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The Bureau of Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) is currently undertaking maintenance and updates to some of their web applications.
The RR Tracking System (BRRTS) on the Web (BOTW) will have a new web address: https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/botw.
The Program Guidance and Publication Search Tool will have a new look and web address, https://widnr.widencollective.com/portals/n3gjtfty/RRDocumentSearchPortal. The update to the search tool includes a visual interface featuring publications, templates and forms as searchable collections. Multiple documents can be selected and downloaded at once and documents can be viewed in the web browser. Traditional search tools (i.e., general search and by subject/keyword) are available in the upper left-hand corner of each collection.
As of June 30, 2023, the old link to the Search Tool will result in a 'page not found error.' Please update your bookmarks as soon as possible. Links to other RR Program webpages, publications and documents should be unaffected. Contact Sonya Rowe at Sonya.Rowe@wisconsin.gov if you experience any issues.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public of the dangers of throwing rechargeable batteries, electronics and other materials that could cause a fire in trash or recycling bins.
In recent months, there have been large, damaging fires at multiple Wisconsin recycling facilities. While it is hard to pinpoint the exact cause of each fire, many batteries, especially powerful lithium-ion batteries found in many electronics, can cause fires when not disposed of properly. These batteries hold a considerable charge even when they no longer provide enough energy to power the device, and when damaged, they can spark or heat up and cause a fire. Recycling facilities that handle cans, bottles and paper are not designed to handle batteries and electronics. Paper, cardboard and other material can easily catch fire with a spark from a damaged battery or rechargeable device.
If not caught early, these fires can quickly spread and injure workers or firefighters, cause major damage to equipment, or even destroy an entire facility. Recently, fires have caused severe damage at recycling and solid waste facilities in Columbia County and Milwaukee.
Some batteries, such as single-use alkaline batteries, are safe to put in the trash. But it’s important to understand your batteries and how to store and dispose of them.
The DNR encourages everyone to follow these tips:
- Be aware that some batteries and battery-powered devices can pose significant hazards if damaged or tossed in the trash. Learn about the different types of batteries you have and how to manage them. The DNR has a household battery recycling guide to help. [Guia de Reciclaje de Pilas Domésticas]
- Take used, rechargeable batteries to local collection sites. Check with battery retailers about their recycling programs or search for nearby sites through battery recycling organization Call2Recycle’s website or by calling 1-877-2-RECYCLE.
- Recycle old electronics through E-Cycle Wisconsin. Many small electronics can be recycled for free or traded in for credit or cash. Visit the DNR’s list of collection sites and free mail-back programs.
- Don’t put electronics or rechargeable batteries in trash or recycling containers. Most electronics are banned from landfills and incinerators, and they cannot be recycled at the same facilities that recycle plastics, glass and paper.
- When storing batteries for recycling, tape the terminals or put each battery in an individual plastic bag, which prevents batteries from accidentally sparking if terminals touch.
- Store damaged (swollen, bent, punctured or crushed) batteries or devices in sand or kitty litter and, if possible, contact the manufacturer or Call2Recycle for instructions.
- Do not try to remove non-removable batteries from devices, as this could damage the battery and cause a fire.
Note that businesses and institutions have special requirements to determine which types of batteries they have and manage batteries according to hazardous waste regulations.
For more information, refer to the DNR webpage on properly handling used batteries.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES
Note that there are different requirements for batteries from businesses and other non-households. Many batteries, including lead-acid batteries, are regulated as universal (hazardous) waste when not generated by households. Visit Managing universal waste in Wisconsin for additional information on recycling/disposal requirements for non-households.
What are YOU using for parts cleaning? There have been a lot of changes in the cleaning landscape. EPA added n-Propyl Bromide (nPB) to the hazardous air pollutant list. Solvents such as trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (tDCE), and methylene chloride are going through the EPA risk evaluation process. How can a facility choose a cleaning process that will be safe and effective for the long-term?
To support facilities looking for alternatives, the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) created a free Aqueous Cleaning Toolkit. The toolkit contains information on how to make a switch in the form of electronic guides, slideshows, and videos that you can download and use as needed.
There are other resources for finding alternative solvents on the DNR's Small Business Environmental Assistance Program Solvent Cleaning webpage.
EPA Proposes Ban on All Consumer and Many Commercial Uses of Perchloroethylene to Protect Public Health - Strict Workplace Safety Requirements Would Allow For Numerous Key Uses To Continue
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced another action to protect public health under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), proposing a ban on most uses of perchloroethylene (PCE), a chemical known to cause serious health risks such as neurotoxicity and cancer. PCE is a solvent that is widely used for consumer uses such as brake cleaners and adhesives, commercial applications such as dry cleaning, and in many industrial settings.
EPA determined that PCE presents unreasonable risk to health, driven by risks associated with exposure to the chemical by workers, occupational non-users (workers nearby but not in direct contact with this chemical), consumers, and those in close proximity to a consumer use. EPA identified risks for adverse human health effects, including neurotoxicity from inhalation and dermal exposures as well as cancer effects from chronic inhalation exposure.
The proposal would protect people from these risks by banning all consumer uses while allowing for many industrial/commercial uses to continue only where strict workplace controls could be implemented. The rule proposes to allow for continued processing of PCE to manufacture hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)-125 and HFC-134a in tandem with strict workplace controls, as the two can be mixed with other substances to make more climate-friendly refrigerants. Additionally, the rule proposes to continue to allow the industrial and commercial use of PCE in petrochemical manufacturing, the manufacture of coatings for aircraft skins, and vapor degreasing with PCE to make aerospace parts and engines.
EPA’s proposed risk management rule would rapidly phase down manufacturing, processing and distribution of PCE for all consumer uses and many industrial and commercial uses, most of which would be fully phased out in 24 months. The uses subject to the proposed prohibitions represent less than 20% of the annual production volume of PCE. For most of the uses of PCE that EPA is proposing to prohibit, EPA’s analysis also found that alternative products with similar costs and efficacy to PCE are reasonably available.
EPA is proposing a 10-year phaseout for the use of PCE in dry cleaning, with compliance dates depending on the type of machine in which PCE is used. The proposed phaseout of PCE in dry cleaning would eliminate unreasonable risk for people who work at or spend considerable time at dry cleaning facilities. This phaseout period would provide dry cleaners, many of which are small businesses, time to transition to an alternative process, and stakeholders have already noted an overall year-to-year decline in the use of PCE in dry cleaning.
For the industrial manufacturing, industrial processing and other uses of PCE that EPA is not proposing to prohibit, EPA is proposing a workplace chemical protection program with a strict inhalation exposure limit and requirements to prevent skin exposure to ensure protection for workers. EPA has received data from industry that indicate many workplaces already have controls in place that may reduce exposures sufficient to meet the inhalation exposure limit in the proposed rule or to prevent direct skin contact with PCE.
During the public comment phase, EPA is interested in hearing perspectives on the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed requirements for worker protections from entities that would be required to implement the proposed program as well as the timeline for the phaseout of PCE use in dry cleaning.
EPA will accept public comments on the proposed rule for PCE for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0720 at www.regulations.gov.
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