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Hazardous waste

Building undergoing demolition at the former McLouth Steel facility
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Hazardous waste

Control of hazardous wastes in Michigan is accomplished through a set of interrelated actions. These include managing the generation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes, licensing and regulating hazardous and liquid industrial by-products (formerly liquid industrial waste) transportation, and informing individuals of the opportunities for proper disposal of hazardous and harmful wastes generated in the home.

The Procedures for Processing Hazardous Waste Operating License Procedures have been updated.  The changes seek to streamline the licensing process and improve the public engagement process. 

Applicants are asked to consider Environmental Justice concerns prior to applying.

Learn more about the updated procedures

Check out our Hazardous Waste 101 video to quickly learn what is considered a hazardous waste.  Alternatively, check out our Learn About Hazardous Waste webpage for similar information.

  • 📧 Electronic mailbox use instituted in 2024

    In the interest of waste reduction, resource maximization, and efficiency, we have established an electronic mailbox for submittals to the Hazardous Waste Section.

    The mailbox, EGLE-MMD-HWS@Michigan.gov, should be used for all submissions unless expressly directed otherwise or as noted below.  Do not submit paper copies of documents submitted electronically unless requested. 

    Items that may require submission through United States Postal Service mail or courier include full-size engineering drawings and financial assurance or capability mechanisms. 

    The EGLE Hazardous Waste Section no longer accepts hazardous waste manifests. Those must be submitted directly to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through its Electronic Manifest System. Exception reports are required to be submitted to the U.S. EPA and the EGLE Hazardous Waste Section.  

    Please continue to use the previously established electronic mailboxes for site identification, hazardous waste user charges, biennial reports submissions, and annual reports for the Part 121, Liquid Industrial By-Products, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended.

    If you have problems using the electronic mailbox, please contact Nicole Vincent at 517- 643-5222 or VincentN1@Michigan.gov.

Drug Disposal Event

Drug disposal

To protect human health and environment, unwanted drugs should be disposed of properly. Incineration destroys the chemicals in drugs and protects our water resources. Information, including collection locations and disposal vendors can be found here.

Up-close Photo of PFAS Treatment System

Hazardous waste and LIB management

Hazardous Waste Section staff in Lansing license facilities to store, treat, or dispose of hazardous waste. Staff in District Offices throughout Michigan inspect hazardous waste generators and facilities licensed to treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste.

An open can of blue paint with a used paint roller resting on top

Household hazardous waste

Household hazardous waste includes products that we purchase and use every day in our homes that can harm us or the environment if they are not handled properly. 

Generated Waste

Retail Environmental Workgroup

The workgroup was established to evaluate unique retail specific challenges in managing unwanted consumer products to meet the hazardous waste and liquid industrial by-products regulations. 

a neighborhood destroyed by a tornado or other storm

Storm recovery

Local officials, emergency response personnel, and residents can all benefit from understanding how to handle excess storm debris and being prepared.

Contact information

Hazardous waste program staff are assigned by county. We also have statewide specialists for topics such as household hazardous waste, inspection coordination, and more.