The following article was originally
published in WasteCap's newsletter,
Business Recycle-Link, Fall 2001, Vol.7, No. 1
State Steps Up Enforcement of Waste Bans
Waste bans are state regulations, issued over the past ten years, that
restrict the disposal and transfer for disposal of certain hazardous and
recyclable materials at solid waste facilities. The bans regulate the disposal of recyclable paper (including
cardboard); glass, plastic, and metal containers; yard and leaf waste;
batteries; white goods (i.e., appliances); cathode ray tubes; and whole
tires.
The state is taking action to step up enforcement efforts and reduce
quantities of restricted materials that end up in disposal facilities.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently hired
four new officials to ensure that facilities are complying with waste ban
requirements. Facilities must
monitor incoming loads for restricted materials. Loads that fail inspection may be rejected or the hauler may
be fined or charged a fee to remove the recoverable materials.
Haulers, facing rejection of their loads or penalties, will have a
strong incentive to encourage customers to keep banned materials out of
their waste. Businesses
failing to set up proper separation programs could be faced with
additional hauling fees or haulers that will turn down their business.
The bans encourage more recycling, help to preserve capacity at existing
disposal facilities, and minimize the need for new ones.
They limit the release of pollutants and toxic substances into our
air, water, and land. By encouraging strong recycling programs, the bans promote
the use of materials currently in circulation rather than the depletion of
natural resources. In
addition, they demonstrate to the recycling market that large quantities
of the banned materials will be available.
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