The GLBMA, Forging Partnerships and Solutions for Complex Problems: Uniting Mineral and Organic By-Products

1. The GLBMA, Forging Partnerships and Solutions for Complex Problems: Uniting Mineral and Organic By-Products Cindy L. Drill Great Lakes By-Product Management Association

2. GLBMA Background Started in Ohio out of several OSU sponsored conferences on �Sustainable Land Application of By-products.� OWEA Biosolids Committee applied and received a grant from the USEPA to form a regional association. Became the GLBMA in December 2000. Saw a need to go �beyond biosolids�And to use a regional approach to the issues that concerned us similar to other regional biosolids organizations By-products that can be recycled to the land are as diverse as the rules that guide them and the agencies that permit them. Our diverse membership consists of individuals from state agencies, municipalities, private industry, consulting firms and other associations in OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN and ONTSaw a need to go �beyond biosolids�And to use a regional approach to the issues that concerned us similar to other regional biosolids organizations By-products that can be recycled to the land are as diverse as the rules that guide them and the agencies that permit them. Our diverse membership consists of individuals from state agencies, municipalities, private industry, consulting firms and other associations in OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN and ONT

3. Why Form Blending of organic and mineral by-products can create superior topsoil or soil amendment products. Currently there are confusing or inconsistent regulations or guidelines for beneficial use within or among states. There can be confusion as to which division should handle an application or if they even have a procedure to deal with a particular type of by-product. Delays in applying for and receiving permits or exemptions for beneficial use occur because standard permit application procedures may not exist. When you go �beyond biosolids� find that�.. Especially products produced from blending by-products When you go �beyond biosolids� find that�.. Especially products produced from blending by-products

4. Why Form cont�d There is a lack of practical scientific knowledge of the materials and their fate in soils, Or, the knowledge and research that is out there is not getting to the people who need it most. Alternatives to land filling and incineration are needed. Ways to increase value, marketability and public acceptance of by-products are needed. Economic incentives. Success stories are out there. An organization is needed that could bring those stories to its members. Promotion of these kind of beneficial uses can improve our soils and be economically viable for the industries who produce the by-product as well as the industries and individuals who may utilize them. May even be the extra break the industry needs to stay in business in the USPromotion of these kind of beneficial uses can improve our soils and be economically viable for the industries who produce the by-product as well as the industries and individuals who may utilize them. May even be the extra break the industry needs to stay in business in the US

5. Providing a Forum for Interaction:Conferences Both organized and participated in conferences 2002 - 2003 -Featured sessions on manure utilization, production and the environment, voluntary nutrient applicator certification development, solid waste regulations and general industry overview and research projects 2004 - This event represents an ideal opportunity to combine the mutual interests of various industries in blending opportunities for by-products as well as to explore the regulatory challenges and technical uncertainties that need to be addressed. Presentations will cover a broad spectrum in environmental risks and benefits and in the economics and marketing of blending by-products. Nov 03 - The USEPA Region IV and V organized this conference in cooperation with the Southern Waste Information Exchange, Inc. It is a follow-up summit to two previous ones that Region V held in 2002 in Chicago and Columbus. The two-day summit included speakers from EPA Assistance Programs to industry representatives that presented case studies and cooperative programs. Registrants consisted of individuals from state and federal agencies, and representatives from the foundry, energy, steel, composting, paper, and biosolids industries. GLBMA provided a summary on the conference held in Orlando in January 2004. This was a �state of the science� conference that addressed soil reactions of constituents in biosolids and in other materials. Both organized and participated in conferences 2002 - 2003 -Featured sessions on manure utilization, production and the environment, voluntary nutrient applicator certification development, solid waste regulations and general industry overview and research projects 2004 - This event represents an ideal opportunity to combine the mutual interests of various industries in blending opportunities for by-products as well as to explore the regulatory challenges and technical uncertainties that need to be addressed. Presentations will cover a broad spectrum in environmental risks and benefits and in the economics and marketing of blending by-products. Nov 03 - The USEPA Region IV and V organized this conference in cooperation with the Southern Waste Information Exchange, Inc. It is a follow-up summit to two previous ones that Region V held in 2002 in Chicago and Columbus. The two-day summit included speakers from EPA Assistance Programs to industry representatives that presented case studies and cooperative programs. Registrants consisted of individuals from state and federal agencies, and representatives from the foundry, energy, steel, composting, paper, and biosolids industries. GLBMA provided a summary on the conference held in Orlando in January 2004. This was a �state of the science� conference that addressed soil reactions of constituents in biosolids and in other materials.

6. Providing a Forum for Interaction:Electronic Communication www.glbma.org Newsletter Member alerts Features info on structure of organization, membership info, contact info, by-product info, activities, industry and member news and research. Comes out about 4x per yr. Provides info exchange, industry events update, GLBMA news Special interest news, instant access. Members can send in a request to disseminate info anytimeFeatures info on structure of organization, membership info, contact info, by-product info, activities, industry and member news and research. Comes out about 4x per yr. Provides info exchange, industry events update, GLBMA news Special interest news, instant access. Members can send in a request to disseminate info anytime

7. Providing a Forum for Interaction:State Meetings USEPA grant funded project to determine why more by-products are not beneficially used as soil amendments or as feed stocks in blended products. Wisconsin & Michigan Story One of our goals is to meet with every State agency in the Great Lakes along with stakeholders to talk about BU. Started process with the Grant. More on WI & MI laterOne of our goals is to meet with every State agency in the Great Lakes along with stakeholders to talk about BU. Started process with the Grant. More on WI & MI later

8. Providing a Forum for Interaction:Partnerships USEPA Region V, Industrial By-Product Summits Center for Excellence for Sustainable Residuals Management Regional Biosolids Organizations Academia; MSU, University of Toledo, OSU, Purdue Water Environment Federation Solid waste group at Region V. They were instrumental in getting a meaningful dialogue started between industry and the agency on how to enhance the BU of by-products. Held three Summits so far. GLBMA involved in two of them. Ash Sajjad, Water Division, saw that organic BU issues were similar to the solid waste issues. When he found that the GLBMA worked with both sides, a partnership was born. I serve on Steering committee assisting with the development of the �White Paper� for the Center of Excellance. Stay in touch with issues and activities across the US Support grant applications, bring industry needs to Academia, Take research results to the members Stay in touch with the issues and activities of the WEF, Can be their regional experts in the Great LakesSolid waste group at Region V. They were instrumental in getting a meaningful dialogue started between industry and the agency on how to enhance the BU of by-products. Held three Summits so far. GLBMA involved in two of them. Ash Sajjad, Water Division, saw that organic BU issues were similar to the solid waste issues. When he found that the GLBMA worked with both sides, a partnership was born. I serve on Steering committee assisting with the development of the �White Paper� for the Center of Excellance. Stay in touch with issues and activities across the US Support grant applications, bring industry needs to Academia, Take research results to the members Stay in touch with the issues and activities of the WEF, Can be their regional experts in the Great Lakes

9. State Meetings EPA has indicated that beneficial use is not hindered by federal regulations. Stakeholders know there are clear differences in how by-products are regulated between the Great Lakes States And,the diversity and quantity of by-products beneficially used needs to increase After GLBMA applied for and received a grant thru Region V, hired two project managers to oversee the meetings. They were George Peregrim, Composting and other by-products marketing consultant from IN and myself.After GLBMA applied for and received a grant thru Region V, hired two project managers to oversee the meetings. They were George Peregrim, Composting and other by-products marketing consultant from IN and myself.

10. State Meetings cont�d Understanding that certain rules (self- implementation process) were working well Wanted to know why these rules worked well and, Why they were not being used for other by-products Currently undergoing rule changes for beneficial use These BU rules include organic and inorganic by-products Good time to access those changes and determine how they will be used in future An advisory group made up up USEPA, GLBMA and other stake holders decided that WI & MI were the best states to start with because:An advisory group made up up USEPA, GLBMA and other stake holders decided that WI & MI were the best states to start with because:

11. State Meetings:Process Met with stakeholders who represented a large cross-section of by-products Participants filled out a pre-meeting questionnaire Meeting structured as a focus group Designed to probe issues about what was and wasn�t working Introductions gave everyone 5 min to describe business, by-product and major concerns Afternoon session, divided into four groups that identified top 3-4 issues that prevent BU then identified 1-2 action items or solutions to resolve those issues. Finished by posting and discussing results and post-meeting questionnaire Included: Gov reps such as USEPA, WDNR, WDA Academia, U of W Producers such as , foundries, paper mills, energy (CCBs), animal growers, �������food manufacturers municipalities for biosolids, composters (also private composters) product marketing, consultants, land appliers soil remediation people Note: Many of these stakeholders agreed to attend only because they saw a clear benefit to their company or organization. Time and expenses had to be justified. Questionnaire gave project managers insight into the key issues likely to be raised Intro provided opportunity for all to see wide ranging diversity of by-products and complexity of issues and regulations impacting their use. Each group contained one regulator as well as diverse group of industry and end user reps. Included: Gov reps such as USEPA, WDNR, WDA Academia, U of W Producers such as , foundries, paper mills, energy (CCBs), animal growers, �������food manufacturers municipalities for biosolids, composters (also private composters) product marketing, consultants, land appliers soil remediation people Note: Many of these stakeholders agreed to attend only because they saw a clear benefit to their company or organization. Time and expenses had to be justified. Questionnaire gave project managers insight into the key issues likely to be raised Intro provided opportunity for all to see wide ranging diversity of by-products and complexity of issues and regulations impacting their use. Each group contained one regulator as well as diverse group of industry and end user reps.

12. State Meetings:Process Decided not to go through same process as WI because, Stakeholder advisory group was already meeting regarding potential changes to MDEQ solid waste rule. I was a member of this group. Parallel effort by GLBMA would have been redundant and potentially counterproductive. Directed efforts to summarizing advisory group�s activities and reporting on status of any rule changes. Advisory group had a similar make-up as the WI meeting participants although did not include animal industry since the solid waste rule does not govern manure use.Advisory group had a similar make-up as the WI meeting participants although did not include animal industry since the solid waste rule does not govern manure use.

13. State Meetings:Summary Majority of rules governing BU are at the state level. In WI, fewer by-products are being BU than originally thought. The self implementation process only covers a few industrial by-products. The applications are for engineering or geotechnical uses, not for use in or on the soil. By-products not covered are governed by a host of other rules. More difficult to get approval for blends than for a single by-product. High level of frustration within regulated community and among the regulators regarding the ease by which By-products can be used beneficially.

14. State Meetings:Summary In MI, the rule review has been an extensive task. Regulators had procedural issues regarding the addition of self-implementation language to the rule. The regulated community wanted change to the basic standards that oversee by-product BU Finding a way to increase BU that is agreeable to all, has caused a high level of frustration amongst MI regulators and stakeholders. Change may need to come through the state legislature. The key to success in both states is to keep communication open. One meeting is not enough to affect real change. An independent facilitator to direct process is beneficial. Started in 2003 and not yet finished. Helped stakeholders understand some of the issues and to learn they types and quantities of BP out there, not enough time to develop long-term strategies. , who pays for it?Started in 2003 and not yet finished. Helped stakeholders understand some of the issues and to learn they types and quantities of BP out there, not enough time to develop long-term strategies. , who pays for it?

15. Future Applied for an additional grant to continue work with the state meetings. Continue partnership opportunities. Continue to grow and support membership. The Great Lakes Region is and will continue to be a leader in the beneficial use of by-products. Meetings like this, organizations like the GLBMA and the formation of the Center for Excellence for Sustainable Mgm of Agricultural, Industrial and Municipal Residuals in Region V is evidence of that and the key for the future.Meetings like this, organizations like the GLBMA and the formation of the Center for Excellence for Sustainable Mgm of Agricultural, Industrial and Municipal Residuals in Region V is evidence of that and the key for the future.

16. See GLBMA table for info on the organization and membership Details of WI & MI meeting can be found on report available on web site or few hard copies available here.See GLBMA table for info on the organization and membership Details of WI & MI meeting can be found on report available on web site or few hard copies available here.