Introduction to Managing

Hazardous WastePresented by: Steven Shaffer, CHMM

Industrial Hygienist

Objectives

• Describe the major components of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

• Explain how to identify, and accumulate, hazardous waste in accordance with RCRA

• Describe how to properly label and prepare hazardous waste for disposal

• Introduce generator status requirements

I. What is the Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The mission of the U.S.E.P.A. is to protect

human health and to safeguard the natural

environment -- air, water, land, upon which

life depends. - 1999 EPA strategic plan -

Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)

• Enacted in 1976 by EPA as an amendment to the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA)

• Main objectives:– Protect human health & the

environment– conserve valuable material &

energy resources• Established "Cradle-to-grave"

management and tracking of hazardous waste

• EPA inspectors have same authority as FBI/ATF

RCRA Administration• EPA administers RCRA• States may be authorized by the EPA• Iowa does not administer state program• RCRA program in Iowa is administered

directly by the EPA Region VII, in Kansas City, Kansas

USEPA Regions

II. Identification of Chemical Hazardous

Waste

Two Steps of Hazardous Waste Management

1. What is hazardous waste?

2. How do I collect my hazardous waste?

What is Hazardous Waste?

• Used Chemicals• Expired chemicals• Old chemicals without expiration dates• Waste “test”

– What is this chemical?– How do I use it?– How often is it used?– Is the material still suitable for its intended

use?

Criteria for Determining Hazardous Waste

• Listed (EPA activity)• Characteristics (generator activity)

Listed Waste

• Unused or off-specification materials

– U-List, Toxic and other– P-List, Acutely toxic materials

• Used material or mixture of solvents

– F-list, Hazardous waste from nonspecific sources, spent solvents

– D-list, toxic materials

Characteristic Waste

• Ignitable• Flammable liquids, flashpoint < 60 C (140 F)• Oxidizers, Organic Peroxides, Flammable

compressed gasses • Any material, other than a liquid, that is

capable of spontaneous and sustained combustion under standard temperature and pressure.

• Corrosive• Aqueous liquids with a pH < 2 or pH > 12• Inorganic acids, Organic acids, Bases

Characteristic Waste Cont.

• Reactive• Materials which can react violently or create

toxic fumes.• Sulfides,Cyanides, Peroxide formers, Alkali

metals, Dinitro, Trinitro compounds, Carbonyl compounds, isocyanates, and perchlorate crystal formers

• Toxic• This includes 8 heavy metals, 10 pesticides,

and 21 organic compounds. • D-list

III. PackagingHazardous Waste

Packaging Your Waste for Disposal

• Compatible containers• Lids• Screw-cap containers are best• Labeled

Labeling

• Label all chemical waste containers with the word “Hazardous Waste", e.g., “Hazardous Waste, Acetone"

• Permanent labels• Utilize proper chemical name or

common names• Do not use formulas, symbols or

structural configurations• State active ingredients when using

trade names

Waste Segregation

• Compatible• Inorganic vs. organic• Halogenated vs. non-halogenated• Pump oil• Compressed gas cylinders

• Sharps in puncture-proof containers

(needles, syringes, razor blades)

Unknown Chemicals

• Unknowns are serious EPA violations

• Prevention of Unknowns– Maintain legible labels– Review and rotate chemical stock– Keep proper inventory records

Empty Containers

• A container is empty if all wastes have been removed using common practices for the type of container.

• Triple rinse P-listed waste containers and handle rensate as hazardous waste.

• Remove label.• Dispose of empty containers in the normal

refuse.

IV. GeneratorStatus

Generator Status

• Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator

• Small Quantity Generator• Large Quantity Generator

Generator Requirements Cont.

• Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG)

• Identify all Hazardous Waste generated• Send all hazardous waste to a permitted

hazardous waste management facility.

Generator Status Cont.

• Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG)

• Generate < 100 Kg Hazardous Waste and < 1 Kg P - list in a calendar month

• Accumulate no more than 1,000 Kg of Hazardous Waste at any time

Generator Requirements Cont.

• Small Quantity Generator (SQG)• Register, obtain EPA ID number• Comply with Hazardous Waste container

requirements in 40 CFR 265.• Meet requirements of Satellite Accumulation

Areas, (SAA)• Provide an Emergency Response Coordinator• Post the name and phone number of

emergency response coordinator, location of spill kit, fire alarm, fire extinguisher, and fire department number near phone

SQG Requirements Cont.

• Ensure employees know how to respond to emergencies and how to handle hazardous waste

• Establish record keeping on:• Procedures for waste characterization• Documentation on generator status• Registration• Manifests• Container inspection• Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR)• Correspondence with local emergency responders

Generator Requirements

• Large Quantity Generator (LQG)• Register, obtain EPA ID number• Comply with Hazardous Waste container

requirements in 40 CFR 265.• Meet requirements of Satellite Accumulation

Areas, (SAA) and accumulation areas• Prepare a Contingency Plan• Develop and implement a formal training

program• Maintain record keeping as a SQG and include

training records, contingency planning, and biannual reporting.

Requirement (40 CFR) CESQG SQG LQG

Waste determination yes yes yes

Generation Rate limits < 100 Kg/month 100-1000 Kg/month >1000 KG/ month

Accumulation limit w/o Permit

< 1000 Kg at any time < 6000 Kg No limit

< 1 Kg P-list

Accumulation time N/A 180 days 90 days

EPA ID number N/A yes yes

Start date N/A yes yes

"Hazardous Waste" N/A yes yes

Air emission standard N/A N/A yes

Satellite Accumulation N/A yes yes

Use Manifests N/A yes yes

Exception Reporting N/ARequired after 35

daysRequired after 45

days

Biennial Report N/A N/A yes

Contingency Plan N/A Basic Planning Full written plan

RCRA Training N/A Basic training Full Compliance

Storage Requirements N/A Yes Yes

Record Keeping Waste Determination

Generation log

Summary of Generator Status

How do I dispose of my waste?

• If you are LQG or SQG you must use an Environmental Services company.

• If you are CESQG you can use the Household Hazardous Materials Regional Collection Centers

• Iowa waste exchange program

HHM Regional Collection Centers

Resources• Iowa Waste Reduction Center

– www.iwrc.org/index.htm

• Iowa Waste Exchange– www.iowadnr.com/waste/iwe/index.html

• Iowa DNR– www.iowadnr.com

• Regional Collection Centers– www.iowadnr.com/waste/hhm/index.html

• EPA Region 7– www.era.gov/Region7

Questions???