Turning the Tide on PFAS: How Statewide AFFF Takeback Initiatives Are Redefining Environmental Protection

With mounting concerns over PFAS contamination and its long-term health risks, coordinated AFFF collection and destruction efforts in Ohio, New Hampshire, and North Carolina offer a powerful model for public safety, regulatory leadership, and environmental stewardship.

• By Dave Trueba
• Jun 20, 2025

The National PFAS Policy Landscape

PFAS regulation at the federal level has evolved significantly over the past decade. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued lifetime health advisories for several PFAS compounds in drinking water, including PFOA and PFOS, and in 2023 proposed enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Meanwhile, incineration and landfilling of PFAS-containing materials have faced increased scrutiny due to concerns about incomplete destruction and environmental redistribution. These regulatory trends underscore the urgency for verified, permanent PFAS destruction technologies and have accelerated the demand for state-led initiatives like those in Ohio, New Hampshire, and North Carolina.

In recent years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as one of the most persistent and pervasive environmental contaminants in the United States. Often dubbed "forever chemicals" for their resistance to natural degradation, PFAS compounds are commonly found in firefighting foams, industrial processes, and even consumer products. Among these, aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) used by fire departments have proven to be a significant source of PFAS contamination in drinking water and soil across the country.

As scientific evidence has mounted regarding the health risks associated with PFAS exposure—including elevated cancer risks for firefighters—states are increasingly grappling with the question of how to safely and permanently eliminate PFAS stockpiles. In response, states like Ohio, New Hampshire, and North Carolina have launched comprehensive AFFF Takeback Programs that offer a scalable, verified, and replicable solution.

A Coordinated Response to a Complex Problem

Launched in March 2024, Ohio’s AFFF Takeback Program, spearheaded by Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to collect and destroy PFAS-laden firefighting foams from municipal fire departments statewide. By mid-year, the program had collected thousands of gallons of AFFF from 130 fire departments across 54 counties—a testament to effective statewide mobilization.

This initiative is not only a technical achievement but also a public health imperative. In Bellbrook, Ohio, firefighter Lt. Jay Leach shared a personal account of losing his wife, also a firefighter, to breast cancer, believed to be linked to PFAS exposure. His story, featured on CBS’s “Eye on America,” reinforces the need for immediate and effective action.

From Collection to Destruction: A Full-Circle Solution

All three states employ supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) as their core destruction method, implemented by Revive Environmental using its proprietary PFAS Annihilator® supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) system. Unlike incineration or landfilling—which risk releasing PFAS into air or groundwater—SCWO completely breaks the molecular bonds of PFAS, converting them into benign substances such as water, inert salts, and trace carbon dioxide. This first-to-market technology has proven to be a reliable, scalable, and independently validated solution for complete PFAS destruction across diverse waste streams.

This method has been independently validated to ensure destruction to nondetectable levels, with participating fire departments receiving certificates of processing for each treated batch. This scientific rigor not only protects public health and the environment but also ensures regulatory compliance and public transparency.

Regulatory Momentum and Funding Innovation

Ohio’s program is supported by a $3 million settlement with a chemical manufacturer related to PCB contamination, demonstrating how environmental justice funding can drive proactive solutions. Similar state-level initiatives in New Hampshire and North Carolina also highlight the use of regulatory foresight and rigorous vendor selection criteria to ensure successful implementation.

New Hampshire’s 2024 program collected over 12,000 gallons of AFFF from more than 125 fire departments. Currently, 10,000 gallons of concentrate are being destroyed at permitted facilities using SCWO, with third-party verification confirming over 99.99% PFAS destruction.

North Carolina followed suit in 2025, launching a scalable program through its Collaboratory and Office of the State Fire Marshal. After a successful initial award of 1,000 gallons, the program is now preparing to handle up to 60,000 gallons. Vendor criteria emphasized proven PFAS destruction experience, strict effluent standards, and the ability to scale operations.

Engaging Communities and Setting the National Standard

Beyond technical execution, stakeholder engagement has also played a pivotal role. State agencies and their implementation partners have worked closely with local fire departments, environmental regulators, and community leaders to ensure transparent communication and smooth implementation. Informational webinars, media events, and on-site visits have helped build local buy-in and raise public awareness about PFAS risks and available solutions.

These cross-state efforts illustrate the scalability, reliability, and adaptability of coordinated takeback models. As prime contractors, the executing teams oversee registration, collection, transportation, destruction, and verification, ensuring safety, efficiency, and accountability throughout the entire process.

Together, these programs have established a clear path forward for other states. With rigorous verification, innovative destruction technology, and strategic collaboration between public agencies and private contractors, the model being pioneered in Ohio, New Hampshire, and North Carolina is poised to become the national standard.

A Shared Commitment to Public Health and Environmental Safety

Whether through community engagement, scientific rigor, or regulatory alignment, these statewide takeback efforts demonstrate that effective PFAS remediation is not only possible but already underway. These programs prove that a well-coordinated approach can eliminate legacy PFAS liabilities and protect public health, all while meeting or exceeding evolving regulatory expectations.

Ohio, New Hampshire, and North Carolina's leadership in the fight against forever chemicals is helping to redefine what’s possible—and necessary—for a safer, cleaner future.