In response to growing public health concerns associated with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the SWANA Applied Research Foundation (ARF) has issued a report summarizing and analyzing the destruction of PFAS in waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities. PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used in industrial processes and consumer products since the 1950s.PFAS are found in many consumer products, including stain-resistant carpeting, non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and cosmetics. When these products are discarded as municipal solid waste (MSW), they present challenges to the MSW management facilities, including WTE facilities, that receive them.
In 2019, the ARF鈥檚 Waste Conversion and Energy Recovery (WCER) Group selected the topic of 鈥淧FAS Fate and Transport in WTE Facilities鈥� for investigation. The research findings presented in the resulting report are based on a comprehensive review of the literature and an analysis of the findings of laboratory, pilot-scale, and full-scale investigations of the PFAS emissions from WTE facilities and similar thermal combustion plants and processes. The report鈥檚 findings and conclusions have been independently reviewed and approved by Dr. Marco Castaldi of the Director of the Earth Engineering Center at the City College of New York.
鈥淧FAS is one of the most important regulatory issues facing the solid waste industry,鈥� stated David Biderman, SWANA鈥檚 Executive Director and CEO. 鈥淭his report sheds important light on whether WTE facilities are part of the solution managing MSW that contains PFAS.鈥�
An EPA report issued in 2020 identified WTE facilities as a potential disposal option for PFAS-containing materials, and EPA Deputy Administrator Carlton Waterhouse discussed PFAS at SWANA鈥檚 Landfill Challenges Summit last week.
Based on this research, SWANA is cautiously optimistic regarding the positive role that WTE facilities can play in destroying PFAS in MSW. The thermal destruction of PFAS-containing wastes in high-temperature combustion systems, including WTE facilities, may represent one of the few commercially proven options available for destroying these problematic, forever chemicals.
鈥淲e appreciate the support and involvement of our WCER subscribers who submitted and voted for this important research topic and provided funding support for the research effort,鈥� said Jeremy O鈥橞rien, SWANA鈥檚 Director of Applied Research.