Code of Maine Rules
06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL
Chapter 900 - BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES
Section 096-900-19 - Approval of Non-Incineration Treatment Technologies

Universal Citation: 06 ME Code Rules ยง 096-900-19

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

A. Application Requirements

A person may apply to the Department for approval to use a biomedical waste treatment technology other than incineration, including, but not limited to, steam sterilization or microwaving. The application for this technology approval must include at a minimum the following information:

(1) The name, address, and business telephone number of the applicant;

(2) A description of the treatment method for which approval is sought;

(3) A description of the amount and type of biomedical waste or wastes to which the proposed treatment would be applied, including the identification of potentially infectious agents contained, if known;

(4) The basis for the request;

(5) A demonstration of the effectiveness of the proposed alternate treatment method;

(6) A demonstration that the alternate treatment method provides an equal degree of protection for the public and the environment; and

(7) The application fee for non-incineration treatment technology approval:
(a) At the time of filing, the applicant shall remit an application fee of $1,000 made payable to the Maine Hazardous Waste Fund.

(b) A refund of $500 will be made to an applicant who withdraws the application within 30 calendar days of submission.

B. Performance Standard

Any person seeking a license to operate a treatment facility using a non-incineration treatment technology must submit evidence to the Department that the technology will achieve the inactivation of vegetative bacteria, fungi, lipophilic/hydrophilic viruses, parasites, and mycobacteria at a 99.9999% reduction or greater; and inactivation of Bacillus stearothermophilus spores and Bacillus subtilis spores at a 99.99% reduction or greater.

The applicant shall submit to the Department a plan for review and approval to perform initial challenge testing addressing waste load variables such as moisture content, waste density, waste packaging and sample placement within the waste load.

C. Approval

The Department will approve a non-incineration treatment technology for biomedical waste whenever it finds that the applicant has satisfied all application requirements and has demonstrated that the performance standard of this section will be met.

D. Facility License Required

A person that has obtained approval of a non-incineration treatment technology for biomedical waste must also obtain a biomedical waste treatment facility license prior to accepting biomedical waste for treatment.

E. Designation as Special Waste

Pursuant to its authority under 38 M.R.S.A. §1303-C(34)(K), the Board designates treated biomedical waste that results from non-incineration treatment technologies approved under this rule as special waste.

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