VLS Environmental Solutions has launched a patent-pending technology for the permanent disposal of elemental mercury, marking the first and only RCRA-compliant solution of its kind in the United States. RCRA stands for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, a U.S. federal law.
The innovation represents a major step forward in hazardous waste management and sets a new benchmark for environmental safety in handling mercury waste.
Pioneering a Permanent Mercury Solution
The new technology will be deployed at the company’s Texas Molecular Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility in Deer Park, Texas. The facility, permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, is equipped to treat and dispose of mercury waste safely under existing regulations.
“This is a watershed moment for mercury waste management,” said John Magee, CEO of VLS Environmental Solutions. “Our process provides the first true domestic solution for mercury disposal since the Mercury Export Ban Act took effect in 2013.”
Solving a Decade-Long Challenge
The Mercury Export Ban Act, signed in 2008, barred mercury exports from 2013 onward. The law left industries and government agencies without a compliant disposal pathway.
Until now, most entities relied on indefinite storage or stabilization and landfill, methods that merely delayed the problem.
“Those methods can pose long-term risks,” said Chris Lobue, executive vice president of hazardous waste services at VLS Environmental Solutions. “Our solution fits within current EPA regulations and builds on technology designed to protect drinking water.”
Supporting Industry and Government Needs
VLS said the breakthrough will benefit sectors such as mining, energy and chemicals, along with federal agencies managing legacy mercury reserves.
The process eliminates costly and indefinite storage, offering both regulatory compliance and long-term environmental security.
“We’re proud to offer a solution that balances sustainability with compliance,” said Jimmy Bracher, vice president of the hazardous waste sales division. “It finally closes a critical gap in disposal capabilities.”
Chief Strategy Officer Robert Wheatley added that the innovation “enables industries to resolve mercury challenges domestically, creating both environmental and economic value.”
Industry Leadership and Environmental Stewardship
Operating since 1981, the Deer Park site is the only facility in the country capable of delivering this level of mercury waste management. The company’s leadership said the technology aligns with its long-standing commitment to sustainability and safety.
“The impact of this technology goes beyond regulatory compliance,” said VLS President Keith Cordesman. “It’s about protecting ecosystems, advancing sustainable development, and guiding industries toward responsible innovation.”
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