Hazardous Waste

Revisions to Standards for the Open Burning/Open Detonation of Waste Explosives

Upcoming US EPA Webinar; Public Comment Period Open On March 20, 2024, US EPA proposed changes that would amend the standards for facilities to use open burning/open detonation (OB/OD) to treat waste explosives. The proposed revisions would reduce OB/OD of waste explosives and increase control of air emissions through improved implementation of existing requirements that facilities must evaluate and use safe and available alternative technologies in lieu of OB/OD.  US EPA will host a webinar on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 10AM …

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Resources for Household Wastes: e-Cigarette Disposal Fact Sheet and Household Medication Disposal Website

On February 23, 2024, US EPA published a new fact sheet on how individual consumers can dispose of e-cigarettes safely. Individuals should dispose of e-cigarettes as a household hazardous waste and not put them in household trash or recycling bins. The lithium batteries inside e-cigarettes can become damaged and cause fires; and the nicotine inside the devices is toxic, posing a risk to both workers and the environment. Access the new fact sheet here. On February 26, 2024 US EPA launched …

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US EPA Finalizes Rule Banning Use of Asbestos

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule on March 18, 2024, prohibiting ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only form currently used in or imported to the United States. This ban is the first under the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), aiming to address health risks associated with asbestos exposure, including various cancers.  The rule includes strict compliance deadlines for transitioning away from asbestos use, especially in the chlor-alkali sector. It also bans …

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USE BEP SERVICES IN 2024!

The BEP team loves helping Nevada businesses achieve compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations by offering free and confidential consultations, facility site-visits, workshops, customized training for your staff, and more.  Confused about how to comply with air quality regulations? From general questions, such as if a generator is small enough to be classified as an insignificant activity, to more complex questions about emissions calculations and permitting requirements, the BEP air team is happy to help.  Working one-on-one, BEP helps businesses come …

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Compliance Resource: ECHO Tool

Have you heard of EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online tool, known as ECHO? You can use ECHO to view a history of your business’s compliance and enforcement data for a variety regulations, including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Watch a previously recorded webinar or sign up for an upcoming webinar here to learn how to use this tool.

EPA to Host Webinar on the Five Chemicals Being Prioritized for Risk Evaluation Under TSCA – February 20, 2024 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm EST

There will be an opportunity for participants to share comments. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a webinar on February 20, 2024 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST on the five chemicals currently undergoing prioritization under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The webinar is open to all, but EPA is particularly interested in learning more about how these chemicals are used and how people could potentially be exposed at different points in a chemical’s lifecycle. EPA is …

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Partial Withdraw of Technical Corrections made to RCRA Regulations

As referenced in our September 2023 Newsletter the EPA issued a rule correcting typographical errors and citations, and clarifying ambiguous language in approximately 50 sections of the federal hazardous waste regulations. As of December 6, 2023, 8 amendments were withdrawn due to adverse comments received on the rule. Read the withdrawn amendments in the Federal Register here. Please note that the issued rule will not be recognized in the State of Nevada until the State completes an update to its adoption by reference …

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Biennial Reporting Assistance: Weekly Office Hours and One-on-One Appointments

Kat Olson is hosting open office hours and offering one-on-one appointments through Zoom to help Large Quantity Generators and Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities with completing and submitting their Biennial Report for the 2023 reporting year. The Biennial Report is due on Friday, March 1st, 2024, so don’t wait! Come with your questions, RCRAInfo login information, manifests, and other reports. Screen share will be available to better assist you. One-on-one appointments can be scheduled here. Open office hours are weekly …

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Join waitlist: Biennial Reporting workshops

The Biennial Reporting Workshops scheduled for Reno on Tuesday, January 9 and for Las Vegas on Thursday, January 11 are full. Join the waitlists for the workshops today by emailing Kat Olson at katolson@unr.edu. Additional courses may be added based on demand. If you generated at a large quantity generator (LQG) status (greater than 2,200 lbs of hazardous waste in a calendar month) for any month during 2023, you must complete a biennial report through RCRAInfo. These free workshops will …

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