Using cost effective solutions, like roll-off dumpster covers, can help companies protect the environment, stay in compliance with federal, state and local regulations, and reduces the costs associated with disposal and liability issues.
By Gary Lougher
In February 2017, the EPA unveiled new, stricter rules for its Construction General Permit (CGP) that affects businesses who use waste containers on their sites. The regulations took effect on February 16, 2017 and cracks down on how containers must be protected from precipitation that can lead to storm water pollution, replacing the 2012 CGP.
The 2017 CGP stipulates that waste container lids must be closed when not in use and at the end of every business day. Beyond that, businesses must provide covers for containers which lack lids, or “a similarly effective means to minimize the discharge of pollutants.” According to the EPA, these changes were made in the ever-present fight against pollution via storm water runoff. Those companies not following the new regulations can face harsh fines. Penalties for not following stormwater permit requirements range from $2,500 to $25,000 per day.
Storm Water Runoff
The EPA has identified six types of activities, which can lead to storm water runoff and resultant pollution troubles. Among those activities is waste management. Since all industrial facilities use waste management as part of their daily processes, it is essential for companies to recognize their role in decreasing storm water runoff. According to the EPA Guide for Industrial Operators on Developing a Storm Water Pollution Plan, “if waste material has the potential to contaminate storm water it must be stored in a contained area or otherwise controlled.”
Storm water runoff can create a host of problems in the environment; water from rain or snowmelt that does not seep into the ground flows over the ground, picking up industrial pollutants from parking lots, roads, buildings, etc. This polluted water then gets dumped into local water sources such as rivers and creeks, as well as being deposited into sewer systems.
While federal guidelines dictate how dumpsters must be covered, companies also face additional regulations from the state and local levels. According to the EPA, storm water runoff can contain nitrogen, phosphorous, litter, grease, chemicals and other forms of waste detrimental to the environment. Additionally, the EPA requires companies to develop and maintain SWPPPs (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan), which comply with NPDES industrial storm water permits issued by states or the EPA.
Uncovered dumpsters are one of the most common compliance issues that plague operators when it comes to SWPPPs according to the EPA. Dumpsters are either not covered or not sealed properly, leading to leakage. The first step in controlling stormwater runoff is containment of waste.
Alleviating the Headache
Roll-off dumpster covers can alleviate many of the headaches facing municipalities, construction, recycling, manufacturing and other industries that regularly use waste containers. These types of covers produce a simple and effective solution to minimizing stormwater seepage into the ground, while protecting companies from noncompliance and fines. They also keep rainwater and other unwanted materials from entering dumpsters. While using roll-off dumpster covers may seem like a standard operating procedure, there was not much enforcement of existing regulations prior to the new CGP. Now that regulations have become even stricter, the need to effectively cover open-air dumpsters is critical.
While many companies use roll-off tarps or tarp and bow systems to cover their dumpsters, this solution may prove ineffective since they are more apt to sag, tear or leak. Furthermore, tarps can freeze making them heavy and rigid and more difficult to work with. Tarps also may not hold up under heavy snow or severe rainstorms. These issues may inadvertently cause noncompliance to the most recent changes to CGP regulations put out by the EPA. In contrast, roll-off dumpster panels, made of 90 percent recycled High Molecular Weight Polyethylene and 100 percent recyclable, can be fastened to either dumpster hooks, or the bottom of the container with ratcheting nylon straps. The covers are designed to accommodate bowing that can occur towards the center of dumpsters. Additionally, there is no need to modify the dumpster and there is no hardware to install.
Keeping in Compliance and Reducing Fines and Fees
Roll-off dumpster covers have also helped businesses obtain No Exposure Certification For Exclusion from NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Storm Water Permitting as well as ISO14001 and SWPPP Certification. There are many concerns from those in the industry about needing to cover open-air dumpsters in order to be in compliance with storm water regulations, or they are being told of an impending increase on the crackdown of storm water runoff regulations in general. These type of covers can help keep companies in compliance and avoid fines.
Roll-off dumpster covers can also save companies money by reducing tipping fees. Water-soaked waste and roll-offs containing ice costs more to dispose of at the landfill due to increased weight. They also serve as a deterrent to thieves who want to steal valuable recyclables, reduce liability issues that can arise from illegal dumping, curious children or dumpster divers. In turn, these issues may inadvertently cause noncompliance to the most recent changes to CGP regulations put out by the EPA.
Using cost effective solutions, like roll-off dumpster covers, can help companies protect the environment, stay in compliance with federal, state and local regulations, and reduces the costs associated with disposal and liability issues.
Gary Lougher is a founder of DumpsterGard (Sayre, PA). He is a native of Sayre, PA, graduating with an MBA from Middle Tennessee State University in 2012. He previously worked with Pac-Van, Inc., ModSpace and Suburban Propane. DumpsterGard was founded in 2012 and serves companies from a variety of industries such as International Paper, GE Power & Water, Whiting Turner and numerous municipalities. Gary can be reached at (888) 585-5581, via e-mail at [email protected] or visit www.dumpstergard.com.