All About NDEE: Integrated Waste Management
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) regulates the processing and disposal of all solid waste in the state through the Integrated Waste Management (IWM) Program. The purpose of the IWM Program is to ensure proper management of solid waste. Regulations for solid waste disposal are incorporated in Title 132 – Integrated Solid Waste Management Regulations.
In 1992, the Nebraska Legislature passed the Integrated Solid Waste Management Act in order to better manage the volume of waste in landfills and encourage recycling. In years prior, Nebraska communities of less than 5,000 were allowed to utilize unregulated landfills. In the mid-1980s, 356 of these unregulated sites were documented in the state.
Proper solid waste disposal is a crucial and necessary public utility. As regulated sites, landfills are required to obtain permits issued by NDEE and pay applicable permitting fees. Permits cover construction and operation aspects of a landfill. Nebraska has a total of 22 engineered, permitted, and lined landfills.
Prior to the permitting and construction of a new landfill, a local siting process must occur. During this process, local governing bodies assess if the proposed landfill construction plans meet the required criteria for approval and provides opportunity for public input. If construction of the landfill is approved, a construction permit from NDEE can be applied for.
All permitted landfills are required to provide financial assurance for closure, post-closure care, and monitoring. Financial assurance means the owner of a landfill is required to take responsibility for the financial costs of a landfill’s closure and maintenance after being closed.
The typical lifespan of a landfill is between 30 and 100 years. Once a landfill has been officially closed to operations, it undergoes post-closure care for a minimum of 30 years. The average remaining life of Nebraska’s 22 permitted landfills is 39 years.
NDEE’s Integrated Waste Management List of Permitted Facilities page contains information regarding the types of solid waste management facilities in Nebraska and maps displaying their locations.
Other activities carried out by NDEE’s IWM Program include:
· Inspecting landfills for compliance and carrying out enforcement actions
· Investigating groundwater and groundwater/soil remediation projects for permitted and non-permitted facilities
· Monitoring gas emissions related to landfills
· Closure inspecting and monitoring of closure and post-closure activities
· Conducting public information sessions and hearings related to permits
· Responding to complaints about solid waste issues
Facilities and the public can contact NDEE’s Integrated Waste Program at 402-471-2186 or by email: ndee.solidwaste@nebraska.gov. Environmental pollution problems can be reported through NDEE’s Report a Problem page.