800-662-9278 Michigan.gov/EGLE Rev. 4/2022
Several agencies, including the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
oversee solid waste haulers who transport municipal solid waste, more commonly called garbage or
trash, to receiving facilities. Receiving facilities include facilities authorized to store, process, and/or
dispose of solid waste. These may include transfer stations, material recovery facilities, solid waste
solidification facilities, solid waste landfills and municipal solid waste incinerators.
To understand how different types of wastes are classified and what must be managed as a solid waste
under state and federal regulations, refer to the following resources:
• EGLE recorded Waste 101 Webinar.
• EGLE’s Waste Characterization Guidance, Record Example, and Fillable Form.
• The Michigan Guide to Environmental Regulations, Chapter 2.
Although the solid waste regulations do not require a license, permit, or registration from EGLE to haul
solid waste, there are several regulations that haulers must meet to ensure human health and our
environment are protected. This guidance summaries the various agencies and the regulations they
implement to ensure solid waste is handed safely across Michigan.
EGLE SOLID WASTE HAULING REQUIREMENTS
There are four basic requirements that solid waste haulers must meet under air and waste materials
management regulations implemented by EGLE. These regulations are found under Parts 55 and 115
of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), and the Part 55 and 115
Rules.
1. Don't take banned waste to a solid waste landfill for disposal.
Solid waste haulers are required to annually notify their customers about what wastes are banned from
landfill disposal. Solid waste haulers can use EGLE’s Landfill Prohibited Materials and Special Waste
Guide to help educate customers, find more online resources on banned materials, and to connect with
appropriate state and federal agencies overseeing implementation of the regulations for handling
materials banned from landfill disposal in Michigan.
For options for handling banned materials, contact local recycling or disposal facilities for information
on materials they will and will not accept, including any special handling requirements established for
safe management of the material. A disposal facility is not required to accept everything the regulations
allow. Many disposal facilities prohibit disposal of materials they could accept under the law, to ensure
the safety of their staff and to limit long-term operating liabilities. Some facilities offer programs to
divert unwanted materials to environmentally preferred management methods. Learn more about
diverted waste and their handling requirements in Chapter 2, Section 2.1.2h, of the Michigan Guide to
Environmental Regulations and visit Michigan.gov/EGLEHHW for additional household hazardous waste
disposal options.
SOLID WASTE HAULER REQUIREMENTS
GUIDANCE
SOLID WASTE HAULER REQUIREMENTS
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2. Meet the transporting unit requirements.
The Part 115, Part 6 solid waste rules include requirements for transporting units used to haul solid
waste. The Part 6 rules require:
• A unit design that prevents any of the waste from being spilled. All openings must be closed
and doors or covers must be secured by an adequate latch or restraining mechanism to keep
them closed while transporting solid waste which may blow or fall off the vehicle. The driver is
responsible for using and properly positioning covers to prevent the waste from blowing or falling
out of the vehicle. The driver is responsible for having covers that don’t rip, shred, or break
easily under normal use. A special cover is required if there is a need to control odors, vermin,
liquids, dust, or smoke.
• Unit repair if the transporting unit doesn’t meet the unit design requirements. If a unit is not
repaired, it must be taken out of service.
• Unit cleaning regularly to reduce odors, prevent the attraction of vermin, and prevent nuisance
conditions. Cleaning wash waters must be managed as a liquid industrial by-product unless they
can be directly discharged to a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) having granted
approval for disposal of the wash waters. Any accumulation of the wastewater prior to discharge
to the WWTP needs to meet the liquid industrial by-product generator requirements as well. For
more information on managing wash waters, contact your local District Office’s liquid industrial
by-products inspector.
SOLID WASTE HAULER REQUIREMENTS
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• Unit loading in a manner that minimizes any of the waste being spilled. Any spillage of the waste
must be picked up as soon as possible and the area properly cleaned.
• Unit parking to be at least 500 feet away from any residences. The unit cannot be parked or
stored anywhere it could cause a health hazard or nuisance in a residentially zoned area.
• Purposeful dumping from the unit due to a hot load or fire, must be immediately extinguished by
the most effective means and the area properly cleaned as soon as reasonably possible.
3. Take the solid waste to a legitimate recycling facility, licensed solid waste landfill,
licensed or exempt transfer station, or a permitted (and licensed, where applicable)
incinerator.
Contact the disposal or recycling facility for their specific requirements. If you are taking solid waste out
of the county where the waste was generated and into another Michigan county for handling, it must be
allowed under both the generating and receiving county’s Solid Waste Management Plan. See the EGLE
Solid Waste Planning Website. County solid waste planning details are found under the headings
“Import/Export Authorizations” and “Currently Approved County Plans and Plan Amendments.” After
reviewing online planning details, verify the handling and disposal options by contacting the county
designated planning agent. A map of solid waste facilities actively accepting solid waste for disposal is
also available to find disposal options. The Waste Data System is available online at
www.egle.state.mi.us/wdspi/Home.aspx and can be searched to locate solid waste landfills, transfer
stations, and processing plants.
SOLID WASTE HAULER REQUIREMENTS
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There are two "Types" of solid waste landfills:
• Type II landfills, which are authorized to accept municipal solid waste.
• Type III landfills, which are authorized to accept non-hazardous construction, demolition, and
industrial waste.
Transporters of recyclables can find a list of commercial recyclers that have notified EGLE in the
Recycled Materials Market Directory available online at Michigan.gov/RMMD. Michigan has one
commercially available municipal solid waste incinerator, the Kent County Resource Recovery facility
located in Grand Rapids.
Pick up of used appliances that contain refrigerants (e.g., Freon®, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, etc.) must have refrigerants removed. Check if the disposal company or
recycler will accept appliances that contain refrigerants and find out their site-specific procedures to
ensure the refrigerants are properly removed and recycled, prior to recycling the item for other
commodities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the regulations that require
refrigerants to be properly removed before being recycled for scrap metal or being disposed in a
landfill. A certified technician must remove, recover, and recycle the refrigerants under the federal
regulations enforced by EPA. See the EPA information about Complying With The Section 608
Refrigerant Recycling Rule and contact EPA at spdcomment@epa.gov with questions requesting a call
back, if desired.
If more than ten scrap tires will be picked-up, a scrap tire hauler registration is required and the tires
must be taken to a registered location designated on a scrap tire manifest. Contact the District Office
scrap tire inspectors with any questions about hauling scrap tires. For more information on scrap tire
regulations see the Scrap Tire Website at Michigan.gov/ScrapTires.
If servicing residential customers, especially when offering one time cleanout services, be aware there
are times when customers have household hazardous waste that they want removed. Before taking it,
contact the disposal facility where you haul the waste to determine if you can take that type of waste to
them. Encourage the customers to contact their local household hazardous waste collection programs
for local disposal options. If the area does not have a local collection program, resources for finding
other disposal options and alternatives to these products can be found at Michigan.gov/EGLEHHW.
4. If hauling waste into the state, meet the additional import requirements.
See the information and forms posted on EGLE Material Management Division’s Landfill Prohibited
Materials and Appropriate Waste Disposal Options.“ Discuss solid waste import questions with the
District Office solid waste inspectors.
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EGLE ENVIRONMENTAL SPILL REQUIREMENTS
It is not uncommon for a solid waste transport unit to experience an equipment failure that results in a
release of vehicle or hydraulic fluids. When released, they become a waste and the fluids must be
collected and properly disposed to eliminate any threat they pose to the public health, safety, and the
environment. Under various Parts of the NREPA (Parts 31, 111, 121 and 201), the release must be
controlled, reported, cleaned up, and records must be maintained for at least three years. The records
must be provided immediately upon request by EGLE staff or a law enforcement officer. A report for
each spill is required, even if notification of the release through the Pollution Emergency Alert System
hotline is not required.
In the event of an equipment failure that results in a release of vehicle or hydraulic fluids to the
environment, the following must take place:
• Take appropriate immediate action to stop the release, prevent its spread, and clean up the
affected area. Please note that spills must not be rinsed or washed into storm drains. Spills that
enter storm drains or waterways may need to be cleaned up by a spill contractor utilizing special
equipment and/or methods. It is recommended that solid waste haulers develop spill response
policies and procedures in advance. The spilled vehicle or hydraulic fluids are a waste that must
be properly characterized, managed, and disposed in accordance with the NREPA. Drivers need
be trained and have equipment immediately available to respond to a spill or have the authority
to immediately dispatch an experienced environmental contractor to the scene who can assist
with proper response. Learn more about characterizing and properly managing waste by:
o Viewing the recorded waste webinar series (michigan.gov/egle/outreach/past-
events/waste-webinar-series)
o Reviewing Chapter 2 of the EGLE guidebook available electronically at
Michigan.gov/EHSGuide.
If the release could threaten human health, the environment, or could have reached surface water or
groundwater, report the release to the Pollution Emergency Alert System at 800-292-4706, as soon as
possible providing as much detail as possible. A summary of the release reporting requirements under
the state and federal regulations can be found in the Release Notification Requirements in Michigan.
• Within 30 days of the release, prepare and maintain a written report documenting the incident
that includes the following details:
1. The name and telephone number of the person reporting the incident.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of the generator, transporter, or designated
facility, and the site identification number of the transporter or designated facility.
3. The date, time, and type of incident.
4. The name and quantity of liquid industrial by-product involved and discharged.
SOLID WASTE HAULER REQUIREMENTS
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5. The extent of injuries, if any.
6. The estimated quantity and disposition of recovered materials that resulted from the
incident, if any.
7. An assessment of actual or potential hazards to human health or the environment.
8. The response action taken.
Additional information on EGLE spill response requirements is found at Michigan.gov/ChemRelease,
including:
• Release Notification Requirements in Michigan
• EGLE Optional Spill or Release Report Form
• Part 5 Spillage of Oil and Polluting Materials Website
LOCAL AGENCY REQUIREMENTS
Some areas in the state require a local business license or have other local operating requirements for
solid waste haulers and handlers. Contact the county or city clerk's office regarding license or other
local requirements and check with the county designated planning agent for local information regarding
where the solid waste may be taken.
SECRETARY OF STATE REQUIREMENTS
For vehicle and driver licenses, see the Secretary of State online resources at Michigan.gov/SOS and
use the Branch Office Locator to find your local office for details on initial and renewal licensing.
STATE POLICE REQUIREMENTS
For information on the vehicle transportation requirements including weight restrictions, contact the
Michigan Center for Truck Safety at 800-682-4682 and check-out their online resources at
TruckingSafety.org. The Michigan State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, may have
additional requirements for the transport of items like fire extinguishers and commercial companies
hauling scrap metal for hire that are subject to the Motor Carrier Act, Act 254 of 1933. See their online
resources at Michigan.gov/MSP, after selecting “Divisions,” and “Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
Division” or call 734-780-6534 for questions.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC GROWTH REQUIREMENTS
Worker health and safety issues are overseen by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (MIOSHA). For more information on MIOSHA’s requirements, see their Part 17, Refuse
Packer Units Standards, their Consultation Education and Training Division website at
Michigan.gov/CET or call 517-284-7720 for help.
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NEW BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Go to Michigan.org/MEDC/Services/Startups and follow the business links or call the Michigan
Economic Development Corp at 888-522-0103 for help starting up a new business. They have
information about taxes, registering a company name, plus much more. If you have additional
environmental questions, contact the EGLE Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662- 9278 or send
an email to EGLE-[email protected].
This publication is intended for guidance only and may be impacted by changes in legislation, rules, policies, and
procedures adopted after the date of publication. Although this publication makes every effort to teach users
how to meet applicable compliance obligations, use of this publication does not constitute the rendering of legal
advice.
EGLE does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, marital status, disability,
political beliefs, height, weight, genetic information, or sexual orientation in the administration of any of its
programs or activities, and prohibits intimidation and retaliation, as required by applicable laws and regulations.
To request this material in an alternate format, contact EGLE-Accessibility@Michigan.gov
or call 800-6
62-9278.
