Hazardous Waste Hazardous waste includes substances that are solids, liquids and gases. The EPA definition of hazardous waste includes substances that possess a hazardous characteristic (e.g. toxic, ignitable, corrosive or reactive with other substances) or substances that are listed as hazardous waste by the EPA on the basis of their usage or chemical constituents.
Hazardous Waste Identification Since the majority of chemicals used in our facility are reagent grade the identification will be performed using Material Safety Data Sheets, bottle labels and 40 CFR Part 261 Subpart B, C and D. A third party contractor will test for the ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity of unknown hazardous wastes.
Mixed Chemical Waste Only compatible chemical waste may be combined into one waste container. Refer to the Laboratory Safety Manual and MSDS for chemical compatibilities.
Multi-Hazardous Waste Multi-Hazardous waste is waste that contains any combination of chemical, radioactive or biological hazards. Any waste stream that presents more than one type of hazard will require special management consideration, because the selected treatment technology appropriate for one type of waste may not be appropriate for the other types. Multi-hazardous waste will be evaluated on an individual basis, and the constituent that poses the greatest hazard will be given priority.
Drain Disposal The Delaware Valley College Campus will permit drain disposal of elementary neutralized (pH adjustment of waste that are hazardous only because they exhibit the corrosivity characteristic) acidic aqueous solutions. The elementary neutralized aqueous solution must have a final pH value between 6 and 8. The limit of material that may be neutralized is 1 liter.
The Delaware Valley College Campus will also permit drain disposal of common salts, sugars and agars in both liquid and solid forms. For solids, the material must be dissolved in tap water. The limit of material that may be disposed is 1kg of solid or 1 liter of liquid.
Delaware Valley College shall prohibit the drain disposal of the following:
- Flammable or explosive pollutants
- Pollutants that will cause corrosive structural damage to the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW), but in no case discharges with pH lower than 5.0.
- Solid or viscous pollutants that may cause an obstruction of flow in the POTW
- Pollutants capable of releasing fumes or vapors
- Pollutants, including oxygen-demanding pollutants (high biological oxygen demand), which may cause interference with the POTW
- Waste-water with sufficient heat to inhibit biological activity in the POTW (must not exceed 104°F at the POTW)
- Petroleum, oil, non-biodegradable cutting oil or products of mineral oil origin in amounts that will cause interference or pass through
- Organic chemicals
- Heavy-metal solutions
- Nitric, Hydrofluoric, Perchloric and Chromic acid
- Toxic/Poisonous solids and liquids
Satellite Accumulation Areas
A satellite accumulation area is an area at or near a process that generates chemical wastes. The area must be under the control of the operator of that process.
Allowable Amount Accumulated
Laboratories may accumulate as much as 5 gallons of hazardous waste or one quart of acutely hazardous waste (immediately hazardous to life and health) in compatible containers at or near any point of generation.
Labeling
- All containers must be labeled with the complete chemical name of each primary component. Formulas, acronyms and abbreviations are not acceptable.
- If possible, the label should include the approximate percentage of each chemical.
- Do not place the date or the words "Hazardous Waste" on the container. The DelVal EHS officer will re-label the container during pick-up as either a recyclable/re-distributable material or as hazardous waste, at which time the container will be dated and moved to the temporary storage vault.
Container Types
- All containers must be kept closed except when it is necessary to add or remove material. Evaporation of waste in fume hoods is strictly prohibited.
- All containers must be maintained in good condition (no rust, dents or leaks, etc.). All containers must be compatible with the hazardous wastes they contain. Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets for container compatibility.
Accumulation Time
There will be no limit on accumulation time; however, once a container is full or more than 5 gallons of hazardous waste or 1 quart of acutely hazardous waste is accumulated, the full container or excess waste must be moved to the accumulation area within 72 hours.