michigan

Status of Generator Improvements Rule in Michigan

Status of Generator Improvements Rule in Michigan

Logo for the Michigan DEQThe below is taken verbatim from the Michigan DEQ website.

Contact: Ronda Blayer 517-284-6555
Agency: Environmental Quality

On November 28, 2016, the final Generator Improvements Rule was published in 81 Federal Register 85732. These regulatory revisions were promulgated under the authority of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976. As such, they do not take effect in Michigan, a federally authorized state, until the rules are promulgated at the state level.

States are required to adopt any revisions that are more stringent than the existing federal program. However, less stringent revisions are optional in terms of adoption by authorized states.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is in the process of reviewing these revisions for inclusion in the administrative rules promulgated pursuant to Part 111, Hazardous Waste Management, of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended. The Generator Improvements Rule will be part of Amendment 12 to the Part 111 rules. It is anticipated that this rulemaking process will be initiated in summer 2017. There will be an opportunity for public comment consistent with the past hazardous waste management program rule packages.

If you are interested in being placed on a mailing list for information regarding this rulemaking effort, please provide your name, company, address, email address, and telephone number to Ronda L. Blayer, Hazardous Waste Program, Waste Management and Radiological Protection Division, at 517-284-6555 or blayerr@michigan.gov.

Contact me with any questions you may have about the generation, identification, management, and disposal of hazardous waste

Daniels Training Services, Inc.

815.821.1550

Info@DanielsTraining.com

https://www.danielstraining.com/

One thing the Generator Improvements Rule hasn’t changed is the need for generators of hazardous waste to provide initial and annual training for their hazardous waste personnel.  Contact me if you require this training and if you want it to include the requirements of the new Generator Improvements Rule that are applicable to your operations.

Michigan DEQ Launches New Drug Disposal Web Page

Training: 49 CFR 172, Subpart H and 40 CFR 265.16

Training for RCRA Personnel and HazMat Employees in Michigan

On April 29th, 2016 the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) launched its new Drug Disposal Web Page for businesses and citizens of Michigan.  It includes:

  • Locations and information on drug “takeback” activities throughout the state.
  • Provides information for the healthcare industry on proper drug disposal.
  •  Drug disposal options for both households and non-households, i.e. commercial or industry.
  • Universal Waste Guidance in Michigan.  Why?  Because Michigan is one of only two states – what up Florida? – that allows disposal of pharmaceuticals as a universal waste.  View my presentation on this topic:  The Identification and Management of Universal Waste in Michigan.
Unwanted drugs should not be flushed down the drain!

More on Michigan:

Contact me with any questions you may have about the generation, identification, management, and disposal of hazardous waste

Daniels Training Services

815.821.1550

Info@DanielsTraining.com

https://www.danielstraining.com/

The Solvent Contaminated Wipes Rule in Michigan

On January 31st of 2014, the USEPA’s Solvent Wipe Rule became effective at the Federal level and in those states lacking authorization under RCRA to operate their own hazardous waste program.  As a state with an authorized hazardous waste program, Michigan has the option to adopt the new Federal Rule in its entirety, adopt it in part, or reject it outright and manage solvent-contaminated wipes by its own state rules.  The purpose of this article is to explain the regulatory requirements for the management of solvent-contaminated wipes by a hazardous waste generator in Michigan.

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Waste Prohibited from Landfill Disposal in Michigan

The following wastes are prohibited from landfill disposal under Part 115 of Act 451:

Training: 49 CFR 172, Subpart H and 40 CFR 265.16

Training for RCRA Personnel and HazMat Employees in Michigan

  • Used oil
  • Whole tires
  • Liquid waste.  Liquid Industrial Waste is subject to strict regulation in Michigan.
  • Returnable beverage containers.  Find a designated collection site and make some money on your returns!
  • Lead acid batteries.  Manage pursuant to Part 111 of Act 451, R 299.9206(2)(d), if reclaimed.
  • Yard clippings.  For disposal options, search the MDEQ website for registered composting facilities.
  • Medical waste.  A universal waste in Michigan.
  • Sewage
  • Asbestos unless the landfill meets specific federal requirements.
  • Empty drums unless crushed.
  • Hazardous waste from Small Quantity Generators (SQG) and Large Quantity Generators (LQG) of hazardous waste.  Waste from a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) of hazardous waste is OK.
  • Low level radioactive waste.
  • PCB waste unless the landfill meets specific requirements.

For more information about wastes banned from landfill disposal in Michigan:  MDEQ Prohibited Wastes.

Daniels Training Services815.821.1550Info@DanielsTraining.comhttps://www.danielstraining.com/

Interested in more?  Register now for my Training Seminar (USEPA Hazardous Waste & USDOT HazMat Transportation) in Detroit on April 23, 2015!

Free Energy & Waste Assessments for Small Businesses in Michigan

The Retired Engineer Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) provides in-depth pollution prevention (P2) and energy conservation assessments to businesses with 500 or fewer employees in Michigan. RETAP assessments are performed by teams of retired engineers and are always free, confidential, non-regulatory, and objective. For each assessment, RETAP provides a written report containing specific recommendations to save money, reduce energy usage, conserve water, and eliminate waste generation. To date, RETAP has conducted over 1,800 assessments with
a demonstrated record of averaging over $40,000 in potential cost savings per assessment.

RETAP maintains over fifty (50) retired engineers, scientists, and other professionals active in the program. Each RETAP engineer has thirty to forty years of experience in industry giving RETAP the unique ability to offer over 2,000 years of combined professional experience to help businesses improve their operations and save money, free of charge.

Any business interested in requesting a RETAP assessment or additional information should contact David Herb at 517-241-8175 or herbd@michigan.gov or through the DEQ’s Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278.

It can’t hurt to have another set of eyes take a look at your facility and operations in order to assist you with saving money.  If the assessment determines that you need assistance complying with the hazardous waste regulations of the Michigan DEQ, don’t hesitate to contact me.

HOUSEHOLD MEDICATION DISPOSAL EVENT AT THE STATE CAPITOL – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

Summer is moving fast and the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) annual medication collection at the Capitol is upon us again. Clean out your medicine cabinet and bring your unused,
unwanted, or expired household medications to the south Capitol lawn for safe disposal on Tuesday, September 10th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are short of time, utilize the drop off tent on the east Capitol lawn at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Michigan Avenue.

Items accepted include: controlled substances, narcotics, over-the counter medications, prescription medications, eye drops, inhalers, insulin, medicated ointments/lotions, medication samples, including pet medications, and vitamins/supplements from your home.

Items not accepted include: waste medications from businesses, medical waste (infectious sharps, needles, and syringes), or medications that are a hazardous waste or a hazardous drug (chemotherapy medications).

To hear more about the joint efforts to ensure safe drug disposal, preserve our drinking water, and prevent drug abuse, join us for the press conference at 11 a.m. on September 10th. To locate other medication collection locations, please see the Remedy for Residential Drug Disposal Brochure. For more information on this event, please contact the DEQ’s Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278 or deq-assist@michigan.gov.

Fortunately for businesses that are not able to take advantage of this program, pharmaceuticals are a Universal Waste in Michigan.  Under the regulations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Universal Wastes may be managed at a lower level of regulatory responsibility.  View this short presentation in order to learn more about the management of Universal Waste in Michigan.

The Michigan Environmental Audit Privilege & Immunity Law

If you have doubts about your compliance with environmental regulations (Federal or State) then you may live in fear of an inspection by an inspector of those agencies.  In Michigan, however, a business has the option to take part in a voluntary program administered by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Office of Environmental Assistance.  Its purpose is to encourage  Michigan businesses and public entities to self-initiate and conduct audits of their compliance with state environmental laws.  Its name:  Michigan’s Environmental Audit Privilege & Immunity Law (Part 148, PA 451 of 1994). (more…)