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State
Information regarding the disposal of hazardous waste is available through several sources. In many areas, civic groups and local associations conduct meetings and seminars to inform the industry and local businesses. Missouri, Vermont, Wisconsin and California have passed more stringent regulations on the disposal of hazardous wastes. These states are concerned that even recycled batteries could pose a potential environmental hazard. Contact the EPA at 1-800-368-5888 for additional direction on federal and state regulations.
MIDWESTERN STATE AGENCIES:
Illinois
Division of Land Pollution Control
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
2200 Churchill Road
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-6761
Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources
Bureau of Solid Waste Management
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-1327
Indiana
Hazardous Waste Management Branch
Division of Land Pollution Control
Indiana State Board of Health
1330 West Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 48208
(317) 243-5021
Michigan
Hazardous Waste Division
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 30038
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-2730
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Federal
Junk batteries are now considered hazardous waste by the EPA. In fact, the federal government defines hazardous waste as those materials which are ignitable, corrosive, reactive or toxic. Lead acid batteries can be categorized into at least one of these classifications.
Current federal hazardous waste regulation states that a generator who produces 220 pounds of hazardous waste is required to notify the Federal EPA that his business generates hazardous waste; he must insure that the waste is transported by an approved hauler to an approved treatment or disposal site; and he must use a special shipping manifest when hazardous waste is transported. The Federal EPA established this regulation on the premise that the generator of hazardous materials is responsible for his waste from cradle-to-grave. Simply, the generator is held ultimately responsible for compliance with federal regulations and legally accountable if the hazardous waste generated is not disposed of or properly recycled. However, the Federal EPA exempts those batteries which are recycled.
The Federal EPA Regulations apply to operations in all 50 states, and individual states can draft their own hazardous waste legislation and regulations.
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