Special Waste
Glen PughDepartment of Environment and ConservationDivision of Solid Waste ManagementPresentation to Solid Waste Advisory CommitteeJuly 5, 2007
What is Solid Waste?
"Solid waste" means any garbage, trash, refuse, abandoned material, byproducts, scrap, ash, sludge, and all discarded material including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, and agricultural operations, and from community activities. . .
What is a Special Waste?
Solid wastes that are either difficult or dangerous to manage
May include sludges, bulky wastes, pesticide wastes, medical wastes, industrial wastes, liquid wastes, friable asbestos wastes, combustion wastes, and hazardous wastes which are not subject to regulations under Department Rules 1200-1-11-.03 thru 1200-1-11-.07 (hazardous waste regs which refer to wastes such as household hazardous waste in small containers from households)
No Hazardous Waste
How does EPA define a hazardous waste?
Characteristic Hazardous Wastesignitability (flash point <140, gas, oxidizer)corrosivity (pH <2 or >12.5)reactivity (unstable, pressure, reacts with
water)toxicity (fails a TCLP test)
Listed Hazardous Wastesfrom electroplating, parts washing, other
industrial processes (can include solvents, chemicals, poisons, etc.)
Special Waste Approvals
Two ways to authorize disposal of special wastes:
1. Special waste approval letter
2. The facility permit
Special Waste Approval Process
Waste Generator Submits Application
Landfill Disposal Recordkeeping
DSWM Reviews application Reviews records Reviews disposal procedures
Special Waste Re-certification
The generator must annually re-certify by July 1 of each year the accuracy of the information on a form provided by the Department, certifying there has been no change in the waste stream since the original special waste approval was granted by the Department.
The definition of Special Waste and the approval Process are set forth in the Rule 1200-1-7.
Examples of Special Wastes
Untreated Medical Wastes Friable Asbestos Municipal Sewage Sludge Secondary Aluminum Smelter
Waste Mercury containing wastes, such
as thermostats and fluorescent bulbs
Dry cell batteries
Examples of Special Wastes
Ash Cathode ray tubes in TVs and
monitors Electronics (computers, cell
phones, etc) Recalled food waste Dead animals BSFR
Bulk Survey for Release (BSFR)
Quantities (at Middle Point) Between 1999 and 2007, a total of 12,000
tons
Note: Above tonnages are part of the 9,000,000 tons of total waste placed in Middle Point during that period. This represents 0.13% of the total waste stream.
Sites Receiving BSFR
Facilities (Statewide) BFI Middle Point BFI Carter Valley BFI North Shelby BFI South Shelby WM Chestnut Ridge
Special Waste Conditions for BSFR
Waste must be placed and covered immediately upon receipt.
All radiological sensing equipment must be installed, calibrated, maintained, inspected and tested periodically. Verification records must be kept at the scale house.
A written protocol for responding to alarms is required, and must be kept at the facility.
The generator must provide an annual report including the total quantity of waste delivered to and disposed of at the landfill.