Section 12-8-65.1. Hazardous waste reduction plans; specific performance goals; biennial progress reports; rules and regulations

   (a) By not later than March 1, 1992, large quantity hazardous waste generators shall develop hazardous waste reduction plans and submit such plans to the director. At a minimum, the plans shall include:

   (1) A written policy articulating upper management and corporate support for the generator's hazardous waste reduction plan and a commitment to implement plan goals;

   (2) The scope and objectives of the plan, including the evaluation of technologies, procedures, and personnel training programs to ensure unnecessary hazardous waste is not generated and specific goals for hazardous waste reduction, based on what is technically and economically practical;

   (3) Internal analysis of hazardous waste streams, with periodic hazardous waste reduction assessments, to review individual processes or facilities and other activities where hazardous waste may be generated and identify opportunities to reduce or eliminate hazardous waste generation. Such assessments shall evaluate data on the types, amount, and hazardous constituents of hazardous waste generated, where and why that hazardous waste was generated within the production process or other operations, and potential hazardous waste reduction and recycling techniques applicable to those hazardous wastes;

   (4) Hazardous waste accounting systems that identify hazardous waste management costs and factor in liability, compliance, and oversight costs to the extent technically and economically practical;

   (5) Employee awareness and training programs to involve employees in hazardous waste reduction planning and implementation to the maximum extent feasible;

   (6) Institutionalization of the plan to ensure an ongoing effort as demonstrated by incorporation of the plan into management practice and procedures; and

   (7) Implementation of technically and economically practical hazardous waste reduction options, including a plan for implementation.

(b) As part of each hazardous waste reduction plan developed under subsection (a) of this Code section, each large quantity hazardous waste generator shall establish specific performance goals for the reduction of hazardous waste. Wherever technically and economically practical, the specific performance goals established under this subsection shall be expressed in numeric terms. If the establishment of numeric performance goals is not practical, the performance goals shall include a clearly stated list of objectives designed to lead to the establishment of numeric goals as soon as practical. Each large quantity hazardous waste generator shall explain the rationale for each performance goal. The rationale for a particular performance goal shall address any impediments to hazardous waste reduction, including but not limited to the following:

   (1) The availability of technically practical hazardous waste reduction methods, including any anticipated changes in the future;

   (2) Previously implemented reductions of hazardous waste; and

   (3) The economic practicability of available hazardous waste reduction methods, including any anticipated changes in the future.

(c) Examples of situations where hazardous waste reduction may not be economically practical as provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section include but are not limited to:

   (1) For valid reasons of priority, a particular company may choose first to address other more serious hazardous waste reduction concerns;

   (2) Necessary steps to reduce hazardous waste are likely to have significant adverse impacts on product quality; or

   (3) Legal or existing contractual obligations interfere with the necessary steps that would lead to hazardous waste reduction.

(d) All large quantity hazardous waste generators shall complete biennially a hazardous waste reduction progress report. A biennial progress report shall:

   (1) Analyze and quantify progress made, if any, in hazardous waste reduction, relative to each performance goal established under subsection (b) of this Code section; and

   (2) Set forth amendments to the hazardous waste reduction plan and explain the need for the amendments.

(e) The board may adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to further define and implement the provisions of this Code section and Code Section 12-8-65.2, provided such rules and regulations are supplemental to and not in conflict with this Code section and Code Section 12-8-65.2.

Code 1981, § 12-8-65.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1990, p. 1427, § 2; Ga. L. 1992, p. 2234, § 5.