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Hazard Solutions
Infobrief 1: A Refresher on Waste
Minimization by |
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Why
Minimize Hazardous Wastes: -
reduce disposal costs -
reduce liability -
improve worker safety -
reduce fees and taxes |
To Reduce or Recycle-That is the Question:
Waste can be minimized by either source
reduction or recycling. Reducing hazardous waste at its source is
preferred over recycling since it is best for the environment and is often
cheapest in the long run. There are a
number of ways one can reduce hazardous waste at its source. One common method is having an inventory–control system in place. The best system is one with a real-time
(computer-based) inventory that is accessible to the right people and easy to use. The system should “encourage” people to use
existing products before buying more and also promote “swapping” surplus
products among individuals in the organization.
Needless to say, the success of this system relies on there being a
policy to use the system and sufficient training.
Another way to
prevent waste generation is to substitute
a non-hazardous or less-hazardous product.
For example, buying only mercury-free thermometers means that when it
comes time to dispose of a bro
Additionally an
organization can aim to contain spills. The success of your spill prevention plan
relies on a well thought out written plan which includes procedures to prevent and
respond to spills, an adequate supply of the right spill cleanup materials
nearby, and proper initial and refresher training.
Wastes may also
be minimized or eliminated at their source by changing a process or technology.
For example, a laboratory could decide to run some experiments on a
smaller scale-thus producing less waste products. Another example is when a teaching lab
pre-measures the reagents for the students.
There is less waste due to spillage and surplus. More carefully monitoring a manufacturing
process and/or increasing its efficiency of a process are additional ways to
prevent waste from being generated.
If you cannot
eliminate the hazardous waste at its source, the next best option is
recycling. Recycling can be accomplished
through use, reuse or reclamation. Use and reuse involve continuing to use the
waste in a process without having to alter it in any way. When a company offers its corrosive waste
water to another as a viable product substitution, it is recycling through use.
Most parts washing machines operate on the principle of reuse by recirculating the washing
solution in a closed loop back to the cleaning bath so that it can be used
again. When the solution becomes too
dirty it is replaced with a new solution.
Reclamation involves
processing the waste to regenerate a useful product. A case in point is the above example where
the spent cleaning solution is regenerated (e.g., redistilled) and returned to
the customer. Another example is
reclaiming silver from used photo fixer.
Other wastes from which useful products are reclaimed, include: used oil (redistilled), lead acid batteries
(lead), bro
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Recycle: -use ---use the waste directly in a different process
-reuse---reuse the waste directly in the same process
-reclamation---recover or regenerate a component for reuse |
Large Quantity Generators Must
Minimize: Hazardous waste generators that generate more
than 12,000 kilograms of hazardous or 12 kilograms of extremely hazardous waste
(some exemptions exist) during a reporting year must meet the requirements of
SB 14. These requirements include
preparing the following plans and reports:
- Source Reduction and Evaluation Review and
Plan (Plan),
- Hazardous Waste Management Performance Report
(Performance Report), and a
- Summary Progress Report (SPR).
The Plan
identifies the major waste streams, proposes ways to reduce them, and provides
goals. The Performance Report evaluates
the effectiveness of your source reduction plan by comparing the amount of
hazardous waste generated during the reporting year to your baseline year. The SPR summarizes the effectiveness of your
facility’s source reduction. The SPR was
due to the DTSC on
Recent Laws and Regulations: In
the last few years, there has been a lot of activity in the realm of recycling
universal wastes.
Electronic Waste
Recycling Act of 2003 (SB 20): Requires
retailers to collect an advanced recycling fee of electronic devices. Still working on the final regulatory language.
Universal Waste
Regulations (see 22 CCR Section 66273.1.).
Regulations (effective since
Assistance:
For assistance in minimizing hazardous waste, please contact us at:
Hazard Solutions
LLC
Tel: (650) 996-3228
Fax:
(650) 963-3250