PFAS and waste management: how the industry is dealing with these 'forever chemicals'

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, are a growing concern in the waste management sector. These 'forever chemicals' hardly break down in the environment and can accumulate in water, soil and living organisms. Due to their unique properties - such as water, grease and dirt repellency - they are widely used in industrial applications and consumer products.

But how does the waste management industry deal with PFAS? What challenges does handling these chemicals pose? And what solutions are there to minimise the impact of PFAS on the environment? In this blog post, we delve deeper into these questions and look at the role of waste management companies in managing PFAS contamination.

What are PFAS and why are they a problem?

PFAS is an umbrella term for thousands of chemical compounds that have been produced since the 1940s. They can be found in products such as:

• Water-repellent clothing and textiles
• Firefighting foam
• Food packaging and non-stick coatings
• Industrial lubricants and coatings

These substances are popular in industry because of their stability and resistance to extreme temperatures and chemicals. But that same stability means PFAS hardly degrade in the environment. As a result, they accumulate in ecosystems and can enter the human body through water, air and food chains.

Health and environmental impacts

Research indicates that long-term exposure to PFAS can lead to:

• Harmful effects on the liver and immune system
• Increased risk of certain cancers
• Hormonal disturbances and fertility problems

In addition, PFAS contamination in soil and groundwater is a major environmental problem because the substances spread and are difficult to remove.

The challenges of PFAS in waste management

Waste management companies face a huge challenge when it comes to PFAS. These substances are found in a wide range of products and materials, which means they enter the waste stream in different ways:

• Industrial waste flows - Companies that use PFAS in their production processes produce waste that is often contaminated.
• Household waste - Many consumer products contain PFAS and end up in residual waste.
• Water treatment - PFAS can occur in sewage sludge and wastewater, making it difficult for wastewater treatment plants to remove.

Why PFAS is difficult to process

The chemical resistance of PFAS makes traditional processing methods, such as incineration or chemical degradation, less effective. Moreover, certain processing methods can lead to the spread of PFAS into the air, soil or water.

Therefore, waste management companies should take care and deploy new technologies to reduce the risks posed by PFAS.

How the waste management industry deals with PFAS

To manage PFAS safely and reduce environmental impact, innovative solutions are being sought worldwide. Key strategies are:

1. Separate collection and monitoring

A crucial first step is to identify and separate PFAS-containing waste. This is done by, among others:

• Stricter regulation and control - Governments set stricter standards for PFAS concentrations in waste and raw materials.
• Monitoring of waste streams - Waste management companies regularly analyse their waste streams to determine the presence of PFAS.
• Specialised collection methods - Some companies operate separate collection programmes for PFAS-containing materials.

2. Advanced processing techniques

As PFAS do not break down easily, new methods are being developed to process these substances effectively:

• Controlled high-temperature combustion - This can break down some PFAS compounds, but requires specialised facilities to prevent emissions.
• Advanced filtration techniques - Activated carbon and ion exchangers are used to filter PFAS from water streams.
• Electrochemical oxidation and plasma technology - Experimental methods trying to break down PFAS molecules at the molecular level.

Although some techniques are effective, processing PFAS remains a major challenge. Therefore, research into improved technologies is ongoing.

3. Prevention and circular solutions

The best way to reduce PFAS pollution is to limit their use. Waste managers play an important role here by working with governments and industries to find alternatives to PFAS-containing products.

• Stricter product standards - Governments are increasingly setting limits on PFAS use in consumer goods.
• Reuse and recycling - Although PFAS is difficult to biodegrade, circular methods are being researched to process materials without further proliferation.
• Business and consumer awareness - Through education, companies and individuals can make conscious choices about PFAS use and waste management.

The future of PFAS waste management

With stricter regulations and growing environmental awareness, the focus on PFAS processing will only increase. Waste management companies will continue to develop innovative methods to process PFAS more safely and efficiently.

There is also international cooperation on new regulations, cleaner production processes and alternative materials to reduce the use of PFAS. This requires a joint effort by companies, governments and consumers.

Eurowaste and tackling PFAS

At Eurowaste, we closely monitor developments around PFAS and actively work on solutions within our waste treatment processes. We are committed to:

• Strict monitoring and analysis of PFAS-containing waste
• Cooperation with specialised laboratories for safe processing
• Sustainable and innovative processing methods

Through continuous innovation and collaboration with industry partners, we contribute to safer and more sustainable handling of PFAS in waste management.

Want to know more about our approach? Contact us and discover the possibilities.