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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

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                  INLAND WESTERN RETAIL REAL ESTATE TRUST, INC.

                              SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN

     The Board of Directors (the "Board") of Inland Western Retail Real Estate
Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), has adopted and elected to
implement a share repurchase plan (the "Repurchase Plan") by which shares of the
Company's Common Stock ("Shares") may be repurchased by the Company from
shareholders subject to certain conditions and limitations. The effective date
of this Repurchase Plan is August 1, 2003.

     1.     REPURCHASE OF SHARES. The Company may, at its option, repurchase
Shares presented to the Company for cash, subject to the limitations regarding
availability of funds and the aggregate amount of Shares the Company is
permitted to purchase under the Repurchase Plan, and certain other conditions
and restrictions established by this Repurchase Plan. Any and all Shares the
Company purchases under the Repurchase Plan shall be canceled, and shall have
the status of authorized but unissued Shares. Any and all Shares the Company
acquires under the Repurchase Plan shall not be reissued unless such Shares are
first registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933 and under appropriate state securities laws or otherwise
issued in compliance with such laws.

     2.     REPURCHASE PRICE. The repurchase price at which Shares may be sold
back to the Company are as follows:

            (a)    ONE YEAR FROM THE PURCHASE DATE. If the Shares are
beneficially held for one year from the purchase date, the repurchase price
shall be $9.25 per Share.

            (b)    TWO YEARS FROM THE PURCHASE DATE. If the Shares are
beneficially held for two years from the purchase date, the repurchase price
shall be $9.50 per Share.

            (c)    THREE YEARS FROM THE PURCHASE DATE. If the Shares are
beneficially held for three years from the purchase date, the repurchase price
shall be $9.75 per Share.

            (d)    FOUR YEARS FROM THE PURCHASE DATE. If the Shares are
beneficially held for four years from the purchase date, the repurchase price
shall be the greater of: (i) $10.00 per share; or (ii) a price equal to 10 times
our "funds available for distribution" per weighted average Share outstanding
for the prior calendar year. For purposes of the Repurchase Plan, "funds
available to for distribution" shall be calculated in accordance with the
Company's past practices.

            (e)    During periods when the Company is not engaged in a public
offering of its Shares, the per share price of the common stock for the Company,
for purposes of the repurchase, will be based on periodic updates on the value
of the Company's properties in its portfolio, as the Board reasonably determines
based upon market conditions.

            (f)    During the periods when the Company is engaged in a public
offering of its Shares, the per share price of the shares to be repurchased
shall be less than the price of the Shares offered in the public offering.

     3.     FUNDING OF REPURCHASE PLAN. The Company is permitted, for the
purpose of repurchasing Shares, to use offering proceeds from public offerings
of its Shares, as well as proceeds from its Distribution Reinvestment Program
("Reinvestment Program") and other operating funds, if any, as the Board, in its
sole discretion, may reserve for this purpose.

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            (a)    DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PROGRAM. The full amount of the
proceeds from the Reinvestment Program attributable to any month may be used by
the Company to repurchase Shares presented during that month.

            (b)    EXCESS AVAILABLE FUNDS. In the event that the proceeds from
the Reinvestment Program plus the amount of available funds from a concurrent
public offering exceed the amount needed to repurchase the Shares for which
repurchase requests have been submitted in a particular calendar month, the
Company may in its sole discretion (but shall not be obligated to) carry over
such excess amount to the subsequent calendar month(s) for use in addition to
the amount of proceeds available from the Reinvestment Program and available
funds from the concurrent public offering otherwise available for repurchases
during that subsequent month(s).

            (c)    INSUFFICIENT AVAILABLE FUNDS. In the event that the proceeds
from the Reinvestment Program plus the amount of available funds from a
concurrent offering are insufficient in amount to repurchase all of the Shares
for which repurchase requests have been submitted in a particular month,
including Shares which the Company was unable to purchase in preceding months
(or in the event, honoring all repurchase requests would violate the Aggregate
Number of Shares Limit described in Section 4(b) below), the Company shall
repurchase only those Shares for which it has available funds (and which would
not violate the Aggregate Number of Shares Limit), on a pro rata basis for that
calendar month. A shareholder whose Shares are not repurchased due to
insufficient proceeds or because of the Aggregate Number of Shares Limit in that
month will have his or her request included in the next succeeding month. As
provided for in Section 4(g) below, a shareholder whose Shares are not
repurchased may withdraw his or her request for repurchase by notifying the
Company in writing before the last business day of the month. The Company cannot
guarantee that it will be able to repurchase all Shares for which a repurchase
request is received.

            (d)    PERCENTAGE LIMITATION. To the extent the Company has funds
available from sources described in subparagraphs 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) above, the
Company may effect repurchases of Shares; provided, however, at no time during
any consecutive 12-month period may the number of Shares repurchased by the
Company under this Repurchase Plan exceed five percent (5%) of the number of
Shares outstanding at the beginning of such 12-month period.

            (e)    TIME OF REPURCHASE. The Company shall effect all repurchases
under the Repurchase Plan on the last business day of the calendar month.
Following such repurchases, the Company shall send to the subject shareholder
the cash proceeds of such repurchase, after deducting the cost of the UCC search
described in Section 4(f) below.

            (f)    INEFFECTIVE WITHDRAWAL. In the event the Company receives a
written notice of withdrawal, as described in Section 4(g) below, after the
Company has effected the subject repurchase, that notice of withdrawal shall not
be effective with respect to the subject Shares repurchased, but shall be
effective with respect to any of that shareholder's Shares not repurchased. The
Company shall give the shareholder prompt written notice of the ineffectiveness
or partial ineffectiveness of that shareholder's notice of withdrawal.

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     4.     SHAREHOLDER REQUIREMENTS. Any shareholder may elect to participate
in the Repurchase Plan with respect to all or a designated portion of the
shareholder's Shares, subject to the following conditions and limitations:

            (a)    HOLDING PERIOD. Only Shares that have been held by the
presenting shareholder for more than one (1) year are eligible for repurchase by
the Company. If a shareholder dies during the one year holding period, the
Board, in its sole discretion, may waive the holding period for the
shareholder's beneficiaries or heirs, as appropriate.

            (b)    AGGREGATE NUMBER OF SHARES LIMIT. Subject to sufficient funds
being available, the number of Shares repurchased during any calendar year shall
not exceed five percent (5.0%) of the weighted average number of Shares
outstanding during the prior calendar year. Fractional shares may not be
presented for repurchase.

            (c)    WRITTEN REQUESTS. A shareholder may request that the Company
repurchase the shareholder's Shares by submitting a written request to:
Ms. Roberta S. Matlin, Vice President of Administration, Inland Western Retail
Real Estate Trust, Inc., 2901 Butterfield Road Oak Brook, Illinois 60523. The
written request must state the name of the person/entity who owns the Shares,
the date of purchase of the Shares and the number of Shares to be repurchased.
Written requests for shall be accepted on a on a monthly basis, subject to the
limitations set forth in the Repurchase Plan.

            (d)    ASSIGNMENT FORM. Generally within one week after receiving
the written request, the Company shall send an assignment form for execution by
the shareholder or the shareholder's custodian/trustee along with a request to
return the certificate of ownership. The assignment must be properly executed,
and the certificate of ownership must be properly endorsed and presented to the
Company.

            (e)    INSUFFICIENT AVAILABLE FUNDS; SHARE REPURCHASE LIMITATION. It
is possible that a shareholder may not have his or her entire written request
honored due to insufficient funds available for the Repurchase Plan or due to
the share repurchase limit set forth above in Section 4(b). If the Company does
not have sufficient funds available for repurchase of the entire request or
cannot repurchase Shares because of the Section 4(b) limitation, the Company
will purchase only those Shares which do not exceed these limits; and prorate
its purchases from the aggregate requests from all of the requesting
shareholders as a group. The Company will then place each request from
requesting shareholders who does not have their entire request honored into the
next month until funds become available sufficient to complete the transaction.
Unfulfilled requests for repurchase from previous months shall be aggregated
with new requests for repurchase that the Company receives during the current
month; no request shall be given preference over any other request. If there are
no funds are available for the Repurchase Plan when a repurchase is requested,
or if the Company cannot repurchase Shares because of the Section 4(b)
limitations, the shareholder may withdraw his or her written request, or ask
that the Company honor the request when funds become available or the Section
4(b) limitation does not apply.

            (f)    NO ENCUMBRANCES. All Shares presented for repurchase must be
owned by the shareholder(s) making the presentment, or the party presenting the
Shares must be

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authorized to do so by the owner(s) of the Shares. All such Shares must be fully
transferable and not be subject to any liens or other encumbrances. Upon receipt
of the assignment form, the Company will conduct a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
search to ensure that no liens are held against the Shares at the cost of $100
to the shareholder, which will be deducted from the proceeds of the repurchase.
In the alternative, such requesting shareholder can provide evidence,
satisfactory to the Company, that no liens or encumbrances are on the Shares
requested for repurchase. If the requesting Shareholder provides such evidence,
no UCC search will be conducted and no fees or expenses will be charged to the
requesting shareholder. The repurchase will occur on a pro rata basis assuming
all documentation is complete, including the UCC search showing no liens or
other sufficient evidence. If the UCC search determines that a lien exists
against the Shares, the Company shall have no obligation to purchase and shall
not purchase any of the subject Shares subject to the lien; in that event, the
Company shall charge the requesting shareholder for the UCC search, if any.

            (g)    WITHDRAWAL OF WRITTEN REQUEST. In the event a shareholder
wishes to withdraw his or her written request to have the Shares repurchased,
the shareholder must notify the Company in writing. The Company will not
repurchase that shareholder's Shares so long as the Company receives the written
request to withdraw prior to the time payment is sent to the applicable
shareholder. If the Company conducts the UCC search prior to receiving the
shareholder's written request to withdraw, the shareholder will be responsible
for payment of the $100 UCC search fee regardless of such withdrawal.

            (h)    DEADLINE FOR PRESENTMENT. The Company will repurchase Shares
on or about the last business day of each calendar month. The Company must
receive a shareholder's written notice that the Company repurchase his or her
Shares prior to the time that the Company determines to effect the Share
repurchase.

     5.     TERMINATION OF REPURCHASE PLAN. This Repurchase Plan shall terminate
or be suspended, as the case may be, and the Company shall not accept Shares for
repurchase upon the occurrence of any of the following:

            (a)    In the event the Shares are listed on any national securities
exchange, or are subject of bona fide quotes on any inter-dealer quotation
system or electronic communications network, or are subject of bona fide quotes
in the pink sheets; or

            (b)    In the event the Board determines it to be in the best
interest of the Company to suspend or terminate the Repurchase Plan.

     6.     AMENDMENT. This Repurchase Plan may be amended in whole or in part
by the Board, in its sole discretion, at any time or from time to time.

     7.     MISCELLANEOUS.

            (a)    NOTICE. If the event the Company terminates, revises or
otherwise changes the Repurchase Plan, the Company will send a written notice to
shareholders informing them of the such termination or change with at least
thirty days advance written notice, and the Company will disclose the changes in
quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-Q
or in the next annual report filed on Form 10-K.

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            (b)    LIABILITY. Neither the Company nor the Repurchase Agent (as
defined below) shall have any liability to any shareholder for the value of the
shareholder's Shares, the repurchase price of the shareholder's Shares, or for
any damages resulting from the shareholder's presentation of his or her Shares
or the repurchase of the Shares under this Repurchase Plan or for the Company's
determination not to repurchase Shares under the Repurchase Plan, except as
result from the Company's or the Repurchase Agent's gross negligence,
recklessness, or violation of applicable law; provided, however, that nothing
contained herein shall constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights or claims
a shareholder may have under federal or state securities laws.

            (c)    TAXES. Shareholders shall have complete and sole
responsibility for payment of all taxes, assessments, and other applicable
obligations resulting from the Company's repurchase of Shares and the Company
shall have no such responsibility or liability.

            (d)    REPURCHASE AGENT. The Company shall have the full and
absolute authority and responsibility to appoint a Repurchase Agent, as the
Company's agent under the Repurchase Plan, to effect all purchases of Shares and
to disburse funds to the respective shareholders upon the Company's purchase of
the subject Shares. The Repurchase Agent shall at all times be a member in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The Company
hereby appoints Inland Securities Corporation as the Repurchase Agent.

            (e)    ADMINISTRATION AND COSTS. The Repurchase Agent shall perform
all recordkeeping and other administrative functions involved in operating and
maintaining the Repurchase Plan. The Company shall bear all costs involved in
organizing, administering and maintaining the Repurchase Plan.

                                        5EXHIBIT 10.1

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                              SEPARATION AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

     This Separation Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
August 27, 2003 (the "Effective Date") by and between Startech Environmental
Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the "Company"), and Kevin M. Black (the
"Executive").

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

     The Executive has been employed as Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary of the Company pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of
November 1, 2000 (the "Employment Agreement"), the terms of which expire on
November 1, 2004 (the "Employment Agreement Termination Date"); and

     The Executive and the Company have expressed their mutual desire to
terminate the Employment Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date, subject
to the terms and conditions set forth below.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter set forth, and intending to be and being legally bound hereby, the
parties agree as follows:

                                    AGREEMENT
                                    ---------

     1. Termination of Employment. The Executive's employment with the Company,
and except as otherwise provided herein, the Employment Agreement, shall
terminate on September 1, 2003 (the "Termination Date").

     2. Severance Payment; No Bonus or Stock Options.

        (a) As consideration for entering into this Agreement, beginning on the
Termination Date, the Company agrees to pay the Executive, at such times and on
such dates as salaries are customarily paid by the Company to its employees in
accordance with the Company's payroll practices, an amount equal to $175,000 per
year (the "Severance Payments"), until April 1, 2004 (the "Expiration Date"), at
which time all such Severance Payments shall cease. All Severance Payments, when
so made by the Company, shall contain the same deductions from the Executive's
present salary, including, but not limited to, withholdings for federal, state
and local income taxes, social security, and other customary withholdings in
accordance with the Company's payroll practices.

        (b) The foregoing notwithstanding, the Executive shall not be entitled
to a bonus or stock options pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement
for the Company's fiscal year ending October 31, 2003.

        (c) Except as provided in this Agreement, the Executive agrees that he
shall not be entitled to any sum of money or benefits from the Company,
including, without limitation, any severance or other similar benefits under any
severance plan or program, Section 7 of the Employment Agreement, or otherwise.

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        (d) In the event the Executive shall become deceased prior to the
Expiration Date, any remaining amounts due and payable by the Company with
respect to the Severance Payments will be paid to the surviving spouse of the
Executive either (i) in one lump sum within ninety (90) calendar days after the
date of death or (ii) in the manner set forth in Section 2(a), at the sole
discretion of the Company. In the event the Executive shall not have a surviving
spouse, such Severance Payments shall be paid to the Executive's estate.

     3. Benefits. The Executive's participation in the Company's benefit plans,
policies and programs (collectively, the "Benefit Plans"), as in effect on the
Termination Date, will be governed by the terms of such Benefit Plans. The
Executive shall continue to receive medical coverage under the Company's
employee medical plan, on the same terms and conditions as they exist on the
Termination Date, until the earlier of (in any case, the "Benefits Termination
Date"): (a) the Employment Agreement Termination Date; (b) the date on which the
Executive is no longer eligible to receive coverage pursuant to such Benefit
Plans; and (c) the date on which the Executive commences other full-time
employment, which shall not include self-employment ("Other Employment");
provided that pursuant to such Other Employment, the Executive is provided with
the opportunity to participate in an employee medical plan on substantially the
same terms as the Company's medical plan, including, but not limited to, payment
of premiums by such employer on behalf of the Executive. The Executive agrees to
notify the Company, in writing, promptly upon obtaining Other Employment. The
foregoing notwithstanding, the Company reserves the right, in its sole and
absolute discretion, to terminate or modify any of its Benefit Plans as
permitted by applicable laws. Pursuant to COBRA law, effective on the first day
of the month following the Benefits Termination Date set forth in clauses (a) or
(c) above, the Executive, his spouse and covered dependents of the Executive may
be eligible to continue health insurance coverage for the maximum period of time
permitted under applicable laws, at the Executive's sole cost and expense;
provided that in the event that the Executive is required to continue health
insurance coverage pursuant to COBRA law as a result of a Benefits Termination
Date as set forth under clause (b) above, the Company agrees to pay the costs
and expenses of the Executive incurred as a result thereof until the earlier of
the Benefits Termination Date set forth in clauses (a) or (c) above.

     4. Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company agrees to reimburse the Executive
for all ordinary and reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in the
performance of his duties prior to the Termination Date to the extent set forth
in Section 5 of the Employment Agreement; provided that the Executive has
submitted all claims for reimbursement to the Company prior to the Termination
Date. Any payments in respect this Section 4 shall be paid to the Executive
pursuant to the Company's current policy on reimbursement of such expenses.

     5. Vacation and Sick Leave. The Executive shall not be entitled to payment
or other compensation for any accrued vacation and/or sick days that were
permitted to be taken by the Executive under the terms of the Employment
Agreement but were not so taken prior to the Effective Date.

                                      -2-

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     6. Automobile. The Company agrees to continue to provide the Executive with
the right to operate that certain 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, as well as payment,
on behalf of the Executive, of such other related expenses as are provided in
this Section 6, which automobile is presently subject to a lease payable by the
Company on behalf of the Executive in accordance with Section 6 of the
Employment Agreement, for the exclusive use and performance by the Executive
until the earlier of (in any case, the "Auto Expiration Date"): (i) the date on
which such lease expires, (ii) the Employment Agreement Termination Date and
(iii) the date upon which the Executive commences Other Employment; provided
that pursuant to such Other Employment, the Executive is provided with the
opportunity to receive full-time use an automobile, at the employer's cost and
expense. Other than insurance premiums, the Company shall have no obligation to
reimburse or otherwise pay any expenses related to the use and performance of
the automobile by the Executive or others, including, but not limited to,
gasoline or other related costs. For the avoidance of doubt, the sole expense to
be incurred by the Company on behalf of the Executive hereunder shall be the
monthly payments under such lease and insurance premiums, as provided herein. No
later than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the applicable Auto Expiration
Date, the Executive shall notify the Company of his election whether to take
over the lease on said vehicle following the applicable Auto Expiration Date. If
the Executive elects to take over said lease, subject to the approval of the
leasing company, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
transfer said lease to the Executive in his personal capacity.

     7. Insurance.

        (a) Life. The Company shall have no further responsibility after the
Termination Date to make payments in respect of any premiums under any existing
basic group, supplemental or other similar life insurance policy under which the
Executive is covered as of the Effective Date. The foregoing notwithstanding,
the Executive may convert coverage under any such policy to his individual name,
to the extent permitted, so as to permit the Executive to assume the payment of
any premiums or other payments due and payable thereunder.

        (b) Disability. The Company shall have no further responsibility after
the Termination Date to make payments in respect of any premiums under any
disability plan or policy (whether long or short-term) under which the Executive
is covered as of the Effective Date.

     8. 401(k) Plan. Any and all rights to participate in the Company's 401(k)
plan shall cease on the Termination Date; provided that any amounts payable to
the Executive under such 401(k) plan shall be paid to the Executive pursuant to
the provisions of such plan and; provided, further, that the Executive shall be
permitted to maintain his account under such 401(k) plan, at the Executive's
sole cost and expense, for so long as is permitted under such plan.

     9. Representations. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company
that he does not have any claim, action, or proceeding pending against the
Company or any of its officers, directors, shareholders or any other its or
their respective affiliates. In addition, the Company represents and warrants to
the Executive that it does not have any claim, action or proceeding pending
against the Executive.

                                      -3-

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     10. Stock Options.

         (a) As of the Effective Date, the Executive has been granted options to
purchase shares of the Company's common stock, no par value, under the Company's
1995 Nonqualifying Stock Option Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit A (the "1995 Plan") and 2000 Stock Option Plan, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "2000 Plan"), as follows:

                                   Number of             Exercise
         Option Plan                Options          Price Per Share
         -----------                -------          ---------------

         1995 Plan                  250,000               $6.00
                                    40,000               $5.63

         2000 Plan                   40,000               $2.03
                                    10,000               $0.93

         (b) With respect to the options granted under the 1995 Plan, the
Company agrees that the Executive shall be entitled to retain such options in
accordance with the terms of the 1995 Plan and the agreements pursuant to which
such options were granted (the "1995 Option Agreements").

         (c) With respect to the options granted under the 2000 Plan, the
parties acknowledge that consistent with Section 9 of the 2000 Plan, in the
event the Executive is terminated, other than as a result of a Change of Control
(as defined in the 2000 Plan), all unvested options granted to the Executive
under the 2000 Plan would be forfeited immediately, and the Executive would have
three months to exercise any vested options. In addition, the parties
acknowledge that also consistent with Section 9 of the 2000 Plan, in the event
the Executive is terminated as a result of a Change of Control (as defined in
the 2000 Plan), all options (vested or unvested) granted to the Executive under
the 2000 Plan would be immediately exercisable and the Executive would have the
right to exercise such options in accordance with the terms of the agreements
pursuant to which such options were granted (the "2000 Option Agreements" and
together with the 1995 Option Agreements, the "Stock Option Agreements").

         (d) The foregoing notwithstanding, the Company agrees that the
Executive should not be penalized for entering into this Agreement and that the
Executive should be entitled to exercise the options granted to him under the
2000 Plan in the same manner as if the Executive were to continue to be employed
by the Company. Accordingly, the Company agrees that for purposes of the options
granted to the Executive under the 2000 Plan only, the Executive shall be deemed
to have been terminated as a result of a Change of Control (pursuant to clause
(i) of the defined term in the 2000 Plan). The Company and the Executive
acknowledge and agree that nothing in this Section 10 shall be deemed an
admission on the part of either party that a Change of Control (as defined in
the 2000 Plan or in any other agreement or instrument pursuant to which the
Company is a party) has occurred (or been deemed to have occurred) and that the
sole purpose of this Section 10(d) is to provide the Executive with the
opportunity to exercise the options granted to him under the 2000 Plan in
accordance with the terms under which they were granted as if the Executive were
still an employee of the Company after the Termination Date.

                                      -4-

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     11. Access to Voice Mail and E-Mail. Until the Expiration Date, the
Executive's telephone extension (including voice mail) and Company e-mail
account shall remain available to the Executive for the sole and exclusive
purpose of allowing the Executive to continue any work related to the Services,
as provided in Section 12. The Executive is expressly prohibited from using, and
covenants and agrees that he shall not use, such telephone extension, voice mail
or e-mail for any other purpose, whether personal or business.

     12. Consulting Arrangements.

         (a) Between the Termination Date and the Expiration Date, the Executive
agrees to make himself available during normal business hours at the principal
executive offices of the Company to render advisory or consulting services (the
"Services") to members of senior management of the Company or the Company's
representatives (including, but not limited to legal, tax and accounting);
provided, however, that in no event shall the Executive be required to devote
more than one full business day during any two-week period in rendering such
Services.

         (b) If and to the extent the Company requires the advice and assistance
of the Executive as provided in this Section 12, the Executive and the Company
agree that the Executive shall be compensated at a rate of $50 per hour (or $400
for a full 8-hour day). Except as otherwise agreed to between the Executive and
the Company, the Executive shall not be entitled to any additional compensation
for the Services, including reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Executive at the request of the Company in connection with his
performance of such Services. The foregoing notwithstanding, the compensation
paid to the Executive for rendering the Services shall be in addition to the
Severance Payments.

         (c) In rendering the Services contemplated by this Section 12, the
Executive shall be an independent contractor and shall not be considered as
having an employee status or being entitled to participate in any employee
plans, arrangements or distributions by the Company. As an independent
contractor, the Executive shall be solely responsible for determining the means
and methods for performing the Services. All activities of the Executive will be
at his sole risk and the Executive shall have sole responsibility for
arrangements to guard against physical, financial, and other risks, as
appropriate. Notwithstanding the parties' intention and agreement that the
Executive be an independent contractor and not be an employee of the Company,
the parties recognize that the applicable law and proper application thereof is
not always clear. Accordingly, the Executive understands and agrees that if the
Executive should be classified as an employee under any such law, the Executive
shall remain ineligible to participate in any Company pension, profit-sharing
(including 401(k)), health (except as otherwise provided herein), life, and all
other employee benefit plans, and the Executive expressly waive any right to any
such benefits.

         (d) The Severance Payments to be paid hereunder take into account the
fact that the Executive is ineligible in all events to participate in such
plans, and constitute part of the consideration for the waiver under Section
12(c) hereof.

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

     13. Releases.

         (a) The Executive. In exchange for and in full consideration of the
promises, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and as a material
inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, the Executive, for
himself and his executors, administrators, heirs and assigns, unconditionally
and forever releases and discharges the Company, together with its past, present
and future parents, subsidiaries (whether wholly- or partially-owned, direct or
indirect), affiliates and divisions, and each of their respective past, present
and future officers, directors, agents, employees, shareholders, predecessors,
successors and assigns, in their respective capacities, as officers, directors,
agents, employees, shareholders, predecessors, successors and assigns (in each
case, where applicable, in both their personal and corporate capacities)
(collectively, the "Company Released Persons"), jointly and individually, to the
maximum extent permitted by law, from any and all Claims (as defined below)
which any of them has or may have for any period prior to the date of the
execution of this Agreement. By signing this Agreement, the Executive agrees
that (i) he will not seek or be entitled to any personal recovery for any
matters covered by this Section 13 and (ii) except for actions or suits based on
breaches of this Agreement, the Executive will refrain from commencing any
action or suit against any of the Company Released Persons arising out of
events, activities or other similar circumstances that took place prior to the
Effective Date.

         (b) The Company. In exchange for and in full consideration of the
promises, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and as a material
inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, the Company, for itself
and its respective past, present and future corporate parents, subsidiaries and
controlled affiliates, unconditionally and forever releases and discharges the
Executive, to the maximum extent permitted by law, from any and all Claims (as
defined below) which any of them has or may have for any period prior to the
date of the execution of this Agreement. By signing this Agreement, the Company
covenants and agrees that (i) it will not seek or be entitled to any personal
recovery for any matters covered by this Section 13 and (ii) except for actions
or suits based on breaches of this Agreement, the Company will refrain from
commencing any action or suit against any of the Executive arising out of
events, activities or other similar circumstances that took place prior to the
Effective Date.

         (c) Claims. For purposes of this Section 13, "Claims" means any and all
manner of claims, demands, causes of action, suits, judgments, executions,
obligations, damages or liabilities whatsoever of every kind and nature, at law
or in equity, known or unknown, and whether or not discoverable, that the
Executive or the Company now have, may have, or at any time had, against any
Company Released Person or any Executive Released Person. The term "Claims"
shall also include things that the Executive and the Company may not know or
suspect, as well as any claims the Executive may have arising out of or based
upon:

     (i)  defamation, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, claims for unpaid
          wages, and/or other compensation;

     (ii) the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended or the Family and
          Medical Leave Act;

                                      -6-

<PAGE>

    (iii) discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII
          of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment
          Act of 1967, each as amended, and all other federal, state and local
          laws, including, but not limited to, claims arising, inter alia under
          any applicable laws in the State of Connecticut;

     (iv) the Executive's employment with the Company and the termination
          thereof;

      (v) the Employment Agreement (including, but not limited to, Section 7
          thereunder);

     (vi) any Stock Option Agreement or any stock options;

    (vii) bonuses, additional compensation, remuneration or vacation pay; and

   (viii) attorneys' fees or costs incurred in pursuing this or any other
          legal claim against the Company.

     The foregoing notwithstanding, the term "Claims" does not include (and the
Executive is not releasing the Company from):

     (i)  any claims against the Company for promises it is making to the
          Executive under this Agreement;

     (ii) any claims covered by workers compensation laws; or

    (iii) any rights the Executive may have to indemnification under the
          Company's By-laws, directors and officers liability insurance or this
          Agreement.

          (d) Unenforceability of Release. Upon a finding by a court of
competent jurisdiction or arbitrator that a release or waiver of Claims provided
for by this Section 13 is illegal, void or unenforceable, the Company or the
Executive, as the case may be, may require the other party to promptly execute a
release that is legal and enforceable, so long as said release does not expand
the scope of the initial release found to be unenforceable. If the Executive
should fail to promptly execute such a release, then this Agreement shall be
null and void from the Effective Date on, and any money paid to the Executive by
the Company after the Effective Date and not previously returned to the Company,
will be treated as an overpayment and the Executive will have to repay such
overpayment to the Company with interest, compounded annually at the rate of six
percent (6%).

     14. Return of Company Property. Any and all property, including, but not
limited to, any identification cards, access codes, keys, manuals, equipment,
documents, records and files (including electronic records and data), tangible
forms of confidential information, and things used or received by the Executive
during the term of his employment, shall be returned to the Company on or prior
to the Termination Date.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

     15. Sales of Securities. From and after the Termination Date through the
Expiration Date, the Executive agrees that he will comply with all requirements
under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and further, that except as
otherwise agreed to by the Company, the Executive will not sell, on any one
trading day, a number of shares of Common Stock in excess of 5,000 shares.

     16. Insurance. The Company shall cause the Executive to be covered by its
directors and officers liability insurance policy, as in effect on the
Termination Date; provided that this obligation shall cease upon the expiration
of all applicable statutes of limitations applicable to potential causes of
action against the Executive which could be covered under such insurance policy.

     17. Nondisparagement.

         (a) The Executive shall not make or publish any statement (orally or in
writing), or instigate, assist or participate in the making or publication of
any statement, which would libel, slander or disparage (whether or not such
disparagement legally constitutes libel or slander) or expose to hatred,
contempt or ridicule: (a) the Company; (b) any of its products, services,
affairs or operations; or (c) any of its past or present directors, officers,
employees or agents; provided, however, that this Section 17 shall not prevent
the Executive from making any truthful statement pursuant to a valid subpoena or
as otherwise compelled by law; provided that if subpoenaed or otherwise
compelled by law to make statements concerning the Company, its products,
services, affairs or operations, or any of its past or present directors,
officers, employees or agents, the Executive shall provide the Company with
advance notice and cooperate with any effort by the Company to prevent such
statements or limit the disclosure thereof, at the Company's sole cost and
expense.

         (b) The Company shall advise each director and executive officer of the
Company not to make or publish any statement (orally or in writing), or
instigate, assist or participate in the making or publication of any statement,
which would libel, slander or disparage (whether or not such disparagement
legally constitutes libel or slander) or expose to hatred, contempt or ridicule
the Executive; provided, however, that this Section 17 shall not prevent the
Company from making any truthful statement pursuant to a valid subpoena or as
otherwise compelled by law; provided that if subpoenaed or otherwise compelled
by law to make statements concerning the Executive, the Company shall provide
the Executive advance notice and cooperate with any effort by the Executive to
prevent such statements or limit the disclosure thereof, at the Executive's sole
cost and expense.

         (c) From and after the date hereof, the Executive shall not discuss
with any customer, supplier, shareholder, financial analyst or other person
having dealings with or business relations with the Company any matter relating
to the business, operations, financial condition or prospects of the Company,
except in accordance with guidelines established by the Board of Directors of
the Company, and the Executive shall refer any requests for any such information
by any such person to Joseph F. Longo, or to such person as is designated from
time to time by the Board of Directors.

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

     18. Confidentiality.

         (a) The Executive (and any persons acting on behalf of the Executive)
shall not disclose and shall take all reasonable measures to prevent the
disclosure to any person or entity of the existence, terms and/or subject matter
of this Agreement. This provision does not prohibit the Executive from providing
this information to (i) the Executive's immediate family, (ii) the Executive's
attorneys or accountants for purposes of obtaining legal or tax advice or (iii)
as otherwise required by law; provided that in the event that the Executive is
required by law to disclose the existence, terms and/or subject matter of this
Agreement, the Executive shall provide the Company with advance notice and
cooperate with any effort by the Company to prevent or limit the disclosure
thereof at the Company's sole cost and expense. To the extent the Executive
makes any disclosure to any immediate family member, attorney, or accountant as
permitted pursuant to this Section 18(a), the Executive shall obtain the
agreement of such person for the benefit of the Company not to make any further
disclosure except in accordance with this Section 18(a). The Company shall not
disclose the terms of this Agreement except as necessary in the ordinary course
of its business or as required by law. The Executive acknowledges and agrees
that the Company may issue a press release in respect of this Agreement and that
the Executive shall have the opportunity to review such press release and
provide reasonable comments prior to its dissemination.

         (b) The Company owns and has developed and compiled, and will own,
develop and compile, certain techniques, information, and materials tangible or
intangible, relating to itself, its customers, suppliers and others, which are
secret, proprietary and confidential, and which have great value to its business
(referred to in this Agreement, collectively, as "Confidential Information").
Confidential Information shall not in any event include information which: (i)
was generally known or generally available to the public prior to its disclosure
to the Executive; (ii) becomes generally known or generally available to the
public subsequent to disclosure to the Executive through no wrongful act of any
person; or (iii) which the Executive is required to disclose by applicable law
or regulation; provided that the Executive provides the Company with prior
notice of the contemplated disclosure and reasonably cooperates with the Company
at the Company's expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate
protection of such information. Confidential Information includes, but is not
limited to, manuals, documents, computer programs, compilations of technical,
financial, legal or other data, client or prospective client lists, names of
suppliers, specifications, designs, business or marketing plans, forecasts,
financial information, work in progress, and other technical or business
information.

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

         (c) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the performance of
the Executive's duties pursuant to Section 12 herein, the Company may from time
to time disclose to and entrust the Executive with Confidential Information. The
Executive also acknowledges and agrees that the unauthorized disclosure of
Confidential Information, among other things, may be prejudicial to the
Company's interests and an improper disclosure of trade secrets. The Executive
agrees that, in addition, but not in place of, any provisions on confidentiality
under the Employment Agreement that survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available,
sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any corporation, partnership,
individual or other third party, other than in the course of the Executive's
assigned duties pursuant to Section 12 hereof and for the benefit of the
Company, any Confidential Information. The Executive agrees that he shall not
retain or take any Confidential Information in a Tangible Form (as defined
below), and the Executive shall immediately deliver to the Company any
Confidential Information in a Tangible Form, as well as all other property,
equipment, documents or things that was issued to the Executive or otherwise
received or obtained by the Executive in accordance with his duties pursuant to
Section 12 hereof. "Tangible Form" includes information or materials in written
or graphic form, on a computer disk or other medium, or otherwise stored in or
available through electronic or other form.

     19. No Liability. In executing this Agreement, the Executive and the
Company do not admit any liability or wrongdoing, and the considerations
exchanged herein do not constitute an admission of any liability, error,
contract violation or violation of any federal, state or local law, rule or
regulation.

     20. Cooperation. The Executive covenants and agrees to cooperate with the
Company, its financial and legal advisors and/or government officials in
connection with any existing or potential claims, investigations, administrative
proceedings, lawsuits, arbitrations, and other legal matters, which arose during
or arise out of the Executive's employment by the Company, as reasonably
requested by the Company. Related and customary travel and accommodation
expenses incurred in connection with providing such cooperation will be
reimbursed by the Company in accordance with its policies and procedures.

     21. Employment Agreement. It is a material condition of this Agreement that
the Executive comply with the terms of Sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the
Employment Agreement, all of which are incorporated by reference herein, and the
Executive agrees to abide by such provisions irrespective of this Agreement. The
foregoing notwithstanding, the parties agree that in consideration of the
Severance Payments to be made under Section 2 herein, Section 12 of the
Employment Agreement, entitled "Covenant Not to Compete" be and hereby is
amended such that the Executive shall be forbidden to compete with the Company
during the continuance of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years after
the Expiration Date.

     22. Inquiries. All inquiries from prospective employers regarding the
Executive's employment with the Company shall be directed to Joseph F. Longo or
such other person designated by the Board of Directors of the Company. To the
extent the Executive directs any such inquiries to persons other than Mr. Longo
or such other person designated by the Board of Directors, the Company, its
affiliates, and its employees shall not be liable for any statements made by
such non-designated individual.

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

     23. Specific Performance. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the
Company would sustain irreparable injury in the event of a violation by the
Executive of any of the provisions of Sections 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20 or 21
hereof, and by reason thereof the Executive consents and agrees that in the
event the Executive violates or breaches any of the provisions of said Sections,
in addition to any other remedies available to the Company hereunder, the
Company shall be entitled to a decree specifically enforcing such provisions,
and shall be entitled to a temporary and permanent injunction restraining the
Executive from committing or continuing any such violation, from any arbitrator
duly appointed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or any court of
competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of proving actual damages, posting
any bond, or seeking arbitration in any forum.

     24. Effect of Breach. Without limiting any other remedy available to the
Company, if the Executive should breach this Agreement in any respect, the
Company's obligation to make the Severance Payments referred to in Section 2
hereof shall cease immediately; provided, however, in the event such breach can
be cured or corrected by the Executive, the Company's obligation to make the
Severance Payments referred to in Section 2 hereof shall cease immediately upon
the Executive's failure to cure or correct such breach within five (5) calendar
days after notice from the Company, such notice to describe such breach and
identify what reasonable actions shall be required to cure or correct such
breach.

     25. Notices. Any notice, consent, request or other communication made or
given in accordance with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been duly given when actually received or, if mailed, three days after
mailing by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to those
person's listed below at their following respective addresses or at such other
address or person's attention as each may specify by notice to the other:

     To the Company:

         Startech Environmental Corporation
         15 Old Danbury Road
         Suite 203
         Wilton, CT 06897
         Attn: Joseph F. Longo

     with copies to:

         Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
         919 Third Avenue
         New York, NY 10022
         Attn: Scott S. Rosenblum, Esq.

     To the Executive:

         Kevin M. Black
         154 Pipers Hill Road
         Wilton, CT 06897

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

     26. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Employment
Agreement, as amended or modified by this Agreement, and the Stock Option
Agreements, constitute the complete understanding between the parties with
respect to the termination of the employment of the Executive and supersede all
other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and no statement, inducement,
promise, representation, warranty or covenant, oral or otherwise, has been made
by either party with respect thereto except as expressly set forth herein.

     27. Amendments. This Agreement shall not be altered, modified, amended or
terminated except by a written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.

     28. Waiver. Any waiver of any term or provision hereof, or of the
application of any such term or provision to any circumstances, shall be in
writing signed by the party charged with giving such waiver. Waiver by either
party hereto of any breach hereunder by the other party shall not operate as a
waiver of any other breach, whether similar to or different from the breach
waived. No delay on the part of the Company or the Executive in the exercise of
any of their respective rights or remedies shall operate as a waiver thereof,
and no single or partial exercise by the Company or the Executive of any such
right or remedy shall preclude other or further exercise thereof.

     29. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of
any such provision to any party or circumstances shall be determined by any
court of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator (as provided in Section 31
hereof) to be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this
Agreement, or the application of such provision to such person or circumstances
other than those to which it is so determined to be invalid or unenforceable,
shall not be affected thereby, and each provision hereof shall be enforced to
the fullest extent permitted by law.

     30. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut applicable to agreements
made and to be wholly performed within that State, without regard to its
conflict of laws provisions.

     31. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process. Any suit, action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be instituted in
any Federal court situated in the State of Connecticut or any state court of the
State of Connecticut, and each party agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as
a defense or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that
it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of such court, that the suit,
action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the
suit, action or proceeding is improper or that the Agreement or the subject
matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. Each party further
irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such court in any such suit, action
or proceeding. Any and all service of process and any other notice in any such
suit, action or proceeding shall be effective against any party if given
personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested if sent
to such party at the address for such party set forth in Section 25 hereof, or
by any other means of mail that requires a signed receipt, postage fully
prepaid, mailed to such party as herein provided. Nothing herein contained shall
be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner
permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against
any other party in any other jurisdiction.

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

     32. Waiver of Jury Trial. The parties hereto hereby irrevocably waive all
right to a trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out
of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

     33. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, and
by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when
executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.

     34. Fees and Costs. Each of the parties hereto shall bear its own attorneys
fees and costs incurred in connection with the matters that are the subject of
this Agreement and are incurred in connection herewith.

     35. Binding Effect. This Agreement and the obligations contained herein
shall be binding upon the agents, servants, employees, officers, directors,
shareholders, subsidiaries, affiliates, executors, administrators, successors
and assigns of the parties (collectively "Affiliates"), and this Agreement and
the releases herein shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their
respective Affiliates.

     36. No Assignment; Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Executive represents and
warrants that he has not assigned, and covenants and agrees that he will not
assign, in whole or in part, any obligations he may have under this Agreement or
any rights or claims that he may have against the Company or its Affiliates to
any third-party. Except as provided in Sections 2(d), 13, and 17 hereof, this
Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties hereto no provision hereof
shall create any right for any person not a party hereto, their successors and
permitted assigns.

     37. Titles and Captions. All paragraph titles or captions in this
Separation Agreement are for convenience only and in no way define, limit,
extend or describe the scope or intent of any provision hereof.

     38. Representation of Counsel; Reliance. The Executive acknowledges and
agrees that (a) the Executive has had the opportunity to consult with and be
advised by the attorneys of his choice prior to executing this Agreement, (b)
the signing of this Agreement by the Executive is voluntarily, (c) the Executive
fully understands all of the provision of this Agreement, and (d) in executing
this Agreement, the Executive does not rely on any representation or statement
not set forth is this Agreement made by any representative of the Company with
regard to the subject matter, basis, or effect of this Agreement.

     39. Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto shall execute and
deliver such documents, instruments and agreements and take such further actions
as may be reasonably required or desirable to carry out the provisions of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and each of the parties
hereto shall cooperate with each other in connection with the foregoing.

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.

STARTECH ENVIRONMENTAL CORPORATION

By:  /s/  Kevin M. Black
   -------------------------------
Name:
Title:

/s/  Kevin M. Black
----------------------------------
     Kevin M. Black

                                      -14-

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