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Massachusetts
General
This state resource locator contains information on the beneficial use of industrial byproducts for the state of Massachusetts. Also included are EPA and private industry resources.

Massachusetts Beneficial Use Policy
Beneficial reuse in Massachusetts is governed by state solid waste management regulations. A working draft of new reuse guidelines is currently under consideration. The Business Compliance Division of DEP is redesigning the state industrial by-product reuse regulations (or "beneficial use of secondary materials," as named by the potential regulation). Under these revisions, the secondary material must meet or exceed all standards either for the raw material it is replacing or for the product it will become.

Applicable Massachusetts Agency/Division
massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Prevention (BWP). BWP protects public health and the environment by ensuring that discharges and emissions, solid and hazardous wastes, toxic chemical use, and the health risks associated with them are reduced to the maximum extent possible and, when pollution or waste cannot be prevented, they are safely and effectively controlled or managed.

Regulations

Massachusetts Definition of Beneficial Use
Beneficial Use means the use of a material as an effective substitute for a commercial product or commodity.

Materials Approved for Beneficial Use
Below is a listing of materials and beneficial uses that have been approved either on a case-by-case or pre-approved basis. This list of pre-approved and case-by-case uses is not an exhaustive list of all materials being beneficially used in a state. Some states also may have additional materials in use under a statutory exemption or through allowances in state rules. Before implementing the beneficial use of any material, you should contact the massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Prevention (BWP). You may be required to submit an application form, implement certain management practices, provide periodic reports or meet other requirements. (Click on the approved material to find other states that have also approved this material.)

More Massachusetts Information

Additional Information

  • The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO) 2006 Beneficial Use Survey Report (11/2007). ASTSWMO’s Solid Waste Subcommittee established the Beneficial Use Task Force (Task Force) to study how States are managing requests to use non-hazardous, industrial solid wastes rather than dispose of them in landfills. The Task Force’s primary goal is to collect and share information that will assist States and Territories in developing or improving programs and processes to handle these requests.
  • Associated General Contractors of America Environmental Services. AGC provides environmental information, networking opportunities and effective advocacy for construction professionals. AGC publishes on-point articles and fact sheets on key environmental actions, deadlines, requirements and initiatives that may impact the construction industry. AGC organizes an annual Contractors Environmental Conference and holds educational webinars on hot topics. In addition, AGC regularly disseminates environmental news via social media on Twitter (@AGCEnvironment). AGC sponsors and contributes to the Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center, which is the association’s “go-to” resource on federal and state environmental requirements that affect construction activities. AGC advocates on behalf of its members in the regulatory and legislative arenas. AGC invites its members to join its Environmental Forum to stay informed, connect and take action on critical issues.
  • U.S. EPA Industrial Materials Recycling Program. EPA provides information on the environmentally protective recycling and beneficial use of industrial materials.
  • Northeast Waste Management Officials Beneficial Use Determination Database. A password-protected tool for state environmental regulators, this national database contains a compilation of approved state beneficial use determinations (BUDs).
  • Industrial Resources Council. The Industrial Resources Council’s website is an information portal to help project designers, engineers, landscapers and other professionals achieve sustainability goals. Information is provided for the following wastes types: coal combustion products, foundry sands and slags, iron and steel slag, C&D materials, scrape tires, and pulp and paper industry materials.
  • Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA). CMRA promotes the safe and economically feasible recycling of the more than 325 million tons of recoverable construction and demolition (C&D) materials that are generated in the United States annually. Use their locator tool to find a recycler in your state.

Last update: 9/15/2010

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