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Chemical treatment: destruction and disinfection in one step

Article Abstract:

Winfield Corp's Condor equipment minces, disinfects and drains medical waste of moisture. This new chemical treatment process, which reduces waste volume by 80% and makes it ready for dumping at landfills, is suggested as an alternative to conventional treatment methods and incineration. Another treatment procedure uses ABB Sanitec's microwave system that reduces infectious-waste volume and odor without using chemicals. However, Pennsylvania's environmental regulators rejected permit applications using microwave technology.

Bags: plastics, laminated, & coated, Product information, Pollution control industry, Waste management, Environmental services industry, Medical wastes, Infectious wastes, Winfield Corp., ABB Sanitec Inc.

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Studying Superfund: Superfund, the controversial hazardous-site cleanup program, is under the microscope again

Article Abstract:

Reports indicate that the Superfund program needs evaluation on pertinent issues. The General Accounting Office released a report on Superfund site public health assessments doubting the validity of the assessments prepared by the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. A similar study details alternative policy recommendations on costs of hazardous waste handling. Costs of the Superfund clean-up program would more likely entail greater local government participation than expected.

Air, water, & solid waste management, Evaluation, Reports, Toxic torts, Superfund

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Where does construction debris go?

Article Abstract:

Most people assume that construction debris is incinerated or otherwise disposed of in an appropriate manner. However, a study conducted by anthropologist William Rathje showed that most of these construction debris end up in municipal landfills. In the area of Rathje's study, construction-related waste made up 28% of the landfill stuffing, a much bigger volume than plastic waste.

Solid Waste Landfill, Research, Sanitary landfills

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