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                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
February 13, 1996 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 12, as
to which the date is June 14, 1996) included in Republic Environmental Systems,
Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, and to all references to
our Firm included in this Registration Statement.
 
                                            /s/  Arthur Andersen LLP
 
Philadelphia, PA
October 25, 1996