PA Waste Haulers Face Deadline

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David E. Hess issued a reminder that all municipal and residual waste haulers have until Dec. 26 to apply for written authorization to use Pennsylvania waste disposal and processing facilities or they risk being turned away.

“The Waste Transportation Safety Act gives the Commonwealth new tools to help assure only waste trucks meeting Pennsylvania’s strict safety and environmental regulations travel our highways and use our waste facilities,” Secretary Hess said. “Waste trucks that don’t comply will simply not be allowed to come here.”

Pennsylvania’s Governor signed the Waste Transportation Safety Act (Act 90) into law on June 29. It requires all waste trucks using Pennsylvania’s waste facilities to obtain a special written authorization. Prior to Act 90, no special registration or license was required.

The new DEP Waste Truck Safety Program requires vehicle owners to apply for an interim authorization sticker by Dec. 26.

“Owners of waste trucks who have submitted their applications will be able to operate on an interim basis after the Dec. 26 deadline,” Secretary Hess said. “Waste haulers who do not have an authorization, or who have not made application by the deadline, can be turned away from using Pennsylvania waste facilities until they have a written authorization.

“To prevent public health problems and illegal dumping, DEP is authorizing landfills to accept one load of waste from haulers who have not complied with the deadline. However, landfills that use this ‘one strike and you’re out’ enforcement policy may not allow haulers or any of their vehicles to return until a full written authorization is obtained.”

A continuously updated list of waste haulers with authorizations or who have applied under the Waste Transportation Safety Program is available on DEP’s website.

Under Act 90 to obtain final authorization, the waste transporter must submit documentation of its history of compliance with state and federal environmental protection and motor vehicle safety statutes. The interim authorization will remain valid until the transporter receives final authorization.