Waste Management Announces Solution to Reduce Storm Water Pollution

Waste Management Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with AbTech Industries under which Waste Management will provide SmartSponge to its customers including municipalities. Under the agreement, Waste Management has become the exclusive waste and environmental services company distributor of SmartSponge in North America.

This new product is available now from Waste Management in Los Angeles and will be available soon in additional cities and municipalities throughout North America.

The new product uses a patented sponge-like material with polymers to filter, absorb and solidify petroleum hydrocarbons. It also removes other pollutants found in runoff from roads and other paved surfaces during wet weather, cleaning or through direct spills. The product’s registration as an antimicrobial that reduces coliform bacteria found in storm water has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Once used, the product can be safely and responsibly disposed of in a waste-to-energy facility as an alternative fuel in the production of electricity or in a landfill as municipal solid waste.

“Our customers will see enhanced compliance with water quality regulations through improved storm water quality,” said Paul Pistono, vice president of WM’s Public Sector Solutions. “Storm water pollution is the leading cause of water quality problems in the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We can now offer our city and municipal customers a new technology that will help them keep their communities cleaner.”

WM soon will begin offering the new service to its municipal customers in Northern Florida, North and South Carolina and Eastern Canada.

Source: PR Newswire