26-14 Resolution to Grant the Issuance of Conditional Scrap Metal / Junk Dealers / Recycling Operations Licenses

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Comments:On January 14,2026,Mr.Jason Shupryt,IDEM Solid Waste Compliance Inspector,met with Mr. Ron Havemann,Operations Manager,and Mr. Damion Spalding,Operations Lead,to conduct a routine inspection of the Green Tech Transfer&Recycling Transfer Station located at 2500 Green Tech Drive,South Bend,IN.During the prior routine inspections on March 12,2025, and October 10,2025,a violation was cited for erosion of the tipping floor that had created depressions that were trapping waste and leachate. Upon arrival,Mr. Shupryt observed that new signs containing all facility information had been posted at the intersection of West Ewing Avenue and Green Tech Drive.As Mr. Shupryt drove along Green Tech Drive toward the facility gate,litter was observed along both sides of the roadway.Additional litter was observed inside of the facility north of the transfer building.The area around the dumpsters for public drop off was observed to be well maintained. Mr.Shupryt then proceeded to Mr.Havemann's office,where he met with Mr. Havemann and Mr. Spalding.Mr.Shupryt mentioned to Mr. Havemann the litter observed while entering the facility.Mr. Havemann stated that multiple recent wind events had caused issues with blowing litter.He had a litter picker scheduled to clean everything up that morning. Mr. Havemann called the litter picker,who stated that he was less than 20 minutes away. Mr. Havemann stated that additional quotes for repairing the tipping floor had been obtained,and the company had recently made the decision to resurface the entire tipping floor through a company based in DeMotte, IN.Until this project can be scheduled and completed,Mr. Havemann is filling the hole in the tipping floor with rock and sand. Mr. Havemann and Mr. Spalding stated that they are filling the hole at least once a day and most days more than that. Mr.Haveman stated that he is keeping a supply of rock and sand on site so that the filling can be conducted as soon as the hole reforms(photo 6).Mr.Shupryt reviewed the quarterly reports for all four quarters of 2025 and waste oversight records for December 2025 and January 2026.Two random load inspections are being conducted and documented daily to fulfill incoming waste oversight requirements.Mr. Shupryt asked about other maintenance at the facility.Mr.Spalding stated that on December 28,2025,someone drove through the front gate of the facility and destroyed it.A temporary gate has been installed to secure the facility. Mr. Havemann stated that he spoke with a company earlier in the week to have the gate replaced,but it will take 10 weeks for the replacement to be completed.In September 2025, INSERV blew out the drain lines. Fire extinguishers in the office were observed to have recent inspection tags.The first aid kit in the office is being regularly maintained by Cintas and was observed to be fully stocked. Mr. Havemann and Mr.Shupryt then proceeded to inspect the site.The litter pickers were observed to already be on site and cleaning up the fenceline north of the transfer building.No damage was observed to the rolldown doors on the transfer building.Mr. Havemann stated that all doors are operating properly.The damage to the tipping floor was then observed (photos 1-2). Mr. Havemann stated that he would have a new load of rock and sand brought in immediately to refill the hole in the tipping floor. Floor drains in the tipping floor were observed to be blocked with mud(photos 3-4).A small hole was observed in the wall of the transfer building next to door 3(photo 5).Mr.Havemann stated that he would have these issues addressed immediately. Mr. Havemann stated that a small spill kit is maintained on the front loader and additional materials are stored in the facility's maintenance garage. Mr. Havemann and Mr. Shupryt then returned to Mr. Havemann's office.Mr. Havemann called Mr.Spalding to have the hole in the transfer building patched.Mr. Havemann emailed pictures of the temporary patch on the wall and the temporary repair to the tipping floor to Mr.Shupryt later in the day(photos 7-8).Mr. Havemann also stated in the email that the drains on the tipping floor had been cleared and an employee has been specifically tasked with clearing them daily (attachment A). No new solid waste violations were cited during this inspection.The violation cited on March 12,2025,and October 10, 2025,persists.A follow-up inspection to assess compliance will be conducted during the next routine inspection. DISCRIPTION OF VIOLATIONS 329 IAC I I-13.5-14(ax1):All facility floors and the loading bay tunnel must be maintained so as to prevent standing water within the facility structure. All drainage and liquids originating from: (A)storage,handling,and processing MSW; (B)cleaning floors;or (C)washout water from a MSW vehicle; must be properly directed to a sanitary sewer, a holding tank constructed and operated in accordance with any applicable local approvals,or the equivalent of a sanitary sewer or holding tank.