Toxic Use and Hazardous Waste Reduction

The intent of toxic use and hazardous waste reduction planning is to encourage reduction of toxic substances and reduce the generation of hazardous waste whenever technically and economically practicable, without shifting risks from one part of a process, environmental medium or product to another. The specific goals of planning are to (1) eliminate, or reduce the use of hazardous, particularly toxic, materials wherever feasible; (2) reduce the generation of hazardous waste; (3) reduce the release into the environment of chemical contaminants which have adverse and serious health or environmental effects; and (4) document hazardous waste reduction and toxics use reduction information and make that information available to State and local government and the public.

To achieve the stated goals, the Vermont Statute:10 V.S.A. Sections 6623-6632, requires certain facilities to develop a plan for toxics use reduction and/or hazardous waste reduction or generation of hazardous waste. Implementation of reduction plans is not required by the law, however the act of going through the planning process alone is an important exercise that provides the facility with a picture of their own toxics use and waste generation and ways to reduce these materials, and often leads to changes by implementing the plan.

The Planning Process

The purpose of toxic use and hazardous waste reduction planning is to identify opportunities to reduce or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals and the generation of hazardous waste at the source rather than treating or controlling these materials after they have been created or used.

A series of worksheets with instructions to assist businesses have been created to assist with developing a plan. Businesses that are subject to planning must also file an Annual Progress Report. Copies of both the Toxic Use and Hazardous Waste Planning Guidance, which includes the worksheets that make up a plan, and Annual Progress Reporting forms can be downloaded below.

Who Needs to Plan?

The law requires businesses that generate greater than 2,640 pounds per year of hazardous waste, or manufacturers (SIC Codes 20-39) that use 1,000 pounds or more per year of certain chemicals (EPA Toxic Release Inventory listed chemicals, see SARA Title III, Section 313 ), to prepare plans to reduce the generation and/or use of these materials.

Toxic Use and Hazardous Waste Reduction Annual Progress Reports and fees are due annually by March 31st.

Annual Progress Report Forms:

Download Annual Progress Report Form - PDF format, to print and fill out
Download Annual Progress Report Form - MS Word format, to fill out electronically
Download EPA Toxics Release Inventory List of Chemicals for Reporting - MS Excel format
Download EPA Toxics Release Inventory List of Chemicals for Reporting - PDF format
P2 Annual Fee Calculator Tool- Download MS Excel spreadsheet to help calculate annual pollution prevention fee

Fee Calculation:

$400.00 per toxic chemical.
$400.00 per hazardous waste stream.
Up to a maximum amount of:
$2,000.00 per plan for Class A generators.
$400.00 per plan for Class B generators.
$2,000.00 per plan for large users.
$4,000.00 per plan for Class A generators that are large users.
$1,200.00 per plan for Class B generators that are large users.