Michigan Revises Hazardous Waste Management Regulations to Exclude Solvent Wipes Sent for Cleaning or Disposal

The state of Michigan has formally adopted reusable and disposable wipes exclusions based on an EPA final rule on Conditional Exclusions From Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste for Solvent-Contaminated Wipes. EPA issued its final rule in July 2013, modifying the hazardous waste management regulations for solvent-contaminated wipes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The rule revises the definition of solid waste to conditionally exclude solvent-contaminated wipes that are cleaned and reused. The definition of hazardous waste was also revised to conditionally exclude disposable solvent-contaminated wipes. Michigan’s rule, effective April 5, 2017, stipulates that solvent-contaminated wipes that are sent for cleaning and reuse, or disposal, are not wastes at the point of generation if several conditions are met. Wipes must be contained in non-leaking, closed containers while be accumulated, stored, or transported. These containers must be labelled “Excluded Solvent-Contaminated Wipes”. Containers also must be able to hold free liquids if they occur. The rule also has certain requirements for the types of facilities that wipes can be transferred to for either cleaning or disposal. Wipes may not be accumulated for more than 180 days, after which containers must be properly sealed and sent for cleaning on- or off-site. The rule also contains some recordkeeping requirements for facilities generating these wipes. Generators must maintain at their site the name and address of the laundry or dry cleaner receiving the wipes, documentation that the 180-day time limit is being met, and a description of the process the generator is using to ensure that the wipes contain no free liquids.  Sign up to receive the most up-to-date regulatory and legislative information about specialty imaging.