About Detroit South
Republic Services Detroit South processes hazardous and non-hazardous solid and liquid waste for manufacturers predominantly in southeast Michigan and across the Midwest. It is an important part of the Midwest’s industrial waste management cycle, helping stabilize manufacturing byproducts for safe disposal.
The Detroit South Facility, located in the Poletown East neighborhood, first broke ground in 1908 and has been owned and operated by several companies since then. Republic Services acquired the facility in 2022 and currently employs 84 people at the site.
Detroit South Resources
What does the Detroit South facility do?
Detroit South processes solid and liquid hazardous and non-hazardous waste from government entities and key industries including automotive, aerospace, retail and manufacturing.
What kind of waste does the facility process?
Industrial facilities and government entities depend on Detroit South to safely process and dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Common materials sent to Detroit South include sandblast media, wastewater sludges, residues from air emission controls, household and retail products, and contaminated groundwater and soil.
How does it process this waste?
Before accepting any waste, we conduct a thorough review to ensure it meets our safety and handling standards. The company providing the waste, commonly referred to as the waste generator or simply the generator, must submit accurate details, supported by documents such as test results or safety data sheets. These details are referred to as waste categorization information. Upon arrival, we inspect the containers and take samples to verify that the waste matches the information provided during the technical review process.
The wastewater treatment or Chemical Precipitation operation is permitted to accept and process hazardous and non-hazardous wastewater containing heavy metals, pressable solids, water contaminated with oils and a variety of chemical and oily wastes for treatment. Before accepting waste streams, the waste is characterized and subject to a technical review process. This process can include sample submittal with a waste characterization report and a thorough lab evaluation.
Waste streams are treated through batch processes using methods such as pH adjustment, oil/water separation, chemical precipitation, acid/base neutralization, chemical oxidation/reduction, sludge conditioning, and filter pressing. Effluents from these processes are discharged to the Great Lakes Water Authority.
Non-hazardous or hazardous waste needs to be in solid form before it can be disposed of at a landfill. The solidification and stabilization process occurs in steel rectangular tanks constructed within an impervious concrete containment structure. The outer concrete serves as a secondary containment structure and is sloped toward a central low point, where an inspection pipe with a leak detector is located. The device is designed to detect any free liquids accumulating between the tanks in the interstitial space and may be used to remove any liquid discovered. During the solidification process, waste and chemicals are thoroughly combined using an excavator bucket to solidify the liquid waste.
The wastewater treatment or Chemical Precipitation operation is permitted to accept and process hazardous and non-hazardous wastewater containing heavy metals, pressable solids, water contaminated with oils and a variety of chemical and oily wastes for treatment. Before accepting waste streams, the waste is characterized and subject to a technical review process. This process can include sample submittal with a waste characterization report and a thorough lab evaluation.
Waste streams are treated through batch processes using methods such as pH adjustment, oil/water separation, chemical precipitation, acid/base neutralization, chemical oxidation/reduction, sludge conditioning, and filter pressing. Effluents from these processes are discharged to the Great Lakes Water Authority.
Non-hazardous or hazardous waste needs to be in solid form before it can be disposed of at a landfill. The solidification and stabilization process occurs in steel rectangular tanks constructed within an impervious concrete containment structure. The outer concrete serves as a secondary containment structure and is sloped toward a central low point, where an inspection pipe with a leak detector is located. The device is designed to detect any free liquids accumulating between the tanks in the interstitial space and may be used to remove any liquid discovered. During the solidification process, waste and chemicals are thoroughly combined using an excavator bucket to solidify the liquid waste.
How does the facility limit offsite impacts?
Structural controls utilized at the facility include impervious concrete, air pollution control devices (i.e., baghouse dust and scrubber), and a stormwater conveyance and collection system the collects all stormwater from the active area for onsite treatment. Non-structural controls include daily sweeping and inspections.
Routine environmental monitoring at Detroit South includes the collection of routine wastewater discharge monitoring samples, and ambient air monitoring samples. The results are reported to EGLE and/or GLWA. Republic Services also monitors onsite odor levels during the technical review prior to approval of the facility and again during the waste acceptance screening process. Personnel investigate the source of any and all odors reported or detected to determine the source using information on waste streams being managed, weather data and on-site and off-site odor surveys. Additional processing controls may be implemented and can include limiting the volume of waste processed, the time waste is stored onsite and eliminating the waste stream from onsite processing.
Routine environmental monitoring at Detroit South includes the collection of routine wastewater discharge monitoring samples, and ambient air monitoring samples. The results are reported to EGLE and/or GLWA. Republic Services also monitors onsite odor levels during the technical review prior to approval of the facility and again during the waste acceptance screening process. Personnel investigate the source of any and all odors reported or detected to determine the source using information on waste streams being managed, weather data and on-site and off-site odor surveys. Additional processing controls may be implemented and can include limiting the volume of waste processed, the time waste is stored onsite and eliminating the waste stream from onsite processing.