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Pfizer, Inc. formerly Pharmacia & Upjohn, LLC

Pfizer, Inc., formerly Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, LLC (Pfizer), is a hazardous waste storage facility located at 7171 Portage Road in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Materials Management Division (MMD) initially licensed Pharmacia for the management of hazardous waste at this location in 2001.

In 2003, Pfizer purchased the facility from Pharmacia. Since 2003, the facility has remained under the operation and ownership of Pfizer.

Contact

Jeremy Pepin
PepinJ2@Michigan.gov
517-219-2288

Pfizer manufactures a variety of pharmaceutical products at these 1,300-acre facility. As a result of the production activities, hazardous waste is generated, stored on-site, and shipped to be treated off-site. In addition to the on-site generated waste, Pfizer accepts and manages wastes generated at other Pfizer locations. The hazardous waste managed at this facility consists primarily of spent solvents, expired or off-specification raw material, returned goods, process filter cakes, and laboratory chemicals. All hazardous waste stored at the facility is required to be conducted in Building 388.

Under the 2001 initial license, the following hazardous waste activities were authorized at the facility:

  • Storage of hazardous waste in containers in three areas.
  • Storage of hazardous waste in tanks in two areas.
  • Incineration of hazardous waste.

Prior to issuance of the current license on December 14, 2012, the hazardous waste tank storage areas and the incinerator were removed, certified closed, and verified closed without any remaining contamination by EGLE staff. As a result, the current license which specifies the hazardous waste activities that can be performed at the facility, only authorizes hazardous waste storage in containers in Building 388.

Part 111, Hazardous Waste Management, of Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, and the administrative rules, and the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, RCRA, and the corresponding regulations, identify the standards that must be met when handling hazardous waste management, from generation to disposal. These regulations specify how the facility must operate to protect human health and the environment. They also identify the authorities EGLE has in licensing and overseeing hazardous waste operations.

Learn what is a hazardous waste under Michigan’s environmental laws, how it has to be handled,  and what laws apply to hazardous waste generated by businesses in Michigan.  Michigan has very strict regulation for hazardous waste generators, transporters, and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities to ensure hazardous waste is handled safety in a manner that protects us and our environment.

EGLE Classroom - Hazardous Waste 101

Learn what is a hazardous waste under Michigan’s environmental laws, how it has to be handled, and what laws apply to hazardous waste generated by businesses in Michigan.

License and Renewal Information 

Hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) are highly regulated, highly engineered facilities, with extensive design and oversight requirements.  The hazardous waste regulations that prescribe the standards that must be met in any license action taken by EGLE include, in part: waste analysis, personnel training, compliance inspections, preparedness and prevention, contingency and closure planning, recordkeeping and reporting, engineering, management of waste, environmental monitoring, corrective action, financial assurance, and air emission standards.

EGLE, MMD issues operating licenses for the management of hazardous waste, that remain effective for 10 years as provided under the state and federal regulations.  The license renewal process gives EGLE an opportunity to update facility information, review operations, and improve the license by clarify license requirements that enhances the protections included in the license.  To reissue a license, EGLE's review must conclude:  

  • The license renewal application is sufficiently detailed to evaluate the facility and its potential for impact on human health and the environment.
  • The facility satisfies all technical design, construction, and operating standards under governing regulations.
  • The facility does not present a hazard to human health or the environment, as determined by EGLE inspections and compliance with applicable environmental regulations.
  • The license includes all necessary conditions to ensure safe and proper waste storage.

Pfizer submitted a hazardous waste operating license renewal application on June 16, 2022, before the December 14, 2022, expiration date, of the current license.  Timely submittal of the renewal application allows Pfizer to continue operating under the current license until EGLE takes final action on the renewal application.  EGLE's MMD has determined that the renewal application is administratively complete and is in the process of determining reviewing its technical adequacy. 

Pfizer's renewal application is available to download, and in hard copy at the following two locations: 

  • EGLE, MMD, 525 West Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48909 (contact Vickie Terry; 517-284-6546, TerryV@Michigan.gov).
  • EGLE, MMD, Kalamazoo District Office, 7953 Adobe Road, Kalamazoo, MI 48933 (contact Krista Hettich; 269-370-8527, HettichK@Michigan.gov)
  • Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane, Portage, Michigan 49002 (contact Quyên Edwards at QEdwards@PortageLibrary.info or 269-585-8701).

Public Involvement

The purpose of public involvement is to ensure that the people interested in a proposed EGLE action are aware of the license review and have an opportunity to provide input on the renewal application before EGLE reaches a final decision to approve or deny the application.  The community is encouraged to engage with EGLE throughout the application review process.  Prior to making a final decision, EGLE will host a formal public hearing to receive formal comments from the community.  To start the process early, EGLE will be scheduling a virtual public informational meeting by October 2022.  Registration information will provided below once scheduled.    

Background Information

EGLE, MMD oversees the hazardous waste operations at Pfizer by conducting at least four inspections annually.  Inspections are typically unannounced and are performed to verify the facility is operating in a manner that meets the license requirements.  Although the United States Environmental Protection Agency does not permit nor license the facility hazardous waste operations, they may also conduct inspections to verify compliance with pertinent regulations.

How to Stay Connected

Subscribe to the facility's mailing list to receive updates from EGLE related to site specific activities. 

You are the eyes and ears of your community.  Through your observations and reporting of activities of concern, you play a valuable role in helping the EGLE protect human health and the environment. 

To file a complaint or share details about improper waste handling or disposal, contact EGLE through the Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) Hotline at 800-292-4706.