New Study Finds Greater Utilization of Waste TRI Toxins for Energy Recovery at Nonhazardous US Waste Facilities Than at Hazardous US Waste Facilities

EI Digest Study Estimates 1.4 Billion Pounds of Toxins Are Used Annually at Nonhazardous Facilities

Contact: Cary Perket, Senior Analyst, (619) 297-0321

For Immediate Release - June 2, 2004

Minneapolis, Minnesota – Environmental Information Limited, in a newly released EI Digest research report, found that the number of manufacturers who reported utilizing waste toxins for energy recovery under the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) was almost ten times higher than the number of manufacturers reporting utilizing RCRA hazardous waste for energy recovery. This finding was surprising given that one of the primary reasons that manufacturing wastes are declared hazardous is the presence of toxic substances.

In addition to there being more facilities overall, non-RCRA facilities reported burning more toxins than the RCRA hazardous waste facilities. In the most recent year for which TRI reporting is available (2001), a total of 2.6 billion pounds of toxins were reportedly utilized for energy recovery by all facilities. Of this amount, 1.2 billion pounds of toxins (about 46%) were reportedly utilized by RCRA hazardous waste energy recovery facilities, also known as RCRA boilers & industrial furnaces. 

In addition to there being more facilities overall, non-RCRA facilities reported burning more toxins than the RCRA hazardous waste facilities. In the most recent year for which TRI reporting is available (2001), a total of 2.6 billion pounds of toxins were reportedly utilized for energy recovery by all facilities. Of this amount, 1.2 billion pounds of toxins (about 46%) were reportedly utilized by RCRA hazardous waste energy recovery facilities, also known as RCRA boilers & industrial furnaces. 

Under the current federal RCRA hazardous waste regulations, it is possible for manufacturing wastes to contain toxins and still be considered nonhazardous. “The apparent prevalent use of nonhazardous waste containing toxins for energy recovery is excellent from the standpoint that the waste is being utilized,” stated EI senior analyst Cary Perket. “However, it does raise an interesting question as to whether the same stringent destruction of such toxins that is required of RCRA hazardous waste facilities is being accomplished at manufacturing facilities where nonhazardous waste, which could theoretically contain the same toxins, is utilized.”

Manufacturers reporting to the TRI program are required to provide the amount of toxin utilized, but not the amount of waste. Since the concentration of toxin varies in manufacturing waste, there is no simple conversion from pounds of toxins to tons of overall waste. Compilation and analysis for RCRA reporting data has led EI to conclude that about 2 million tons are utilized annually at RCRA hazardous waste facilities. Given the relative percentages of toxins used at RCRA hazardous waste facilities verses nonhazardous waste facilities, it is reasonable to assume that the total amount of nonhazardous waste is utilized containing toxins is at least as large as, if not larger than, the amount of hazardous waste. 

The EI Digest is a leading source of original market data and research on the management of hazardous waste and wastewater. The information in this information release is contained in the report Estimated Captive Hazardous Waste Energy Recovery Utilization in the United States. For further information on the EI Digest, log on Envirobiz.com or contact Environmental Information ( EI ) at (952) 831-2473.

Under the current federal RCRA hazardous waste regulations, it is possible for manufacturing wastes to contain toxins and still be considered nonhazardous. “The apparent prevalent use of nonhazardous waste containing toxins for energy recovery is excellent from the standpoint that the waste is being utilized,” stated EI senior analyst Cary Perket. “However, it does raise an interesting question as to whether the same stringent destruction of such toxins that is required of RCRA hazardous waste facilities is being accomplished at manufacturing facilities where nonhazardous waste, which could theoretically contain the same toxins, is utilized.”

Manufacturers reporting to the TRI program are required to provide the amount of toxin utilized, but not the amount of waste. Since the concentration of toxin varies in manufacturing waste, there is no simple conversion from pounds of toxins to tons of overall waste. Compilation and analysis for RCRA reporting data has led EI to conclude that about 2 million tons are utilized annually at RCRA hazardous waste facilities. Given the relative percentages of toxins used at RCRA hazardous waste facilities verses nonhazardous waste facilities, it is reasonable to assume that the total amount of nonhazardous waste is utilized containing toxins is at least as large as, if not larger than, the amount of hazardous waste.

The EI Digest is a leading source of original market data and research on the management of hazardous waste and wastewater. The information in this information release is contained in the report Estimated Captive Hazardous Waste Energy Recovery Utilization in the United States. For further information on the EI Digest, log on Envirobiz.com or contact Environmental Information ( EI ) at (952) 831-2473.