Household Hazardous Waste. Hazardous Waste Basics 11/2/2011

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1 Faculty Household Hazardous Waste Satellite Conference and Live Webcast Thursday, November 10, :00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Central Time James K. Burgess Environmentalist Scientist Senior Compliance and Enforcement Section Industrial Hazardous Waste Branch Land Division Alabama Department of Environmental Management Produced by the Alabama Department of Public Health Video Communications and Distance Learning Division Hazardous Waste Law Federal RCRA: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 Alabama AHWMMA: Alabama Hazardous Wastes Management and Minimization Act, Ala. Code to (2006 Rplc. Vol.) Hazardous Waste Regulations Federal Code of Federal Regulations 40, Parts Alabama ADEM Administrative Code Division Hazardous Waste Basics Hazardous waste is a by-product of many large and small businesses From the public's perspective, it is most often associated with medium- to large-scale manufacturers, but many small, non-manufacturing businesses produce hazardous waste Hazardous Waste Basics Hazardous waste generated by a business or other non-household site is regulated under ADEM Administrative Code Division (335-14) 1

2 Hazardous Waste Basics 40CFR and (2), requires the regulated waste generator to evaluate all wastes generated / produced to determine if they are hazardous waste The waste determinations should be kept on-site, including those found to be non-hazardous Listed Hazardous Waste Spent chlorinated solvents Trichloroethylene Spent non-chlorinated solvents Xylene Plating solutions Cyanide plating bath Listed Hazardous Waste Spent wood preserving solutions Creosote Some still bottoms Aniline production Some pollution control dusts Lead smelting Listed Hazardous Waste Some wastewater treatment sludges Many unused commercial products Characteristic Hazardous Waste Other wastes are designated hazardous because they exhibit one of the four following characteristics (ADEM Admin. Code r ): Characteristic Hazardous Waste Ignitable (D001) Liquid wastes with a flash point less than 140 F Solid wastes that ignite spontaneously and burn vigorously Ignitable compressed gases or oxidizers as defined by USDOT Solvents, paints 2

3 Characteristic Hazardous Waste Corrosive (D002) Acids with a ph of 2 or less Caustics with a ph of 12.5 or more Liquids that corrode steel at a rate greater than ¼ inch per year Strippers, cleaners Characteristic Hazardous Waste Reactive (D003) Explode React violently with water Form toxic gases when exposed to water Characteristic Hazardous Waste Release significant quantities of cyanide- or sulfide-containing gases Are otherwise unstable Explosives, reactive metals Characteristic Hazardous Waste Toxic (D004 D043) Contain at least one of 40 specified constituents that leach out of the waste at levels that are hazardous Lead, benzene, chlordane Hazardous Waste Generators Generators are categorized by three factors: 1. Whether the waste generated is hazardous or acutely hazardous 2. Amount of hazardous waste generated in a calendar month 3. Amount of hazardous waste accumulated on-site at any one time Hazardous Waste Generators Generators are categorized into three types: 1. Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG or CEG) 2. Small Quantity Generators (SQG) 3. Large Quantity Generators (LQG) 3

4 Division Regulated Universe Hazardous waste generators CESQG/CEG, SQG, LQG Transporters Hazardous waste, used oil Division Regulated Universe Treatment, storage, or disposal facilities Land (LDF), Treatment or Storage (TSF), Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSDF) Universal waste handlers Small Quantity (SQH), Large Quantity (LQH) Division Regulated Universe Used oil handlers Generator, transporter, processor, marketer Non-hazardous Household Wastes (4)(b) Household waste that has been collected, transported, stored, treated, disposed, recovered, or reused Refuse-derived fuel Household Wastes Any material derived from households Includes garbage, trash, sanitary wastes in septic tanks From single and multiple residences, hotels and motels, bunkhouses, ranger stations, crew quarters, campgrounds, picnic grounds, day-use recreation Household Wastes ( (4)(b) continues) A resource recovery facility managing municipal solid waste shall not be deemed to be treating, storing, disposing of, or otherwise managing hazardous waste for the purposes of regulation under if such facility:... 4

5 Hazardous Wastes - Household Wastes...(i): Receives and burns only (I) Household waste (from single and multiple dwellings, hotels, motels, and other residential sources) and (II) Solid waste from commercial or industrial sources that does not contain hazardous waste;... Hazardous Wastes - Household Wastes...and (ii): Such facility does not accept hazardous wastes and the owner or operator of such facility has established contractual requirements or other appropriate notification or inspection procedures to assure that hazardous wastes are not received at or burned in such facility. ADEM Division 14 - Household Wastes Household occurs twenty-one times in the 1079 pages of ADEM s Division 14 Hazardous Waste Regulations Five of the occurrences are in the previous citation [ (4)(b)] ADEM Division 14 - Household Wastes Household occurs three times in ADEM Admin. Code r (Definitions and References) Three times in ADEM Admin. Code chap (Universal Waste) Ten times in ADEM Admin. Code chap (Used Oil) Most households contain many hazardous products that are used every day Oven cleaners, drain openers, yard chemicals, pesticides, paints and paint thinners are just a few items which, when disposed of improperly, can be harmful to people, wildlife, and the environment These products may be toxic, corrosive, reactive or flammable, and are known as household hazardous wastes (HHW) when they are disposed 5

6 Although the products are regulated under State and Federal Hazardous Waste laws when produced by a commercial organization or a business, these laws exempt wastes from regulation when they are generated by a household A deliberate effort is necessary in order to prevent these wastes from entering the environment Hazardous Products The best alternative to disposing of household hazardous products is to avoid generating them Disposal of these wastes may be reduced or eliminated by giving the usable product to someone who can use it (unless it is a banned or restricted pesticide), recycling the material when possible, looking for less hazardous alternatives, and only buying the amount of these products that you actually need If a product is unusable, nonrecyclable, or banned, look on the container label for disposal instructions 6

7 If the label does not have sufficient information or if the waste is an older container of pesticide which may have out-of-date information, safely store the material until a safe disposal is determined Always leave the material in the original container, provided the container is in good condition, and never mix chemicals together Wrap it in newspaper, placed in a plastic garbage bag, label it and store it in a secure location away from children, pets, and heat As protectors / regulators, we need to be prepared to provide information regarding HHW collection programs where they are available in the state Potential sources of information include: City or County Solid Waste Disposal Authority Local Sanitation Department County Health Department Alabama Department of Public Heath Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Alabama Department of Environmental Management HHW Disposal If there is no hazardous waste collection program in your community, then we need to provide information and guidance on the proper handling and disposal of HHW HHW Disposal * The information that follows applies only to wastes generated by individuals from household (residential) and household related activities. Wastes generated by businesses or commercial activity must comply with the applicable hazardous wastes regulations. 7

8 HHW Aerosol Containers Products such as spray paint or degreasers are often packaged in aerosol containers Aerosol containers present a special hazard since they can explode under pressure or excessive heat HHW Aerosol Containers If an individual cannot use the product for its intended purpose and cannot find someone who can use it, they may be able to empty it by spraying the material into a box or paper bag and allowing the contents to dry Always do this outdoors or in an area that is well ventilated HHW Aerosol Containers Empty aerosol containers may be disposed of with other household trash HHW Automotive Products Used or spilled motor oil, antifreeze, and brake fluids are just a few automotive products that can be harmful to the environment if spilled (and not cleaned up) or improperly disposed These products should usually not be mixed and should never be poured into the ground, down a storm sewer, or into a septic system HHW Antifreeze and Brake Fluid Antifreeze primarily consists of a toxic substance known as ethylene glycol Brake fluid consists of a similar substance known as propylene glycol and should be handled in the same manner as antifreeze HHW Antifreeze and Brake Fluid Antifreeze can contaminate surface waters and, although highly toxic, appeals to pets because of its sweet taste Clean, used antifreeze may be reused as make-up for antifreeze that would normally be added to top-up the radiator reservoir 8

9 HHW Antifreeze and Brake Fluid Antifreeze is highly recyclable and can be taken to local automotive service facilities that will take it HHW Antifreeze Disposal Small amounts of waste antifreeze may be safely disposed of by pouring down the sink or toilet with copious amounts of water No more than one gallon per day Check with local sewage treatment facilities to ensure that they are equipped to handle this waste HHW Antifreeze Disposal If the home is connected to a septic tank system, the antifreeze should not be disposed in this manner as it may harm the system as well as contaminate groundwater In this case, the material should be taken to a friend or relative whose home is connected to a sewer system for disposal HHW EPA and Used Oil HHW Used Oil Should never be disposed of on the ground or down a storm sewer because it may contain toxic metals or solvents May contaminate surface and / or groundwater Many service stations will accept your used oil for recycling HHW Lead/Acid Batteries Contain sulfuric acid and lead, both of which can have hazardous health effects Severe burns 9

10 HHW Lead/Acid Batteries Automobile batteries are recyclable Retailers or new battery distributors Garages, service stations, and scrap metal deals may also recycle old batteries HHW Other Batteries Include: Flashlight batteries Rechargeable batteries Small button type batteries used in cameras or hearing aids HHW Other Batteries Many contain toxic metals Mercury, silver, cadmium, lithium Carbon and alkaline batteries are not tt toxic Can be disposed of safely in the regular trash HHW Other Batteries Can be recycled if a program is available If not, store batteries in a secure place away from children and pets until a HHW collection day If no collection day, discard with other household trash HHW Household Chemicals Include: Bleach Oven cleaners Drain openers Polishes Waxes HHW Household Chemicals Try to prevent disposal by finding someone else who can use the product Bleach and ammonia should never be mixed Produces a highly toxic gas 10

11 HHW Household Chemicals Many products can be flushed down the drain with large amounts of water Those on a septic system should dispose of materials at a home connected to a sewer system, during an HHW collection day, or bag and discard them with other household trash HHW Solvent Cleaners Spot removers or degreasers Often contain chlor, chloro, fluoro, or bromo in the name Do not evaporate Inhaling fumes can pose serious health hazards Can be absorbed, bagged and discarded with other household trash HHW Waxes, Polishes, Corrosives Can contain solvents Best to discard on a hazardous waste collection day Small amounts (less than one cup) can be flushed down a toilet connected to a sewer system Can be absorbed, bagged and discarded with household trash HHW Paints Buy only what you need Disposal Give away Allow it to dry and harden Pour into absorbent material and allow to dry Dried and empty cans can be disposed of in household trash HHW Paint Thinners Use precautions when handling to avoid serious health effects or groundwater contamination Used paint thinner can be cleaned and reused Pour into a transparent container with a good seal Dissolved paint will settle to the bottom HHW Paint Thinners Clean solvent can be poured off the top into another container and reused Remaining paint sludge should be mixed in with oil-based paint Or allow it to dry completely then dispose of in other household waste 11

12 HHW Wood Preservatives Highly toxic mixture of solvents and pesticides Chromated arsenicals, pentachlorophenol and creosote have no registered residential uses and should not be used by individuals HHW Wood Preservatives Treated wood should never be used as firewood Can give off toxic fumes HHW Pool Chemicals Contain chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, strong bases, or strong acids Are corrosive, can cause severe burns, present a fire hazard Should be used or given to someone who can use them HHW - Pesticides Three common categories: Herbicides kill plants Insecticides kill insects Rodenticides kill rodents Discard by using it for its intended purpose Do so according to label instructions HHW - Pesticides Rinse containers three times with water Empty container should be disposed of with other household trash Never reuse or burn empty containers HHW - Pesticides Never give away pesticides that are banned or unlabeled Banned pesticides contain: Aldrin Chlordane DDT Dieldran 12

13 Endrin Silvex HHW - Pesticides Sodium Cyanide Sodium Arsenate (>2%) Toxaphene HHW Pesticides For a complete list of banned substances contact: Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industry HHW Pesticides If pesticide can not be used, is banned, or unlabelled, store in original container until it can be taken to a HHW site If original container is in bad condition, transfer material to similar container and label it Include product description, handling/disposal instructions, date of transfer Chapter Solid Waste Collection and Transportation Table of contents Purpose General Definitions Definitions (31) Hazardous Waste Defined in the same manner as that term is defined in the Alabama Hazardous Wastes Management and Minimization Act, Code of Ala. 1975, Section and the regulations promulgated thereunder Definitions (32) Household A single family dwelling 13

14 Definitions (59) Solid Waste All putrescible and nonputrescible discarded materials, except household sewage and livestock and poultry wastes, including, but not limited to, garbage, rubbish, scrap tires, offal, abandoned automobiles and such industrial wastes as are not controlled by other agencies Definitions Recovered materials, uncontaminated concrete, reinforced concrete, soil, brick, rock, and similar materials are not solid waste under this definition and these Rules, with the exception of scrap tires US EPA HHW INFO (1 of 2) US EPA HHW INFO (1 of 2) Additional Information ADEM Regulations Laws ADEM Guidance adem.alabama.gov/programs/land/gu idancereports Additional Information Hazardous Waste Determination Notification of Regulated Waste Activity Hazardous Waste Treatment Options: Permit by Rule Fluorescent and High-Intensity Discharge Lamps RCRA Small Quantity Generator Handbook 14

15 ADEM Phone Numbers Main Number ADEM Ombudsman ADEM (2336) Hazardous Waste Program ADEM Online Faculty James K. Burgess Environmentalist Scientist Senior Compliance and Enforcement Section Industrial Hazardous Waste Branch Land Division Alabama Department of Environmental Management