December 9 hearing on changes to how businesses manage hazardous wastes

Proposed Changes Would Allow for More Flexibility for Small Businesses in Managing Their Hazardous Waste and Unused Paint

PROVIDENCE -The Department of Environmental Management will hold an informational workshop and a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Rules and Regulations for Hazardous Waste Management on Monday, December 9.

The proposed amendments reflect a significant change in state regulations governing hazardous waste generated by businesses. The rules reflect the same tiered regulatory structure as that of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Regulations, and will provide relief to small businesses operating in Rhode Island. The proposed amendments primarily affect businesses that generate less than 2,200 pounds per month of hazardous waste and provide regulatory relief to those businesses by allowing them more flexibility in managing and disposing of their hazardous waste. An estimated 2,300 small businesses would be affected by the proposed regulations.


Portions of the amended regulations were developed to comply with the 2012 legislative statute on paint waste (23-24.12). They allow for the creation of new categories of facilities such as paint collection centers, where households and small businesses can dispose of their unused paint at no cost. The rules will particularly affect small businesses that generate paint waste, such as general contractors, builders, and real estate managers, at both residential and non-residential properties.

The December 9^th informational workshop will be held at 10 a.m. in Room 300 at DEM Headquarters, located at 235 Promenade Street in Providence. The public hearing will be held at 11 a.m. in the same location, immediately following the informational workshop. The building is accessible to those with disabilities. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodation should contact RI Relay at 711 at least two business days prior to the hearing.

Written comments on the proposed amendments will be accepted until 4 p.m. on December 16, and may be sent to DEM's Office of Waste Management at the above address or emailed to Mark Dennen at mark.dennen@dem.ri.gov. It is requested that persons who wish to make comments during the public hearing submit a copy of their statement for the record.

Copies of the proposed amendments are available from DEM's Office of Waste Management weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and online on DEM's website at www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/waste/pdf/hwregdft.pdf.

For more information, contact Mark Dennen at (401) 222-4700, ext. 7112, or via email at mark.dennen@dem.ri.gov.