Liz Schuller of Waste Management, WI CHMM Chapter Promotions Chair; Melissa Bitter of Johnson Controls, WI CHMM Chapter President; and Troy Stucke of Brady Corp., WI CHMM Chapter President-Elect, catch up at the CHMM Booth at Environment 2017.

Waste Management Omega Hills Pretreatment Plant Tour
Tuesday, May 23rd

It was an excellent tour of Waste Management – Wisconsin’s landfill leachate treatment process at their Omega Hills Pretreatment Plant in Germantown, WI

on May 23, 2017.  Presenters Larry Buechel and Garry Miller of WMWI gave an excellent hands-on overview of the process. 

The tour included watching the liquid effluent from an anaerobic digester process go through a dissolved air floatation (DAF) unit, part of a several-step treatment chain that produced clear effluent for permitted discharge to the MMSD treatment system.  In addition, the group observed a recently installed rotary vacuum filter drum process that allowed for a significant reduction in the volume of wet solids that had to be transported to disposal offsite. 

Both Larry’s and Garry’s time were much appreciated!  Many thanks to Liz Schuller for setting up this event!

– Troy Stucke, WI CHMM Chapter Secretary

The IHMM (Institute of Hazardous Materials Management) is currently working on protecting the credentials of the CHMM and others (CSP, CIH etc). They are targeting legislatures in Wisconsin and Florida. The Wisconsin bill was read on March 28, 2017 for the first time.  Read More

Recertification for the CHMM credential requires a minimum of 200 points.  Up to 100 of those can be earned by working full time in the industry; you can claim up to 20 points per year in the 5-year cycle.  The remaining points, at least 100 of them, are earned by engaging in activities that are listed in the CHMM Recertification Blueprint. 

Here is a way to earn some easy recertification points: Table 6 of the CHMM Recertification Blueprint allows up to 20 CMPs for each year of volunteer service in a leadership position in an organization which serves those who practice in the field of hazardous materials.  Both FET and the CHMM Chapter are acceptable organizations.  Since the points are given only for leadership positions, that includes chairing any of the many FET committees, volunteering as a Chapter officer, serving on the FET Board, or holding an elected position in the CHMM Chapter.  Consider throwing your proverbial hat in the ring – there are two elected CHMM Chapter positions each year – President-Elect and Secretary.  Here is the best part: there is no limit on the number of service points you can claim, so if you serve for five consecutive years, you have 100 easy points. 

The WI CHMM Chapter annual meeting  will be held on Wednesday, April 5th, following the HazWoper Refresher at the Hampton Inn & Suites Milwaukee West, 8201 W Greenfield Ave, West Allis, WI. Please attend if you can – our members make our chapter stronger!

A recognition award was given to WI CHMM Chapter President, Kathy Bates, whose term ended in June 2016 during the FET Annual Meeting at Environment 2016. Cheryl Moran, FET president, presented Kathy with the award.  Congratulations!

One easy way to help meet your re-certification requirements is to attend Environment 2016 at the Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center held on October 25-27, 2016 in Pewaukee, WI.  By attending the 2-day conference and one of the Tuesday Professional Development Courses, you have the opportunity to earn CMPs toward required annual certification maintenance points for professional development activities for the 2016 calendar year.

Earn 10.0 hours for attending the conference.  In addition, FET will host seven Professional Development Courses, held on Tuesday, October 25th which can earn more CHMM credits:  Environmental, Health & Safety Primer – 6.5 Hours; DOT HazMat Training and Certification – 6.25 Hours; Air Quality Basic and Advanced Course– Up to 6.25 Hours; RCRA Hazardous Waste Course – Up to 6.0 Hours; Navigating Site Cleanups Under the New DNR Contaminated Materials Guidance – 3.0 Hours; Stormwater Basics Half Day Course – 3.0 Hours; EPCRA Half Day Course – 3.0 Hours

Visit our website:  www.fetinc.org to review each agenda. This conference meets the requirements as a qualified activity under IHMM’s Recertification Program for the CHMM credential.  For more information on CHMM maintenance points, visit http://www.ihmm.org/certificants/chmm

Go to http://fetinc.org/website/conference-schedule-2/ and join us in October – plus don’t forget to stop by the WI CHMM Chapter booth at the exhibition and see the activities that are planned for CHMMs this year.

Dennis Daye & Kristi Linsmeier are looking for another co-chair to replace Bob Evangelisti for the 3-day summer EHMM (Essentials of Hazardous Materials) Course to be held in July 2017.  The third co-chair is asked to attend most of the course (if possible), to contact speakers and host one of the days of the course.

FET has been holding this course (in various formats) since 1989 and has successfully trained hundreds of professionals who are now CHMMs. The course will help prepare attendees for the CHMM (Certified Hazardous Material Manager) examination and is also a great way to learn about various EHS topics. We even have people take the course to refresher their EHS (Environmental, Health and Safety) knowledge base.

Planning begins in early 2017 for the July event.  While we have yet to set a date or choose a location, the course is typically held in the Milwaukee area for three days in July. You would be welcome to attend all 3 days of the course. This is also an opportunity to gain CHMM points.

If you are interested in being a co-chair, please contact Bob (262-472-5423), Dennis (414-288-8411), Kristi (414-643-4141) or the FET office (262-437-1700).  Thanks in advance for your attention to this request.

The results of the online balloting that was done for the WI CHMM Chapter officers for the next term beginning July 1st is:

                                         President-Elect: Melissa Bitter, Johnson Controls
                                         Secretary: Troy Stucke, Brady Corporation

Congratulations to both, we thank you for your willingness to continue your good work with the Chapter.  The next President, Bob Evangelisti, will serve for the term of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

In May 2016, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources released Publication WA-1784, Aerosol Cans: Guide to Handling and Disposal for Businesses.

RCRA empty aerosol cans are considered scrap metal and can be collected for steel recycling.  “RCRA empty” is defined as having no more than 1” or 3% of the original product, and no compressed propellants remaining in the can.  Check with your recycler to see if you need to puncture and drain aerosol cans prior to shipping them.  Note that special conditions apply if the aerosol can contains acute hazardous waste.

Aerosol cans that are not RCRA empty must be managed according to hazardous waste regulations.  If you do puncture your cans, the drained liquids and filters will also be considered hazardous waste.

Whether your cans are destined for recycling or hazardous waste disposal, be sure to store them safely; either replace the cap/cover on the can, or remove the nozzle.

For more information, visit the DNR website at: http://dnr.wi.gov/files/pdf/pubs/wa/wa1784.pdf