Editor's Note: The following was originally published as press release by Oregon DEQ.
Oregon DEQ continues to improve its outreach and assistance to small businesses, institutions and other enterprises that generate under 220 lbs. of hazardous waste each month. We share the common goal of keeping your operation under that trigger amount that would jeopardize your conditional exemption and subject you to full hazardous waste regulation.
To do this more effectively and to help even more VSQGs, DEQ is undergoing a modernization of its statewide plan to manage materials that pose chemically-hazardous risks. We want to evaluate the best practices available to improve your facility’s safety to ensure a healthy workplace and bottom line.
This is where you come in.
We are looking for representatives of businesses and other generators of chemical waste to participate with VSQGs from across the state to offer feedback on the best practices that DEQ will evaluate for adoption as state policy. We’ll discuss what you like about our current services and what DEQ could do to help you even better. For instance, we may consider the following:
- What training is most needed
- How much our technical assistance should focus on the disposal or prevention of waste
- How could DEQ change the choices of products available to safer ones
- What role could product manufacturers play in helping manage their products
Your voice is essential for us to hear what will be most helpful in eliminating the risks caused by chemicals in your operations. This opportunity will require about 15 hours of your time, spread out over about 9 months. We’ll conduct three online meetings of around 3 hours each, and there will be some review of written drafts to read ahead of each session.
Please consider joining your fellow VSQGs in providing your input to help us to help serve you even better. Please fill out this interest form at this link if you’re interested. Please reply by Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.
Thank you. We hope to hear from you soon!
Link to interest form - https://forms.office.com/g/zLcGjJZDJ4