Hazardous Waste
Reduction Program
Environmental Health and Safety
SUNY at Stony Brook
Program Objectives
Protect human health & the
environment and to eliminate the
generation of hazardous waste.
Meet or exceed compliance with the
1990 New York State Law
# 6NYCRR Part 378
2
Training Objectives

Learn about Hazardous Waste
Reduction Program to minimize waste
generation in the workplace.
3
Hazardous Waste
Reduction Program
1990 Hazardous Waste Reduction & Air/
Water Toxic Chemical Reduction Plans
Applies to Generators of:
 >25 tons of Hazardous Waste
 > 20 tons/yr Air discharges
 > 6 tons/yr Water discharges
4
Business Definition of Waste
“Anything other than the minimum
amount of materials, parts, space,
equipment and worker’s time which are
absolutely essential to add value to the
product.”
5
Waste Reduction Plan
Source reduction is the preferred option
including, Chemical Substitution,
Reformulation and Process redesign.
Waste reduction through reuse,
recovery or recycling is less preferred.
Treatment & thermal destruction not
acceptable after 1993
Land disposal not acceptable after
1991
6
Evaluate Each Stream for:
Substitution of non toxic materials
Substitution of less toxic materials
Reformulation to eliminate toxics
Modification of production process
Changes in material usage
 inventory control
 preventive maintenance program
7
Waste Reduction Plan must include:
Identification of types & amounts of
waste.
Description of the process that
generates it.
Amount of waste generated per unit of
production.
Estimate of costs for managing waste.
List of technically feasible measures.
8
Waste Reduction Plan must include:
Estimate of anticipated waste reduction
achievable using technically feasible
measures.
Implementation schedule.
Research & Development programs
Estimate of waste transferred to other
media.
Facility Waste Reduction Policies.
Description of Training Program.
9
Benefits of Waste Reduction
Reduced waste disposal costs.
Reduced environmental compliance
costs.
Increased environmental awareness by
employees.
Reduced overhead costs.
Reduced exposure to future liabilities.
Enhanced professional image.
10
Life Cycle of Waste Reduction
Assess
Options::
Identify
Options:
Investigate
Opportunities
Implement
Options:
Sustain & Expand
Waste Reduction
11
Waste Minimization
SUNY at Stony Brook is committed to
Waste Minimization*
*The reduction of hazardous waste that is
generated using the following methods:
 Source reduction
 Reuse
 Recycling
12
Waste Minimization
Source Reduction
Substitute non-hazardous or less toxic
chemicals for hazardous.
Use smaller quantities in your process.
Use “micro glassware”
13
Waste Minimization
Source Reduction - Substitution
Original Material
Substitute Material
Formaldehyde
- Formalin solution
Halogenated
- Non-halogenated
Sodium dichromate - Sodium hypochlorite
Xylene or toluene - Alcohols or ketones
Solvent in
- Non-solvent based
Scintillation vials
scintillation vials
14
Waste Minimization
Source Reduction - Chromic acid
Limit use of chromic acid in cleaning,
try commercial cleaners such as:
Alconox
Nonchromix
Liqui-Nox
Potassium hydroxide in alcohol
Dilute hydrochloric acid
Ultrasonic cleaning
15
Waste Minimization
Source Reduction - Purchasing
Limit the amount you order.
Do not stockpile chemicals.
Rotate stocks to use chemicals before
shelf-life expires.
Keep up-to-date inventories and avoid
ordering chemicals you already have.
16
Waste Minimization
Source Reduction - Purchasing
Do not accept excess chemicals from
other institutions or “free” chemicals from
outside the University.
Investigate use of pre weighed or microscale, pre-weighed packages from
chemical vendors.
17
Waste Minimization
 Reuse
Do not dispose of chemicals that can be
reused. If a colleague can not use it, give
material to the EH&S Surplus Chemical
Exchange Program. Call EH&S @ 2-6410
18
Waste Minimization
 Recycling
If you generate waste solvent that could
be redistilled and recycled. i.e. xylene
recycler in Pathology. Consider the
purchase of a solvent recycler. Call EH&S
@ 2-6410 for assistance.
19
Waste Minimization
 Reclaimation
If your waste contains precious metals
your waste stream may be a valuable
byproduct. i.e. Silver recovery systems.
Consider installation of reclaimer. Call
EH&S @ 2-6410 for assistance.
20
Waste Minimization
 Reclaimation - off-site
Wastes can be sent to a commercial
recycling facility. i.e.
lead-acid batteries
fluorescent lamps
used oil
waste mercury
Safety-Kleen solvent
21
Waste Minimization
Treatment
Elementary neutralization (pH adjustment) is
allowed to reduce the toxicity of a chemical.
Deionizer Resin Regeneration
Ethidium Bromide Neutralization
Gluteraldehyde Neutralization
Ethyl Oxide Neutralization
22
Waste Minimization
Treatment
Detoxification of end-products by a Principle
Investigator, if feasible, is preferred to
sending waste off-site for disposal.
23
Waste Minimization
Mixed Wastes
It is much easier to dispose of individual
wastes streams.
Do not mix wastes i.e. radioactive,
hazardous, nonhazardous or RMW.
Do not mix halogenated with nonhalogenated solvents.
Do not mix solvents with aqueous
waste.
24
Waste Minimization
Multimedia Pollution.
Do not transfer waste from one media to
another. Such as:
Evaporating waste solvent in a hood
transfers waste to the air.
Washing solid waste down the drain
transfers waste to water.
25
Waste Minimization
Waste Minimization is Pollution Prevention
Pollution Prevention helps everyone’s
bottom line and
Helps protect the environment
26
Hazardous Waste Management Program
TEST
-
Question
Which of the following is an example of
reducing Hazardous Waste at the source?
A) Limit the amount you order.
B) Do not stockpile chemicals.
C) Rotate stocks to use chemicals before
shelf-life expires.
D) Keep up-to-date inventories and avoid
ordering chemicals you already have.
E) All of the above
27
Hazardous Waste Management Program
TEST - Answer
The Correct Answer is:
A) Limit the amount you order.
B) Do not stockpile chemicals.
C) Rotate stocks to use chemicals before
shelf-life expires.
D) Keep up-to-date inventories and avoid
ordering chemicals you already have.
E) All of the above
E) All of the above.
28