Allan Gerlat, News Editor

November 7, 2014

1 Min Read
Maine Agency Aims to Change Solid Waste Rules

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is looking to change several of the state’s solid waste rules, including one regarding the solid waste hierarchy and permitting decisions.

The DEP is looking to incorporate Maine’s solid waste management hierarchy into permitting decisions as an approval standard, the agency said in a news release. The hierarchy aims to promote waste management efforts in the following order: Reduction; reuse; recycling; composting; waste processing that reduces volume; and land disposal.

Previously, the hierarchy served only as a guide to Maine’s policymakers. This change shifts the burden away from the state to applicants to demonstrate that their solid waste facilities are consistent with the mandate. 

Another proposed rule change involves beneficial reuse of solid wastes. The DEP want to replace the standard with the rule listed in the Maine Remedial Action Guidelines for Sites Contaminated with Hazardous Substances. The replacement aims to make screening standards consistent with existing standards and to ensure that the most current risk values are applied.

About the Author(s)

Allan Gerlat

News Editor, Waste360

Allan Gerlat joined the Waste360 staff in September 2011 as news editor. He was the editor of Waste & Recycling News for the first 16 years of its history, and under his guidance the publication won 27 national and regional awards.

Before Waste & Recycling News, Allan worked at another Crain Communications publication, Rubber & Plastics News, which covers rubber product manufacturing. He began with the publication as associate editor and eventually became managing editor, a position he held for nine years.

Allan is a graduate of Ohio University, where he earned a BS in journalism. He is based in Sagamore Hills, in northeast Ohio.

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