Pennsylvania Code
Title 25 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Part I - Department of Environmental Protection
Subpart D - Environmental Health and Safety
Article VIII - Municipal Waste
Chapter 271 - MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT-GENERAL PROVISIONS
Subchapter I - BENEFICIAL USE
GENERAL PERMIT FOR PROCESSING OR BENEFICIAL USE, OR BOTH, OF MUNICIPAL WASTE; AUTHORIZATION AND LIMITATIONS
Section 271.811 - Authorization for general permit

Universal Citation: 25 PA Code § 271.811

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024

(a) Under §§ 271.812 and 271.821-271.825, the Department may issue general permits on a regional or Statewide basis for a category of processing when processing is necessary to prepare the waste for beneficial use, or for a category of beneficial use, or both, of municipal waste, if the following are met:

(1) The wastes included in the category are generated by the same or substantially similar operations and have the same or substantially similar physical character and chemical composition. If wastes are not the same or substantially similar and are blended for use, the blend shall be consistently reproduced with the same physical character and chemical composition.

(2) The wastes included in the category are proposed for the same or substantially similar beneficial use or processing operations.

(3) The activities in the category can be adequately regulated utilizing standardized conditions without harming or presenting a threat of harm to the health, safety or welfare of the people or environment of this Commonwealth. The Department will not issue a general permit if the use of the waste as an ingredient in an industrial process or as a substitute for a commercial product presents a greater harm or threat of harm than the use of the produce or ingredient which the waste is replacing.

(b) The Department may issue a general permit upon its own motion under § 271.825 (relating to Department initiated general permits) or upon an application from a person or municipality under §§ 271.821-271.824.

(c) The Department may modify, suspend, revoke, issue or reissue a general permit or coverage under a general permit under this subchapter as it deems necessary to prevent harm or the threat of harm to the health, safety or welfare of the people or environment of this Commonwealth.

(d) The Department may modify, suspend, revoke, issue or reissue a general permit or coverage under a general permit under this subchapter as it deems necessary to prevent violation of or interference with the laws or solid waste management plans of any state, county or municipality.

(e) The Department may issue a general permit for processing combinations of municipal and residual wastes when processing is necessary to prepare a waste for beneficial use, or for beneficial use of combinations of municipal and residual wastes, or both, under this article or Article IX (relating to residual waste management), whichever the Department determines is appropriate. The Department will determine which article is appropriate based on factors including whether the facility is captive or noncaptive, and the proportions of municipal and residual wastes. A general permit for processing or beneficial use of combinations of sewage sludge and residual waste will be issued only under this subchapter.

(f) The requirements in this subchapter that apply to municipal waste also apply to residual waste when residual waste is mixed with municipal waste.

(g) The Department will not issue a general permit under this subchapter for the following:

(1) A municipal waste landfill, the use of municipal waste to fill open pits from coal or noncoal mining, or the use of municipal waste solely to level an area or bring the area to grade unless construction activity is completed on the area promptly after placement of the waste.

(2) A facility or activity which should be covered under the individual permitting process required in this article because of its size and potential to affect the environment adversely or because of its relationship to municipal waste management plans.

(3) The processing or beneficial use of regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste.

(4) The beneficial use of sewage sludge by land application for sewage sludge that is not mixed with residual waste.

(5) The use of a waste for construction or operations at a resource recovery facility or disposal facility.

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 271.824 (relating to approval or denial of an application); 25 Pa. Code § 271.825 (relating to Department initiated general permits); 25 Pa. Code § 271.831 (relating to contents of general permits).

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