Introduction to Hazardous Waste Management in

Schools

Hazardous Waste Compliance Unit

Bureau of Remediation & Waste Management

Department of Environmental Protection

207-287-2651

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

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

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

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

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

Store hazardous waste in containers of 55 gallons or less

in size

And Not Like This !

•each container with the words: “Hazardous Waste”

•the date you first deposit waste in it,

• the date the container becomes full

Label...

Dispose of using a

hazardous waste

manifest

• 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

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

•May use the generic ID number MEX020000000

•Must ship waste within 180 days of the full date

Do Not Treat Waste unless licensed to do so by the

DepartmentEvaporation is never

licensed or allowed

– this could be items under a hood

– or rags left to dry

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

Common problems at schools

Containers of unknowns

Common problems at schools• Old inventory, out of date, in poor condition (fuzzy tops)

• Incompatibles stored together

Common School Problems

• 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 problems at schools

Mercury

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

•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

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

Solutions for schools

The End