This newsletter provides Tennessee’s small businesses with updates, reminders, tips, and resources related to environmental topics that may affect them.

You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the TN Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) newsletter. SBEAP provides free and confidential assistance to Tennessee’s small businesses to help them understand and comply with environmental regulations. The content of this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only.

In this month’s newsletter, we’re focusing on the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) and the notifications and permits that may be relevant to small businesses. The information below includes summaries for the different requirements. Always check in with DSWM or SBEAP to make sure you’re doing the things you need to! Tune in next month to learn about what your small business can expect during inspections! 

TDEC is made of different bureaus. The bureau of environment contains the regulatory arm of TDEC. While there are many divisions within the regulatory arm of TDEC, this month we are focusing on DSWM and the different permits and notifications that they oversee.

To protect, improve, and promote health and environmental quality through the responsive, effective oversight of waste management activities and the beneficial use of recovered materials.

Any useless, unused, unwanted, or discarded materials. DSWM established programs for hazardous waste, problem waste, toxic substances, and recyclables because they have different characteristics than regular trash.

Many small businesses generate some amount of hazardous waste, often from everyday activities like maintenance, cleaning, or manufacturing. Hazardous waste can be many different types of chemicals, but typically has a characteristic of ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and/or toxicity.

To know when you need to notify DSWM, you need to know your generator status. Generator status is based on how much waste is made in a month. There are three different types of generators, very small quantity, small quantity, and large quantity generators. Let's look at the different generator types and when you need to notify DSWM. 

Very small quantity generators (VSQG): less than 220 lbs per month and less than 2,200 lbs in storage 

Businesses that generate more than 220 lbs of hazardous waste or 2.2 lbs of acutely hazardous waste per month, or engage in treatment, storage, or disposal onsite, must notify DSWM within 90 days of the first generation of hazardous waste. Notification covers generators, transporters, transfer facilities, and TSD (treatment, storage, disposal) sites. Fees of $150 apply for ownership or location changes. Most other updates are free. Let's look at small and large quantity generators since they generate more than 220 lbs per month.

Small quantity generators (SQG): between 220 and 2,200 lbs per month

Large quantity generators (LQG): more than 2,200 lbs per month

If your business manages hazardous waste on-site in any way beyond simply generating it, such as treating, storing, or disposing of that waste, you’ll need to both notify and obtain a hazardous waste permit from DSWM.

If your operations produce difficult-to-manage wastes like sludges, used pesticides, asbestos, or similar materials, and you plan to dispose of or process them through permitted facilities, obtaining Special Waste Approval ensures safe handling and state compliance. 

Small businesses handling used oil, whether collecting, transporting, transferring, processing, marketing, refining, or burning off-specification oil, must file a notification with TDEC's Used Oil Management Program. Collection centers only need to register, while all others (transporters, processors, burners, etc.) must complete the notification form, obtain an EPA ID (if needed), and pay a one-time fee of $150, plus an annual maintenance fee in some cases. 

Facilities that process and store non-hazardous, recovered materials for resale, reuse, or recycling are exempt from solid waste permitting but must notify TDEC by submitting Form CN1605. Notifications include details like facility name, materials handled, storage capacity, and operation descriptions. Financial assurance may be required if materials’ value is below removal costs.

💡 Did you know? Every year since 1993, TDEC has worked with counties across the state to collect household hazardous waste. Over 23 million lbs of household hazardous waste have been collected for proper disposal! 

ℹ️ Small business who are VSQGs of hazardous waste are eligible to participate in collection events. To get a quote and schedule an appointment to participate in the event, contact Clean Harbors Environmental Services at 615-643-3170.

Ready mix concrete facilities with discharges of wash water, stormwater, or a no-discharge recycle system must file for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit coverage.

Sampling collection for process wastewater must be done quarterly and submitted in NetDMR. If no discharge occurs during a monitoring period, “No Discharge” must be reported. The deadline to report quarter 1 sampling data is April 15. The table below shows the months in each quarter and when the sampling data is due by.

Sampling for stormwater must be done once a year, January 1 to December 31. The report is due on January 15 in NetDMR.

Earth Day is April 22 and is a perfect day for small businesses to show their commitment to a healthier planet. Whether it’s reducing energy use, choosing sustainable suppliers, or encouraging employees to recycle, even small steps can make a big impact. Use this time to highlight the efforts you’re already making or kick off a new initiative that helps your business and your community thrive.

The TDEC Office of Sustainable Practices Pollution Prevention Program is hosting two webinars in April.

Do you have questions about environmental regulations?
Give us a call at 800-734-3619 or send us an email at BGSBEAP@tn.gov.

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