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