PFAS are a waste stream that pose health risks to communities and present significant compliance challenges for businesses in an evolving regulatory climate.
Partnering with an expert provider offering cost-effective, efficient solutions ensures the compliant and safe management of PFAS waste.
The PFAS regulatory landscape is complex. Federal rules have changed significantly, and some will remain or be reversed to support new federal priorities. Regulations are likely to become stricter, increasing costs for businesses in mitigation and management efforts. Last year, new restrictions on drinking water were enforced, and nine types of PFAS were added to the Toxic Release Inventory.
States are ramping up their efforts to address PFAS. More than 30 states have passed or are considering legislation regulations, including bans on PFAS-containing firefighting foam, restrictions on consumer goods and apparel and new drinking water standards.
In late 2024, the EPA updated interim guidance for the disposal of PFAS waste. As of March 2025, this guidance remained unchanged, and future updates are unclear. The current guidelines provide recommendations for managing PFAS-containing materials responsibly. These shifting regulations make it clear: Generators or handlers of PFAS must stay vigilant and adapt to the latest rules to remain compliant.
Managing PFAS waste is challenging because these chemicals do not break down easily in the environment, making treatment and disposal difficult. The EPA currently recommends three primary methods of destruction or disposal: underground injection wells, landfills and thermal treatment.
Injection or deep wells extend thousands of feet underground, where liquid waste is injected deep below the earth’s surface, safely away from drinking water sources. Subtitle C landfills are designed to accept complex and hazardous waste, including PFAS. They meet rigorous construction standards, with two synthetic liners and two compacted clay layers to prevent leachate — rainwater passing through the landfill — from escaping. They are highly regulated, with several environmental monitoring and leak detection systems.
Thermal desorption separates PFAS from materials like soil and sludge, capturing the contaminants for further disposal. Adsorption is the process of capturing and isolating PFAS chemicals from the environment, then binding them to another material such as carbon. The bound material can then be safely disposed of in an approved landfill. In addition, foam fractionation separates PFAS and concentrates it into a liquid, which can then be further treated or disposed of in injection wells. Several new PFAS treatment technologies are also in various stages of testing.
Responsible PFAS waste management is essential for both the environment and businesses. The good news is businesses don’t have to be experts — they can rely on companies like Republic Services. Offering turnkey solutions for PFAS management, including remediation and decommissioning of large-scale aqueous film-forming foam systems, Republic Services operates a network of injection wells, treatment facilities and Subtitle C landfills across North America, along with various transportation options, including rail.
For more information, visit republicservices.com.
