11.21 - Waste

Last updated on April 25, 2023

POLICY: To provide general procedures to all employees who may handle waste.

SCOPE:

This policy applies to all Spoon River College employees, students, and contractors.

DEFINITIONS:

Waste (aka Solid Waste): The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines solid waste as garbage, refuse, sludge, or other discarded material (including solids, semisolids, liquids, and contained gaseous materials).

Hazardous Waste: According to the EPA, hazardous waste is solid waste that is specifically named on one of four lists of hazardous wastes (List F, K, P or U) or if they exhibit one of four characteristics. For the purpose of this policy List F and K do not apply.

1. Listed Wastes:
   • The P list and the U list (Discarded Commercial Chemical Products): These two lists are similar in that both list pure or commercial grade formulations of certain specific unused chemicals as hazardous. Both the P list and U list are codified in 40 CFR §261.33. A P or U waste code may be applicable, provided that the material is an unused commercial chemical product (CCP). A CCP is a substance that consists of the commercially pure grade of the chemical, any technical grades of the chemical, and all formulations in which the chemical is the sole active ingredient (§261.33(d)).
2. Characteristic Wastes: Even if the waste stream does not meet any of the four listings explained above, it may still be considered a hazardous waste if it exhibits one of four characteristics: ignitability (D001), corrosivity (D002), reactivity (D003) and toxicity (D004-D043).
   • Ignitability: Ignitable wastes create fires under certain conditions or are spontaneously combustible, or have a flash point less than 60 °C (140 °F). The characteristic of ignitability is found at 40 CFR §261.21.
   • Corrosivity: Corrosive wastes are acids or bases (pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5) that are capable of corroding metal containers, such as storage tanks, drums, and barrels. The characteristic of corrosivity is found at 40 CFR §261.22.
   • Reactivity: Reactive wastes are unstable under "normal" conditions. They can cause explosions, toxic fumes, gases, or vapors when mixed with water. The characteristic of reactivity is found at 40 CFR §261.23.
   • Toxicity: Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed (e.g., containing mercury, lead, etc.). When toxic wastes are disposed of on land, contaminated liquid may drain (leach) from the waste and pollute ground water. Toxicity is defined through a laboratory procedure called the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). The toxicity characteristic is found at 40 CFR §261.24.

DETAILS:

1. Employees are prohibited from disposing of any hazardous waste materials in the trash dumpsters or by pouring the material down any drain or sewer. Always assume the waste material is a hazardous.
2. The mixture of any quantity of hazardous waste with a non-hazardous waste is prohibited. Per the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) “mixture rule” the whole amount becomes hazardous once mixed) (example: used oil mixed with parts cleaning solvents or other hazardous wastes).
3. Do not allow rainwater to get into any waste container or add a liquid to a waste container. Wastes containing free liquids cannot be land filled and must be disposed in another manner, generally at much greater cost.
4. Hazardous wastes may ONLY be shipped to a permitted facility.
5. All employees involved with hazardous waste management are trained on the proper disposal of hazardous waste.
6. All contractors involved with hazardous waste management are required possess and comply with their own Waste Management Program, which must be in compliance with OSHA regulations (where applicable).
7. Store all hazardous wastes properly while maintained on-site:
   1. at a designated storage location.
   2. in DOT approved containers.
   3. ensure that containers are in good condition (no physical damage, corrosion, etc.).
   4. containers are compatible with the waste to be stored.
   5. containers are handled in a manner that will not cause the container to spill or leak.
   6. containers are kept closed at all times, except to add or remove waste, segregate containers of incompatible wastes and maintain adequate aisle space between container rows to allow access for firefighting or spill control.
   7. inspect containers regularly.
   8. mark all containers with the date accumulation began (date filled).
   9. label all containers with the words, “Hazardous Waste.”