Hazardous waste financial responsibility requirements exist to ensure that certain hazardous waste facilities and transporters have the financial resources available to provide for closure, postclosure and corrective action requirements and/or pay for bodily injury or property damage that might result from accidents, spills or other unexpected events, known as liabilities. These closure, postclosure, corrective action and liability requirements are called financial assurance.
When demonstrating proof of financial assurance/responsibility, owners or operators can choose from a list of approved financial mechanisms that best meet their individual needs. With few exceptions, DEP forms must be used.
Specific information (estimates, forms, provider companies, etc.) can be accessed from these links:
Several counties have agreements with DEP that are associated with financial assurance. In all cases, financial assurance mechanisms are held and reviewed by DEP staff in Tallahassee. Three counties (Orange, Escambia and Santa Rosa) have interagency agreements with DEP that allow for separate county cost estimates to be covered by the financial assurance mechanisms held by DEP. Three counties (Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach) are delegated to provide permitting and other services for DEP; this includes reviewing and approving closure cost estimates.
The selected portions of DEP rules listed below cover most of the financial assurance and cost estimate requirements for Solid Waste facilities as regulated by the Financial Assurance Working Group. Complete versions of these rules are available on the Division of Waste Management Rules page or the Florida Department of State Florida Administrative Code page.
Hazardous waste exhibits one or more characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity, making it dangerous. Paint products, pool chemicals, household cleaners, and pesticides are typical examples. When disposed of in the municipal solid waste stream or otherwise improperly managed, these materials have the potential of contaminating the ground water - our drinking water supply.
Please contact Waste.Operations@FloridaDEP.gov with questions or for additional information.
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