Last week, the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) held a Science Session webinar on “Weighing the Options: Current Strategies for Managing PFAS in Leachate,” which covered the science behind PFAS in leachate; the EPA’s interim guidance; knowledge gaps that exist; and more.
I moderated this session with Dr. Stephanie Bolyard, Research and Scholarships Program Manager at EREF. Dr. Bolyard was able to take complex science and distill it into concrete takeaways for the industry.
PFAS these man-made chemicals that have given us convenience for decades are everywhere, including non-stick pans, stain-resistant couches, and waterproof clothing. And, its convenience and usefulness have led to the chemicals being found everywhere from the water supply and our soil, to even our blood supply and, of course, leachate in landfills, the main topic of this webinar.
Dive Brief:
Casella Waste Systems is continuing plans to expand its disposal capacity in the Northeastern U.S. to take advantage of a tightening market and anticipated price escalation in the region.
During its fourth quarter earnings call on Friday, CEO John Casella said the company plans to pursue new permit approvals to further activate its McKean Landfill in Pennsylvania. The upcoming closure of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) refuse-derived fuel facility in Connecticut is one factor that could put pressure on the regional disposal market, he said.
The company is also moving forward with other landfill expansions in the region, including ongoing development of the latest expansion at its Waste USA site in Vermont and bump up capacity at its Hyland site in New York from almost 470 tons a year to about 1 million tons.
aFrom EREF, 2019 rev. ed.
EREF’s regional analysis indicates tip fees can vary widely regionally across the U.S. The 2020 report also shows that there are large variations within each region and within individual states. To assess the variability within an individual state, EREF performed a sensitivity analysis on the relationship between population and tip fees in North Carolina. Metropolitan areas (U.S. Census statistical areas consisting of a county or counties with at least one urban area and a population of at least 50,000) had the lowest tip fees with an average of $37.99 per ton and was lower than the state average of $45.97 per ton. Tip fees in the less populated areas of the state, those not in a metropolitan or micropolitan area, were greater than the state average at $57.77 per ton. While a larger population and associated increase in waste generation could have an impact on tip fees, additional statistical analyses suggest a limited relationship between population and
Thermo Fisher releases Niton XL5 Plus XRF analyzer
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, has released its Niton XL5 Plus hand-held X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. The Niton XL5 Plus helps businesses mitigate risk through the use of XRF technology by providing lab-quality elemental analysis directly in the field.
According to a news release from Thermo Fisher, the Niton XL5 Plus is one of the smallest and lightest portable XRF analyzers on the market and weighs only 2.8 pounds. It provides users with greater accessibility in hard-to-maneuver workspaces while reducing operator fatigue. Featuring enhanced software and improved detector technology, the Niton XL5 Plus provides analytical performance and accuracy when analyzing both light elements and heavy metals.
Geosynthetic clay liners (GCL) have long been proven to effectively contain and store municipal solid waste (MSW) while helping maximize space due to their thickness (less than 1 cm), but some experts have taken a closer look at how they perform with special wastes as more operators take in different materials including coal ash. Mixing coal combustion residuals (CCR) with MSW has raised concerns, especially around leachate compatibility.
Some states established their own programs to address potential issues in advance of federal mandates around coal ash disposal that were promulgated in 2015 [a rule that continues to evolve]. But many jurisdictions are dealing with liner design issues around ash for the first time. An SCS engineer, a researcher at George Mason University in Virginia, and a rep from GCL liner manufacturer CETCO lend expertise around technical considerations for MSW landfill operators thinking of managing CCR.