A solid waste processing facility is any facility where solid wastes are transferred from one container to another or are processed. Types of facilities include transfer stations, material recovery facilities and infectious waste facilities.
The applicant for this permit must first apply a Solid Waste Processing Facility Construction Permit. After the applicant has received a construction permit and completed construction of all pre-operational features, they may apply for an operating permit.
The department will conduct an inspection to make sure all features were constructed according to the approved plans and permit. An operating permit must be obtained before the solid waste landfill may begin accepting waste.
Types of Processing Facilities
Compost Plant - a facility that uses a controlled process of microbial degradation of organic material which was not source-separated into a stable, nuisance-free humus-like product. DO you have more information to add???
Incinerator – facilities consisting of any device or structure resulting in weight or volume reduction of solid waste by combustion. DO you have more information to add???
Infectious Waste - facilities accept infectious waste to either transfer it from smaller trucks into larger tractor trailers for transporting to a permitted disposal facility or to process the waste, treating the material so that it is no longer infectious. In Missouri, infectious waste is a defined as a waste that contains strong and numerous pathogens that if someone comes in contact with it, that person could get an infectious disease from it.
The department regulates and oversees facilities that process wastes, which are issued Solid Waste Processing Facility Permits to perform the following activities:
- Transferring waste from one container, vessel or vehicle to another
- Consolidating individual waste loads in preparation for transport to a landfill
- Separating the waste for recycling or disposal
- Recovering or salvaging specific items from the waste for sale or re-use
- Treating waste to kill pathogens in the waste, such as bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms, that may pose a threat to public health
- Incinerating waste for disposal or to produce energy
Some facilities or operations may be allowed an exemption to operate without a solid waste processing facility permit. Waste processing that salvages materials, sorts out items for re-use and does not generate waste to go to a landfill may not require a permit. These material processing operations must not cause any public health or environmental problems to retain its permit-exempt status.
Transfer Stations - facilities where solid waste is unloaded directly from trash collection containers into a different collection or transport container, or the solid waste is briefly stored within the facility until it is placed in a different collection or transport container for transporting to a permitted disposal facility. By combining the loads of several small waste collection trucks into a single large tractor trailer for transporting, the number of trips to and from disposal sites is reduced and money is saved on transportation costs.
The department regulates and oversees facilities that process wastes, which are issued Solid Waste Processing Facility Permits to perform the following activities:
- Transferring waste from one container, vessel or vehicle to another
- Consolidating individual waste loads in preparation for transport to a landfill
- Separating the waste for recycling or disposal
- Recovering or salvaging specific items from the waste for sale or re-use
- Treating waste to kill pathogens in the waste, such as bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms, that may pose a threat to public health
- Incinerating waste for disposal or to produce energy
Some facilities or operations may be allowed an exemption to operate without a solid waste processing facility permit. Waste processing that salvages materials, sorts out items for re-use and does not generate waste to go to a landfill may not require a permit. These material processing operations must not cause any public health or environmental problems to retain its permit-exempt status.
Material Recovery - facilities where materials are received and sorted to allow recyclable or recoverable materials to be removed from the waste stream. These materials may be recycled, reused, composted or processed through other methods, preparing it for reuse or generating a new product from the processed material. The materials are then transported to buyers for remanufacturing, sold for beneficial use or kept by the facility for beneficial use.
If the material that comes into the recovery facility is source-separated material that may all be reused, recycled or processed into different or new products, and no waste is produced during the material processing in the facility, the facility may be allowed an exemption to operate without a solid waste processing facility permit. However, if waste materials are mixed with the materials that come into the recovery facility to be processed for reuse, recycling or other processing, or waste is produced by the facility during the material processing, then the facility must operate with a solid waste processing facility permit.
Length of Permit
Permits issued for solid waste facilities shall be for the anticipated life of the facility. According to sections 260.200 to 260.345, RSMo, permits granted by the department shall be subject to suspension for a designated period of time, civil penalty or revocation whenever the department determines that the solid waste processing facility or solid waste disposal area is, or has been, operated in violation of sections 260.200 to 260.345, RSMo or the rules or regulations adopted pursuant to sections 260.200 to 260.345, RSMo, or has been operated in violation of any permit terms and conditions, or is creating a public nuisance, health hazard, or environmental pollution. In the event a permit is suspended or revoked, the person named in the permit shall be fully informed as to the reasons for such action.
Laws, Rules and Regulations
- Federal Law: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCA) Subtitle D
- State Law: Solid Waste Management Law Sections 260.200 to 260.345 RSMo
- Code of State Regulations: Division 80 – Solid Waste Management, 10 CSR 80
- Commission, Board, Council: Missouri Solid Waste Advisory Board