AFS partakes in EPA roundtable to address barriers to beneficial reuse.

On November 5, the EPA's National Center for Environmental Innovation gathered the top non-hazardous waste generating industries to discuss beneficial reuse and, in some states, a lack thereof. AFS and FIRST (Foundry Industry Recycling Starts Today) joined representatives from the aluminum, concrete, cement, iron and steel, coal combustion, pulp and paper, petroleum refining, and copper and brass fabricator industries in a half-day session dedicated to identifying existing barriers and outlining opportunities to increase the beneficial reuse of industrial by-products across the country.

Foundry sand, furnace and ladle refractory, slag and baghouse dust all have beneficial reuse applications that are being under utilized for a variety of reasons. Inconsistent state regulations, a lack of sound technical data and an inability to accumulate enough supply are some of the barriers identified by our industry.

The EPA learned that several industries have similar concerns. In addition, the opportunities for increased beneficial reuse would provide benefits across several sectors. AFS is optimistic that engaging the agency in this dialogue and working with the EPA to develop a broad, beneficial strategy will further foundry efforts in the area of beneficial reuse.