Ohio EPA Hazardous Waste

Ohio EPA had to deal with many different types of waste management, such as hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. The EPA has several programs that deal with hazardous waste management, such as: Cessation of Regulated Operations (CRO), Financial Assurance, Generator Requirements, Transporters, Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDs), Universal Wastes, and used Oil. The EPA deals with the treatment, storage, and disposal of many different hazardous materials. Treatment is defined as: any method, technique, or process designed to physically, chemically, or biologically change the nature of a hazardous waste. Storage is defined as: holding hazardous waste for a temporary period, after which the hazardous waste is treated, disposed of, or stored elsewhere. Disposal is defined as: the discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any solid or hazardous waste on or in the land or water. A disposal facility is any site where hazardous waste is intentionally placed and where the waste will remain after a TSDF stops operation. Treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDF) are one of the last links in the cradle to grave hazardous waste management system. The requirements for TSDFs are much more extensive than the standards for hazardous waste generators and transporters. These requirements include general facility operating standards, as most do, as well as standards for the various types of units in which hazardous waste is managed. General facility standards address good management practices for any facility engaged in hazardous waste management.

            There are also very detailed technical standards that go beyond the previous requirements to ensure that all of the elements that are a part of TSDF are properly constructed and operated to prevent leaks of hazardous waste into the environment. The technical standards were also addressed in the diversity of hazardous waste operations that were being conducted around the country by guiding facilities in the proper design, construction, operation, maintenance, and closure of a variety of hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal units. These unit standards include requirements for a wide range of hazardous waste management units, from containers (ex: 55 gallon drums) to landfills, in order to ensure that these units handle waste safely and effectively.

The State of Ohio EPA issues hazardous waste permits to applicants seeking to conduct certain hazardous waste management activities. These permits are legally binding and enforceable documents by law. Unless specifically exempted or excluded by Ohio hazardous waste rules, any person that treats, stores or disposes of hazardous waste must first obtain a hazardous waste permit before they treat, store or dispose of these materials.

This hazardous waste permit contains terms and conditions that define the permittee’s obligations under Ohio’s hazardous waste rules and the operating boundaries within which hazardous waste management activities can only be conducted. These terms and conditions then serve as the basis for compliance evaluations and, if necessary, subsequent enforcement actions to remedy any non-compliance. This is the reason why the terms and conditions must be met and strictly followed so the company will not be fined for any breaks in compliance.