Municipal waste combustors (MWCs) are used to combust solid, liquid, or gasified municipal solid waste (MSW). MSW consists of household, commercial/retail, and/or institutional waste. Common items in MSW include paper, yard waste, plastics, leather, rubber, glass, metals, and other combustible and noncombustible materials.

Emissions from MWCs can contain organics, metals, and acid gases. These emissions can cause or contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare. Some of the pollutants emitted from MWCs are considered to be carcinogens that, at sufficient concentrations, can cause toxic effects in humans. Acid gas emissions also contribute to acid rain which potentially damages lakes and harms forests and buildings. Therefore, to better control MWCs, regulations have been promulgated to establish operating practices and emission limitations for MWCs.

Does the Rule Apply to Your Community?

Yes. If your government owns or operates one or more MWCs, these regulations apply. Both large or small MWC plants are covered under the regulations. Small governments serving a population of 50,000, which typically generates about 90 megagrams per day (Mg/day) of municipal solid waste, may be using what the regulations define as a small MWC. A small MWC plant is a plant with an aggregate plant capacity to combust more than 35 Mg/day but less than or equal to 225 Mg/day of MSW.

The regulations for MWCs cover both existing and new MWCs. In general, existing MWCs are defined as MWCs constructed on or before September 20, 1994, while new MWCs are defined as MWCs for which construction, modification, or reconstruction began after September 20, 1994.

Actions Your Community Should Be Taking

If your MWC is subject to EPA's standards and guidelines for MWC plants, you will be required to obtain a permit and will need to develop methods to ensure compliance with permitted emission limitations for the following pollutants:

• acid gases: specifically sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen chloride (HCl)
• metals: specifically particulate matter (PM-10), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and opacity
• organics: specifically dioxins/furans.

Visible emissions testing is also required to determine compliance with fugitive ash emission requirements.

The reporting of MWC emissions is generally required once a year, unless emission limits are exceeded, in which case reporting is required twice a year. However, if your MWC passes an annual performance test for a particular pollutant three times in a row over a 3-year period, you may elect not to conduct the annual test for that pollutant for the next two years.

Training and Certification

Operator training and certification requirements have also been established. Your MWC chief facility operator, shift supervisors, and control room operators must complete an EPA or state MWC operator training course. A training manual must also be developed for each MWC and it must be reviewed by all employees who are involved in the operation of the MWC.

Your MWC chief facility operator and shift supervisor are also required to be certified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) or the state.

Siting Analysis

If you are applying for a construction permit for a new MWC, you should be aware that you are required to prepare a siting analysis. A siting analysis is a public document used to identify and limit the potential impacts of a proposed facility on public health and the environment. MWC impacts to the environment may include impacts to the ambient air quality, visibility, and soils and vegetation.

Timetable

State plans implementing the federal MWC standards must require small existing MWCs to comply with the regulatory requirements within 3 years. ASME or state operator certification and training may be required within 6 months of startup of a new MWC.

Additional Information

The regulations for MWCs can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR part 60.

For further information, contact the RCRA Hotline:
Telephone: 800/424-9346