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Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Solid Waste Inspectors play a critical role in attaining a clean and healthy environment. They are often Maryland’s first line of defense against potentially dangerous or unhealthy environmental situations.
“I saw someone dumping tires along the side of the road. The field next to my house smells really bad.” These are a couple examples of the complaints that a solid waste inspector handles every day. In addition to investigating citizen complaints, an inspector enforces Maryland solid waste laws and regulations, initiates enforcement actions, and serves as an instructor to other environmental professionals. MDE offers consultation regarding sewage sludge utilization, solid waste disposal, scrap tire management, and natural wood waste recycling.
In March 2006, Mr. Brian Baumgartner served as an instructor/official escort for representatives from the Peoples Republic of China. A visit to the Millersville Municipal Landfill, located in Anne Arundel County, provided the backdrop for a landfill inspection of: the facility’s working face; sediment and erosion control devices; the leachate pre-treatment facility; landfill cell liner system; the environmental monitoring system and gas collection system; composting/ recycling operations; status of liner construction at the new sub-cells; and the homeowner drop-off area.
Landfill Inspections
A landfill inspection can take three or more hours depending upon the number of problems encountered and includes:
- Observing the active working face of the landfill to ensure that all exposed solid waste is covered with at least six inches of daily cover, usually soil, by the end of the working day;
- Ensuring the control of vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging;
- Making sure that no unacceptable waste types or specifically prohibited wastes, such as hazardous wastes or scrap tires, are accepted for disposal;
- Visibly checking the landfill perimeter for any possible leachate outbreaks and the integrity of the closed portions of the landfill; and
- Ensuring that any gas or odor generated from the landfill is controlled and not emitted off-site
Finally, a Report of Observations documenting the day’s findings is completed and presented to the facility upon departure.
When asked about his experience as an instructor/escort for the Chinese delegation, Mr. Baumgartner stated, “It’s nice to know that I can make a difference.” A difference? You bet, and all in the day of the life of a Maryland Solid Waste Inspector.
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