C&D pollution | Reclamation Administration

The December 2011 issue of Qualified Remodeler featured a story about deconstruction (page 18), which prompted a reader to ask whether the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule impacts the reuse of building materials.

The Chicago-based Building Materials Reuse Association also was concerned about how RRP would affect the deconstruction and salvage industry. In January 2010, BMRA submitted a letter to EPA in which it asked EPA to help interpret the scope of the rule. Bob Falk, Ph.D., P.E., research engineer with the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wis., and BMRA’s current president, says the letter specifically asked “Does the RRP rule apply to the salvage and reuse of building materials or components that may contain lead-based paint from target housing?”

The letter asked EPA to comment about BMRA’s interpretation of the rule, which is as follows: “While the rule does make reference to ‘waste management’ and addresses the disposition of ‘waste’ and ‘debris,’ we could find no reference to the disposition of salvaged building materials intended for reuse. As the RRP rule does not explicitly address the disposition of nonwaste materials, our interpretation is that the salvage and reuse of building materials that may contain lead-based paint is outside the scope of the RRP rule. We further assume that state regulations will dictate the reuse, resale or disposal of lead-based-paint-coated materials.”

Continue reading Salvage and Reuse of Building Materials was not considered when EPA created RRP →

HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio — The Ohio EPA is calling for new monitoring of liquids in landfills that specialize in construction and demolition debris.

News Center 7’s John Bedell talked with the EPA about how the proposed rules could affect some area landfills.

The change is coming because the Ohio EPA said a new study shows liquids in construction and demo landfills could contaminate ground water.

There are 55 landfills in Ohio that take construction and demo debris that could be affected if the new rules are adopted, including seven in the Miami Valley. Those landfills have been exempt from the testing.

EPA spokesperson Linda Oros said, “In Ohio, we had very limited regulations for construction and demolition debris waste because it was considered to be rather benign.”

Now, a new EPA study shows that liquid in the landfills could contaminate ground water.

“If they were to be released to ground water or surface water, and in most cases that was not happening, but if that were to happen, it could pose a threat to public health and the environment,” Oros said.

The new rules would require operators of the specialized landfills to monitor liquid at the bottom of the landfill for a list of contaminants.

It’s a way to protect nearby residents and local business owners like Byron Armbruster, who owns Central Collision, which sits right across the street from Taylorsville Road hardfill and direction above an aquifer.

“I think it’s good and keep everybody safe,” Armbruster said.

The Ohio EPA will hold a public hearing on Tuesday to accept comments on the proposed new rules.

via EPA calls for new monitoring of liquid in landfills | www.newstalkradiowhio.com.

Reclamation Administration: News and Research on Building Material Waste Prevention