SOLID
WASTE MANAGEMENT
ECAP3
ECAP3 is the Environmental Compliance, Assistance and Pollution Prevention Program. As part of the Solid Waste Management Division, ECAP3 administers programs relating to the proper management and disposal of regulated wastes. The combined goal of these programs is to protect our drinking water, groundwater, surface water, environment and landfill from contamination due to improper management and disposal of regulated wastes or other potential contaminants.
COMPLIANCE -
Our Small Quantity Generator (SQG) Program was initiated in 1990 as stipulated by Florida Statutes. A SQG is a business, government entity or other facility that generates less than 2,200 pounds, (1,000 Kg) or (four to five 55-gallon drums), of hazardous waste in a calendar month. (A facility that generates more than that is a Large Quantity Generator.)
Examples
of SQGs include:
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Vehicle Repair Shops
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Paint & Body Shops
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Dry Cleaners
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Furniture Finishers
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Pest Control Companies
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Photo Processing
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Printers
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Manufacturers
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Medical Facilities/Offices
The primary function of the SQG Program is visiting facilities to ensure they properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste, as well as other waste streams. This includes looking for illicit discharges into stormwater systems.
The ECAP3 Team also follows-up on chemical spills and investigates citizen complaints that relate to environmental issues. While Public Safety’s Special Hazards and Operations Team is the first responder for spills, ECAP3 is often brought in to follow-up with the responsible party to ensure the spill is cleaned up correctly and all contaminated soil and other materials are properly disposed. The complaints received involve both businesses and private households. They cover a wide range of issues including: improper disposal of wastes; storing regulated wastes in a manner that could result in contamination; illicit discharges; etc.
Environmental
compliance within the Solid Waste Management
Division (SWMD) is coordinated by ECAP3.
Numerous permits issued through the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
are required to ensure the County’s modern
waste handling and disposal facilities
have a minimal effect on the environment.
These permits require monitoring and assessing
numerous activities within the operation
including Landfill and Transfer
Station operations, groundwater,
stormwater, landfill gas, special wastes
and air quality. The closed Upsala and
Sanlando landfills-transfer stations are
also on long term monitoring programs.
ASSISTANCE -
Much of the time, we are a facility’s first contact regarding environmental issues. During our visits we not only point out potential violations, but also suggest viable solutions.
We are
an active member of METRA,
the Metropolitan Environmental Training
Alliance. METRA is a partnership of private
industry and government formed to provide
environmental training throughout Central
Florida. METRA provides no cost or low cost environmental training to private businesses and government entities.
The Household
Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program offers residential households a means to properly dispose of their Hazardous Waste, Used Oil, Mercury Containing Devices, Medical Sharps and End-of-Life Electronics.
POLLUTION
PREVENTION - P2 is how proactive facilities are staying ahead of environmental regulations while improving their profit margin. During visits we look for basic P2 opportunities - that is, methods to reduce the amount of waste generated and/or the related disposal costs.
P2
TIPS
View Pollution Prevention Tips
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
View Frequently Asked Questions
RELATED
LINKS
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ECAP3