. The air pollution equipment utilized and air quality regulations are similar and therefore the emissions are very similar. However, a WTE facility produces electricity at a net emission rate of negative 3,636 lbs of CO2 /MWh. In other words, on a lifecycle basis, for every ton of trash burned at a WTE plant, approximately one ton of CO2 equivalents is reduced. Attached is a brochure and a list of facilities throughout the USA.

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: Friday, September 03, 2010 2:51 PM
To: Pete Pasterz; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Best way to destroy collected Pharmaceuticals?

At our 14 retail pharmacy take backs in the Seattle/Puget Sound region (where they screen out controlled substances) the medicines are disposed at a Hazardous Waste incinerator.  They are able to use our state blanket contract for disposal of hazardous waste and it costs a little over $1/pound. 

The 25 clinical pharmacies are using a waste-to-energy incinerator.

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: Pete Pasterz [mailto:PAPasterz at cabarruscounty.us] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 3:06 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Best way to destroy collected Pharmaceuticals?

While there seem to be many approaches in the accounts/case studies of pharma collections from community events and from health care facilities, final disposition is usually not addressed.  If there is a mention at all in the collection protocols I've read, "incineration" is usually used without definition.

Questions:

1] What ultimately happens to the drugs that you collect or that are collected in your jurisdictions?

2] If incinerated, in what type of incinerator?  

                Medical Waste?

                MSW?

                Industrial Kiln?

                Crematory?

                On-site mobile/portable unit?

                Other?

Bonus Question-

For Air Quality regulators on the list [or one that you know to whom you can forward this], what are your State/Regional standards or requirements, if any?  How do they ensure that this process is ultimately safer to health and environment than landfill or sewer disposal?

þ Pete Pasterz, NCQRP

Cabarrus County Recycling and HHW

PO BOX 707

Concord, NC  28026

704-920-3280

www.cabarruscounty.us/waste

If you're not for ZERO Waste, how much Waste ARE you for?

________________________________

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.

________________________________

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.

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