FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 30, 2006
CONTACT:
Steve Long, 617-292-5734
Generators, Haulers Now Being Targeted
Massachusetts Steps Up Enforcement of Waste Disposal Bans
BOSTON—Businesses and consumers across Massachusetts are recycling more than ever
before, but state environmental regulators say far too much recyclable material is still being
thrown away. So, they are working to stop the problem where it starts.
In addition to continuing inspections at landfills, combustion facilities, and transfer stations
to ensure that they are rejecting waste loads that contain materials banned from disposal, the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has begun looking more
closely at companies that generate and transport solid waste.
“More than anything, we want to provide businesses and trash haulers with the information
and assistance they need to comply with the waste bans,” said MassDEP Commissioner Robert
W. Golledge Jr. “But we are also prepared to take enforcement action if we find evidence of
widespread or willful violations.”
The agency wants to hold all parties equally accountable for complying with the waste bans,
Golledge explained, because throwing recyclables away puts a strain on the state’s already
limited waste disposal capacity and also hurts manufacturers that rely on recycled feedstock.
Diverting material from trash dumpsters to recycling bins also saves businesses money in most
cases, he said.
Waste haulers can help businesses keep banned materials out of the trash. Web sites,
including Earth 911 (visit www.cleanup.org, click on Business Resources, then enter your Zip
Code) and MassDEP (www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/assistan.htm) also provide information
on throwing away less and recycling more.
For additional information about the Massachusetts waste disposal bans, see the MassDEP
Web site (www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/solid/regs0201.htm) or contact the agency’s commercial
waste reduction hotline at 617-348-4002.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Mitt Romney, Governor • Kerry Healey, Lieutenant Governor
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs • Stephen R. Pritchard, Secretary
Department of Environmental Protection • Robert W. Golledge Jr., Commissioner
One Winter Street • Boston 02108 • (617) 292-5500 • http://www.mass.gov/dep
Massachusetts Waste Ban Information
Materials currently prohibited from disposal under Massachusetts Solid Waste Regulations (310 CMR
19.017):
o
Glass Containers: glass bottles and jars (soda-lime glass) but excluding light bulbs, Pyrex cookware,
plate glass, drinking glasses, windows, windshields and ceramics.
o
Metal Containers: aluminum, steel or bi-metal beverage and food containers.
o
Single Resin Plastics: all narrow-neck plastic containers.
o
Recyclable Paper: all paper, cardboard, and paperboard products excluding tissue paper, toweling,
paper plates and cups, wax-coated cardboard, and other low-grade paper products, which become
unusable to paper mills as a result of normal intended use.
o
Yard Waste: grass clippings, weeds, garden materials, shrub trimmings, and brush 1" or less in
diameter (excluding diseased plants).
o
Leaves: deciduous and coniferous leaf deposition.
o
Batteries: lead-acid batteries used in motor vehicles or stationary applications.
o
White Goods: appliances employing electricity, oil, natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas to preserve
or cook food; wash or dry clothing, cooking or kitchen utensils or related items. These typically
include refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, gas or electric ovens and
ranges, and hot water heaters.
o
Whole Tires: motor vehicle tires of all types. Whole tires may be disposed at combustion facilities.
Shredded tires (a tire which has been cut, sliced or ground into four or more pieces such that the
circular form of the tire has been eliminated) are not restricted.
o
Cathode Ray Tubes: any intact, broken, or processed glass tube used to provide the visual display in
televisions, computer monitors and certain scientific instruments such as oscilloscopes.
Materials that will be banned from disposal as of July 1, 2006:
o
Asphalt Pavement, Brick and Concrete: asphalt pavement, brick and concrete from construction
activities and demolition of buildings and similar sources.
o
Metal
o Wood: Treated and untreated wood, including wood waste.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Mitt Romney, Governor • Kerry Healey, Lieutenant Governor
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs • Stephen R. Pritchard, Secretary
Department of Environmental Protection • Robert W. Golledge Jr., Commissioner
One Winter Street • Boston 02108 • (617) 292-5500 • http://www.mass.gov/dep