Hazardous Waste Program

Green America Recycling LLC

(Operators: Continental Cement Co. LLC and Green Americal Recycling LLC)

EPA ID# MOD054018288

DNR Contact:      Tim O'Brien, 573-751-3553 or 800-361-4827
EPA Contact:      Ken Herstowski, PE, 913-551-7504 or 800-223-0425
Facility Contact:  Andrea Farr, 573-221-6262
Last Updated:     March 19, 2013

What's New

Final Class 3 Permit Modifications Issued: On Nov. 30, 2012, Green America Recycling LLC submitted a Class 3 Permit Modification request to the department, which was a revision of the original request dated April 30, 2012, requesting to modify their existing Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Facility Part I Permit. The company requested the modifications be addressed before renewal of its hazardous waste permit.

The draft permit modification identifies the facility name as Green America Recycling LLC (Green America); however, the permits are issued to and regulate activities performed by both Continental Cement Co. LLC and Green America Recycling LLC. Continental Cement Co. LLC operates the dry process cement kiln that is permitted to burn hazardous waste. Green America Recycling LLC operates the on-site hazardous waste fuel programs, which includes receiving, sampling, off-loading, storing and processing the liquid and solid hazardous wastes received at the permitted facility. Green America Recycling LLC requested to modify the Part I Permit to build a Subpart X Miscellaneous Treatment Unit to convert processed solid waste-derived material into a synthetic gas that will be used as alternative fuel in the precalciner portion of the kiln system. The new unit would be housed in an extension to the existing feed barn building. After a thorough technical review of the permit modification request, the department issued Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Facility Part I Permit Modifications, effective immediately. The final permit modifications allow Green America Recycling LLC to build the Subpart X Miscellaneous Treatment Unit, allowing them to manage the processed solid waste-derived material in a more efficient manner. The modified Part I Permit will remain in effect until the permit renewal under review is finalized and a new Part I Permit is issued.

The public can review and copy the Part I Permit Modification request, final Part I Permit Modifications, Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 and supporting documents at the Hannibal Free Public Library, 200 S. Fifth St., Hannibal, Missouri (during normal business hours) or agency locations above. There were no comments made on the draft Part I Permit Modifications during the public comment period. Any parties adversely affected or aggrieved by the department’s decision to issue the final Part I Permit Modifications may be entitled to pursue an appeal before the Administrative Hearing Commission by filing a written petition by April 19, 2013, as more fully described on page 7 of the final Part I Permit Modifications.

Permit Application for Renewal Complete: The department is inviting the public to review and offer written comments on Green America's permit renewal application while the department conducts a technical review of the permit application. The public can review and copy the permit application and supporting documents at the locations above. Comments on the permit application are more effective if they point out legal or technical issues. You may submit written comments online or send comments by mail to Tim O'Brien, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176.

Facility Description

The facility name is Green America Recycling LLC (Green America), located at 10107 Highway 79 in Hannibal; however, the regulate activities are performed by both Continental Cement Co. LLC and Green America Recycling LLC. Continental Cement operates the dry process cement kiln that is permitted to burn hazardous waste. The kiln produces clinker, the main ingredient in Portland cement. Continental Cement uses mainly pulverized coal to heat their kiln. To supplement its fuel needs, Continental Cement also uses non-hazardous waste fuels, such as used oil, and a variety of liquid and solid hazardous waste-derived fuels.

Green America Recycling LLC operates an active hazardous waste treatment and storage facility at the permitted facility. Some of the hazardous waste comes from on-site operations, but most comes from off-site hazardous waste generators or third party hazardous waste blenders or brokers. Green America Recycling LLC operates the on-site hazardous waste fuel programs, which includes receiving, sampling, off-loading, storing and processing the liquid and solid hazardous wastes received at the facility by both truck and railcar. The liquid hazardous wastes are "blended" with other hazardous waste to achieve desired fuel characteristics such as BTU value and metals and chlorine content. The resulting wastes are stored in tanks until they are fed to the rotary kiln as liquid fuel. 

The Green America facility stores and treats “characteristic” hazardous waste as well as various F-, K-, P- and U-listed hazardous wastes as specified in its permit application. The permitted areas include six 25,000-gallon liquid storage and blend tanks, two 75,000-gallon burn tanks, one 75,000-gallon storage and blend tank, two containment buildings with a combined capacity of 1,545 cubic yards, five miscellaneous treatment units and four container storage areas with a combined capacity of 599,250 gallons. On June 30, 2010, the department and EPA issued Class 3 Permit Modifications to Green America, allowing them to build one container storage area with a capacity of 290,000 gallons; one 75,000-gallon storage and treatment tank; one 150,000-gallon storage, treatment and burn tank; and a centrifuge with a capacity of 6,600 gallons per hour. On Feb. 25, 2011, the department issued Class 3 Permit Modifications to Green America, allowing them to build one tank storage area with a capacity of 75 cubic yards and one miscellaneous treatment unit to process 470 tons per day. On March 19, 2013, the department issued Class 3 Permit Modifications to Green America Recycling LLC, allowing them to build a Subpart X Miscellaneous Treatment Unit to convert processed solid waste-derived material into a synthetic gas that will be used as alternative fuel in the precalciner portion of the kiln system.

Hazardous Waste Permit Status

Continental Cement Co. LLC and Green America Recycling LLC are operating under two hazardous waste permits, one issued by the department and one issued by EPA, both effective Oct. 14, 1999. The department issued the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Facility Part I Permit. EPA issued the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments Part II Permit. These permits allow the Green America facility to store and treat “characteristic” hazardous waste as well as various F-, K-, P- and U-listed hazardous wastes, including processing in an industrial furnace. The regulated units consist of nine tanks, two containment buildings, five miscellaneous treatment units and four container storage areas. These permits also require corrective action for releases of hazardous waste and hazardous constituents to the environment.

On June 30, 2010, the department and EPA issued Class 3 Permit Modifications to Green America, allowing them to add one container storage area, two tanks and a centrifuge. On Feb. 25, 2011, the department issued Class 3 Permit Modifications to Green America, allowing them to build two new hazardous waste units and use current units for in-line mixing/pH treatment. On March 19, 2013, the department issued Class 3 Permit Modifications to Green America Recycling LLC, allowing them to build a Subpart X Miscellaneous Treatment Unit to convert processed solid waste-derived material into a synthetic gas that will be used as alternative fuel in the precalciner portion of the kiln system.

Continental Cement Co. LLC and Green America Recycling LLC submitted a permit application on Oct. 13, 2009, for renewal of their existing hazardous waste permits, which expired Oct. 14, 2009. State and federal regulations, 40 CFR 270.15, allow the existing hazardous waste permits to continue in effect until the department and EPA issue or deny new hazardous waste permits. The department determined that the permit application was complete on Dec. 31, 2009. The department is currently conducting a technical review of the permit application.