the role of private enterprise in the reclamation, recycling and storage of mercury presented by...

The Role of Private Enterprise The Role of Private Enterprise in the Reclamation, Recycling in the Reclamation, Recycling and Storage of Mercuryand Storage of Mercury

Presented byPresented by

Brad J. Buscher, Chairman and CEOBrad J. Buscher, Chairman and CEO

of Mercury Waste Solutions, Inc.of Mercury Waste Solutions, Inc.

Company BackgroundCompany Background

Formed in 1996Formed in 1996

IPO in 1997IPO in 1997

Mercury retortingMercury retorting

Lamp and ballast recyclingLamp and ballast recycling

FacilitiesFacilities

Roseville

Union Grove

Indianapolis

AtlantaKansas City

Albany

Chicago

MWS Minnesota Lamp Recycling Facility

MWS Wisconsin Retorting Facility

Company BackgroundCompany Background

Union Grove Retorting Facility:Union Grove Retorting Facility:

4 stationary ovens – 25 drum capacity4 stationary ovens – 25 drum capacity

1 Continuous flow oven – 1,000 lbs per hour capacity1 Continuous flow oven – 1,000 lbs per hour capacity

Treat over 1,800 tons of waste annuallyTreat over 1,800 tons of waste annually

Recover over 80,000 lbs or 400 tons of Hg annuallyRecover over 80,000 lbs or 400 tons of Hg annually

Is There a Role for Is There a Role for Private Enterprise?Private Enterprise?

GOOD QUESTION!GOOD QUESTION!

To answer that question, an explanation of the history of the mercury recycling industry is To answer that question, an explanation of the history of the mercury recycling industry is necessary…………………..necessary…………………..

Regulatory OverviewRegulatory Overview

1.1. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 “RCRA”.Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 “RCRA”.

Hazardous waste classificationHazardous waste classification

Comprehensive cradle to grave system for generation, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous wasteComprehensive cradle to grave system for generation, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste

Prior to RCRA, mercury recyclers’ business model was based on resale of Hg as a commodityPrior to RCRA, mercury recyclers’ business model was based on resale of Hg as a commodity

After RCRA, business modeled evolved toward getting paid for liability reductionAfter RCRA, business modeled evolved toward getting paid for liability reduction


2.2. Land Disposal Restriction “LDR” Program --1984Land Disposal Restriction “LDR” Program --1984

Disposal Prohibition – requires treatment standards for haz waste before it can be landfilledDisposal Prohibition – requires treatment standards for haz waste before it can be landfilled

Dilution Prohibition – prevents dilutionDilution Prohibition – prevents dilution

Storage Prohibition – prevents indefinite storageStorage Prohibition – prevents indefinite storage


LDR Treatment Standards:LDR Treatment Standards:

RMERC – retorting of organic and inorganic “high” mercury wasteRMERC – retorting of organic and inorganic “high” mercury waste

IMERC – incineration of organic “high” mercury wasteIMERC – incineration of organic “high” mercury waste

Industry BackgroundIndustry Background

Why did the mercury recycling industry expand in the early 1990’s?Why did the mercury recycling industry expand in the early 1990’s?

Regulatory framework in placeRegulatory framework in place

Anticipation of universal waste rule for fluorescent lampsAnticipation of universal waste rule for fluorescent lamps

Mining industry activityMining industry activity

Choral kali industry activityChoral kali industry activity


What happened to the Mercury Recycling Industry?What happened to the Mercury Recycling Industry?

Delay in Universal Waste Rule for lampsDelay in Universal Waste Rule for lamps

Increased competitionIncreased competition

But primarily due to But primarily due to increased waste shipments to Canadaincreased waste shipments to Canada

What Happened?What Happened?

124k173k

342k383k

467k 487k540k

663k

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Haz Waste Sent to Canada (tons)

Source: Environment Canada


$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

CalciumPhoshpate

Mercury Debris MercuryDevices

Retorting Prices per 55g Drum

1992 Prices 2002 Prices


12

5

0

5

10

15

1998 2002

Mercury Retorting Companies Still in Business


Why the Exodus to Canada?Why the Exodus to Canada?

Canada (i.e. Ontario and Quebec) allows untreated waste to be landfilledCanada (i.e. Ontario and Quebec) allows untreated waste to be landfilled

Canadian disposal option much cheaper than retortingCanadian disposal option much cheaper than retorting

Inconsistencies in U.S. treatment standardsInconsistencies in U.S. treatment standards


$2,000

$150

$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

U.S. Retort CA Landfill

Price Comparison: U.S. Retorting vs. Canadian Landfill (per ton)


U.S. Treatment Standards:U.S. Treatment Standards:

1.1. TCLP testTCLP test

If > 0.2 mg/l, run analytical for total mercury content If > 0.2 mg/l, run analytical for total mercury content or send to Canadaor send to Canada

If < 0.2 mg/l, no treatment is requiredIf < 0.2 mg/l, no treatment is required

2.2. Total Mercury TestTotal Mercury Test

If > 260 ppm, retorting is requiredIf > 260 ppm, retorting is required

If < 260 ppm, either retort or stabilization prior to landfillIf < 260 ppm, either retort or stabilization prior to landfill


U.S. Treatment Standards continued:U.S. Treatment Standards continued:

3.3. Exclusions from these treatment standards – the DEBRIS RULEExclusions from these treatment standards – the DEBRIS RULE

If waste is classified as “debris”, material can be still landfilled even if > 0.2 mg/l and > 260 ppm.If waste is classified as “debris”, material can be still landfilled even if > 0.2 mg/l and > 260 ppm.

Rule was intended for construction & demolition debris, however, Rule has broad interpretationRule was intended for construction & demolition debris, however, Rule has broad interpretation


Examples of Debris Rule Exceptions:Examples of Debris Rule Exceptions:

Coast Guard batteriesCoast Guard batteries

Nicor cleanupNicor cleanup

Sampling techniquesSampling techniques

Other examplesOther examples

Back to the Question…..Back to the Question…..

Given the current regulatory and industry environment, is there a ongoing opportunity for Private Given the current regulatory and industry environment, is there a ongoing opportunity for Private Enterprise in the Recycling and Reclamation of Mercury?Enterprise in the Recycling and Reclamation of Mercury?

Yes……but on a limited basisYes……but on a limited basis


What needs to happen……What needs to happen……

U.S. rules need to be clear, defined and enforcedU.S. rules need to be clear, defined and enforced

Enforcement needs to focus on generatorsEnforcement needs to focus on generators

Canadian treatment standards need to be raised to that of U.S. standardsCanadian treatment standards need to be raised to that of U.S. standards


Given the current regulatory and industry environment, is there a Given the current regulatory and industry environment, is there a future future opportunity for Private opportunity for Private Enterprise in the Enterprise in the StorageStorage of Mercury? of Mercury?

Unlikely…………Unlikely…………


For the storage industry to evolve….For the storage industry to evolve….

Clear, concise government regulations that govern Hg Storage are needed that answer the following questions:Clear, concise government regulations that govern Hg Storage are needed that answer the following questions: Who’s waste is it?Who’s waste is it? How much Hg can be stored?How much Hg can be stored? How long?How long? Who pays for the storage?Who pays for the storage? Facility design and construction requirements?Facility design and construction requirements? Permitting and insurance requirements?Permitting and insurance requirements?

Conclusions and QuestionsConclusions and Questions

the role of private enterprise in the reclamation, recycling and storage of mercury presented by...

Documents