Date: February 5, 2007
Source: Frost & Sullivan
Stringent Government Regulations Lead To Advances In Hazardous Waste Management
Due to stringent government regulations, the use of landfill and incineration is slowly decreasing, especially in the case of hazardous waste management. However, the concept of producer responsibility is still at nascent stages. If this were adopted on a full-fledged scale, it would help to shift the focus of the industry to newer technologies such as plasma arc converter, as well as methods of recycling and reusing.
Frost & Sullivan finds that Advances in Hazardous Waste Management provides a review of the technology that will change the landscape of the field of hazardous waste management and includes an analysis of the key participants and their developments. The study distinguishes itself by focusing on user concerns and examining the practical and pragmatic applications of emerging technologies. It is likely that some of the technologies and methods discussed in this research service have been recently commercialized or will be in the near future.
"Currently, the focus of the industry is on recycling and reusing the hazardous waste that is being generated," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Rebecca Bright. "Companies are also proactively seeking alternative substances that could be used in the manufacturing process, which are less toxic and do not result in hazardous waste."
On a global level, stringent regulations are expected to come into effect within the next three to five years. These regulations will refer specifically to landfills and incineration plants and are expected to discourage these practices. As a result, the healthy alternatives would be recycling and reusing, which are likely to become prominent in course of time.
With the existing and upcoming government regulations, technologies such as landfill and incineration are losing their demand. In addition, research indicates that landfills pose a threat with leaching effects, thereby contaminating the groundwater. Leaching effects are caused even if there is a small leakage in the walls of the landfill. This can be detrimental as landfills are at times filled with hazardous waste that can be carcinogenic and this hampers widespread adoption.
"Currently, there is interest in a lot of research-level works within the industry and research organizations to locate methods for recycling and reuse of hazardous waste," explains Bright. "In case of incineration units, there are concerns about the effects that dioxins and furans have on health, since these emissions contaminate the air and are potentially harmful to humans."
Producer responsibility is expected to come into force within the next two years in industry. This effectively holds waste generators responsible for the waste that they generate. This is very similar to the 'polluter pays' principle wherein tax is levied on the waste generators. This is likely to promote research and development of alternative materials that could lead to advances in hazardous waste management.
Advances in Hazardous Waste Management is part of the Technical Insights Subscription, and it reviews hazardous waste management technologies in the field of environmental engineering. This study also focuses more on the concepts of waste management such as resource recovery, recycling, and other concepts such as treatment and dumping. It provides information on organizations, companies, universities, research institutions, and government labs involved in research and development (R&D), with their contact details. A summary of key patents is also reviewed and is aimed to give an insight on notable activities, technology trends, and major participants involved in the development and application of these technologies.
Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters, and research services.
For more information, visit: www.frost.com.
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