3. Explanation of Agency Authority: The proposed rules and revisions would replace and update current state rules that comprehensively regulate the generation, transportation, recycling, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous and universal wastes. As authorized by s. 227.14 (1m), Stats., the format of the proposed rules is similar to the federal regulations published in the code of federal regulations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Section 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., provides that a state agency “may promulgate rules interpreting the provisions of any statute enforced or administered by the agency, if the agency considers it necessary to effectuate the purpose of the statute,” subject to certain restrictions. Section 287.03 (1) (a), Stats., directs the department to promulgate rules to implement the Solid Waste Reduction, Recovery and Recycling program pursuant to ch. 287, Stats. Sections 289.05 and 289.06, Stats., direct the department to promulgate rules establishing solid waste management standards. Pursuant to ss. 291.05 and 291.07, Stats., the department is required to promulgate rules for the implementation of the RCRA and the methods of treatment or disposal of particular hazardous wastes. The legislature adopted a number of statutes setting out general and specific hazardous waste rulemaking authority. Section 291.05, Stats., for instance, requires the department to adopt by rule the EPA’s criteria for identifying the characteristics of hazardous waste, and to adopt the EPA’s lists of hazardous wastes and hazardous constituents, with limited exceptions. Rules governing hazardous waste transportation are also mandated, as are rules governing specific aspects of hazardous waste generation, treatment, storage and disposal, corrective action, licensing, closure, long term care, and license and plan review and approval fees. Since hazardous wastes are a subset of solid wastes, rulemaking authority in various sections of ch. 289, Stats., is also relied upon by the department, in particular authority relating to hazardous waste facility location, design, construction, operation, maintenance, closure, long-term care, negotiation and arbitration, financial responsibility and licensing and recycling. Section 289.43, Stats., explains waivers and exemptions to solid waste regulations. 4. Related Statutes or Rules: Chapters 287, 291, 292, and 299, Stats., and chs. NR 2, 140, 141, 500 to 538, 662, 673, 700 to 754 and 812, Wis. Adm. Code. 5. Plain Language Analysis: The rule incorporates into state law changes made to federal hazardous waste regulations by the EPA in the following Federal Register, to the extent allowed by state law:
Increasing Recycling: Adding Aerosol Cans to the Universal Waste Regulations, December 9, 2019 (84 FR 67202)
Summary: This rule adds hazardous waste aerosol cans to the state’s universal waste program, in alignment with the federal RCRA regulations. Aerosol cans are used for dispensing a wide array of products including paints, solvents, pesticides, and personal care products and frequently contain flammable propellants such as propane or butane which can cause the aerosol can to demonstrate the hazardous characteristic for ignitability (s. NR 661.0021, Wis. Adm. Code), may contain materials that exhibit hazardous characteristics (subch. C of ch. NR 661), or may, when discarded, constitute a P- or U-listed hazardous waste if it contains a commercial chemical product found at ss. NR 661.0033 (5) and (6). In 1995, the EPA promulgated the Universal Waste Rule (60 FR 25492, May 11, 1995) to establish a streamlined hazardous waste management system for widely generated hazardous wastes as a way to encourage environmentally sound collection and proper management of those wastes. The universal waste regulations in ch. NR 673 are a set of alternative hazardous waste management standards that can operate in lieu of regulation under chs. NR 660 to 670. Under the Universal Waste Rule, destination facilities are those facilities that treat, store, dispose of, or recycle universal wastes. Universal waste destination facilities are subject to certain applicable requirements for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) and certain activities may require a RCRA license. Destination facilities that recycle universal waste and that do not store that universal waste prior to recycling in accordance with s. NR 661.0006 (3) (b), may be exempt from There are eight factors to consider in evaluating whether a waste is appropriate for designation as a universal waste. These factors, found under s. NR 673.81, Wis. Adm. Code, are to be used to determine whether regulating a particular hazardous waste under the streamlined standards would improve overall management of the waste. As the EPA noted in the preamble to the final Universal Waste Rule (60 FR 25513), not every factor must be met for a waste to be appropriately regulated as a universal waste. However, consideration should result in a conclusion that regulating a particular hazardous waste under ch. NR 673 will improve waste management. The EPA added aerosol cans as a universal waste because they determined this waste stream met the factors that determine eligibility for management under the streamlined universal waste requirements. The eight factors and an explanation on how aerosol cans meet the universal waste requirements are summarized below:
_Int_zqE5qEqx1. The waste or category of waste, as generated by a wide variety of generators, is listed in subch. D of ch. NR 661 or, if not listed, a proportion of the waste stream exhibits one or more characteristics of hazardous waste identified in subch. C of ch. NR 661. Aerosol cans frequently demonstrate the hazardous characteristic for ignitability due to the nature of the propellant used. In addition, the contents (propellant or product) may also exhibit another hazardous characteristic and may also be a P- or U- commercial chemical product listed waste. 2. The waste or category of waste is not exclusive to a specific industry or group of industries and is commonly generated by a wide variety of types of establishments. The EPA has documented in the Federal Register (84 FR 67202) that large and small quantity generators managing hazardous waste aerosol cans can be found in 20 different industries including over 25,000 industrial facilities nationwide. Thus, aerosol cans are commonly generated by a wide variety of types of establishments, including retail and commercial businesses, office complexes, very small quantity generators, small businesses, and government organizations, as well as large industrial facilities.
3. The waste or category of waste is generated by a large number of generators (e.g., more than 1,000 nationally) and is frequently generated in relatively small quantities by each generator. As documented in the EPA Federal Register, more than 25,000 large and small quantity generators manage hazardous waste aerosol cans. Quantities generated vary depending on the type of generator and the situations associated with generation. The amount of waste remaining in a full aerosol can differ from the amount remaining in a can that is nearly empty. Data from the EPA indicated that in 2017, Large Quantity Generators generated an average of 1.6 tons per year each of aerosol cans (approximately 3,600 cans).
4. Systems to be used for collecting the waste or category of waste (including packaging, marking and labeling practices) would ensure close stewardship of the waste. The baseline universal waste
requirements of labeling, training, and response to releases found in ch. NR 673, Wis. Adm. Code, and the final specific requirements for management of aerosol cans in ss. NR 673.13 and 673.33, Wis. Adm. Code, are designed to ensure close stewardship of the hazardous waste aerosol cans. 5. The risk posed by the waste or category of waste during accumulation and transport is relatively low compared to other hazardous wastes, and specific management standards proposed or referenced by the petitioner (e.g., waste management requirements appropriate to be added to ss. NR 673.13, 673.33, and 673.52, Wis. Adm. Code, or applicable U.S. department of transportation requirements) would be protective of human health and the environment during accumulation and transport. Aerosol cans are designed to contain the product contents during periods of storage and transportation, and as they move from the manufacturer to the retailer, and ultimately to the final customer. Because of their design, hazardous waste aerosol cans present a relatively low risk compared to other types of hazardous wastes that are not contained under normal management conditions. Additionally, the risk posed by intact waste aerosol cans during storage and transport is similar to the risk posed by intact product aerosol cans. In addition, the ignitability risk posed during accumulation and transport is addressed by standards set by local fire codes, the United States Office of Safety and Health Administration, and the U.S. DOT. These standards include requirements for outer packaging, can design, and general pressure conditions. The EPA has determined that the requirements of the universal waste program are effective in mitigating risks posed by hazardous waste aerosol cans. Specifically, the requirements for handlers to accumulate aerosol cans in a container that is structurally sound and compatible with the contents of the aerosol cans will ensure safe management and transport.
In addition, the universal waste program requires proper training for employees when handling universal waste, responding to releases, and shipment in accordance with DOT regulations. These requirements will make the risks posed during accumulation and transport low.
Additionally, the final rule specific requirements for management of aerosol cans that are punctured and drained by the universal waste handler address the ignitability risk and are designed to help prevent releases. According to the EPA, the specific aerosol can universal waste management standards address the risks posed by hazardous waste aerosol cans.
6. Regulation of the waste or category of waste will increase the likelihood that the waste will be diverted from non-hazardous waste management systems (e.g., the municipal waste stream, non-hazardous industrial or commercial waste stream, municipal sewer or stormwater systems) to recycling, treatment or disposal in compliance with ch. 291, Stats., and chs. NR 660 to 670, Wis. Adm. Code. Managing hazardous waste aerosol cans under the universal waste program is expected to increase the number of these items collected and to increase the number of aerosol cans being diverted from the non-hazardous waste stream into the hazardous waste stream because it would allow generators, especially those that generate this waste sporadically, to send this waste to a central consolidation point. Under the Universal Waste Rule, a handler of universal waste can send the universal waste to another handler, where it can be consolidated into a larger shipment for transport to a destination facility. Therefore, it will be more economical to send hazardous waste aerosol cans for recovery and recycling of metal. This rule will increase proper disposal of hazardous waste, making it less likely that aerosol cans will be sent for improper disposal in municipal landfills or municipal incinerators. In addition, because the universal waste regulations make aerosol can collection programs more economical, hazardous waste aerosol cans that might otherwise be sent to a municipal landfill under a Very Small Quantity Generator or household hazardous waste exemption will be more easily collected and consolidated for hazardous waste disposal. 7. Regulation of the waste or category of waste under this chapter will improve implementation of and compliance with the hazardous waste regulatory program. The addition of aerosol cans as universal waste will improve compliance with the hazardous waste regulations. In particular, handlers of hazardous waste aerosol cans who are infrequent generators of hazardous waste and who might otherwise be unfamiliar with the more complex hazardous waste requirements but who generate hazardous waste aerosol cans, will be able to easily send this waste for proper management.
8. Other factors as may be appropriate. The 8 factors are designed to determine whether regulating a particular hazardous waste under the streamlined requirements for universal waste would improve the overall management of the waste. The EPA considered states’ experience of already managing aerosol cans under state universal waste programs. Five states had adopted aerosol cans into their universal waste programs when the EPA was determining if aerosol cans should be added as a federal universal waste. Those states’ experiences with management of aerosol cans under their universal waste programs provided a useful source of information to inform the EPA’s judgment on whether to add aerosol cans to the national universal waste program. Information supplied to the EPA from officials in those five states indicated that their addition of aerosol cans as universal waste improved the implementation of the hazardous waste program. According to the EPA, state officials from both California and Colorado stated that their aerosol can universal waste programs had been in effect since 2002 and they had not identified any problems with enforcing compliance with the standards. This information weighed in favor of concluding that management of aerosol cans under the federal universal waste regulations would likely be successful.
Adding aerosol cans to the universal waste program in Wisconsin will benefit the wide variety of establishments generating and managing hazardous waste aerosol cans, including the retail sector, by providing a clear, protective system for managing discarded aerosol cans, easing regulatory burdens, promoting the collection and recycling of these cans, and encouraging the development of municipal and commercial programs to reduce the quantity of these wastes going to municipal solid waste landfills or combustors. (EPA Checklist 242).
Additionally, clarifications to universal waste destination facility language are intended to help these facilities achieve compliance with both hazardous waste and universal waste requirements. The proposed language will align Wisconsin with federal requirements relating to when a RCRA hazardous waste license is required. For example, federal regulations specify that waste stored prior to recycling is subject to a storage license. This language in Wisconsin code will help ensure clarity and compliance with this requirement.
6. Summary of, and Comparison with, Existing or Proposed Federal Statutes and Regulations: The rule revisions incorporate federal RCRA universal waste regulations as promulgated on December 9, 2019, and adopted by the EPA effective February 7, 2020, and clarify language in the current rule regarding the requirements for destination facilities.
If adopted, the new rules will include the addition of aerosol cans as a universal waste in Wisconsin, which will be equivalent to federal regulations. The federal rule is optional for states to adopt but provides alternate methods for managing a hazardous waste stream to improve recycling options and minimize disposal. The streamlined universal waste regulations are expected to ease regulatory burdens on facilities that generate hazardous waste aerosol cans. To the extent possible, the department proposes to adopt the content and format of the federal regulations, to ensure equivalency.
7. If Held, Summary of Comments Received During Preliminary Comment Period
_Hlk115175411and at Public Hearing on the Statement of Scope: The department held an online preliminary public hearing on the statement of scope on October 6, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Ninety-six people registered for the hearing and 73 members of the public attended the hearing. There were no comments in support or opposition.
_Hlk53440138. Comparison with Similar Rules in Adjacent States: Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan have state-managed hazardous waste programs. In that capacity, these states have promulgated these rules and are seeking authorization for these regulations as part of their EPA-authorized program. The status of this process in each state is found below.
Summary of neighboring states |
USEPA Universal Waste Regulations: Addition of Aerosol Cans Promulgated December 9, 2019. Checklist 242 |
State: | Iowa | Illinois | Michigan | Minnesota |
Status of equivalent rules | Adopted1 | Authorized2 | Adopted | Authorized | Adopted | Authorized | Adopted | Authorized |
| Iowa does not have a state program. USEPA Region 7 administers and enforces RCRA hazardous waste regulations. | Aerosol can regulations are equivalent to federal regulations; established under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 733.106, September 3, 2020. | Aerosol can regulations are both more stringent and broader in scope than the federal rule; established under R. 299.9228, Michigan Code, August 3, 2020. | Aerosol can regulations are identical to federal regulations; established prospectively under Minn. R. 7045.1400, Subp. 1, 2005. |
1Adopted = promulgated and effective at the state level
2Authorized = rules adopted by the state have been authorized by USEPA
9. Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies Used and How Any Related Findings Support the Regulatory Approach Chosen: The proposed rules will maintain consistency with federal rules and help ensure continued authorization of the state RCRA program by the EPA. Currently 33 states have adopted aerosol cans as a universal waste. If Wisconsin adds aerosol cans as a universal waste, this will ease regulatory requirements and provide consistency for businesses that send these waste streams to other states for recycling, management, or disposal. The department received positive feedback from businesses interested in adding aerosol cans as a universal waste stream as part of the development of this rule.
_Hlk148432056Clarifications to destination facility requirements will align with language in the Federal Register (84 FR 67202), making it easier for facilities to understand and comply with the requirements. There will be no substantive change to the existing regulations. 10. Analysis and Supporting Documents Used to Determine the Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of an Economic Impact Report: The determination that these rules will have little or no impact on small businesses was reached through analysis of the reports created by the EPA during the promulgation process at the federal level, and the evaluation of impacted state entities and business sectors. Each federal revision contains an economic impact assessment, fiscal estimate, and language discussing which sectors, businesses, and entities will be affected by the change. This information was published in the Federal Register (84 FR 67202). While small businesses in Wisconsin will be subject to the universal waste requirements, if they elect to manage their eligible hazardous waste under the universal waste regulations this rule is considered a relaxation and clarification, and as such the rule will have little to no adverse economic impacts on such businesses.
Since this rule is a flexibility in the regulations, small businesses will have the option to follow the universal waste requirements instead of the more stringent hazardous waste regulations. As this universal waste stream is typically recycled, the cost of the disposal of hazardous waste will be eliminated or reduced.
11. Effect on Small Business (final regulatory flexibility analysis): Promulgation of these rules will result in little to no costs to small business. Federal rules require an economic impact analysis for promulgation, and without exception these changes were deemed by federal analysis as not expected to “result in an adverse impact to a significant number of small entities since the rule is expected to result in net cost savings for all entities affected by the rule.” Furthermore, the addition of aerosol cans as a universal waste is a relaxation of existing rules and as such will result in either direct (decreased regulatory costs) or indirect (administrative time savings) cost savings for businesses and entities in affected business sectors.
The proposed rule will provide flexibilities to requirements for the management and disposal of waste aerosol cans that are used in a variety of small businesses, including retailers, auto body and repair shops, gas stations, printers, and grocery stores. The proposed revision is intended to provide entities with the option to decrease the level of management, documentation, evaluation, transport, recycling, and disposal costs associated with management of this waste stream.
The effect of these proposed rules will be minimal and may be advantageous to small business, as they are primarily paperwork reductions, clarifications, and relaxations of existing rules. Additionally, the proposed regulations do not alter fee schedules in such a way that there would be any negative effect on the small business community of Wisconsin.
12. Agency Contact Person: Cathy Baerwald, Department of Natural Resources, Southeastern Region Headquarters, 1027 W. St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53233-2641; Catherine.Baerwald@wisconsin.gov; (414) 333-6805
