Minnesota Department of Transportation

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MnDOT Policies

Regulated Materials Disposal

MnDOT Policy #OE019
Effective Date: April 15, 2020
Reviewed: April 25, 2024

View/print signed policy (pdf)

Please go to the MnDOT Org Chart to find specific contact information: Org Chart.

Responsible Senior Officer: Deputy Commissioner/Chief Engineer
Policy Owner: Director, Office of Environmental Stewardship
Policy Contact: Regulated Materials Unit Supervisor, Office of Environmental Stewardship

Policy statement

The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT’s) Office of Environmental Stewardship (OES) must develop and maintain a Regulated Materials Management Program and maintain a list of MnDOT Approved Waste Contractors and Recyclers (pdf). Approved contractors must be used for recycling or disposal of all regulated materials generated from MnDOT facilities and project construction sites. For product reuse, see the Transfer of Ownership Process and Form.

MnDOT must conduct an environmental audit and financial review before approving a facility as an Approved Waste Contractor or Recycler. MnDOT must conduct an environmental audit on each facility every three years thereafter.

The Regulated Materials Unit within OES must provide training on managing regulated materials to District Maintenance Personnel every two years.

Reason for policy

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA - commonly known as Federal Superfund), the Minnesota Environmental Response and Liability Act (MERLA – commonly known as State Superfund), and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act establish legal responsibility and environmental liability for disposal of regulated materials, including hazardous waste, solid waste, and recycled waste. These laws hold the generator of regulated materials responsible for the final disposition of the materials and the environmental impacts that may occur at any time in the future at the disposal site.

This policy seeks to standardize the requirements for disposal and recycling of regulated materials and to reduce MnDOT’s legal, environmental, and financial liability in disposing or recycling of regulated materials. MnDOT manages its liability risk for potential cleanup of regulated materials by ensuring that those who handle, recycle, and dispose of it comply with regulations and have the ability to absorb the financial costs of cleanup.

Applicability

All MnDOT employees and third parties working on MnDOT projects must comply with this policy.

Key stakeholders with responsibilities under this policy include:

  • District Safety Administrators
  • Inventory Transportation Materials Supervisors
  • Transportation Materials Technicians
  • Regulated Materials Unit
  • Office of Audit
  • Office of Environmental Stewardship

Definitions

Environmental Audit

An evaluation and understanding of a waste contractor’s business operations, practices for management of regulated materials, financial condition, and environmental compliance history.

Note: An environmental audit is a risk management tool for determining whether to use a waste contractor for recycling or disposal of MnDOT regulated materials.

Regulated Material

Any material that is subject to regulations for storage, disposal, recycling, or reuse. This material cannot remain on site because it would be considered a pollutant or contaminant as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 115B.02, subdivision 13; Land Pollution as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 7035.0300, subpart 53; or solid waste as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 7035.0300, subpart 100.

Responsibilities

District Safety Administrator and/or Inventory Transportation Materials Supervisor

Project Engineer

Regulated Materials Unit, Office of Environmental Stewardship

  • Maintain a list of MnDOT Approved Waste Contractors and Recyclers.
  • Conduct environmental audit of potential waste contractors.
  • Conduct environmental audit of each approved waste contractor every three years.
  • Every year, review each District headquarters’ records of regulated materials generated at MnDOT operational facilities to ensure proper use of MnDOT approved waste contractors and document storage.
  • Every three years, review each truck stations’ records of regulated materials generated at MnDOT operational facilities to ensure proper use of MnDOT approved waste contractors and document storage.
  • Provide regulated materials/waste management training to District Maintenance Personnel every two years.
  • Provide annual regulated materials/waste management workshop to District Safety Administrators, Inventory Transportation Materials Supervisors, and other district designated maintenance personnel who take on additional regulated materials/waste duties.

Office of Audit

  • Conduct financial review to ensure financial stability of companies prior to approval for acceptance of MnDOT’s regulated materials.

Employees

  • Be aware that MnDOT has a process for managing regulated materials.
  • Know where to dispose of or recycle regulated materials produced through work tasks.

Policy Owner (Director, Office of Environmental Stewardship)

  • Review the policy every 2 years, or sooner as necessary, to ensure policy remains up to date.
  • Ensure reference materials, forms, and training associated with policy remain current.
  • Monitor state, federal, enterprise, agency, or other requirements that apply to the policy or procedures.
  • Consult with the Office of Chief Counsel to ensure the policy and procedures remain compliant with all state, federal, enterprise, agency, or other requirements.
  • Ensure that necessary approvals by state or federal agencies are obtained before changes to the policy or procedures are implemented.
  • Work with the Policy Coordinator to revise the policy and/or confirm its accuracy.
  • Communicate policy revisions, reviews, and retirements to stakeholders.

Resources and related information

Forms

Processes, Procedures, and Instructions

Resources

History and updates

Adopted

April 15, 2020

Policy review

  • March 9, 2022 - No changes
  • April 25, 2024 - Updated links and added 3 policy owner responsibilities to match revised policy template.

This policy's next scheduled review is due April 2026.