The department’s Waste Management Program (WMP) protects public health and the environment by working with Missouri individuals, businesses, industry, governments and schools to make sure they know how to safely collect, handle and dispose of their waste. Per capita, each Missourian generates over one ton of solid waste each year. The main goal of waste management is to reduce the amount of waste produced and properly manage the rest. If waste is released to the environment, the program performs and oversees the environmental investigation and cleanup activities.
The WMP reviews permit applications and issues solid and hazardous waste permits and permit modifications to solid waste disposal and processing facilities, hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities, and hazardous waste sites requiring corrective action. Staff review proposed permits for facility design, construction, operations, and proper monitoring controls. Staff assist the department’s regional offices with inspections of hazardous waste generators, hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities, permitted solid waste facilities, and hazardous waste haulers. In addition, staff investigate reports of illegal dumping and other solid and hazardous waste related concerns across Missouri. The WMP conducts enforcement activities when necessary to ensure proper management of hazardous waste and solid waste to protect human health, safety and Missouri’s water, land, and air resources.
The program oversees the cleanup of illegal scrap tire dumpsites, conducts scrap tire inspections and investigations, provides funding to nonprofit groups to clean up dumpsites with less than 500 scrap tires, and awards scrap tire material grants that promote the use of scrap tire materials in new products. This work is funded by a 50-cent fee assessed on each new tire purchased in Missouri.
Other focuses of the program include planning, financial and technical assistance, and educational activities that inform the public of the relationship between an individual’s consumption of goods and proper solid waste management as well as proper management of hazardous waste. The WMP works with stakeholders, the general public, and regulated facilities to comply with state and federal hazardous and solid waste laws and regulations. Further, the WMP works closely with the Environmental Remediation Program to carry out the policies of the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Commission and to coordinate on sites requiring remediation or cleanup.
Meet the Director - Chris Nagel
Chris Nagel holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resources from Lincoln University, with an emphasis in Wildlife Management, as well as an Associates Degree in Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. Chris has been employed with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources since 1998, and is presently the director of Waste Management Program. Prior to this, Chris was the Compliance/ Enforcement Section Chief for four years in the former Solid Waste Management Program and served in various enforcement related positions within the department’s Air Pollution Control Program. Chris’ interests include spending time with his family and friends enjoying hunting, fishing, wood working and raising horses with his wife and son.