General Permit to Construct and Operate Certain Recycling Facilities

An Environmental Permitting Fact Sheet

General Permit Overview

This general permit was issued under the authority of, and administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (DEEP's) Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance. DEEP uses both individual and general permits to regulate activities. Individual permits are issued directly to an applicant, whereas general permits are permits issued to authorize similar activities by one or more registrants throughout a prescribed geographic area. Authorization of an activity under a general permit is governed by that general permit. A general permit sets terms and conditions for conducting an activity which, when complied with, are protective of the environment. General permits are a quicker and more cost-effective way to permit specific activities for both the department and the registrant.

This general permit authorizes the construction and operation of five types of recycling facilities. Except for a satellite drop-site facility, all facilities must be registered with the department and issued an Approval of Registration before the facility is authorized to operate under the general permit. See table at the end of this factsheet for summary.

Authorizing Statutes

Section 22a-208(a)(i) and 22a-454(e)(1) of the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS)

Types of Recycling Facilities Authorized By This General Permit

"Satellite drop-site facility" means a solid waste facility where (1) source-separated solid waste is collected but not processed, and (2) the total storage capacity of all collection containers does not exceed 100 cubic yards.

"Drop-site facility" means a solid waste facility where (1) source-separated solid waste is collected and with the exception of brush, not processed, (2) the capacity of each collection container does not exceed forty (40) cubic yards, and (3) the number of collection containers does not exceed three per category of paper and glass, metal, plastic and paper food and beverage containers, and two per category of all other categories of recyclable solid waste or scrap tires collected except universal waste. Approval of Registration and fee required.

"Recyclables transfer facility" means a solid waste facility which is used primarily by solid waste collectors, with incidental use by local residents, to transfer recyclable solid waste from collection vehicles into collection containers, where no processing or sorting of solid waste other than such transfer or compaction is conducted and where no greater than 120 cubic yards per category of recyclables may be stored. Approval of Registration and fee required.

"Limited processing recycling facility" means a solid waste facility where source-separated solid waste or commingled recyclables are collected and sorted or processed, where no more than twenty (20) tons of such waste is accepted each day, and where no more than 120 cubic yards per category of recyclables may be stored. Approval of Registration and fee required.

"Single item recycling facility" means a solid waste facility where a single category of recyclable solid waste is processed and where no more than 100 tons of recyclables are accepted per day. Approval of Registration and fee required.

Requirements For All Authorized Facilities

All authorized facilities must comply with the conditions set forth in the general permit which include general operating conditions as well as additional conditions regarding the maximum capacity of the facility and the acceptance, collection, handling, storage, processing and transferring of recyclable solid waste. Read the general permit carefully to be sure you can operate in compliance with the general permit. If you fail to comply with the conditions in the general permit, you are in violation of the general permit and potentially subject to legal action, including assessment of penalties of up to $25,000 per day.

Registration

Who Must Register?
Any person who wishes to construct and/or to operate a drop-site facility, a recyclables transfer facility, a limited processing recycling facility, or a single item recycling facility. No registration is required for a satellite drop-site facility.

How is an Approval of Registration obtained for a facility?
If a person intends to construct and/or operate a drop-site facility, a recyclables transfer facility, a limited processing recycling facility, or a single item recycling facility, that person (the "registrant") will receive an Approval of Registration when the department has received a complete registration form with the appropriate fee. An Approval of Registration is not required for a satellite drop-site facility.

How many facilities can be registered on one form?
Each facility (i.e., a drop-site facility, a recyclables transfer facility, a limited processing recycling facility, or a single item recycling facility must be registered on a separate registration form.

When should a registration form be submitted?

1. A person who wishes to construct and/or to operate a drop-site facility, a recyclables transfer facility, a limited processing recycling facility, or a single item recycling facility must register a facility in order to be issued an Approval of Registration under this general permit.
2. A permittee must submit a registration if there will be changes in the operations or in the types or quantities of materials accepted at the facility. Note: If the facility operation changes such that it is no longer eligible to operate under the general permit, the permittee cannot continue operating until an individual permit is obtained.
3. A permittee must renew their registration within 180 days before the expiration date of the current Approval of Registration in order to continue to operate the facility under the authority of the general permit.

The same form should be used for either new registration or for a renewal or a modification of an existing Approval of Registration.

Transfer

Is an Approval of Registration transferable?
An Approval of Registration under this general permit is transferable only in accordance with the provisions of section 22a-6o of the General Statutes.

Fees

How much does it cost to register a facility?

Are registration fees refundable?
Registration fees are non-refundable.

Are there penalties for operating without an Approval of Registration or a permit?
Yes. Any person who constructs or operates a drop-site facility, a recyclables transfer facility, a limited processing recycling facility, or a single item recycling facility without having first obtained an individual permit under section 22a-208a of the General Statutes or an Approval of Registration under the general permit is subject to injunction and civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day per violation.

Average Processing Time

Permit Duration

The General Permit to Construct and Operate Certain Recycling Facilities will be valid for a period of five (5) years from the date of issuance. To renew an Approval of Registration for a facility, the permittee must submit a new registration form and fee no later than 180 days prior to the expiration date of the Approval of Registration.

Contact Information

Solid Waste Permitting
Waste Engineering and Enforcement Division
Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
860-424-3366

This overview is designed to answer general questions and provide basic information. You should refer to the appropriate statutes and regulations for the specific regulatory language of the different permit programs. This document should not be relied upon to determine whether or not an environmental permit is required. It is your responsibility to obtain and comply with all required permits.

Fact Sheet DEEP-RCY-FS-005
Content Last Updated May 2014

Users Guide to Environmental Permits