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Safe and Compliant PFAS Industrial Services
Republic Services professional teams have the latest equipment and training to provide Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) industrial services.Byline: BTB Editor
June 7, 2024 / Time to read: 5 minutesThe conversation around PFAS (per- and poly-fluorinated substances) is ever-evolving, as is the regulatory landscape of these forever chemicals. On April 24, 2024, the EPA designated two types of PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), allowing them to use the full strength of the regulation to address PFAS contamination. This and any future regulation could have a significant impact on the management of materials. Companies are tasked with remaining compliant while operating business as usual, making it important now, more than ever, to partner with a provider that has the knowledge and resources to manage PFAS waste safely and responsibly.
Republic Services has more than 70 years of experience managing complex waste streams and is at the forefront of PFAS management. Our network of treatment and disposal facilities, as well as field, industrial and emergency response services stretch across North America.
Republic Services professional teams have the latest equipment and training to provide Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) industrial services, including decommissioning of large-scale AFFF deluge hangar fire suppression systems safely and efficiently, as well as management of handheld fire extinguishers. We provide these services to fire departments, airport hangers and government entities across the country.
Our capabilities include:
- Evacuation of AFFF concentrate from fire suppression system tanks
- Dismantling tanks, hose reels, piping and valve removal
- AFFF bladder removal
- Transportation and disposal of AFFF and rinse waters in drums, totes or bulk tankers
- Containerization and transportation of debris and piping in roll-offs
- Municipal Fire Departments AFFF foam truck decommissioning and decontamination
- 24/7 emergency response
Supporting an International Hospitality Company ‘s AFFF needs
Republic Services is well respected for our expertise in offering efficient and safe PFAS solutions. An international hospitality company that owns and operates a network of more than 200 private aviation terminals across the world was looking for a single-source national provider to decommission 145 fire suppression systems across 48 US states including Hawaii and Alaska. The project included Emergency Response standby during system flushing and depressurization, evacuation of AFFF concentrate, rinse, and fire suppression system components including tanks, bladders, piping and proportioner. All AFFF-impacted system components, debris and AFFF concentrate was disposed of in our secure arid climate Subtitle C landfills in Grand View, Idaho and Beatty, Nevada. Impressed with the professionalism and expertise of our team, the relationship quickly expanded into a Total Waste Solutions partnership by adding additional services that streamline and reduce the customer’s waste and increase sustainability.
Today, Republic Services provides AFFF/PFAS field services, transportation and disposal of PFAS waste, solid waste, special waste and site remediation for the customer. To date we have transported and disposed of more than 65,000 gallons of AFFF concentrate, 35,000 gallons of rinsewater and 500 cubic of contaminated debris and tank parts. Liquid-phase waste is safely disposed of in our Subtitle D landfills, Subtitle C landfills and injection wells. When needed, we provide site remediation for contaminated soil and respond to small fuel spills and AFFF releases.
AFFF Fire Suppression System Decommissioning
In addition to private contracts, we partner with several states to decommission their fire departments’ AFFF fire suppression systems.
In Michigan, Republic Services manages the handling, transportation and disposal of containerized AFFF concentrate across more than 300 fire departments state-wide. We’re the exclusive Environmental Solutions provider for Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and have accepted more than 60,000 gallons of AFFF from EGLE for shipment to our licensed hazardous waste arid climate landfills for secure containment.
In Indiana, we pump and rinse fire trucks and manage the collection of containerized foam. We also manage the removal, containerization, transportation and disposal of AFFF concentrate and rinsewater from fire engines at a refinery.
In Ohio, Republic Services provides removal, containerization, transportation and disposal of AFFF concentrate and rinsewater from airport hangar holding tanks.
By working closely with federal and state regulators to assess and comply with the evolving regulatory framework surrounding PFAS management, we have the right capabilities and nationwide network to provide secure solutions that manage PFAS-contaminated waste responsibly now and in the future.
To learn more about Republic Services’ PFAS offerings, including AFFF,
