Section 229.176  Waste Management Plan Requirements for Hospitals Using On-Site Incinerators

a)         The owner or operator of a hospital subject to the requirements in this Part shall submit to the Agency, in accordance with Section 229.184(b) of this Part, a waste management plan.  Such plans shall outline technically and economically feasible policies and practices for reducing the amount and toxicity of hospital and medical/infectious waste incinerated at the hospital. The waste management plan shall include the following components:

1)         The name and location of the facility;

2)         A written policy statement setting forth management support for waste management and implementation of the plan;

3)         A statement of goals for reducing the volume and toxicity of waste, expressed numerically where feasible;

4)         Identification of the staff responsible for development and implementation of the plan, as well as a description of their roles and responsibilities;

5)         A description of communication and education programs to make employees aware of the waste management program and their responsibilities;

6)         A summary of existing waste management policies and practices;

7)         Identification of technically and economically feasible waste management policies and practices to be implemented and, where practical, a schedule for the implementation of the selected measures; and

8)         Procedures for tracking implementation of the plan and progress toward achieving the goals.

b)         Prior to the development of the waste management plan, the hospital shall assess:

1)         Current waste management practices;

2)         All of the available data that it has collected on the types, quantities, and sources of its waste;

3)         Technical information on alternative waste management practices, such as the American Hospital Association publication entitled "An Ounce of Prevention: Waste Management Strategies for Health Care Facilities," incorporated by reference at Section 229.104(a) of this Part; and

4)         The feasibility of implementing additional waste management policies and practices, taking into account such considerations as:

A)        The effectiveness of existing policies and practices;

B)        The costs of additional measures;

C)        The potential effects on patient care and worker safety;

D)        The environmental benefits and savings;

E)        The recycling options available in the area; and

F)         The availability of products or equipment needed to implement alternative measures.

c)         The following measures, at a minimum, shall be considered when evaluating alternative waste management practices and developing waste management policies and procedures:

1)         Segregating waste streams;

2)         Phasing out the use of products containing toxic materials;

3)         Reusing products and equipment;

4)         Reducing the use of packaging and disposable items;

5)         Collecting recyclable materials; and

6)         Improving inventory control, training and housekeeping practices.

d)         Any waste management plan that has been developed by a hospital subject to the requirements of this Part prior to May 15, 1999 may be incorporated into the waste management plan required by this Section for that hospital, to the extent that such a plan is consistent with the requirements of this Section.

e)         The owner or operator of each affected hospital shall submit a waste management plan to the Agency at the same time site-specific operating parameters are reported, as specified in Section 229.184(b) of this Part.

f)         The waste management plan shall be updated every 5 years to coincide with either the issuance or renewal of the facility's CAAPP permit.

g)         The owner or operator of each affected hospital shall submit a waste management progress report to the Agency annually, along with the annual emissions report required by 35 Ill. Adm. Code 201.302 and 254.  The progress report shall include the following elements:

1)         A description of progress made during the previous calendar year toward meeting the goals established in the plan;

2)         A summary of the waste management practices that were implemented; and

3)         Any amendments to the plan along with a brief explanation of the need for the amendments.

h)         Upon written request, the affected hospital shall make the waste management plan and annual progress reports available for public review during normal business hours.