What is a special waste?
Special waste is any waste that may be legally and safely managed at Metro’s transfer stations, but is unusual enough that it may require special handling or review prior to its acceptance at one of the Metro facilities. The goal is to ensure the proper management of wastes from industries, commercial businesses and homes that may pose a hazard to environment, our employees or the operation of the facility.
Examples of special waste include:
- wastes that appear to be chemical products
- industrial wastes such as dusts
- cannabis processing waste
- sludges
- treated medical waste
- animal parts
- significant quantities of liquid waste in small containers
- items that need to be size reduced before acceptance
- items that need to be dewatered for acceptance.
In all cases, Metro is limited to what can be accepted under our operating permit and acceptance policies.
Examples of unacceptable waste include:
- hazardous waste
- waste prohibited from disposal at municipal sanitary landfills by state or federal law, regulation, rule, code, permit or permit condition
- waste which will cause unreasonable operational problems, hazards, risks to landfill personnel or create unreasonable liability
- liquid wastes.
If you have questions about what materials Metro can accept for disposal, email [email protected] or call 503-234-3000.
Permit procedures
If your material qualifies as special waste you must obtain an approved special waste permit and present it to the bay spotter each time you bring in your waste for disposal. They will review the permit, inspect the material for compliance and, if appropriate, accept the material for disposal. A copy will be kept on file at the Metro transfer station.
Application instructions:
- The generator of the waste is required to determine whether or not the waste is hazardous prior to completing the application.
- Complete all parts of the application form. Incomplete or unsigned applications cannot be processed.
- Enclose any additional information such as test results, safety data sheets or other supporting documentation. Use this form to explain the material, its state and the quantity you need to dispose of.
- If necessary, describe the waste completely in a cover letter.
- Applications must be signed by the person who is responsible for the accuracy of the information.
- There is a $25 application fee which is required for processing the request.
- After a permit application is received and reviewed you may be contacted for more information concerning your request or material.
- If your material is approved for disposal under certain conditions, those conditions will be noted on the permit and must be followed. (If not followed, the permit holder is responsible for the costs associated with cleanups or other operational costs caused by delivery of this material.)
Those conditions may include:
- acceptance at a specific facility
- special hours for delivery
- special containment procedures
- size reduction for waste.
Medical waste acceptance procedures
Metro has special rules and acceptance policies for waste coming from medical facilities. Metro works with local hospitals to accept previously infectious waste (treated per state rules) for disposal in the landfill.