Project Detail

NWRPC Toxic Waste Collection, Education and Mapping Project

Purpose

This project will provide the following deliverables for the entire south shore of Lake Superior in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: 1) electronic device, toxic waste material, and petroleum based oil collection; 2) creation of a GIS data layer that identifies the locations of business and industry that contain hazardous materials in their MSDS and/or waste stream; and, 3) create/disseminate information to the public regarding the effect toxins have on the Lake Superior watershed - particularly the toxins contained in electronic devices.

Objective

A. Expand hazardous waste, electronics, and waste oil collection sites to include five Lake Superior Indian tribes and the counties of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that lie along the south shore of the Lake Superior basin. B. Develop health and safety plans related to hazardous waste, electronics, and waste oil collection. C. Develop and provide promotional and educational materials that explain the effects pollutants, hazardous waste chemicals, electronic equipment disposal, and waste oil have on Lake Superior. D. Categorize, profile, package, transport and dispose of all hazardous waste collected. E. Create a South Shore Hazardous Materials, Remedial Action Decision Support Tool that identifies point source locations of industry and business that contain hazardous materials in their MSDS and/or waste stream along the entire south shore of Lake Superior.

Outcome

1. Fewer toxic contaminants will enter the Lake Superior basin. The following outputs related to toxic/hazardous waste, electronic E-waste, and waste oil collect are expected to be achieved by the end of the two year project: Over 100,000 pounds of hazardous waste material will be collected and properly disposed or recycled. More than100 pounds of mercury will be collected and removed from the south shore Lake Superior watershed basin in accordance with the Great lakes Regional Collaborations Mercury in product Phase-down Strategy. A minimum of 250 pounds of lead will be collected and removed from the south shore Lake Superior watershed basin, particularly as a result of collection and removal of E-waste. At least 500 pounds of waste medications will be collected and properly disposed of. 2. Seven new self sustaining ongoing hazardous waste collection sites and oil collection tanks will be constructed and operational encompassing the entire south shore of Lake Superior. 3. Each new collection site will be manned by staff trained in HAZMAT and safe removal/reduction of toxic substances from the Lake Superior watershed basin. 4. All collection site staff will be trained to educate its local residents regarding the impact toxic substances and hazardous waste has the Lake Superior basin and natural resources of the watershed, and will be supplied with relevant printed material for distribution. 5. A South Shore Hazardous Materials, Remedial Action Decision Support Tool that identifies point source locations of industry and business that contain hazardous materials in their MSDS and/or waste stream for use by emergency management officials and others in response to multi-jurisdictional natural disaster or accidental/intentional toxic spill pollution events. Waypoint source locations will provide a resource for identification and monitoring of potential contaminants to the south shore Lake Superior basin.

Project Type

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Project Sub Type

Toxics and Areas of Concern

Project ID

GLRI_00E00543-0

Year Started

2010

Status

Active

Reports and Documents

NWRPC Toxic Waste Collection, Education and Mapping Project Project Documents, GLRI narrative, Schuster