VSQG program, parts washers, self-assessments

Spring 2024

Fees for 2024-2025 licenses were emailed recently. Payments are due by April 30. You’ll receive your new license automatically via email shortly after paying your fee.

Very Small Quantity Generators can use Ramsey County’s VSQG collection program If you have a Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) hazardous waste license with Ramsey County, you can use the county’s VSQG Collection Program. This drop-off program helps businesses with a VSQG or one-time license dispose of hazardous waste, such as solvents, paints, used oil and fuels. Eligible businesses must be in Ramsey County and have a VSQG license or doing a one-time cleanout of less than 2,200 pounds (220 gallons) of hazardous waste. Benefits Affordable (see pricing). Many types of hazardous waste accepted. Centrally located in Ramsey County. Hazardous waste is disposed of by state-contracted vendors. No pickup or transportation fees. Learn how to use this program

Regulations and best practices for parts washers Common in mechanic and manufacturing shops, parts washers are used to clean dirty or oily parts by spraying them with a fluid. The fluid may be solvent-based or water-based (i.e., aqueous).

Regulations

Consult the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s fact sheets on solvent-based and aqueous-based parts washers for their respective hazardous waste regulations. Notable highlights:

• The fluid is considered a waste when you can no longer use it to clean parts or when you decide to dispose of it. Hazardous waste regulations don’t apply until this point.
• Regardless of type, parts washer fluids may pick up contaminants (heavy metals, solvents, fuel/oil breakdown wastes, etc.) during use. Therefore, assume waste fluid, bottom sludge, filters and still bottoms are hazardous until evaluated as non-hazardous.
• Disposal options differ slightly for aqueous- and solvent-based systems. Make sure you know what should be done with the waste fluid.

Best practices

• Close the lid when not in use to limit evaporation and prolong the useful life of the fluid.
• To avoid contaminating a non-hazardous system, don’t spray brake or carburetor cleaner (or any “F-listed” solvents) over the basin.
• Use the fluid as long as possible before replacing. Work with your parts washer vendor to establish a replacement timeline that works best for your operation.
• Consider reclaiming or recycling parts washer fluid to cut down on purchased product and eventual hazardous waste.
• Consider safer alternatives to solvent-based parts washers. Learn more with the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program’s aqueous cleaning toolkit.

Grant available

The Business Pollution Prevention Program can help you switch to an aqueous cleaning system, add a solvent recycler or upgrade a spray gun wash system. Both technical and financial assistance are available.

Self-assessment templates now available All hazardous waste generators are welcome to use our recently published self-assessments. Use these forms to help your organization follow hazardous waste requirements. Self-assessments are closely based on our formal inspection report. Monthly self-assessments are recommended, but not required. Learn more and download them

Reminder: Manage infectious waste correctly The improper disposal of infectious waste in commercial and residential solid waste, such as regular trash, continues to be a problem in Ramsey and Washington counties. Proper management and disposal of infectious waste, including pathological waste, is essential to protect the health and safety of waste management workers and the public. Learn more

Did you know?

Lead is a toxic heavy metal listed in hazardous waste regulation. But why is it so dangerous? Learn about the wide-reaching negative health impacts of lead and how it disproportionately affects children.

News Flash

• Thank you for submitting your 2023 hazardous waste annual reports. Fees for 2024-2025 licenses were emailed recently. Payments are due by April 30. You’ll receive your new license automatically via email shortly after paying your fee. Remember to post your license in a public area.
  
  
• We hope to host an in-person hazardous waste training in the fall. In the meantime, our online training is available anytime.
  
  
• If your business closes, moves or changes ownership, let your hazardous waste inspector know as soon as possible. Your inspector will help you update your license.

April 30
Payments for the 2024-2025 license year are due.

May 1
New license year begins. Print and post your 2024-2025 license in a public area.

Fall 2024
In-person hazardous waste training.

Hazardous waste portal
Fill out and review annual reports, update contact information and more.

Hazardous waste fact sheets
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency publishes fact sheets covering a variety of hazardous waste topics.

Hazardous waste management vendor list
Information on businesses that recycle or dispose of hazardous waste.

Self-assessments
Use these optional forms to help your organization follow hazardous waste requirements.

Online hazardous waste training
Ramsey County’s free, on-demand hazardous waste training available in English and Spanish.

VSQG collection program
Very small quantity generators can bring hazardous waste to Ramsey County's hazardous waste collection site (fees apply).

Report a spill or release
Learn who to contact if your business has a hazardous material spill.

Grant Roundup

BizRecycling
BizRecycling helps businesses, non-profits, schools, apartment buildings and institutions in Ramsey and Washington counties reduce waste and recycle better.

Waste Reduction & Innovation Grant
Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy offers funding to support businesses, non-profits, schools and colleges to implement projects that prevent waste.

Business Pollution Prevention Program
This program offers technical and financial assistance to help businesses reduce the use of harmful chemicals, transition to safer, more sustainable chemicals, and install modern, high-efficiency equipment.

Deconstruction Grant
Commercial properties in Ramsey County can receive up to $10,000 for projects that use deconstruction/salvage techniques.

MPCA Grants & Loans
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency offers grants and financial assistance for environmental projects in Minnesota.

Inspector Territories

Terese Bordeau: 55108, 55449, 55421*
Paul Gelbmann: 55110, 55126, 55127, 55144, 55414*, 55155*, 55130*, 55104*, 55103*, 55119* and Facilities
Molly Flynn: 55109, 55117
Kaylee Long: 55112, 55113, 55432
Erin Wetzstein: 55101, 55102, 55105, 55107, 55114, 55116, 55118, 55106*

*Temporary territory assignment

Do you have feedback or ideas for the Haz Waste Quarterly? Let us know.

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.