Guide: Using or Processing Asphalt Pavement, Brick & Concrete Rubble
Introduction
Asphalt pavement, brick and concrete (ABC) rubble, such as the rubble generated by the demolition of buildings, bridges or roadways, must be handled in accordance with the Massachusetts solid waste regulations. These regulations allow and MassDEP encourages the recycling/reuse of ABC rubble.
This Information Sheet answers commonly asked questions about ABC rubble and identifies the provisions of the solid waste regulations (310 CMR 16.00 and 310 CMR 19.000) that pertain to recycling/reusing ABC rubble. The limited summary of the regulations in this Information Sheet provides the information needed to satisfy the regulatory requirements for conducting a small scale project where rubble is crushed at the site of its generation. Individuals contemplating other types of crushing operations should refer to the sections of the regulations referenced in this Information Sheet.
Conventions & Terminology
Asphalt Pavement, Brick, and Concrete Rubble (ABC Rubble) means rubble that contains only weathered (cured) asphalt pavement, clay bricks and attached mortar normally used in construction, or concrete that may contain rebar. The rubble shall not be painted, coated or impregnated with any substance.
MassDEP means the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Questions & Answers
A. What can I do with ABC Rubble?
- Take ABC rubble to a place where it will be recycled, such as an asphalt batching plant where asphalt pavement is crushed and made into new asphalt or a crushing operation where ABC rubble is crushed to a size that makes it useful as a substitute for stone or aggregate in construction projects.
No permit or prior notification of MassDEP is required to take the rubble to such a recycling operation. Regulatory requirements for the operator of such a recycling operation are discussed in another part of this Information Sheet.
- Crush the ABC rubble at the site where it was generated. When the rubble is crushed in accordance with the conditions at 310 CMR 16.05(3)(e), the crushed rubble is no longer considered a solid waste and can be used as a construction material.
Although no MassDEP solid waste permits or approvals are required, MassDEP and local board of health must be notified at least 30 days prior to starting the crushing operation.
An example of how this "on-site crushing" might be applied arises in the case of replacing a road or driveway. The old pavement could be dug up, crushed to less than 6 inch sized pieces and used as part of the base for the new road or driveway.
See Appendix A for more information on the requirements for crushing ABC rubble.
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Obtain a Beneficial Use Determination (BUD) Permit to use rubble that does not qualify for one of the uses above. An example is rubble that is painted.
To obtain approval for the Beneficial Use of a Solid Waste, you must submit an application and application fee to the Department. There are several Beneficial Use Determination applications, BWP SW 39, 40, 41 and 42. The specific application to submit will depend on the nature of the material to be used and the proposed use. The applications are contained in a single application package available on the MassDEP web site. The application instructions explain how to determine which application to submit and also explain the application process and the fee for each application. Contact the Solid Waste Section at your MassDEP Regional Office for additional information about obtaining a BUD.
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Asphalt pavement, brick and concrete are banned from disposal at solid waste facilities and cannot be disposed at landfills, incinerators or taken to transfer stations for subsequent transfer to a solid waste disposal facility unless conditions for an exception are met. (See 310 CMR 19.017)
B. Do I Need a Permit to Operate a Rubble Processing Operation?
As stated above, ABC rubble is considered a solid waste unless it is used or processed in such a way that it is exempt from regulation as a solid waste. Sections of the solid waste regulations that exempt certain types of ABC rubble processing operations from regulation as a solid waste facility are summarized below.
- Asphalt Batching plants (that reprocess ABC rubble) are categorically exempt from the solid waste regulations. (See 310 CMR 16.05(2)(f)8)
- Certain ABC rubble crushing operations are conditionally exempt from the solid waste regulations. (See 310 CMR 16.05(3)(e))
- ABC rubble recycling operations that are not elsewhere exempted may be eligible to apply under the Determination of Need provisions of 310 CMR 16.05(6) for exemption from the solid waste regulations. This requires an application and application fee.
- ABC rubble crushing operations that can not qualify for an exemption are required to obtain a site assignment pursuant to 310 CMR 16.00 and a solid waste management facility permit in accordance with 310 CMR 19.000.
C. What Do I Do if I Need to Make an Application to MassDEP?
When the regulations require that an application be made to MassDEP, the application must be submitted on forms supplied by MassDEP. Application forms and information about completing and submitting the forms can be obtained from the MassDEP web site.
Please note the difference between an application and a notification. When the terms "apply" or "application" are used, this means the process described in the preceding paragraph must be used and no action may be taken until the application has been approved by MassDEP. On the other hand, when the terms "notify" or "notification" are used, the required information must be submitted but no special forms are required and no approval is required from MassDEP. (A sample notification form that may be used to notify MassDEP and the local board of health of on site rubble crushing is included with this information sheet.)
Sources of Information
Locating a Place to Take ABC Rubble. MassDEP does not maintain a list of operations that can recycle/reuse ABC rubble. The MassDEP web site does provide links to sources of information that may help you find a place that will recycle your ABC rubble. For example, go to http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/assistan1.htm#geninfo and follow the links for Earth 911. The Yellow Pages may also be helpful. Asphalt batching plants may accept asphalt pavement. Quarries and sand and gravel pits may crush ABC rubble.
Massachusetts Regulations (Code of Massachusetts Regulations or CMR). Copies of the regulations can be purchased from the State House Bookstore, 617-727-2834. Unofficial versions of are posted on this web site.
There are two sets of regulations for solid waste:
Regulation governing the application procedure and application fees:
APPENDIX A
SUMMARY OF CONDITIONAL EXEMPTION FOR ON-SITE ABC RUBBLE CRUSHING
310 CMR 16.05(3)(e)
This Appendix is intended to provide a partial summary of the regulations covering on-site crushing of ABC rubble.
Summary of Regulation for On-Site ABC Rubble Crushing
(NOTE: This is a paraphrase of the major requirements for on-site crushing. It is not an exact restatement of the regulations.)
When the following conditions are observed, the ABC rubble may be crushed without obtaining any permit or other approval under Solid Waste Regulations.
- The only materials crushed are asphalt pavement, brick or concrete (ABC) rubble that are not contaminated, or painted, coated or impregnated with any substance.
- Good management practices are used and no public nuisance is created.
- All rubble is from the site where the rubble is being crushed. (i.e., rubble cannot be brought in from other locations and crushed).
- The rubble is processed so the maximum length of the largest dimension of any piece of rubble is less than six inches.
- If the rubble contains rebar (metal reinforcing), all rebar is removed and is recycled or disposed in an approved solid waste management facility;
- The rubble should be crushed and reused or transported off-site within a reasonable time.
- At least 30 days prior to crushing the rubble, MassDEP and the local board of health must be notified. The notification may be made on the form attached to this Information Sheet.
ABC rubble that has been crushed in accordance with the above conditions is not a solid waste. Such crushed rubble may be used as a substitute for conventional materials. For example, the crushed rubble could be used for the base of a driveway or for fill.
While the crushed rubble is not a solid waste, its use is subject to restrictions imposed by other regulations such as the wetlands regulations.
NOTIFICATION FORM FOR ON-SITE RUBBLE CRUSHING
Submitted in Compliance with 310 CMR 16.05(3)(e)6.
INSTRUCTIONS This form can be used to satisfy the notification requirements for on site ABC rubble crushing. Fill in the information and mail the form at least 30 days prior to crushing the ABC rubble. Send one copy to the MassDEP regional office that includes the municipality where the crushing will take place and send one copy to the board of health in the municipality where the crushing will take place.
_______________________________________________________
Notifier Name
_______________________________________________________
Address
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
City, State, Zip
_______________________________________________________
Telephone
Location where rubble is to be generated and crushed (if different from above):
_______________________________________________________
Street
_______________________________________________________
City/Town
As required by 310 CMR 16.05(3)(e)6., I am providing 30 days prior notice that asphalt, brick or concrete rubble will be crushed in accordance with the requirements of 310 CMR 16.05(3)(e). Crushing will commence, at the location shown above, on _________________________(approximate date) and continue for approximately ________________ days.
I am delivering or sending copies of this notification to the MassDEP _______________________________________ (MassDEP region where crushing will be done) Regional Office and to the ____________________________(municipality where crushing will be done) Board of Health
_______________________________________________________
Signature
_______________________________________________________
Date
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