Document M4o9xRvgqV3roXDVpOBZXvge9

65 Madison Avenue Morristown, New Jersey 07960 NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Opdycke Edward Howard & Co. (216) 781-2400 VINYL WASTE NOT A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN COST-EFFECTIVE INCINERATOR OPERATION, STUDY FINDS MORRISTOWN, New Jersey, October 10, 1994 - Processing wastes containing vinyl plastics is not a significant factor in the cost-effective operation of both hospital and municipal solid waste incinerators, according to a recent study prepared by the Midwest Research Institute (MRI) of Cary, North Carolina. The study, which was independently reviewed by members of a research committee of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, concludes that the additional annual cost of processing wastes containing the normal amount of vinyl material for both municipal solid waste (MSW) combustion and medical waste (MW) incineration plants is very small. The study also concludes that removing vinyl from the waste stream does not eliminate the need for either air pollution control devices that scrub acid gases or for emission monitoring equipment, nor does it influence the choice of incineration equipment. Consequently, the total capital investment is unaffected by the vinyl content of the waste. (over) CTL028864 The Vinyl Institute, A Division of The Society of the Plastics Industry The ongirwl copy ot the document printed on recycled paper 2- - This is good news for operators of both types of incinerators. While the typical amount of vinyl in municipal solid waste is extremely small (about one-half percent according to MRI's report), this study confirms that MSW incinerator operators can continue to accept the current MSW stream as is, with no new equipment or cost concerns. Hospitals using incineration to manage their medical waste, where the amount of vinyl in the waste stream is slightly higher (between 1.4 and 3.7 percent according to MRI), should also view the study's findings as confirmation that this method of waste management is both cost-effective and reliable. This is particularly important considering that the vinyl found in hospital waste largely comes from critical medical applications for which vinyl is ideally suited and often difficult, if not impossible, to replace. These include the blisters and clamshells vised to package a variety of sterile medical devices, as well as tubing, IV bags and catheters. 'With the recent focus on incineration emissions, there have been some questions as to whether add-gas generating materials such as vinyl create a disproportionate cost burden for operators," said Robert H. Burnett, executive director of the Vinyl Institute. "This study confirms that properly built and maintained incinerators require no special systems to handle vinyl waste, and operators will save very little money by trying to avoid vinyl. In fact, the costs involved to eliminate vinyl waste would almost certainly outweigh any savings." Individuals interested in obtaining a summary of the study should contact the Vinyl Environmental Resource Center at 1-800-969-VINYL (8469). A copy of the entire report can be purchased from the American Soriety of Mechanical Engineers by calling 1 -800-THE-ASME (1-800-843-2763). The cost is $35.00. (more) CTL028865 -3The Vinyl Institute is a national trade association representing the leading manufacturers of vinyl resins, vinyl feedstocks, additives and film and sheet products. The Institute is a division of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., and is headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey. The 125,000-member ASME is a worldwide engineering society focused on technical, educational, and research issues. It conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations, holds some 30 technical conferences and 200 professional development courses each year, and sets many industrial and manufacturing standards. CTL028866