DEQ encouraging better landfill management practices
by Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
July 8, 2009
This summer, the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division (SHWD) of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be distributing information to municipal officials and all solid waste landfills in Wyoming to encourage better landfill management practices.
"These are simplified guidance to assist landfill management and operators to comply with state landfill regulations and to inform the general public concerning proper solid waste management practices," said Bob Breuer, environmental program manager for the SHWD. This material will also be available on the department’s website at: http://deq.state.wy.us/shwd/downloads/anouncements.asp.
According to Breuer, the information provided in both public brochure and poster formats will focus on better waste disposal practices, litter management, surface water control, record keeping, and other environmental and human health issues that are potentially impacted by solid waste disposal actions.
During the next few months, statewide landfills are scheduled to begin implementation of integrated solid waste management plans that were mandated by the Wyoming Legislature to be submitted to the department by July 1, 2009. These planning actions require local government landfill operations in Wyoming to evaluate and consider reasonable and cost effective alternatives for solid waste disposal, such as landfill regionalization.
"It is our intent to provide more of an illustrated, plain-language, supplement for the solid waste regulations to help emphasize some of the more important aspects of site management and minimize the impacts from solid waste disposal," said Breuer. "Focusing on these solid waste elements is intended to benefit compliance by local landfill operators and to inform the public of the regulatory concerns."
The public brochures and posters will be sent out to the municipal officials and landfills in July.
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