 Coalition for
Responsible Waste Incineration
CRWI: Meeting a Vital Need
More than a half a century ago, science and technology harnessed fire
far beyond the imaginings of our early ancestors. A new use of fire -
high temperature combustion - was designed to help meet modern
civilization's need for an effective and safe way to manage our
hazardous waste.
Today, throughout the world, high temperature combustion is
used to reduce the volume and toxicity of hazardous waste. With
responsible management, this technology is safe, effective, and reduces
the amount of hazardous materials sent to landfills.
Despite being highly studied by technical experts, fires that
reach 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit and burn greater than 99.99 percent of
the material fed to them are still poorly understood by the general
public.
At the same time, industries that operate combustors benefit from the
ongoing research and training in this field, and government regulators
require ready access to both academic and industrial developments in
combustion. All interested parties need a way to share the current
abundance of information on combustion. The Coalition for Responsible
Waste Incineration (CRWI), founded in 1987, is designed to meet this
vital need. CRWI provides information to people who want to better use
and understand high temperature combustion technology.
Focused from the Very Start
In the late 1980s, as more and more people sought information on
environmental issues of all kinds, incineration experts from Dow, 3M,
Monsanto, and Kodak held initial discussions about the particular
communication needs in their field. Their telephone conversations and
subsequent meetings extended over several months, eventually including
other combustion experts, and finally leading to the formation of a
not-for-profit organization (CRWI).
CRWI's goals have been focused from the very start. CRWI
exists to:
- Reduce hazardous industrial waste;
- Help member companies improve their combustion operations
through sharing the scientific knowledge available in the field;
- Facilitate combustion research;
- Cooperate with lawmakers and regulators to produce
environmentally sound laws and regulations governing hazardous waste
management; and
- Educate and raise public consciousness about the importance
of combustion.
Combustion is One Part of the Solution; There are Others
Members of CRWI recognize the value of high temperature combustion as
part of the solution to the waste disposal challenge. Without high
temperature combustion, many major industries that consumers rely on
for household products, cars, and medicines could not operate today.
However, CRWI members realize that combustion is only one step in a
comprehensive waste management system.
The first step in a comprehensive waste management system is
to find innovative ways to eliminate waste generation in the first
place; using less hazardous materials in production operations wherever
practicable; and turning would-be wastes into raw materials for use in
either the same manufacturing process or in a totally different
processes. The second step is source reduction and recycling. The third
step for some waste is to reduce the volume and toxicity through
high temperature combustion. The final step is disposal. Hopefully by
the time, the volume and
toxicity has been minimixed.
For the relatively small quantity of waste that cannot be
eliminated from the production cycle in any other way, high temperature
combustion is a tested and proven means of managing these materials.
CRWI dedicates itself to providing accurate and timely information to
make all judgements about high temperature combustion, better informed
judgements.
Benefits of CRWI Membership
CRWI is a leading advocate and authority on industrial waste combustion
technology. Members:
- Facilitate the exchange of knowledge on combustion
technology among industry, academia, and government;
- Join in proactive promotion of combustion as a responsible
step in the overall waste management hierarchy;
- Participate in the formation of national legislative and
regulatory policy;
- Provide guidance to combustion researchers on technology
needs of the incineration industry;
- Receive information and exchange ideas between members on
operations, regulatory issues, technology improvements, research, and
siting; and
- Promote balanced news coverage by providing information to
the media on waste management issues.
CRWI membership benefits academic institutions as well. By joining
forces with industry members, academic institutions help to identify
combustion research needs and priorities, share important research
advancements in combustion technology, and determine practical
applications for technological advancements.
Members receive a return on investment that is best measured
in terms of action - common sense action that leads to thoughtful,
effective dialogue among industry, the public, government, and academia.
CRWI Milestones
The Coalition has made great progress in its brief history:
- As an industry facilitator of information exchange, CRWI
convenes forums, conferences, and facility tours to inform
constituencies abour combustor capabilities. These activities provide
public forums for representatives from various sectors of society to
publicly address combustion as a viable waste management option.
- The Coalition plays a lead role in setting a national
agenda for combustion research through ongoing dialogue among its
industry and academic membership as well as the federal government.
CRWI's information networks ensure that developments in combustion
technology quickly reach its members.
- The Coalition works to allay public fears of combustion by
developing a comprehensive certification program for incinerator
operators, administered by the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers.
- CRWI works closely with academic researchers and regulatory
officials to encourage the development of increasingly sophisticated
emissions monitoring strategies for hazardous waste combustors. The
development and implementation of functional monitoring technology is
critical to gaining greater public confidence in the safety of
combustion.
- CRWI contributes editorials stressing the importance of
waste reduction coupled with responsible combustion as an appropriate
integreated approach to the nation's hazardous waste challenges.
- The Coalition provides a complete library of resource
materials for members: issue papers, technical briefs, speeches, video
presentations, and technical expert speakers as part of CRWI advocate
support services.
Organization Structure
The goals and programs of CRWI are accomplished through its active
membership. The success of the Coalition lies within the expertise and
availability of its members' organizations. Standing committees and
subcommittees are commissioned to address specific issues or to develop
programs commissioned by the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors
Each Full Member company holds one seat on CRWI's governing
body, the Board of Directors, and has one vote in establishing
priorities and direction. Board members are elected by the member
companies to a three-year term.
Executive Committee
The Chairman, Chairman-Elect and Secretary/Treasurer are
elected by the Board to a one-year term.
Executive Director
The Executive Director coordinates the administration of the
Coalition.
Technical/Regulatory Committee
The Technical/Regulatory Committee plays a leading role in
monitoring technical and scientific developments involving hazardous
waste management and high temperature combustion. The committee's
responsibilities include collecting and evaluating data and
information, preparing comments and position papers, and interacting
with scientific and regulatory organizations. The committee will
monitor, evaluate, and respond to all federal, state, and local
regulatory initiatives that impact vital hazardous waste management
issues. The committee will provide technical expertise for the
Legislative Committee and involve members of the Academic Committee as
appropriate. The committee shall impanel working groups as needed to
address specific issues.
Legislative Committee
The Legislative Committee will monitor all federal, state and
local legislative initiatives that impact vital hazardous waste
management issues. The committee will communicate these issues to the
Technical/Regulatory Committee and work with that committee to develop
position papers and suggested legislative language, as needed. The
Legislative Committee will advocate CRWI positions to appropriate
legislators. The committee's responsibilities will include developing
networks in appropriate legislative bodies, collecting and evaluating
information, and developing advocacy strategies. The committee shall
involve members of the Technical/Regulatory Committee and the Academic
Committee as appropriate. The committee shall impanel working groups as
needed to address specific issues.
Academic Committee
This committee promotes research interchange among academic
institutions, research facilities, and industry.
Membership Committee
This committee fosters the continued growth of CRWI by
identifying and attracting prospective new Coalition members.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee is responsible for developing,
maintaining, and disseminating information that strengthens the
reputation of CRWI to industrial and academic members, legislative and
regulatory bodies, the media, special interest groups, and the public.
CRWI Membership
CRWI's members represent a wide variety of industries, academic
institutions and non-profit organizations operating throughout the
world. Member businesses include Fortune 500 companies and commercial
hazardous waste combustors. The Academic Membership is composed of top
institutions with strong research programs in combustion technologies,
including high temperature incineration.
Coalition membership is open to individuals, partnerships,
businesses, academic institutions, and not-for-profit organizations
promoting responsible combustion of industrial wastes as part of an
overall waste management strategy and willing to subscribe to CRWI's
Bylaws. Membership is available in three categories.
Full Membership
Open to individual, partnership, firm or corporation which
generates and/or combusts hazardous waste and is interested in
promoting responsible use of combustion as a waste management practice.
Associate Membership
Open to any individual, partnership, firm, or corporation
which provides equipment or services to the hazardous waste combustion
industry not otherwise qualified to be a Full Member and which is
interested in promoting the responsible use of combustion as a waste
management practice.
Academic Membership
Open to any institution of higher education involved in
combustion research.
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