Management of disaster debris poses issues for both hazardous waste and materials management programs. The session began with a presentation by EPA of disaster debris management resources being developed. State representatives from California discussed the interaction of the State hazardous waste and materials management programs in jointly addressing debris from wildfires.

This panel of industry representatives shared their perspectives on what they see as top issues with regard to both hazardous and non-hazardous wastes.

Implementation of the final EPA Subtitle C Post-Closure Care (PCC) guidance issued in December 2016 were discussed, and an overview of the development of the EPA guidance for Subtitle D Post-Closure Care was provided..

This informal interactive discussion session with audience participation provided State and EPA attendees an opportunity to identify non-hazardous and hazardous wastes that they have encountered that are posing regulatory implementation concerns. EPA kicked off the session with a short overview of the issues encountered with recalled products, using airbags as an example. What wastes has your State encountered that have posed regulatory implementation concerns? What do you see as emerging wastes? Attendees were asked to give it some thought and provide their examples at the session. The audience was invited to provide input as to how such problematic wastes can be addressed, including ideas for State-EPA collaboration to enhance the management of those wastes.

This session highlighted various aspects of RCRAInfo Version 6, such as: myRCRAid; e-BR; implementation for RCRAInfo V6 and the RCRAInfo Industry Application; Exchange Network; and what States will need to do to access the various components of RCRAInfo.

Materials reuse is at the core of modern waste management. But what does it look like in action? What problems do States implementing materials reuse encounter and how are they addressed? This interactive, roundtable discussion showcased the ways in which materials reuse goes beyond diverting waste from landfills. Bringing tangible examples of program successes, the panel of business and State leaders explored how partnerships and community engagement foster material recovery activities, thus generating significant cost and energy savings, creating new jobs, and encouraging a healthy environment.

This session consisted of five briefings by ASTSWMO Radiation Task Force members in-person and remotely: (1) a basic introduction to radiation that focused on questions commonly asked of radiation professionals; (2) a briefing on radiation sources that may be encountered by landfill operators and the general public; (3) a case study from Montana discussing issues encountered in the development of regulations to address Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radiological Material (TENORM) in landfills; (4) a case study from Arizona of radiation events at landfills and recycler locations in the State; and (5) methods of monitoring both personnel and the environment around landfills containing or potentially containing radiological materials. Questions from attendees were welcomed.

On November 28, 2016, EPA promulgated a final rule making significant changes to the hazardous waste generator regulations. This session provided detailed information on the changes to the regulations as well as information on State adoption, and implementation issues.

This session featured facilitated discussions of two topics: 1) RCRA Corrective Action 2020 and beyond; and 2) long-term stewardship, looking at the implementation of the post-closure care rule, to include mechanisms States have used and their effectiveness, and lessons learned. The session also highlighted case studies and success stories of State implementation of the RCRA Facilities Investigation Remedy Selection Track (FIRST).

Recycling presents many challenges. Changes in packaging materials, market demand, and collection systems are just a few. In this session, three seasoned professionals—each playing a different role in the recycling industry—discussed how they navigate these and other obstacles, what they recommended for the future of the industry and how recycling can continue to play a valuable role in sustainable materials management. Topics included how light weighting of packaging is affecting State diversion goals, how glass containers can be economically processed and how changing attitudes toward waste management in general is key toward successful recycling in rural communities.

What role can recycling and beneficial use play in disaster debris management? Are any non-disposal options feasible for waste from civil or natural disasters? The Beneficial Use Task Force presented several case studies and opened the floor for roundtable discussion, in which attendees were invited to offer their experiences and ideas.

Three aspects of financial assurance (FA) were presented: cost estimation; expertise in reviewing FA documentation; and EPA’s long-term FA strategy and an update of the EPA Office of Inspector General report.

To better manage the vast amount of organic materials in the waste stream, States are creating incentives to promote reduction and diversion and updating regulations of composting and anaerobic digestion 8 facilities. This session started with a panel of State representatives highlighting their States’ activities, followed by a presentation of EPA’s Wasted Food Opportunities Map project.

The Solid Waste Disposal and Conversion Task Force provided a short update on the status of their waste conversion survey. Four states provided a summary of their regulatory approach to construction/demolition waste. There was time for questions and a discussion of the pros and cons/success stories and lessons learned of various regulatory strategies.

This session provided an overview of e-Manifest implementation activities and a review of the e-Manifest State checklist. The presentation was designed to provide an understanding about the status of the 9 e-Manifest system. Additionally, the session provided an opportunity to discuss potential technology, policy, and authorization issues as States prepare for the launch of the e-Manifest system in mid-year 2018.

This session consisted of a State speaker providing a presentation on the Land Disposal Restriction requirements as well as a case study of treatment violations for a Treatment, Storage, Disposal (TSD) facility that treats hazardous waste by stabilization. The case study also covered changes to the TSD’s waste analysis plan as a result of the enforcement actions.

This session provided State officials with an overview of analytics, data and tools to characterize materials management. The session reviewed the latest results from the State Measurement Program (SMP), and attendees received a demonstration of the reporting tools of the SMP. The participants also discussed different methodologies to set goals and metrics and explore new analytics and tools to set standardized metrics.

Succession planning is a critical issue facing all organizations. In this session, issues in succession planning were addressed by a panel of employees with a State agency, EPA and industry, who shared their experiences and perspectives as young professionals in their respective organizations.