Section D.6
University of South Carolina Safety Program Guide
HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL
Introduction
Hazardous wastes are generated from numerous sources at the University of South
Carolina including teaching and research laboratories, paint shops, art department
workshops, maintenance shops and motor vehicle maintenance shops. Hazardous waste
generators at each of these sites are responsible for determining if their wastes are
hazardous and for properly collecting, storing and labeling them. The Hazardous Waste
Management team is responsible for properly processing hazardous wastes for disposal
through an external contractor in accordance with Federal and State regulations. This
document provides information for safe handling and accumulation, as well as proper
labeling and packaging, of hazardous wastes prior to their disposal.
Scope and Application
What is a Hazardous Waste?
A waste is a solid, liquid, or a compressed gaseous material that you no longer use, and
store until you have enough to treat or dispose of. Certain wastes can cause serious
problems if not handled and disposed of carefully. Such wastes could: 1.) cause death or
serious irreversible or incapacitating illness; 2.) damage or pollute the land, water, or air.
The U. S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of South Carolina's
Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) have classified hazardous
wastes into two categories: (a) characteristic wastes or (b) listed wastes.
Characteristic Wastes
Characteristic wastes are materials that may be hazardous if they have one or more of the
following characteristics:
Ignitable waste (Flash point at or below 60· C (140· F); oxidizers)
Corrosive waste (pH less than or equal to 2, or greater than or equal to 12.5).
Reactive waste (Unstable or undergoes rapid or violent chemical reaction with water or
other material and releases toxic gases).
Toxic waste (If an extract from the waste is tested and found to contain high
concentration of heavy metals or specific organic compounds that could be released into
ground water).
EHS-G-D6
Page 1
Destroy Previous Revisions
Date: 4/23/08
Approval: BH
Listed Wastes
Listed wastes: The EPA and DHEC identify approximately 500 chemicals and hazardous
wastes by technical name in four (4) different lists. If the name of the waste material
generated by your operation appears in any one of these four lists, you must consider the
waste as a hazardous waste. If you need a copy of the Listed Wastes, contact the
Hazardous Waste Manager at 777-2839.
Regulating Hazardous Waste
Regulations pertaining to the disposal of hazardous wastes originate from the Resource
Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA). These regulations specify that hazardous wastes
can be legally disposed of at EPA approved disposal facilities. Hazardous waste
generators have direct control over how efficiently hazardous wastes are managed within
their laboratories or work-place. Each hazardous waste generator should develop standard
operating procedures in their laboratories or work-place, in accordance with all applicable
regulatory requirements, to identify, segregate and temporarily store hazardous wastes.
This can help protect their operation from any regulatory actions by the EPA and/or
DHEC. EPA and DHEC can levy substantial fines or prison sentences against persons
handling and/or disposing of hazardous wastes improperly. The Hazardous Waste
Management team of the University will provide oversight to assist you in achieving
compliance with the regulations.
Program Description
Responsibilities of Hazardous Waste Generators
All personnel generating hazardous wastes have the following responsibilities with regard
to hazardous wastes in their laboratory or work-place:
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
To select chemicals carefully, become familiar with their individual hazards, and
to manage and dispose of all hazardous wastes in compliance with all mandated
regulations and University of South Carolina policies.
To properly identify, segregate, collect, and label all hazardous wastes.
To segregate non hazardous waste from hazardous waste.
To contact the Health and Safety office if they need containers to collect and store
hazardous wastes in their work-place or laboratory.
To ensure that the hazardous waste containers are always kept closed except when
adding waste to or removing waste.
To ensure that all hazardous waste containers are properly labeled and stored in a
safe location.
To ensure that different waste streams (radioactive, chemical, or biological) will
not be mixed together.
To initiate a meaningful waste minimization plan through substitution, scale
reduction, purchase control and/or recycling.
EHS-G-D6
Page 2
Destroy Previous Revisions
Date: 4/23/08
Approval: BH
Deciding which wastes are hazardous and which are non-hazardous can present some
difficulties. It is the responsibility of the generator to make the determination if their
wastes are hazardous. If you need assistance, contact the Hazardous Waste Manager at
Environmental Health and Safety 777-2839.
Collecting and Storing Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste liquids must be collected in shatter proof containers provided by the
Hazardous Waste Management Team. Each container must be properly identified as to its
contents.
The hazardous waste tags provided by the Hazardous Waste Management Team, or
equivalent labeling system should be used and should include approximate quantities of
each material present. You must use the chemical name or the trade name, not chemical
formula or any other abbreviation.
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Do not mix dissimilar waste streams (e.g., organic solvents and aqueous
solutions). To save money, the Hazardous Waste Management Team tries to
consolidate similar waste streams whenever possible. We cannot consolidate and
ship organic solvents contaminated with aqueous solutions. Waste organic
solvents containers with more than one layer will not be accepted for disposal.
Every hazardous waste container must be closed and sealed with a proper lid, at
all times. The Hazardous Waste Management team will not accept containers
closed with rubber stoppers, corks, or para-film wrappers.
Do not fill liquid waste receptacles to more than 80% capacity. This is to prevent
spillage out of containers. The top and sides of the container must be free of
hazardous waste residue.
Contaminated solid waste materials like gloves and paper towels may be collected
in cardboard boxes and/or plastic containers. All needles, syringes, and razors
must be placed in containers specifically designed for sharp objects. Never use the
liquid waste container to dispose of such contaminated solid wastes.
Pipettes and other glassware must be placed in separate containers provided by
the Custodial Services and discarded like regular household trash, unless
contaminated with extremely toxic compounds. Contact the Hazardous Waste
Manager if you need any additional information 777-2839.
Labeling Hazardous Waste Containers
To comply with applicable Federal and State regulations, every hazardous waste
container must be tagged properly using the Hazardous Waste Tags furnished by the
Hazardous Waste Management team or equivalent label.
The following information must be provided by the generator on each tag.
ƒ
Name of Principal Investigator.
EHS-G-D6
Page 3
Destroy Previous Revisions
Date: 4/23/08
Approval: BH
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Phone number, room number and building.
Names of each chemical inside the container.
Percentage of each chemical inside of the container.
Quantity (in pounds or grams for solids, and in ounces or gallons for liquids).
Container type and size.
The hazardous waste management team is required to provide the above information to
the hazardous waste disposal contractor. This information will help the hazardous waste
contractor to plan packing requirements prior to arriving at our accumulation point.
Gas Cylinders and Aerosol Cans Containing Hazardous Material(s)
Disposal cost of compressed gas cylinders and aerosol cans are very high. The best way
to control the cost associated with disposal of these two items is to buy only the necessary
amount and use them as soon as possible. If the pressure in a lecture bottle is equal to
atmospheric pressure, the generator can legally declare the container to be empty and
discard that with other non-regulated wastes.
Compressed gas cylinders containing corrosive materials (for example, HBr), tend to
corrode the valve and trap the gas inside. If the valve mechanism is not in good condition,
disposal companies will not accept the lecture bottle from the Hazardous Waste
Management team for disposal.
Unknown Hazardous Waste Materials
Hazardous waste management regulations specifically prohibit transportation, storage,
and disposal of unknown waste materials. Every effort must be made by the generator of
the unknown to determine the container’s contents. Should you need assistance in
properly identifying your unknowns, the Hazardous Waste Manager may be able to assist
you.
Waste Minimization / Source Reduction
Waste Minimization
Federal and state regulations concerning hazardous wastes mandates large quantity
generators like USC to develop and implement waste minimization programs.
Departments and operational units can significantly reduce the amount of hazardous
wastes generated through material substitution, recycling, purchase control and scale
reduction. Waste minimization results in lower disposal cost and fewer regulatory
constraints. All hazardous waste generators must implement the following methods at
their worksite to minimize the amount of hazardous waste generated by their operation.
Substitution
EHS-G-D6
Page 4
Destroy Previous Revisions
Date: 4/23/08
Approval: BH
Whenever possible substitute hazardous materials with less hazardous ones.
Scale Reduction
Micro-scale experiments are becoming popular not only in research laboratories but also
in teaching laboratories. Scale reduction of experiments and procedures will reduce the
quantity of hazardous waste generated.
Controlling the Purchase of Hazardous Materials
More than 50% of the hazardous waste disposed through the Hazardous Waste Program
over the past four years has been unused chemicals. These chemicals were commonly
found in their original containers provided by the vendors. When considering this specific
"waste stream," there are two separate costs involved: the cost of the unused chemical(s)
and the cost associated with the disposal of the chemical(s) as a hazardous waste.
Although initially it may be cheaper to buy hazardous materials in large quantities, the
costs associated with the disposal of the subsequent waste (i.e., hazardous waste) are very
high. Proper planning can control the amount of chemicals purchased and effectively
reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated.
Recycling
When feasible, materials should be reused until they can no longer be used for their
intended purpose.
Services Provided by USC Hazardous Waste Team
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Provide consultation and technical information, if requested, on hazardous wastes
and their appropriate disposal methods.
Supply containers to collect different types of hazardous wastes.
Furnish tags to properly identify hazardous wastes.
Pick up properly identified and packaged hazardous wastes from work areas for
proper disposal.
Coordinate the removal of large amounts of hazardous waste from a work place, if
and when necessary, through an external contractor.
Assist you to develop your own waste minimization plan.
Monitor the amount of hazardous waste generated from each laboratory and work
place.
Assist you to develop an emergency response plan, which may be adequate for
your work site, in the event of an accident or a chemical spill.
Act as a liaison between you and the regulators, like the EPA and DHEC, if
necessary.
If you have questions about proper disposal, consult your Hazardous Waste Manager or
EHS at 777-5269.
EHS-G-D6
Page 5
Destroy Previous Revisions
Date: 4/23/08
Approval: BH
Roles and Responsibilities
Department
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Identify all departmental activities that could result in the generation of hazardous
waste
Be aware of University policies and procedures for proper disposal of hazardous
wastes
Distribute information on hazardous waste disposal (including pickup schedules)
to all applicable parties
Supervisors
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Ensure that all individuals involved in activities that generate waste understand
and follow the waste disposal policies and procedures
Periodically review current practices to minimize the quantities of hazardous
waste generated
Ensure that all chemical wastes are disposed of properly at the conclusion of a
project and that wastes are properly identified for disposal before the responsible
individual leaves the University
EHS
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Administer hazardous waste disposal services contracts
Provide technical advice on proper waste classification, storage and disposal
practices
Maintain disposal records and generate state-required reports of hazardous waste
activity
Individual
ƒ
ƒ
Follow established practices for disposal of chemical wastes
Properly dispose of all wastes at the conclusion of a project and before leaving the
University
For More Information
ƒ
Contact the Hazardous Waste Manager at 777-2839.
EHS-G-D6
Page 6
Destroy Previous Revisions
Date: 4/23/08
Approval: BH