Solid Waste

Staff

Suzanne Engels
Administrator
Cheyenne
307-777-5447

Jody Weikart
Permitting & Corrective Action Manager
Cheyenne
307-777-3501

Patrick Troxel
Permitting & Corrective Action
Lander
307-335-6950

Richard Lemm
Permitting & Corrective Action
Casper
307-473-3463

Craig McOmie
Cease and Transfer and Landfill Remediation
Casper
307-473-3487

Mike Jennings
C/T Project Manager
Casper
 307-473-3486

Training

Our Solid Waste Permitting and Corrective Action Program is pleased to announce the 2023 Solid Waste Training Schedule.  While these trainings are not required by the Solid Waste Rules they are intended to help landfill operators, managers, and consultants gain a better understanding of the Solid Waste Rules. Registration will open 45 days in advance of the training.

  • March 30, 2023 – Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Operator and Manager Exam.
  • May 2023 – Dead Animal Composting. Click here to register.
    • May 3, 2023 – Moorcroft
    • May 4, 2023 - Torrington
    • May 8, 2023 - Cody
    • These sessions will have a hands-on field training
  • August 21, 2023 – Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Operator and Manager Exam
    • This session will be in-person only and will be held during the Annual WSWRA Conference
    • Registration conducted through WSWRA
  • September 27, 2023 – MSW Annual Report Click here to register.
  • November 2023 – State Guaranteed Trust Account Informational Webinar

To stay up to date on these trainings and all things solid waste please sign up for the DEQ Solid Waste Listserv at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WYDEQ/subscriber/new.

Permit Information

This tab contains a variety of information – including General Closure Permit forms – necessary for attaining permitted status in Wyoming. 

Permits are required to ensure that solid waste facilities built in Wyoming can be operated safely, and will not harm public health or the environment.

If the download box is not working below, please click here.

Guidance and Standards

This tab provides guidance procedures and standards for handling a variety of different solid wastes in Wyoming. 

If the download box is not working below, please click here.

MSW Landfill Operator/Manager Exam

In many ways, constructing, operating and maintaining a municipal solid waste landfill is similar to constructing, operating, and maintaining a highway, dam, canal, bridge, or other engineered structure.  The most important similarity is that landfills, like other engineered structures, must be constructed and operated in a manner that will provide safe, long-term, and reliable service to the communities they serve.  Proper design, construction, operation, monitoring, closure and post-closure care are critical because after disposal the waste can be a threat to human health and the environment for decades to centuries.

This workbook is intended to provide municipal landfill operators and managers in Wyoming with the fundamental knowledge and technical background necessary to ensure that landfills are operated efficiently, effectively, and in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment.

This workbook contains information regarding basic construction and operation activities that are encountered on a routine basis at most landfills.  The basic procedures and fundamental elements of landfill permitting, construction management, monitoring, closure, post-closure care, and financial assurance are also addressed.  The workbook includes informative tips and information that landfill operators and managers can use to conserve landfill space, minimize the potential for pollution, reduce operating costs, and comply with applicable rules and regulations.  In addition to this workbook, operators and managers need to become familiar with the Wyoming Solid Waste Rules and Regulations applicable to municipal solid waste.  The DEQ also provides numerous guidelines that may help understand regulatory requirements in more detail.  This information may be found at the DEQ’s website:  http://deq.wyoming.gov/

Sections 1-3 of this workbook should be considered an “operator’s module”.  These sections contain basic information for landfill operators.  Sections 4-9 should be considered a “manager’s module”.  These sections contain more detailed information that may be more relevant for landfill managers.

The Department of Environmental Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste Division, Solid Waste Permitting and Corrective Action Program (DEQ) has prepared a short training course and two tests to accompany this workbook.  While this training and testing is not mandatory by rule, it may be required because it has been specified as a training requirement in a landfill’s permit application.  Many landfill operators use these resources to help ensure that landfill personnel have the basic skills necessary to do their jobs.

The first test offered by DEQ is the “Operator Examination”.  This test is based on the information in Sections 1-3.  Upon passing this test, an individual will receive operator certification from the DEQ.  The second test is the “Manager Examination”.  This test is based on the information in Sections 4-9.  Upon passing both the Operator and Manager Examinations, an individual will receive manager certification from the DEQ.  

This training is offered online. The workbook, the test preparation presentation, and the test reference materials are listed below.

The tests are now offered online! Tests can be taken any time of the year at any location. Please Click Here to Register.

If the download box is not working below, please click here.

Solid Waste Facilities List

This page contains a list of all Wyoming Solid Waste Facilities permitted through this department. 

If the download box is not working below, please click here.

Studies & Assessments

This tab contains a variety of studies and assessments – including diversion studies and clean-up cost assessments – concerning solid waste in Wyoming.

If the download box is not working below, please click here.

Rules and Regulations

All official Wyoming State Rules and Regulations are kept at the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office. Click here to view all current Rules and Regulations. 

Proposed Rules and Regulations

This page contains any proposed Rules or Regulations that are currently under development within the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division. 

Hazardous Waste Rules, Chapter 1

The Hazardous Waste Rules, Chapter 1, General Provisions were adopted and filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State on April 7, 2022.  See https://rules.wyo.gov/.

Solid Waste

The Solid Waste Permitting and Corrective Action Program is conducting a public outreach on proposed revisions to the Solid Waste Rules Chapter 3 Industrial Landfills Regulations.

Map

This tab contains a downloadable map that outlines Wyoming's permitting and corrective action program districts for solid waste and other solid waste program maps. 

Related Programs

State law requires that all solid waste be disposed of, treated or recycled at designated facilities approved by both the SHWD and the local governing body with jurisdiction (county, city, town) in which the facility is located.  

The Solid Waste Program oversees these facilities, issuing permits, assisting with design, construction, operation, monitoring compliance and serving violators with corrective actions.

Solid waste facilities that are regulated by this program include:

  • Local community landfills (both operating and closed)
  • Municipal waste baling stations and transfer facilities
  • Industrial waste landfills
  • Industrial waste treatment facilities and units
  • Used oil storage facilities