Allowable Types of Waste for Acceptance at a Class 4 Landfill

Solid Waste Management Division - Technical Branch

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CLASS 4 LANDFILL

Unlike a Class 1 landfill that is allowed to accept all types of solid, non-hazardous wastes from households, commercial businesses and industry, a Class 4 landfills can accept only limited types of wastes. A Class 4 landfill is not designed to the same strict standards as a Class 1 landfill and therefore a Class 4 landfill can accept only inert, non-putrescible (wastes that do not become putrid) wastes that do not degrade, or degrade very slowly. In addition, the waste placed in a Class 4 landfill must exhibit little or no potential for the release of contaminants into the ground or surface waters.

  • HOUSEHOLD WASTE PROHIBITED - No household waste may be accepted for disposal in a Class 4 landfill. This includes all types of waste that would normally be placed in household garbage cans and plastic bags. All of this type of waste must be disposed of in a Class 1 landfill and procedures must be in place for the separation of Class 1 waste from Class 4 waste.
  • COMMERCIAL WASTE PROHIBITED - No wastes from offices, lunchrooms restaurants retail stores or other establishments may be accepted at a Class 4 landfill. However, crates, pallets and other specific types of Class 4 wastes may be accepted for disposal without specific approval from the Department.
  • INDUSTRIAL WASTE - Most types of wastes generated by industry as a result of manufacturing or industrial process are prohibited from disposal in a Class 4 landfill. The Department may provide written authorization for some industrial wastes to be disposed of in a Class 4 landfill if those wastes conform to the definition of Class 4 wastes.
  • SOURCE SEPARATION OF WASTES - Where legitimate Class 4 wastes from commercial establishments and industries are accepted or approved for disposal at a Class 4 landfill, procedures shall be in place for the proper separation at the source of Class 4 wastes from other wastes that must be disposed of in a Class 1 or Class 3 landfill.
  • REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORIZED WASTE FROM THE SITE - Since refusing to accept small amounts of unauthorized waste at a Class 4 landfill frequently results in open dumping, each Class 4 landfill must have on site a container, truck, or transfer station for the removal of unauthorized waste from the Class 4 landfill.

ALLOWABLE TYPES OF WASTES FOR A CLASS 4 LANDFILL

  • Construction and Demolition Wastes including wood, metal, brick, plaster, gypsum board, Portland and asphalt cement concrete, plaster and gypsum, roofing, glass, siding, rubber, vinyl, and carpet. Not included are paper and paper products and containers containing liquids and unused construction products;
  • Tree Wastes including trunks, large limbs and stumps;
  • Minor Amounts of Yard Waste including leaves and grass trimmings if approved by the Department as part of an overall waste management plan. Under state law, landfills must reduce the amount of yard waste going to the landfill by 75% before July 1, 1994 and by 95% before July 1, 1995;
  • Furniture and Appliances provided the appliance compressor unit and freon has been removed by a EPA certified technician. Contact the Solid Waste Management Division for further information if needed;
  • Inert Commercial and Manufacturing Materials such as wood, solid metal, rubber, solid plastic and other approved materials;
  • Auto and Truck Bodies and Parts provided all liquid materials have been removed;
  • Shredded or Cut Tires according to current tire regulations;
  • Shipping Waste including pallets, crates, banding and other materials excluding cardboard and plastic wrapping; and
  • Other Waste materials that conform to the definition of Class 4 wastes as provided by APC&EC Regulation 22 may be disposed of in a Class 4 landfill.

UNALLOWABLE TYPES OF WASTES FOR A CLASS 4 LANDFILL

  • Household Solid Waste including any type of waste normally placed in a household garbage can or garbage bag. This includes all bagged waste unless the contents of the bag and source of the waste has been verified;
  • Ordinary Commercial Wastes generated by stores, offices, restaurants, retail and wholesale establishments, repair shops and other non manufacturing activities.
  • Small Containers - Small household sized containers designed to hold liquids and aerosol cans, regardless of household, commercial or industrial sources are prohibited from disposal. Large containers that can readily be verified to be empty and contain no liquids may be allowed;
  • Wind Blown Waste - Class 4 landfills are not required to provide a daily soil cover, therefore any waste that may be lifted and blown by the wind is prohibited from disposal. This includes paper, plastic bags and wrapping, and loose Styrofoam;
  • Wastes that Produce Leachate - Wastes such as paper and paper products, agricultural wastes, and other wastes that degrade rapidly and will leach pollutants from a concentrated waste mass are prohibited from disposal at a class 4 landfill;
  • Agricultural Waste - This waste when concentrated produces large quantities of leachate and should be disposed of through composting, land application or into a landfill unit designed to contain the waste;
  • Hazardous Waste or waste that exhibit hazardous characteristics;
  • Liquid or Semi-liquid waste of any type;
  • Pesticide, Herbicide and Insecticide Containers must be empty, rinsed and disposed of in a Class 1 landfill;
  • Creosote Treated Wood - This material must be certified as non-hazardous prior to disposal in a Class 1 landfill;
  • Sludge from water and wastewater treatment and industrial processes; and
  • Special Waste as defined by the Code may not be accepted unless the landfill is specifically designed to accept the materials and the landfill permit authorizes the disposal.