How does the solid waste sector manage something that wasn’t their fault to begin with?
Managing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in waste is one of the most challenging environmental issues of our time. For the solid waste sector, it’s a problem they did not create, yet they are rapidly becoming a critical part of the solution.
We now know that PFAS compounds, long valued for their utility across countless manufacturing processes, are pervasive and harmful. Research continues to explore possible endocrine effects associated with PFAS, and I believe this topic will attract greater attention as the science evolves.
At the same time, PFAS remain fundamental to many modern products, especially medical devices, healthcare, textiles, packaging, oil and gas and construction materials. And as the AI economy grows, PFAS continue to play a critical role in the manufacture of semiconductor chips and electronics that power AI data centers and devices.
Even if a perfect PFAS removal technology emerged today, and even if industry stopped using PFAS immediately, these chemicals would persist in our environment for years to come. Their ubiquity in everyday products ensures that their legacy is already firmly established.
Given how deeply PFAS are embedded in essential products and technologies, we gain too much from them to eliminate their use entirely. We should absolutely replace them where safer alternatives exist, but where PFAS remain critical to progress, we need to ensure they stay out of the environment.
But we’re not there yet. Meaningful progress depends on controlling PFAS at the source, during manufacturing and reinforcing protections across our landfills, wastewater facilities and drinking water treatment systems.
Why passive receivers can’t stay passive
There are clear reasons why investing in treatment technology is no longer optional.
In 2019, California launched its PFAS Phased Investigation Plan, targeting drinking water systems and businesses believed to be among the most likely contributors of PFAS releases. This extensive sampling initiative was designed to identify and quantify upstream sources, laying the groundwork for future regulatory action.
And that action is coming. We should expect tighter controls on PFAS and increasing liability at the point of release. The direction of travel is clear: passive receivers can no longer afford to remain passive.
At this stage, the most practical and defensible option is on‑site treatment. Fortunately, this is where the outlook improves. Recent technological advancements have created new opportunities to address PFAS contamination more effectively.
For landfill leachate in particular, FOAM‑X fractionation has shown strong results. While the underlying technology has existed for years, its adaptation for PFAS treatment marks a meaningful step forward, providing a reliable, field‑proven solution for one of the toughest waste streams.