An Integrated Waste Management System for a Sustainable Society

Marco J. Castaldi is an Assistant Professor in the Earth & Environmental Engineering Department, Henry Krumb School of Mines, at Columbia University. He teaches in the area of combustion chemistry and processes. He is currently involved in research in environmentally benign energy technologies, some of which are being patented by Columbia, including waste to energy, greenhouse gas reforming, methane production from methane hydrates and hydrogen production from coal.

Marco has a number of inventions as a result of his research, supported by 6 issued and 2 pending US patents. One innovation makes catalytically assisted combustion in gas turbines practically feasible. The other inventions relate to the development of Water Gas Shift and Preferential CO oxidation reactors for fuel processing applications related to fuel cell engines.

Marco received his B.S. ChE from Manhattan College.  His Ph.D. is in Chemical Engineering from UCLA and he has minors in Advanced Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics. Marco is the recipient of the 2006 Columbia University, SEAS Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, and was recently nominated for the Camille Dreyfus Teachers-Scholars Award and the New York Academy of Sciences Blavatnik Award.

Brian Bahor is the Vice President of Sustainability at Covanta Energy Corporation, where he is responsible for climate change projects and management of its sustainability report. Mr. Bahor has been employed as an environmental professional for 29 years, including 22 years at Covanta. He has led a variety of diverse environmental projects, primarily in the waste management industry.

Mr. Bahor received his Bachelors Degree in Environmental Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and has also completed two graduate programs at Stevens Institute of Technology – a graduate Certificate in Process Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Management. He is a Qualified Environmental Professional, a member of the Air and Waste Management Association, and has been the Technical Director for the Integrated Waste Services Association for several 2-year terms.