EPA tightens emission standards for large MWCs

On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule tightening emissions limits for large municipal waste combustors (MWC), or trash incinerators that burn more than 250 tons a day of solid waste. Controls on MWC emissions were first adopted in 1995 and, according to the agency, have reduced organic emissions (dioxin/furans) by more than 99 percent, metal emissions (mercury, cadmium and lead) by more than 93 percent and acid gas emissions (sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride) by more than 91 percent. The recent changes are designed to ensure a continued reduction in toxic emissions while simplifying the implementation of EPA standards.