Learn About the Waste Programs Division
Waste Programs Division
Revised On: June 13, 2024 - 10:00 a.m.
The Waste Programs Division (WPD) protects and enhances public health and the environment by reducing the risk associated with waste management, contaminated sites, and regulated substances through our:
Solid and Hazardous Waste Section
Oversee ADEQs permits and inspection/compliance associated with solid and hazardous waste, as well as our Pollution Prevention and Recycling programs through these units/programs:
Inspections and Compliance Unit — Inspects facilities that generate hazardous and solid waste and facilities with underground storage tanks. Inspections are conducted routinely and in response to citizen complaints to ensure compliance with environmental laws. The compliance section also participates in outreach presentations and helps facilities understand and comply with applicable regulations | Learn More >
Pollution Prevention (P2) Program — Designed to help facilities eliminate or reduce the generation of hazardous wastes and the use of toxic substances, improve indoor air quality, reduce energy and water use, and implement other practices that conserve and protect natural resources | Learn More >
Recycling Program — Encourages Arizonans to reduce, reuse, recycle, and buy recycled products as an alternative to solid waste disposal in landfills. The program assists communities and organizations in developing recycling programs, accessing markets for recycled materials, and educating people about the benefits of recycling | Learn More >
Permits and Registrations Units — Provides technical reviews and issues permits to landfills, biohazardous medical waste facilities, and hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. It reviews detailed design information, operational plans, emergency response plans, and financial assurance for all facilities. The permit teams also manage corrective actions, including investigation and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination, at permitted waste management facilities | View Permit/Registrations List >
Remedial Projects Section
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Brownfields Program — Provides technical and financial assistance for the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield properties | Learn More >
Department of Defense (DOD) — These sites are located at either active duty bases or bases being closed under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) regulations and formerly used defense sites that are eligible for funding under the Installation Restoration Program that ADEQ oversees | View List >
- Formally Used Defense Sites (FUDS) — There are 141 eligible properties in the Arizona FUDS inventory. As of June 2022, USACE has identified 62 FUDS projects within the inventory requiring priority investigation and potential cleanup | Learn More >
Emergency Response Unit (ERU) — [Need a few sentences to describe]
Federal Superfund Sites — Manages National Priorities List (NPL) sites. NPL sites may have soil, surface water, or groundwater contaminated with hazardous substances. The program aims to ensure the protection of human health and the environment through appropriate characterization and cleanup of high-priority sites | Learn More >
Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) — Facilities and sites voluntarily investigate and clean up soil and groundwater-contaminated sites in cooperation with ADEQ. ADEQ reviews proposed voluntary remedial actions and determines if no further action is required after successful site cleanup | Learn More >
Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (WQARF) — ADEQ identifies, investigates, and cleans up soil, groundwater, and surface water contaminated with hazardous substances. WQARF was created under the Environmental Quality Act of 1986 to help support hazardous substance cleanup efforts in the state. | Learn More >
Underground Storage Tank (UST) Section
Works with UST owners, operators, and interested stakeholders to prevent, identify, and clean up leaks or releases of contaminants into the environment through our:
Corrective Actions Unit — [Need a few sentences]
Information and Support Unit — [Need a few sentences]
Inspection, Compliance, and Enforcement Unit — [Need a few sentences]
Leak Prevention Unit — Works with facility owners and performs leak prevention activities, also known as noncorrective actions. These proactive measures are designed to identify releases and prevent future releases. If a release occurs, eligible UST owners, operators, and property owners may request financial assistance from ADEQ through the Tank Site Improvement Program (TSIP) | Learn More >