The Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment has provided the below guidance for businesses providing waste management activities on behalf of local communities.
Waste and materials management activities are deemed essential and necessary activities. These activities return needed raw materials to the supply chain with materials necessary to support the response. Waste materials should routinely be moved from points of generation to secure recycling, treatment, and disposal facilities.
The Materials Management Division (MMD) of EGLE is aware that sites may be experiencing an impact due to a reduced workforce, which may make it difficult to maintain normal operations. We are encouraging waste and materials management businesses to proactively plan for the possibility that normal waste and materials management practices may be interrupted.
All regulated businesses are encouraged to take actions necessary to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and requirements to protect public health, safety, and the environment. Sites that collect, store, handle, process, recycle, or dispose of solid waste, E‑waste, organic materials, or scrap tires need to plan and be prepared for management of these materials during the State of Emergency, to minimize the risks associated with extended storage times, excess volumes, and proper containment of the materials, to prevent contamination risks to employees and the public.
However, in the instance that noncompliance is unavoidable directly due to impact from the COVID-19, please contact the staff listed below to talk with MMD staff about requests for potential regulatory relief. You will be asked to provide an email with specific information related to request(s) including:
- The facility name, address, and contact information.
- A concise statement supporting any request for regulatory relief.
- Anticipated duration of need for regulatory relief.
- A description of the regulatory relief that is being requested (i.e., collection/storage practices, treatment modifications, increased storage time, etc.).
- The business must maintain records adequate to document activities related to the regulatory relief, including details of the business’ best efforts to comply with the existing requirements.
Additional information, such as photo documentation may also be requested.
Decisions on specific alternatives will be made as the response evolves, to maintain effective and efficient use of infrastructure to move material and protect public health.
Personal protective equipment and practices to prevent Covid-19 transmission should continue to be employed. Workers should:
- Use personal protective equipment.
- Maintain social distancing.
- Regularly wash hands and disinfect surfaces and equipment.
If you have any questions or need to request regulatory relief, please contact:
Solid Waste: Ms. Rhonda Oyer, Manager, Solid Waste Section (SWS), MMD, at 517‑897-1395 or [email protected], Ms. Margie Ring, Statewide Solid Waste Engineering Specialist, SWS, MMD, EGLE, at 517-290-6125 or [email protected]; or Mr. Jim Arduin, Statewide Solid Waste Geological Specialist, SWS, MMD, EGLE, at 517- 614-7434 or [email protected].
Recycling: Mr. Matthew Flechter, Recycling Market Development Specialist, Sustainability Section, MMD, EGLE, at 517-614-7353 or [email protected]; or Mr. Robert Jackson, Assistant Division Director, MMD, EGLE, at 517‑930-6163 or [email protected].
Organic Materials Composting: Mr. Aaron Hiday, Compost Program Coordinator, Sustainable Materials Management Unit (SMMU), SWS, MMD, EGLE, at 517-282-7546 or [email protected]; or Mr. Duane Roskoskey, Waste Characterization Specialist, SWS, MMD, EGLE, at 517-582-3445 or [email protected].
Electronic Waste: Mr. Steve Noble, Electronics Program Coordinator, SWS, MMD, EGLE, at 517‑449-6153 or [email protected]; or Mr. Jeff Spencer, Supervisor, SMMU, SWS, MMD, EGLE, at 517-281-4411 or [email protected].
Scrap Tires: Ms. Kirsten Clemens, Scrap Tire Program Coordinator, SMMU, SWS, MMD, EGLE, at 517‑614‑7431 or [email protected]; or Mr. Jeff Spencer, Supervisor, SMMU, SWS, MMD, EGLE, at 517- 281-4411 or [email protected].
For additional information regarding COVID-19 and the Emergency Order, please see:
- Governor Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order 2020-21,
- The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidance on the identification of critical infrastructure workers,
- The Governor’s Frequently Asked Questions that accompany EO 2020-21, and
- Michigan.gov/coronavirus.