RCRA

1
RCRA

• More than 250 million metric tons of hazardous
  waste are produced each year.
• Thats more than a ton for every man, woman and
  child.
• Most comes from large manufacturers, refineries,
  factories and producers.
• Some comes from printers, laundries, photo labs,
  gas stations and other small facilities.

2
Managing Hazardous Waste

• Treating, storing and getting rid of hazardous
  waste means different things to different people.
• Owners of businesses-comply with Federal law.
• Government official-ensure no harm to people or
  property.
• Concerned citizen-want assurance that everyone
  handling HW knows what to do.

3
EPA and RCRA

• Resource Conservation Recovery Act was
  established in 1976.
• EPA has been developing specific requirements for
  handling HW to protect human health and the
  environment.
• EPA gave us a Christmas tree!
• OSHA, DOT and Coast Guard are also involved.

4
What Was It Like Before RCRA?

• Rivers, lakes and streams polluted.
• News stories everyday concerning random dumping.

5
The Main Players

• Generators-companies that produce HW.
• Transporters-move it from one place to another.
• Waste Managers-treat, store and ultimately get
  rid of HW.

6
What Is Hazardous Waste?

• Any solid, liquid or gas waste, which if not
  properly discarded would cause harm to human
  health or the environment.
• Characteristics of HW
• Ignitable
• Corrosive
• Reactive
• Toxic

7
Where does it come from?

• EPA estimates that approximately 90-95 of HW is
  generated by large companies.
• The other 5-10 is generated by small
  companies-known as small quantity generators or
  SQGs.

8
Listed Wastes

• Non-Specific Sources-generics- solvents,
  electroplating rinses, waste-water treatment
  sludges and other metal treating sludges.
• Specific Sources-from specific industries-paint,
  lead, ink, petroleum, pesticides,etc.
• Discarded commercial products-or not used for
  their intended purpose.

9
GENERATOR REQUIREMENTS

• Bear principle responsibility for their waste
  and
• Determine hazardability.
• Obtain EPA ID number.
• Use HW Manifest.
• Proper packaging.
• Proper labeling.
• Ensure proper disposal.

10
GENERATORS

• Can treat and dispose on their site-96.
• Hire off-site managers-4.
• Must ensure companies have EPA authorization-waste
  managers and transporter.

11
Use of the Uniform Manifest

• EPA form 870-22 tracks the waste from Cradle to
  Grave.
• Passed from one person to the next in the chain.
• The Manifest Identifies
• Type and quantity of waste.
• The transporter.
• TSD where waste is being shipped.

12
MANIFEST, continued

• Generator must sign the manifest, ensure
  packaging and labeling meet DOT requirements,
  obtain transporters signature and supply at least
  six copies of the manifest.

13
Generator Must be Notified

• In 35 days or call to find if where the waste is.
• In 45 days or call the EPA.

14
Packaging and Labeling

• HW must be properly packaged to ensure there is
  no significant release to the environment. Meet
  DOT requirements.
• Containers must be properly labeled and placarded
  to identify what is being transported, where it
  came from and where it is going, and provide
  special handling instructions.

15
Storing Hazardous Waste

• Generators of more than 2200 lbs.. In one month
  may accumulate and store any amount up to 90
  days.
• Storage requirements apply.

16
Storing, continued

• Generators of 220-2200 pounds may store up to
  2200 pounds on site for 180 days or 270 days if
  the waste is being shipped more than 270 miles.

17
TRANSPORTERS

• Responsible for spills during transport. Must
  ensure wastes do not spread from the scene,
  notifying proper authorities and arranging for
  clean-up.
• Must have EPA ID number.
• Comply with manifest requirements.
• Deliver the waste.
• Ensure proper documentation.

18
Managing Hazardous Wastes

• TSDs are responsible for treating, storing and
  getting rid of the waste per Federal
  requirements.
• General requirements
• EPA ID number.
• Waste Analysis (waste analysis plan).
• Permit to construct or operate.
• Emergency Planning (contingency plan)

19
TSDs continued

• Manifest and Record Keeping.
• Closure requirements.

20
Storage and Disposal

• Tanks-above or under ground.
• Concrete, Steel or Plastic.
• Designed so it will not overflow.
• If waste is fed continuously-it must have
  equipment to control flow and alarm for overflow.
  
• Inspected regularly.

21
Land Disposal

• Surface Impoundments
• Landfills
• Waste Piles
• Land Treatment Units
• Injection Wells

22
Incineration

• Burning hazardous waste at high temperatures.
• Must be designed, constructed and maintained so
  that it can remove all (99.99) of the hazardous
  elements of the waste it is burning.

23
Liability Coverage

• TSDs - 1-2 million
• Landfills - 3-6 million
• Transporters - 5-7 million