GARWER WasteXchange News

US revises standards for hazardous waste combustion Posted: 01 May 2008 02:09 PM CDT The US Environmental Protection Agency issued the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for new and existing hazardous waste combustors on October 12, 2005. The April 8, 2008 amendments to this rule revise or clarify several compliance and monitoring provisions in the October 12, 2005 rule. In addition, these amendments correct several omissions and typographical errors. These changes are as follows: Finalizes a sunset provision for the interim standards for incinerators, cement kilns, and lightweight aggregate kilns; Clarifies the applicability of the particulate matter detection system requirements for sources equipped with fabric filters; * Clarifies that periodic confirmatory performance testing for dioxin/furans is not required for sources that are not subject to a numerical dioxin/furan emission standard; * Clarifies the periodic performance testing requirements for sources operating under the interim standards; * Finalizes a performance test waiver provision for sources subject to hazardous waste thermal concentration limits if the source feeds low levels of metals or chlorine in the hazardous waste; * Clarifies the procedures to calculate rolling averages for the metals and chlorine standards; * Revises when a source must submit subsequent periodic reviews of its eligibility for the health-based compliance alternative for total chlorine; * Clarifies the mercury standard for new and existing cement kilns; * Clarifies whether interim status sources need to obtain approval before proceeding with facility modifications required to meet the MACT emission standards; * Corrects several typographical errors and rule citations; * Revises the Notice of Intent to Comply (NIC) provisions for new units; * Clarifies the applicability of Title V permit requirements for area sources for boilers and HCl production furnaces; and * Revises the startup, shutdown, and malfunction plan provision. The revised provisions are effective immediately, and the final rule does not change the October 14, 2008, compliance date established by the October 2005 final rule. The Agency believes that these amendments to the October 2005 final rule will reduce compliance uncertainties and improve understanding of the final rule requirements.

San Francisco hits 70% city recycling rate Posted: 01 May 2008 02:07 PM CDT The city of San Francisco has chalked up a 70 percent recycling rate - the highest in the US diversion of waste, which includes recycling, composting, and re-use, has increased from 35 percent in 1996, to 70 percent today, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced last week. Diversion accounts for 1,415,159 tons of waste, or 70 percent of the total waste stream. 'San Francisco is making it easier than ever to participate in recycling collection programs, and our new 70 percent diversion rate is proof of our commitment a zero-waste future,' said Mayor Newsom. The mayor now wants to pass a new law that will raise the rate of recycling another five percent by imposing new requirements on landlords, businesses, and event organizers. 'I want to build upon this commitment to waste reduction with legislation that will get us to a 75 percent recycling rate and ultimately support our 2010 Climate Action Plan goal,' he said. The mayor proposed legislation that may require all landlords to provide adequate recycling and composting for their tenants. It could require businesses that sell takeout food items to allow the public to deposit small amounts of recyclables, compostables and trash in their receptacles. Under the proposal, event organizers would have to site and manage sufficient groups of recycling, composting and trash receptacles. If incorrect materials are found in a receptacle - recyclables in the trash, trash in compostables - the collector shall leave a tag identifying the problem. If incorrect materials continue to be found, the collector can leave a tag and not empty the receptacle. The measure could require that materials accepted in recycling and composting programs would be banned from the landfill transfer station. Mayor Newsom made the announcement at Leonard Flynn Elementary School, the 100th school to join the Food to Flowers! program. Food to Flowers! uses assemblies and standards-based curriculum to educate students about the importance of protecting nature and how composting and recycling can help. Green and blue carts are placed in the cafeterias so students can compost and recycle during lunch. City schools began composting with the green cart in 2000. All Food to Flowers! schools have free access to the compost that is created from the program. Food to Flowers! is responsible for diverting 3,300 tons of solid waste a year. The program is part of the San Francisco Environment Department's award-winning School Education Program that reaches 20,000 students annually.

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