Maine Environmental Laboratory has long experience characterizing solid waste materials for submission to solid waste facilities, for beneficial use in agriculture or as biomass fuel.  We are certified to perform analyses by the RCRA/SW-846 methods required by the State of Maine's Waste Management Rules, and we offer PFAS testing services.  We welcome your sludge, ash, woodchips, food waste, and railroad ties!

Solid Waste Testing

Maine's Waste Management Rules spell out what tests are required for waste materials prior to being landfilled, dumped, used as a fuel, or used agriculturally in Maine.*  Most of our solid waste clients have testing regimens derived from the following Waste Management Rules chapters:

Chapter 405: Water Quality Monitoring, Leachate Monitoring, and Waste Characterization - [link to chapter: Chapter 405: Water Quality Monitoring, Leachate Monitoring, and Waste Characterization]

This chapter covers tests required for monitoring aqueous leachate from landfills, as well as testing required prior to using solid waste as a fuel, submitting it to a landfill, or using it agriculturally as a soil amendment.

See MEL webpage: Disposal or Beneficial Use of Solid Waste
MEL webpage: Wood Debris

Chapter 418: Beneficial Use of Solid Wastes - [link to chapter: Chapter 418: Beneficial Use of Solid Wastes]

This chapter builds on Chapter 405 and covers testing required for specific beneficial uses, such as dumping dredge spoils and burning CDD wood debris.  It includes the Screening Standards Beneficial Use test list (Appendix A).

See MEL webpage: Dredge Spoils
MEL webpage: Wood Debris

Chapter 419: Agronomic Utilization of Residuals - [link to chapter: Chapter 419: Agronomic Utilization of Residuals]

This chapter covers rules related to spreading material on Maine farmland, including definitions of maximum chemical and heavy metals loads permitted, and how and when to measure such load.  Actual Soil Nutrient Analysis requirements are  listed in Chapter 405.

 

Resources

Maine DEP "Solid Waste Management" (overview webpage)

Maine DEP Waste Management Rules (index of rules - webpage)

Maine Waste Management Rules Chapter 405: Water Quality Monitoring, Leachate Monitoring, and Waste Characterization

Maine Waste Management Rules Chapter 418: Beneficial Use of Solid Wastes

Maine Waste Management Rules Chapter 419: Agronomic Utilization of Residuals

Maine DEP "Residuals, Sludge, and Compost" (webpage)

Maine DEP "Agronomic Use of Residuals" (webpage) - includes annual report forms with required analytical testing lists

Maine Solid Waste Management Rules - Chapter 405 - Appendix A - MEL webpage

Maine DEP "Guidance for Municipalities: Regulation of Septage and Sludge Land Application by Municipalities": http://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/residuals/documents/municipalordinanceguidance7.pdf

*Disclaimer:  Maine Environmental Laboratory provides this information as general guidance only.  Your testing requirements may be different.  The Maine Department of Environmental Protection determines specific testing regimens tailored to each situation.

Sludge application in Germany. Photo by Sustainable Sanitation (SuSanaA Secretariat on Flikr).

What is TCLP?

Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure, aka, EPA Method 1311, is a process a sample is put through that tries to estimate its leaching potential in the environment over time.  To simulate Mother Nature's naturally corrosive effects (especially in Maine's slightly acidic water environment), the sample is diluted with a weak acid and then placed in a container and physically spun for 24 hours.  The resulting extract offers a more accurate portrait of how toxic a sample might behave over time.

MEL is certified to perform TCLP analyses.

LINK to --> Maine's TCLP Limits (1 pg. pdf)