Southington comes out against medical waste proposal

The Southington Town Council has passed a resolution opposing the collection and incineration of biomedical waste at the Reworld facility in Bristol and has sent a formal letter to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to deny Reworld’s application. Southington has asked DEEP and the Connecticut Department of Public Health “to conduct a thorough review of the potential health and safety risks associated with this proposal, including the implementation of continuous emissions monitoring, and to take necessary actions to protect the residents of Southington and the surrounding communities” and “to engage with local stakeholders… in assessing the […]

Special meeting on incinerator noise pollution and medical waste burning in Plainville

The Plainville Town Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, September 9, 2024 to discuss the proposal to burn biomedical waste at Reworld’s incinerator in southeast Bristol and the noise pollution that that facility has been subjecting area residents to. The meeting will be held at the Municipal Center, Council Chambers and will begin at 7 PM. An agenda is here: https://www.plainvillect.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif4866/f/agendas/tc_9-9-24_special_meeting_agenda.pdf If you care about these issues, please turn out!

Incinerator served with notices of violation

Following a thorough investigation into widespread noise complaints, Reworld was served with two notices of violation for exceeding the maximum sound levels set forth in state regulation and has been ordered to comply with state regulation. These notices confirm that Reworld has not been adhering to its operating permit, at least as regards noise pollution. Reworld has appealed these notices, denying — incredibly — that their facility produces any noise that is audible beyond the property line. For more information, see NBC’s report: Stop the sound: Health district orders Bristol company to reduce noise levels – NBC Connecticut.

Courant story on infection risk

In addition to the air and noise pollution, the draft permits allow the importation of infectious waste up to biosafety level 4, (BSL 4) creating the risk of the spread of disease in workers and community members. Biosafety level 4 classification is reserved for highly contagious pathogens that cause severe to fatal disease and for which there are no effective treatments or vaccine. Read more at the Hartford Courant:Consultant sees ‘occupational health issue’ in permit for burning medical waste at CT incinerator.

Southington Town Council hears about health risks

Ed Krisiunas, an expert with 35+ years in medical waste management spoke to the Southington Town Council on August 12, 2024 on medical waste and the draft permits released by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. He identifies deficiencies in the draft permits that could put workers and communities at risk of infection. Watch below. For more information, see the Hartford Courant’s article on the presentation.

EJN comments on the draft permits

The draft permits for the burning of biomedical waste in Bristol are getting attention. Mike Ewall, founder of the Energy Justice Network and noted environmental attorney, has provided BARC with an analysis and detailed recommendations in response to the draft permits. Summary recommendations Analysis and detailed recommendations Recommendation 1 DEEP ought to require that Reworld (Covanta) abide by the federal standards for new medical waste incinerators. The air permits are headed by the words “NEW SOURCE REVIEW PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE A STATIONARY SOURCE.” As it pertains to medical waste incineration, this facility is indeed a new source. Emissions limits in […]

Bristol Residents for Clean Air Condemns Draft Permit for Bristol Biomedical Waste Incinerator; Demand Public Hearing

Hartford, CT – July 13, 2024 – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued draft permits for Reworld, Inc. (formerly Covanta) to construct and operate a medical waste burning operation at their existing trash incinerator at 170 Enterprise Drive, Bristol, CT. This proposal, which DEEP released July 5, has sparked significant public health and environmental concerns and already led residents around the state to formally petition DEEP to hold a public hearing on these permits. The facility, authorized to burn up to 57 tons of biomedical waste (BMW) daily, poses severe health risks. The incineration of […]