The Public Works Department, Solid Waste Division, has recently installed a Radiation Detection System at the Westport Transfer Station. The new system is in response to the Town being repeatedly fined at the Wheelabrator Waste-to-Energy Plant in Bridgeport for “Hot” loads of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).

A load is deemed “Hot” when it contains medical waste that has high radiation levels. When this type of waste is mixed in with regular MSW, it causes disposal issues at the Wheelabrator plant, and they charge us for finding, isolating, and handling the radioactive material in an appropriate manner. Each incident can cost the Town—i.e., the taxpayers—over $2,000.

In response to these charges, the Town will implement the following new process:

RESIDENTS -

If a resident’s vehicle triggers the Radiation Detection System, an alarm will sound. The vehicle that sets off the system will be asked to leave the transfer station with their waste.

At this point, the resident has a few options.

1. Isolate the medical waste and dispose of it at a medical waste facility licensed to take such material or seek assistance from the health care provider that prescribed the medication. This is the preferred method, especially if the resident expects to be generating more of this type of waste.
2. After fourteen days, the waste can be returned to the transfer station to be re-tested by the system. If the radiation level has decreased to a level not detectable by the system, the driver may dispose of the waste at the transfer station. If the radiation level has not decreased enough, the driver will again be required to leave with their waste until it meets acceptable levels.

HAULERS – RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL –

If a hauler’s vehicle triggers the Radiation Detection System, an alarm will sound. The vehicle that sets off the system will be instructed not to dump at the transfer station. The station operator will try to identify the general location of the radioactive waste within the closed vehicle utilizing a handheld detector. The driver will be asked to leave the transfer station and will not be allowed to dump.

At this point, the driver has a few options.

1. Isolate the medical waste at the hauler’s facility and dispose of it at a medical waste facility licensed to take such material. It is strongly suggested that the hauler try to identify which customer is generating the waste so that they too can be notified that they need to stop doing this and dispose of the medical waste appropriately.
2. Isolate the medical waste at the hauler’s facility. After fourteen days, the waste can be returned to the transfer station to be re-tested by the system. If the radiation level has decreased to a level not detectable by the system, the driver may dispose of the waste at the transfer station. If the radiation level has not decreased enough, the driver will again be required to leave with their waste until it meets acceptable levels.

If there are any questions, please call Joe Izzo, Solid Waste Superintendent, at 203-341-5085.