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New Hampshire Recycling & Solid Waste Program Overview

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Waste Management Division
29 Hazen Drive
P.O. Box 95
Concord, NH 03302-0095
Phone: (603) 271-3503; Fax: (603) 271-2456

NERC Board Member Representative
Michael Nork
Solid Waste Management Bureau
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Phone: (603) 271-2936

Program Contacts

General Information

Best Management Practices for New Hampshire Solid Waste Facilities

Business Assistance Guide

Hazardous Waste Guide for Businesses

Solid Waste Facilities

State Surplus Property Program 

Compost Information

Environmental Fact Sheet: Municipal Composting of Yard Waste

Composting at New Hampshire Schools: A How-to Guide

State Recycling Organizations

Northeast Resource Recovery Association

New Hampshire the Beautiful

Overview

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) implements the state’s solid waste laws (RSA 149-M) through a permit system for facilities that manage solid waste. New Hampshire law requires all solid waste operators to be certified by NHDES, which provides initial and ongoing training.

Environmental Goals

  1. Solid waste in New Hampshire will be managed so as to protect human health and the environment in the most cost effective manner.  
  2. Solid waste will be treated and managed as a resource rather than a waste in order to achieve significant reuse, recycling, or composting of as much solid waste as possible.
  3. Solid waste will be managed in order of preference through the hierarchy of management methods established by statute: source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, incineration for energy recovery, incineration, and landfilling.  
  4. Through education and outreach, people will be encouraged to consume materials that are recyclable in ways that do not damage the environment, resulting in cleaner communities.

Programs and Activities

  • Solid Waste Operator Training and Certification: NHDES conducts initial training and continuing professional development for more than 1,200 certified operators.
     
  • Permitting and Inspection: NHDES regulates the management of solid waste at facilities through a permit and conducts inspections to determine compliance with the permit and applicable regulations.
     
  • DES Green Team: NHDES personnel focus on identifying and implementing options to improve NHDES's own environmental in-house activities, including on-site composting of pre-plate food scraps from the building’s cafeteria.
  • Grants: Used Oil and HHW: NHDES provides grants of up to $2,500 to communities toward the cost of establishing new or improving used oil collection centers for Do-It-Yourself used oil generated by residents, and grants for the proper collection of HHW.