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U.S. Ecology Detroit South License and Renewal Information

U.S. Ecology Detroit South License and Renewal Information

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), issued a renewal hazardous waste management facility operating license to EQ Detroit Inc., doing business as US Ecology Detroit South on December 17, 2025, following a comprehensive regulatory review and public comment process.

The license authorizes continued operation of the hazardous waste treatment and storage facility located at 1923 Frederick Street in Detroit, Michigan, subject to updated and strengthened conditions designed to improve protection of the surrounding community and the environment.

Operating License

Hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDF), are regulated, engineered facilities with design and oversight requirements. The hazardous waste regulations require EGLE to issue a TSDF a license to authorize its operations. The license prescribes specific operating standards for the facility to ensure proper cradle-to-grave management of wastes received. These standards include waste analysis; personnel training; compliance inspections; preparedness and prevention and contingency plans; closure plans; recordkeeping and reporting; engineering and process descriptions; environmental monitoring; corrective action; financial assurance; and air emission standards.

Hazardous waste TSDF operating licenses remain effective for 10 years. The license renewal process gives EGLE an opportunity to update facility information, review operations, and improve the license by clarifying license requirements to enhance protection of human health and the environment. To issue any license, including a license renewal, EGLE's review of the license application must conclude:  

  • The 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.

US Ecology submitted a hazardous waste operating license renewal application on September 10, 2008, before the December 12, 2008 expiration date of the previous license. Timely submittal of the renewal application allowed US Ecology to continue operating under the previous license until EGLE determined that the current license is administratively complete and technically adequate. EGLE determined that the application was administratively complete on September 14, 2012, and technically adequate on July 31, 2025. 

The current license is available in hard copy at the following locations:

  • Lansing: EGLE, MMD, Deborah A. Stabenow Building, 525 West Allegan Street, Lansing, Michigan 48933 (contact Michelle Mackey at 517-582-3478 or MackeyM1@Michigan.gov).
  • Warren: EGLE, MMD, Warren District Office, 27700 Donald Ct, Warren, MI 48092 (contact Todd Zynda at 586-206-1640 or ZyndaT@Michigan.gov.)
  • Detroit: Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202 (contact the Reference Desk at 313-481-1400)

Translated copies of the Notice of Final Decision, Application Review Timeline, Fact Sheet, and Response to Comments in Arabic and Bengali will be posted to this webpage when available.

Technical Adequacy

Public Involvement

The purpose of public involvement is to ensure that those interested in a proposed EGLE action are aware of the action and have an opportunity to provide input on the action before EGLE reaches a final decision.  The community is encouraged to engage with EGLE throughout the process.  Prior to making a final decision, EGLE will host informational meetings to keep those interested informed, and a public comment period and a formal public hearing to receive formal comments from the community. 

EGLE will evaluate all comments received during the formal public comment period and hearing and issue a formal written response to comments when a final decision on the action is made. This information will be communicated to all persons who submitted comments, those who are on the facility’s official mailing list, and/or those who are subscribed to the action’s GovDelivery list.

Environmental Justice and Limited English Proficiency 

EGLE conducts Environmental Justice (EJ) and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) screenings for communities surrounding a hazardous waste facility prior to a license renewal.  The EJ screen helps to identify EJ communities in the vicinity of a hazardous waste facility, and to choose the type and scope of site-specific community engagement activities.  For EJ communities, the MMD considers the need for license conditions to mitigate EJ concerns and ensure that authorized hazardous waste operations will be protective of human health and the environment.  The LEP screen helps EGLE identity the need for oral or written translations in identified language(s) for vital documents and at public meetings.

For more information on EJ, please visit the Office of Environmental Justice Public Advocate Website.

Facility Cumulative Impact Review

EGLE, MMD, conducts a Facility Cumulative Impact Review, to assess the broader environmental and public health implications for communities located near hazardous waste facilities. As part of this process, the MMD assesses if the facility would contribute to additional environmental or health burdens in the surrounding area. The review also considers whether mitigation measures could be implemented to prevent or reduce adverse cumulative impacts. Based on the findings of the review, the MMD may recommend modifications to the facility’s License application.

Contact us

  • To review the application in-person in EGLE’s Lansing District office, please contact Kaitlynn Goetz at GoetzK1@Michigan.gov or 517-582-4400.
  • To review the application in-person in EGLE’s Warren District office, please contact Jennifer Block at BlockJ4@Michigan.gov or 586-753-3833.
  • To review the application in-person at the Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library, please contact the Reference Desk at 313-481-1400.
  • If you have questions regarding the hazardous waste license or application, please contact Tianna Kilgore at 517‑230‑4395, KilgoreT@Michigan.gov, or EGLE-MMD-HWS@Michigan.gov.

How to stay connected

Complete this form to be placed on the official US Ecology Detroit South facility mailing list to receive updates and notifications from both EGLE and US Ecology Detroit South.

Subscribe to the mailing list

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.