SECTION 3
CHEMICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
Waste generated by the University is to be managed in accordance with industrial waste rules, i.e., rules for hazardous waste and industrial/institutional solid wastes. Local solid waste management rules prohibit placing any hazardous, liquid, or infectious waste, or any other waste that may pose a threat to the environment or public health, in a solid waste landfill.
Much of the University's chemical waste originates in laboratories. Laboratory sinks discharge to the City of Raleigh sewer and are eventually treated at the waste water treatment plan prior to release to the environment. The regulation of these wastes is intended to ensure efficient treatment of sewage without creating a hazardous waste sludge, or affecting the treatment process. Water containing non-recoverable residues, such as from washing or rinsing glassware or empty bottles, may be discharged. However in common cleaning operations, such as acetone washes or dichromate cleaning, the cleaning solutions must be collected and managed as hazardous wastes.
Discharge limits and prohibitions on sewer discharges have been established by the City of Raleigh. Section 8-2112, Paragraph (b) of the City Code includes the following specific prohibitions:
- Any flammable (flash point less than 140 degrees F) or explosive liquid, solid, or gas.
- Any solids greater than 1/4 inch in any dimension.
- Any discharge containing more than 300 mg/L of oil or grease from animal or vegetable sources, or 100 mg/L oil or grease from mineral or petroleum sources.
- Any discharge having a pH less than 5.0 or greater than 12.0.
- Radioactive wastes or isotopes except as specifically approved by the POTW Director.
- Stormwater, ground or surface water, swimming pool drainage, condensate, and noncontact cooling water except as specifically authorized by the POTW Director.
- Any medical wastes except as authorized by the POTW Director.
- Any material containing ammonia, ammonia salts, or other chelating agents which will produce metallic complexes that interfere with the municipal wastewater system.
- Any material that would be identified as a hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste, liquid waste, infectious waste, and any other wastes that may pose a threat to the environment or the public health are prohibited from disposal at local solid waste landfills, and must not be placed in campus dumpsters. Contact EHSC at 515-6863 for information regarding appropriate waste disposal methods. Contact Physical Plant at 515-2181 for information regarding dumpster locations and municipal waste management.
Waste management safety and waste accumulation concerns are addressed in more detail at Hazardous Waste Inspection Concerns and Hazardous Waste Inspections Update.
Storage areas should be orderly and suitable for the types and quantities of materials in storage.
Facilities must be maintained and operated to minimize the possibility of a fire, explosion, or any unplanned sudden or non-sudden release of hazardous waste.
Maintain aisle space to allow the unobstructed movement of personnel, fire protection equipment, spill control equipment, and decontamination equipment to any area of facility operations in an emergency, unless aisle space is not needed for any of these purposes.
Hazardous wastes may be accumulated for treatment, disposal, or reuse. While in the generator's possession, containers must be compatible with their contents, in good condition, and clearly marked "Hazardous Waste" or with other words that identify the contents of the container. All wastes must be marked with the word “Waste”from the time that waste is first added.
Separate wastes into their simplest components. Wastes that are generated at several locations of a process, or removed from various steps, should be collected separately to allow for the most effective methods of recycling, treatment, or disposal.
Store waste chemicals in appropriate containers. Put liquids in narrow-necked, screw-capped bottles or approved cans or drums. Gloves, paper, and similar dry solid wastes may be stored in sealed plastic bags. Other solid wastes may be stored in bottles, jars, or plastic-lined sealed boxes.
Do not overfill containers with liquids. Allow a "breathing space" of 10% of the container volume between the level of the material and the top of the container.
Do not use corks or rubber stoppers for closures on liquid waste containers.
Whenever feasible and safe, larger containers of a given waste are preferred to many small containers of the same material. However, container sizes are limited for materials that pose certain hazards. For example, oxidizing acids, such as nitric or perchloric acid, are limited to containers no larger than 5 pints. Other highly hazardous materials, such as potential explosives, are limited to one pound or less. Environmental Affairs personnel will provide assistance in determining appropriate container types and sizes.
Do not allow labs, especially teaching labs, to accumulate wastes until the end of the semester. Waste collection should be scheduled regularly to maintain a safe work environment, limit the complexity of wastes handled, and prevent the creation of unknown or unidentified wastes.
Areas shall not accumulate more than 55 gallons of hazardous waste, or more than 1 kilogram of acutely hazardous waste, at any one time. Waste shall not be stored in or near a work area for more than 90 days. Notify EHSC at 515-6863 or 515-6864 to schedule removal of these materials.
Keep waste containers inside a secondary containment device, such as a dish pan or tray, so that any leaks that might develop in the primary container will not contaminate the laboratory.
Containers must be kept closed except when adding or removing materials.
Containers must be free from outside contamination.
Completely identify all waste as it is added to the waste container with its chemical name. (Note: Certain materials, such as biological media, do not have chemical names. When identified, these materials will be considered for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.) Keep the waste inventory up to date, possibly with an inventory sheet next to each waste container. List the approximate volume added, approximate composition, date added, and initials of the person adding the waste.
Once accumulated as a hazardous waste, only elementary neutralization in tanks or containers and certain recycling activities conducted by the generator are allowed without a permit.
Procedures or processes can be modified to neutralize, detoxify, reduce in volume, recycle/reclaim, or otherwise minimize or render waste non-hazardous.
Container Acceptance and Collection
Unacceptable containers for transport by hazardous waste personnel include:
Safety cans without DOT
specification
Containers with closures mounted to flexible spouts
Containers with cork, rubber, or ground glass stoppers
Beakers, round-bottomed flasks, or similar laboratory glassware
Containers that are physically or chemically incompatible with the contents
Transfer the contents of any containers in poor condition before transportation. Pack broken bottles or leaking containers in another container, such as a chemically resistant sealed bag, wide-mouth jar, or other sturdy container appropriate for the contents to ensure safe transport.
Waste and surplus chemicals are regularly collected from over 1000 labs, shops, offices, and miscellaneous storage areas. Scheduling for waste collection is based on building location, supplemented by electronic filing of waste forms and call-in requests for waste pickup.
Regulations and permits prohibit EHSC from accepting waste materials from non-University organizations, such as the corporate tenants or other State facilities.
Do not package waste containers prior to pickup. Every container and identification form must be inspected prior to removal by hazardous waste personnel.
Have the waste ready for removal at least one day before the collection day. One person familiar with the waste must be available at the scheduled pick-up time to answer any questions.
Any discrepancy discovered during the collection of waste will be referred to the specific generator responsible for proper identification.
UNKNOWN MATERIALS, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS, OR PATHOGENS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED. For assistance in waste identification and disposal options, contact EHSC at 515-6863.
Generators of chemical wastes, or users of chemicals in the workplace, are responsible for the identification of their materials. Every effort should be made to ensure proper identification of all chemicals throughout their storage and use cycle. Identification may be through chemical analyses, contact with the manufacturer, or other method by which sufficient information may be obtained to properly complete the chemical identification form. Documentation, such as analytical results or material safety data sheets, attesting to the identification of the material shall be provided to waste collection personnel.
Unidentified materials shall be considered hazardous, with the potential of being ignitable, reactive, corrosive, toxic, or any combination of these characteristics, depending on the appearance, container, source, or other preliminary information.
Recycling, Recovery, or Disposal by University Units other than EHSC
Individual generators may enter into agreements with contract service companies that provide new materials and collect waste. However, all such agreements must be submitted to the Environmental Health and Safety Center for review prior to being finalized . Any generator involved in such recycling services must comply with requirements for hazardous waste generators. For further information and assistance, contact EHSC at 515-6863.
Procedure
1. Generators will notify EHSC of intent to contract recycling services. Notification will include generator name and location, type of material for recycling, frequency of service, and name and address of recycler.
2. EHSC will review the notification and determine regulatory requirements for the activity.
3. Services determined to be governed under hazardous waste rules will be coordinated among the generator, recycler, and EHSC. Other services will remain the responsibility of the generator.
4. The recycler will provide the requested service, obtaining signatures of authorized generator representatives on work orders or service agreements.
5. The recycler will provide EHSC copies of the signed work orders or service agreements. A hazardous waste manifest and supporting documentation will be prepared and signed by authorized EHSC personnel.
The generator must keep a copy of the reclamation agreement in his or her files for at least three (3) years after termination or expiration of the agreement.
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