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Solid and Hazardous Waste

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Defining Hazardous Waste

In 2005, 78,101 tons of hazardous waste was produced and handled in Utah. They can fall into either of two categories.

A listed waste is one that is specifically listed on the Utah Solid and Hazardous Waste Rules or the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) lists.

Characteristic wastes are not listed but are also hazardous if they have any of these traits: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity. Generators are responsible for determining if their waste is hazardous. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) can help you to identify possible hazards.

Waste Generator types

Waste generators are categorized by how much hazardous waste they produce annually.

Conditionally Exempt Small Quality Generators produce less than 100 kilograms or less than 1 kg of acutely hazardous waste in one month. They must identify all hazardous waste that they generate, not accumulate more than 1,000 kg at one time, and ensure that all waste is delivered to an authorized person or facility. If you fall into this category, you may be eligible for the Small Business Waste Disposal Assistance Program; you will pay the same reduced rate to dispose of your waste as Salt Lake County pays to destroy household hazardous waste.

Contact the Salt Lake Valley Health Department (SLVHD) for details.

Small Quality Generators produce more than 100 kg but less than 1,000 kg of hazardous waste each month.

Large Quantity Generators produce more than 1,000 kg of hazardous waste each month, or more than 1 kg of acutely hazardous waste per month.

Additional regulations apply to Small Quality Generators and Large Quality Generators; contact the Utah State Department of Environmental Quality for details. See also the Hazardous Waste section

Changing oil and fluids, cleaning engines, washing vehicles, and flushing radiators can cause a release of pollution. Some common pollutants include hydrocarbons like oil, grease, and PAHS, heavy metals such as zinc, nickel, copper, and lead, toxic chemicals including chlorinated compounds, glycols, and solvents, as well as alkalis and acids. If released to the storm water system, these materials would threaten water quality and pose serious public and environmental health concerns.

You can help with pollution prevention by protecting maintenance areas from rain and run-off and training all employees in storm water pollution prevention best management practices (BMPs). Some BMPs are listed below.

Best Management Practices

Changing Oil and Fluids

Change fluids indoors over non-porous flooring when possible, or use a drip pan if working outdoors. Prevent spills from reaching the storm drain by working over an absorbent mat. Place a larger drip pan under the main drip pan to catch any spills. Transfer all fluids to a designated storage area with secondary containment; never put fluids down a drain or into the garbage.

If a vehicle is damaged or leaking, drain fluids as soon as possible to prevent spills.

Cleaning Engines and Flushing Radiator

Hazardous solvents could endanger your employees and ignite in the sewer. Use a licensed service to dispose these wastes, and never put them into the sewer of storm drain.

Create specific areas to work with engines, parts, and radiators. Use self-contained sinks for solvents; keep them covered and inspect them regularly for leaks. Soldering should not be done over drip tanks. Used parts, cleaning solvents, water, and drippings should be reused or disposed of as hazardous waste.

Cleaning solutions and rinsewater may only be discharged to the sanitary sewer if they have been treated with a permitted system. Static tanks and/or countercurrent rinsing can help reduce the volume of discharged rinsewater.

To clean up dust and debris, sweep or vacuum instead of mop.

Washing Vehicles

Treating and recycling wash water is the best strategy. Create a “wash pad” area protected from storm drains that has a oil/water separator to remove oils before discharging to the sewer. Avoid use of acid-based wheel cleaners because they might require further treatment. Always protect storm drains from solvents and soaps.

Spills

Preventing spills is much easier than correcting them. Have a spill response plain and ensure that all employees are trained to follow it.. Contain and cover all wastes. Storage areas should be convenient and close to collection points.

Use proper absorbent materials for containment in case of a spill and treat saturated materials as hazardous waste. Seal or remove floor drains so that nothing is accidentally discharged into the sewer.

Outdoor Waste Receptacle

Use only watertight receptacles and keep the lid(s) closed. If possible, grade and pave the waste receptacle area, install a roof or containment berm, or maintain drip pans under the receptacle. Spot clean leaks and drips on a regular basis.

Storage

Store hazardous materials away from rain, the sewer, and the storm drain. Label all wastes. Keep lids on all containers and store them indoors or make sure they are covered. Store batteries indoors in plastic trays and recycle them when possible. Keep wastes separate to increase recycling options and decrease costs. Double-contain all fluids. Contact the local fire department or the health department for more details.

Housekeeping

Keeping your shop clean minimizes liability, decreases cost and makes it easier for you to spot problems.

  • Use drip pans under leaking vehicles.
  • Sweep or vacuum frequently.
  • Instead of hosing down work areas, mop them and discharge mop water to the sanitary sewer, not the parking lot, street, gutter, or storm drain.
  • An oleophilic mop (picks up oil instead of water) can decrease your waste volume.
  • Collect all dust, filings, and paint chips, and treat them as hazardous waste. Inspect storm drain inlets and catch basins every year.
  • The air/water supply area should be spot cleaned regularly, graded and paved, or be equipped with a roof or low containment berm.
  • Recycle antifreeze, paints, oil filters, solvents, oil, batteries, and lubricants.
  • Wastewater can be recycled with a self-contained zero-discharge containment system. Label all drains to indicate where they go. Pick a wastewater system that will be easy to keep clean and in good repair. Retain only a licensed service to dispose of wastes.

Education

Train all employees in chemical safety and waste management. Post informational signs for customers and employees reminding them to discharge wastes down the sink and reminding them not to use water to clean up spills.

Purchasing

Minimize inventory and ask your supplier for less toxic chemicals.

 

For more information, contact the Salt Lake Valley Health Department at (385) 468-3862.