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hazardous. A waste is hazardous if it meets certain chemical or toxicity standards established in federal regulations. If wastes are corrosive, reactive, ignitable, toxic or lethal, or are listed for some reason, then they are required to be handled in a cradle -to -grave regulatory system. This regulatory system requires the wastes to be specially packaged, transported, handled and disposed, with a paper trail that follows the waste. Most states regulate businesses that are considered "large quantity generators' (more than 2640 gallons of waste produced per year) or "small quantity generators" (264 gallons to 2640 gallons of waste produced per year). In those states, businesses that produce less waste are not strictly regulated, and it is more likely that hazardous waste from those businesses will end up in municipal solid waste. Minnesota, however, regulates all business generators including "very small quantity generators" (less than 264 gallons of waste produced per year) to assure that hazardous wastes do not enter MSW. The MPCA is charged with regulating hazardous waste in Minnesota. Ramsey County is required by Minnesota law to license generators, inspect facilities and enforce hazardous waste regulations. Hazardous Waste Generators and Facilities Ramsey County licenses and inspects all businesses that generate and manage hazardous waste. In 2010 that was over 1,900 businesses, with 1,400 inspections. Ramsey County operates a volume -based fee system — license fees are structured to create an incentive for businesses to produce less hazardous waste. Hazardous waste education for generators and other businesses through the Hazardous Waste Business Assistance program is a non - regulatory resource for businesses. Over 40 training sessions serving more than 750 people were held in 2010. In addition, The HazWaste Quarterly, a newsletter filled with useful tips and news, is sent to all licensed hazardous waste generators and 103 additional individuals. The website is regularly updated and in 2010 there were 1171 subscribers to the electronic version of The HazWaste Quarterly. Staff fielded nearly 3100 phone calls from businesses and conducted 257 site visit! in 2010. Pre - demolition Program Because Ramsey County is fully developed, almost all new construction in Ramsey County is preceded by demolition of some sort. The pre - demolition inspection program, created in 2008, addresses the need to identify, remove and properly manage hazardous materials prior to building demolition. This program is the first of its kind in Minnesota. The program encourages deconstruction, salvage and recycling. The regulatory standard for demolition contractors creates consistency, reduces the toxicity of wastes disposed, protects occupational exposure to hazards and reduces landfilling of wastes. Ramsey County staff work closely with local building and zoning officials and place a priority on integrating the pre - demolition program requirements within existing permitting processes. In 2010 the program worked on 169 demolition projects, and, as a result over 101,000 pounds of hazardous materials and problem materials were properly handled and kept out of landfills. The success of the program has been rooted in the collaborative relationships between the contractors, city staff, county staff and waste managers. Auto Salvage Yard Initiative Staff initiated a collaborative compliance effort with the auto industry in 1996, which resulted in a significant improvement overall in compliance and adoption of Best Management Practices. The mercury- switch removal program piloted at auto salvage yards in Ramsey County is a national model. Hospital Health Care initiative Staff initiated regional work with health care institutions on proper management of hazardous, solid, Ramsey County Solid Waste Master Plan 2011 -2030 Page 145 Approved by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on 3120112