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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10 Presentation - Mass DEP Recycling WorksBarnstable County Board of Health Purpose: To help businesses comply with MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans. Massachusetts solid waste regulations (310 CMR 19.017) ban the disposal or transfer for disposal of certain recyclable and hazardous materials. Materials Currently Banned from Disposal or Transfer for Disposal in Massachusetts (from Mass.gov) • Asphalt pavement, brick and concrete • Cathode ray tubes • Clean gypsum wallboard • Commercial food material (1/2 ton/week effective November 1, 2022) • Ferrous and non-ferrous metals • Glass, metal, and plastic containers (bottles, cans, jars, jugs and tubs) • Lead acid batteries • Leaves and yard waste • Mattresses • Recyclable paper, cardboard and paperboard • Textiles • Treated and untreated wood and wood waste (banned from landfills only) • White goods (large appliances) • Whole tires (banned from landfills only; shredded tires acceptable) The environmental benefits of recycling are maximized and waste is reduced. What: Cardboard, Paper, Bottles & Cans and Commercial Food Material (1/2 ton/week) are being mixed in with trash by many businesses and residents with private hauling services. Why: MassDEP developed Waste Disposal Ban Regulations back in the early 1990’s to reduce disposal at landfills and waste to energy facilities. What can we do: Businesses may or may not know that these regulations exist. Receiving information from trusted sources such as their hauler, municipality or local inspector can help in making the decision to implement or expand a waste diversion program. Proposal: Include basic questions or observations on the food establishment annual permit renewal and inspection form or Food Code Pro and have sharable information easily available. Currently waste is only line 54. Questions during inspections could include: What materials are you recycling? Are you aware of the Waste Ban Regulations? How much food waste do you think you generate? (visual of limit is about 1 32-gallon barrel per day) Do you have a way to properly dispose of your fluorescent lightbulbs? Do you have a way to properly dispose of your waste oil or grease trap materials? Some communities adopt mandatory recycling ordinances and hauler regulations to further strengthen the Waste Ban Regulations. https://www.mass.gov/lists/implementing-mandatory-recycling-private-hauler-regulations Businesses can be notified of the Waste Ban Regulation and any municipal ordinances during inspections but also as part of their permit renewal. Resources for businesses: Hold a meeting/event to talk about managing waste – how and why. Can piggyback on other topics – presentation and/or give aways (digital thermometer or sanitizing supplies) Add the MassDEP RecyclingWorks MA website link and description to permit, website etc. It’s a free service available to any business and institution in the state for a waste assessment with recommendations for reduction techniques, food donation opportunities, and diversion of recycling, food scraps and other banned materials. Shared service agreement – Not every business in a plaza needs their own set of dumpsters. Businesses may share costs and access.