State highway labs face waste disposal crisis, new guidelines needed.
The report looked at how State highway materials testing labs dispose of hazardous waste and suggested better disposal methods. They surveyed States and provinces to see what waste was produced and how it was handled. Most labs are aware of the rising costs and challenges of waste disposal. Asphalt extraction and cleaning operations create a lot of waste. Some labs are using terpene solvents for extraction. Environmental regulations are becoming stricter, leading to less use of harmful solvents. New laws will likely promote recycling and waste reduction practices.