Introduction to Hazardous Waste Management in Schools

1. Introduction to Hazardous Waste Management in Schools Hazardous Waste Compliance Unit Bureau of Remediation & Waste Management Department of Environmental Protection 207-287-2651

2. What Is Hazardous Waste? • It Is: • A useless, unwanted, or discarded chemical • whether or not such substance has any other or future use • includes spilled, leaked, pumped, poured, emitted, disposed, emptied, or dumped onto the land or into the water or ambient air

3. So Why Is This Important to Schools? • We all want our children safe • Students are learning skills they will take with them to the work place • They should be safe at school and at work • Improperly managed hazardous waste may impact the classroom, whole school, and the environment • We need to get this right the first time

4. Hazardous Waste in Schools • Science labs - formaldehyde, acids, lead, mercury and other chemicals • Art - paints, thinners, solder, glazes • Agriculture - herbicides & pesticides • Auto repair - parts cleaner, waste oil, anti-freeze • Auto body - paint, thinners, bondo, degreasers, hardeners from fiberglassing • Carpentry - paints, stains, preservatives, adhesives, roofing cement

5. Hazardous Waste in Schools • Machine technology - cutting fluids, degreasers • Photography - fixer with silver, corrosives • Printing technology - inks, printwash, rags • Custodial and maintenance - paint, pesticides, acid or caustic cleaners • All schools - old materials such as duplicator fluid, universal waste, CRTs, waste lamps

6. Schools are Small Quantity Generators • DON’T accumulate more than 55 gallons of hazardous waste on site at any time. • Store safely and securely in a locked room that is NOT accessible to untrained staff/students

7. Store hazardous waste in containers of 55 gallons or less in size

8. And Not Like This !

9. Label... • each container with the words: “Hazardous Waste” • the date you first deposit waste in it, • the date the container becomes full

10. Dispose of using a hazardous waste manifest

11. DEP, DOE and Maine School Management have a list of transporters! • Call MSMA for help!!!! • Use a hazardous waste transporter • Ship to a hazardous waste facility • Transporters and facilities are licensed and will have EPA ID #s

12. Report spills and discharges to the DEP at 1-800-452-4664

13. May use the generic ID number MEX020000000 Must ship waste within 180 days of the full date

14. Do Not Treat Waste unless licensed to do so by the Department Evaporation is never licensed or allowed • this could be items under a hood • or rags left to dry

15. No Treatment unless licensed to do so by the Department • Dilution is not the solution • Burning, and evaporation would be a form of treatment • Flynn Guidelines often involve treatment, which is prohibited unless licensed • There are some exemptions from licensing • Neutralization is a form of treatment

16. Common problems at schools Containers of unknowns

17. Old inventory, out of date, in poor condition (fuzzy tops) Incompatibles stored together Common problems at schools

18. In the trash - rags with listed solvents, solids and other hazardous materials Down the drain - solvents, heavy metals, photo fixer, and lab chemicals Mixing waste parts cleaner with waste oil and burning in a waste oil burner Open containers left to evaporate Too much inventory with no review of usefulness (is it a waste?) Common School Problems

19. Common problems at schools Mercury

20. Mercury cleanup • Don’t touch mercury • The immediate area should be blocked off to prevent tracking • The heat should be reduced and cooling/ventilation increased • Don’t use a vacuum or broom to cleanup mercury spills. • Special vacuums are available from environmental contractors • A contractor is needed at schools (few exceptions) • If the spill occurred on a carpet, it may be necessary to remove the carpeting • Need sampling to confirm levels are safe at schools

21. Solutions for schools • Micro chemistry reduces cost of inventory, health risk, and disposal costs • Substitute safer materials for less risk and lower disposal costs • Form a committee to review chemical management • Get and maintain a complete inventory(DOE Ch. 161) • Make a chemical management plan (DOE Ch. 161) • Sign up for DEPs school Mercury clean-out

22. Solutions for schools • Train staff • Clean up and clean out • Don’t purchase hazardous materials • Keep things closed • Don’t accept a donation that can’t be used • Practice integrated pest management • Centralize the inventory and purchasing

23. The End