C&D Issues Still on EPA Radar Screen

Paul Ruesch of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) District Five office in Chicago gave recyclers of construction and demolition materials (C&D) a chance to question him about pending regulations, and also presented an overview of how the EPA both issues guidelines and is involved of enforcement of those guidelines at the annual meeting of the Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA), which took place earlier this spring in Las Vegas.

Ruesch noted that illegal dumping and excessive stockpiling remain the problems that keep haunting the C&D industry. Unfortunately, legitimate recyclers are being categorized both by citizens and regulators as responsible along with those who illegally dump concrete or who stockpile waste wood.

Regarding the stockpiling, Ruesch commented, “some of these folks started with good intentions,” but that their misunderstanding of end markets caused them to stockpile and even process material for which there was no home.

The EPA was on the minds of recyclers last year and two years ago when lead-based paint (LBP) regulations were being proposed that would have seriously limited the types of materials recyclers could take in. Those regulations were subsequently tabled, but “two more LBP proposals are in the works from the EPA,” he commented. “We’re still worried about people’s exposure to lead,” he remarked.

Other issues touched on by Ruesch included the recycling application of Type-X (fiberglass-containing) drywall as a soil amendment. The EPA official noted that the State of Wisconsin has conducted research and concluded that the drywall does not harm the soil, or worms or other creatures inhabiting the soil.

The presence wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) has been another pressing issue for the EPA and recyclers. “It’s a problem,” Ruesch remarked. “Keep it from contaminating your mulch loads,” he urged recyclers. “If this gets into mulch streams, it can affect us all. People will stay away from it, and competitors will take advantage of it.”

Ruesch also urged CMRA members to get involved early on when they read or hear of pending EPA regulations that could affect their businesses. “Take advantage of the official comment period, but also stay involved afterward,” he commented.