"Toxic Waste Managed Increased in 2013"

"Most of the toxic chemical waste managed at industrial facilities in 2013 in the US was not released into the environment, according to the EPA’s annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report.

The report shows that about 22 billion pounds — or 84 percent— of the 26 billion pounds of toxic chemical waste were instead managed through the use of preferred practices such as recycling, similar to previous years’ TRIs.

Of the 4 billion pounds that were disposed of or otherwise released to the environment, 66 percent went to land, 19 percent to air, 5 percent to water and 10 percent was transferred to other facilities.

From 2012 to 2013, the amount of toxic chemicals managed as waste by the nation’s industrial facilities increased by 4 percent. This increase includes the amount of chemicals recycled, treated and burned for energy recovery, as well as the amount disposed of or otherwise released into the environment."

The Environmental Leader had the story January 15, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Savannah 60th of 893 Urban Areas for Toxic Releases" (Savannah Morning News)

"Utah Ranks Second for Toxic Releases" (KUER)

"22 Billion Pounds of Chemical Waste Recycled in 2013: EPA" (Occupational Health & Safety)

"EPA: Bulk of Toxic Chemical Waste Recycled" (Waste360)

Release of 1/14/15: "EPA Releases 2013 Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis" (EPA)