Solid & Hazardous Waste Siting

Butzel’s environmental attorneys possess significant proficiency across the spectrum of site development, Brownfield redevelopment, and solid and hazardous waste management. Our unique level of know-how when it comes to Brownfield redevelopment includes working with municipalities to ensure compliance with construction, wastewater discharge, operation and maintenance, management, and community relations issues. Having served as in-house counsel and environmental consultants for solid and hazardous waste companies, our attorneys consistently deliver practical, effective solutions in complex regulatory settings, drawing from hands-on involvement.

Our experience encompasses navigating evolving regulatory frameworks at all levels, advising clients on recent environmental law changes, and securing incentives for Brownfield revitalization. We have developed deep technical proficiency while serving clients in this sector for decades and through providing legal counsel on recent Brownfield projects involving municipalities, wastewater management, and ongoing operations.

Brownfield redevelopment increasingly involves critical minerals as many industrial byproducts found in Brownfields can be sources of the critical minerals needed for clean energy and other industries. Existing sites can also be repurposed for renewable energy projects and recycling and reuse facilities leading to sustainable urban revitalization. Our Environmental Team assists clients with projects focused on the extraction of critical minerals and the transformation of legacy sites into renewable energy and recycling facilities.

We excel in fostering transparent community relations, managing stakeholder engagement, and addressing local concerns during redevelopment. We have experience extending to all facets of waste facility operations, from permitting and contracting to landfill and treatment facility siting, closure, and redevelopment, methane recovery, property acquisition, transportation and disposal contracting, and recycling, Treatment, Storage and Disposal (TSD), and composting facility development.

Client Alerts

Successfully defended client in Superfund cost recovery suit brought to recover costs to clean up polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and lead contamination estimated to run as high as $300-500 million

Ongoing representation of numerous solid waste and recycling companies on a variety of landfill compliance and permitting issues

Representation of solid waste and recycling company including a variety of landfill compliance and contamination issues of multiple landfills and transfer stations

Negotiated an administrative order for a landfill client with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) resulting from alleged violations of the laws and regulations regarding the operation and maintenance of solid waste landfills

Prepared application for siting of a landfill in Illinois and assisted with hearings associated with the siting

Chaired Brownfield Authority for large suburban community

Created Brownfield Authority for large metropolitan county and local municipalities