As the first and only RCRA-compliant solution of its kind in the US, VLS Environmental Solutions has introduced a patent-pending technique for the permanent disposal of elemental mercury. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, is a federal statute in the United States.

The invention establishes a new standard for environmental safety while managing mercury waste and is a significant advancement in hazardous waste management. The company’s Texas Molecular Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility in Deer Park, Texas, will be the site of the new technology’s implementation. Permitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the facility is outfitted to safely handle and dispose of mercury waste in accordance with current laws.

According to John Magee, CEO of VLS Environmental Solutions, “This is a watershed moment for mercury waste management.” “Since the Mercury Export Ban Act went into effect in 2013, our procedure offers the first genuine domestic solution for mercury disposal.” Mercury exports were prohibited starting in 2013 by the Mercury Export Ban Act, which was enacted in 2008. Industries and government organisations were left without a compliant disposal pathway under the law.

Up until now, the majority of organisations have depended on landfills and indefinite storage or stabilisation, which only served to postpone the issue.

Chris Lobue, executive vice president of hazardous waste services at VLS Environmental Solutions, stated that certain techniques may present long-term hazards. “Our solution builds on drinking water protection technology and complies with current EPA regulations.” According to VLS, the discovery will help federal authorities that oversee historical mercury reserves as well as industries including mining, energy, and chemicals.

The procedure offers long-term environmental security as well as regulatory compliance by doing away with expensive and indefinite storage.

Jimmy Bracher, vice president of the hazardous waste sales division, stated, “We are pleased to provide a solution that strikes a balance between sustainability and compliance.” “A crucial gap in disposal capabilities is finally closed.”

The innovation “enables industries to resolve mercury challenges domestically, creating both environmental and economic value,” said Chief Strategy Officer Robert Wheatley. The Deer Park site, which has been in operation since 1981, is the only facility in the nation that can provide this degree of mercury waste handling. According to the company’s leadership, the technology is consistent with its long-standing dedication to safety and sustainability.

According to VLS President Keith Cordesman, “The impact of this technology goes beyond regulatory compliance.” “It’s about promoting sustainable development, safeguarding ecosystems, and directing industries towards responsible innovation.”