Maine Agency Aims to Change Solid Waste Rules

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is looking to change several of the state’s solid waste rules, including one regarding the solid waste hierarchy and permitting decisions.

The DEP is looking to incorporate Maine’s solid waste management hierarchy into permitting decisions as an approval standard, the agency said in a news release. The hierarchy aims to promote waste management efforts in the following order: Reduction; reuse; recycling; composting; waste processing that reduces volume; and land disposal.

Previously, the hierarchy served only as a guide to Maine’s policymakers. This change shifts the burden away from the state to applicants to demonstrate that their solid waste facilities are consistent with the mandate. 

Another proposed rule change involves beneficial reuse of solid wastes. The DEP want to replace the standard with the rule listed in the Maine Remedial Action Guidelines for Sites Contaminated with Hazardous Substances. The replacement aims to make screening standards consistent with existing standards and to ensure that the most current risk values are applied.