Federal Register #EPA-HQ-OLEM-2025-2038

EPA Treatability Variance for Alternative Treatment and Disposal of High Mercury Waste

This EPA action grants a site-specific treatability variance for alternative treatment and disposal of high mercury waste: - Government Buyer: - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery - Waste Characterization Branch, Waste Identification, Notice, and Generators Division - OEMs and Vendors: - Bethlehem Apparatus (treatment facility) - U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. (disposal facility) - Products/Services Requested: - Treatment of elemental mercury waste (waste codes D009, U151) - Conversion to mercuric sulfide (HgS) powder - Blending with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) - Extrusion into monolithic blocks - Disposal in RCRA subtitle C compliant monofill at USE's Beatty, Nevada facility - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Treatment performed at Bethlehem Apparatus in Pennsylvania - Disposal only in permitted monofills at USE's Nevada facility - Strict environmental controls and periodic testing (quarterly for two years, then annually) - Compliance with federal, state, and local permits - EPA approval required for changes in treatment vendors or processes - Addresses high mercury waste with TCLP leaching standard of 0.025 mg/L mercury

Description

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is granting, with conditions, U.S. Ecology Nevada Inc.'s petition for a site-specific treatability variance from the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Land Disposal Restrictions treatment standards. The variance allows an alternative treatment and disposal method for elemental mercury waste generated from retorting high mercury waste, converting it to mercuric sulfide powder blended with polyethylene and disposed of in a designated monofill. This approach aims to minimize threats to human health and the environment posed by land disposal of the waste. The treated mercury wastes will be disposed of at USE's Beatty, Nevada facility and treated at Bethlehem Apparatus's facility in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

View original listing