TABLES PAGE Solid Wastes Separation Technique and Application Information for Centralized Separation Facilities. Processes Used for the Energy Recovery from Solid Wastes Average Daily Solid Waste Generation Rates from Military Typical Physical Compositions of Some Solid Waste Streams. Typical Applications and Limitations of Containers Used Typical Data on Container Capacities Available for Use Typical Data on Vehicles Used for the Collection of Solid Waste Landfill Design Checklist. Sources of Existing Information. Field Investigations for New Information Theoretical Volume of Water that Could Enter Completed Landfill Through 1 ft2 of Various Cover Materials in Average Equipment Requirements Equipment Selection Guidance for Multiple Unit Sites CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1.1 This update of the Solid Waste Management manual stresses operational changes brought about in waste handling practices as a result of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 (42 USC 6901) and its amendments. New sections are included on the legal implications of the act. The Military Construction Codification Act (PL 97-214) of 1982 is also discussed as it applies to recycling programs in the military. 1.1.2 This manual discusses managerial, engineering, and operational issues associated with: handling and storage of waste refuse collection transfer stations sanitary landfills volume reduction techniques resource recovery (material and/or energy) Discussions are intentionally brief. 1.1.3 A serious shortage of suitable landfill sites especially near large metropolitan areas is forcing solid waste managers to look for ways to minimize the volume of buried wastes. Resource recovery, recycling, compacting, incineration, and composting are examples of processes being implemented to reduce burdens on landfills. When hauling distances to landfills become excessive, transfer stations may be economically attractive. 1.1.4 The Military Construction Codification Act (PL 97-214) of 1982 provided increased incentives for recycling programs. Highly successful recycling programs already exist at several military installations. Implementation strategies for other installations are included in this document. 1.1.5 Section 4.4 on wastes requiring special handling emphasizes hospital wastes and other unique waste with specific handling and disposal requirements. 1.1.6 Section 4.5 on Hazardous Wastes relates to the impacts of hazardous materials or wastes that might enter a solid waste stream (e.g. contamination of housing wastes with hazardous household cleaning chemicals). It is not meant to be a comprehensive review of hazardous waste practices in the military. 1.1.7 Appendices provide information on: landfill permit requirements solid waste management contracts regional U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offices organizations involved in recycling estimation of waste generation rates. A list of acronyms, a glossary, and a subject index are also included. 1.2 PURPOSE. The purpose of the document is to provide technical information for personnel responsible for managing solid waste on military installations in the United States. Installations outside of the United States must abide by technical standards and practices of the host jurisdiction to ensure that environmental protection requirements are fulfilled. These requirements are set forth in status of forces agreements, treaties, and executive orders pertaining to U.S. activities overseas. Good sanitation practices are necessary at all locations regardless of regulatory requirements. 1.3 SCOPE 1.3.1 Management and technical procedures are presented as guides that will ensure: conservation of resources protection of the environment systematic collection of solid wastes efficient operation of disposal systems minimum expenditure of funds, personnel, equipment, and materials 1.3.2 The sections discussing legal issues are guidelines only and based on interpretation of regulatory requirements. They are not intended to be legal advice. CHAPTER 2. BACKGROUND This background chapter touches on the legal requirements for solid waste handling, the impact of solid waste generation and involvement of base personnel. The discussions under Statutory and Regulatory Requirements focus on: RCRA other federal statutes Defense Logistics Agency generic state permit and regulatory requirements for landfills Section 2.3 focuses on the need to educate base personnel on specific solid waste issues; i.e., who has to know what and when. Periodic updates of the regulatory requirements must be an integral part of training at military bases. 2.1 STATUTORY AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS. Solid waste disposal activities at military installations must abide by federal, state, local, and military regulations. Military policy is to abide by the most stringent of the applicable regulations. 2.1.1 Federal Regulations 2.1.1.1 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Prior to the enactment of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in September of 1976, solid waste management was governed by the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 (42 USC 3251). Few states, however, had enacted any type of solid waste law. RCRA now sets certain minimum standards for waste management that all states must meet or exceed. Since 1976 many states have adopted their own waste management plans. Often these state plans are more restrictive than RCRA requirements. Military installations must abide by all state and local statutes where they are located. Within DoD regulations governing the sale of recyclable materials are found in the Military Construction Codification Act (PL 97-214). 2.1.1.2 The three main objectives that RCRA addresses are: (1) hazardous waste management; (2) solid waste management; and (3) procurement of materials made from recovered wastes. RCRA was Congress' first attempt at an environmental statute to have the free market mechanism work for environmental protection. Such a mechanism would work by mandating certain standards for disposal of solid and hazardous waste that would protect public health and safety. This action would require those benefitting from the functions that create the waste to pay the cost of its disposal. In effect, the new standards would incorporate costs of health and safety along with the cost of land into the cost of disposal. Then, as the cost of land disposal increased, there would be incentive to provide other more environmentally protective technologies. |