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Materials and Waste Directory North Carolina State University purchases a significant amount of materials through the course of its varied operations. As a result, there is a need for periodically removing waste materials, unwanted or outdated equipment, and other items in a reasonable and responsible manner. To assist in this effort, a Materials and Waste Directory is presented which provides some general guidance for the disposition of unwanted materials. It is important to emphasize what a waste material is, and when someone must manage it as a waste. A waste is any product, by-product, or other material that is normally discarded. The material becomes a waste (1) when it is removed from the process and is intended for discard, or (2) when it is determined to no longer be of use. The person responsible for the process (the generator) must determine if the material is a waste, and proceed to the subsequent classifications of solid waste, hazardous waste, or non-regulated hazardous waste. The generator must then properly manage the waste in accordance with University policies and procedures. The directory shown in Figure 2 provides general categories and examples of commonly discarded materials, and the organization to contact for information or other services regarding their management. Figure 3 categorizes wastes by source, and again references departments who are primary contacts for these types of wastes.
The key terms relevant to hazardous waste management programs are found in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 260-270. Additional terms are defined in State and Local regulations, including the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Rules and the Raleigh City Code. The definitions provided here have been simplified to avoid possible confusion. Generator: any person whose act or process produces "waste." At NCSU, and for the purpose of this document, this would be the Principal Investigator, Laboratory Supervisor, Manager, Physical Plant Zone Supervisor, or other person responsible for a local area in which chemicals are used or stored. "Generator" will also be used for matters pertaining to the University as a whole. Operator: any person who uses or otherwise handles chemicals in the workplace. This includes the generator, and personnel authorized by the generator, but not the University. Discarded Material: any unwanted material that is disposed of, burned or incinerated, accumulated, stored, or treated. This includes all materials for recycling and most process wastes. Solid Waste: any discarded material, excluding domestic sewage, certain radioactive materials, irrigation return flows, and secondary materials returned to the process under specified conditions. "Solid waste" does not refer to a physical state, and may be solid, liquid, or gas. Hazardous Waste: any solid waste that is ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic, a listed hazardous material, or contains a listed hazardous material. Non-Regulated Hazardous Waste: any solid waste that is technically not a "hazardous waste", but may pose a significant hazard to human health or the environment, or is unacceptable at local solid waste management facilities. Sanitary (municipal) landfills cannot accept liquids or contained gaseous wastes. Wastewater treatment plants must operate within specific limits for their sludges and treated effluent. Ignitable: flash point less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit, an oxidizer, or a flammable solid. Alcohol solutions containing less than 24% alcohol in water are not considered ignitable. Corrosive: aqueous solution with a pH of less than 2 or greater than 12.5, or a liquid that corrodes steel at a rate greater than 0.25 inches per year. Reactive: unstable, reacts violently with water, produces toxic gases, fumes, or vapors with water, contains sulfides or cyanides which may be released at pH conditions between 2 and 12.5, or is capable of detonation or explosion. Toxic Material: any material that may pose a significant threat to human health. According to hazardous waste regulations, a toxic waste is any solid waste that contains certain heavy metals, pesticides, or organic compounds. |
