Hazardous Waste Management Overview

Consider the variety of products commonlyused in households and on farms: paints, sol-vents, oils, cleaners, wood preservatives, batter-ies, adhesives, and pesticides. Handling anddisposal of excess or unwanted chemicals canbecome a big problem. Some common disposalpractices not only threaten ground water butalso may be illegal.

Small, unusable amounts of these productsoften wind up spilled, buried, dumped, orflushed onto a property. Minimizing theamounts of these substances used on the home-stead, along with practicing proper disposalpractices, can reduce both health risks and thepotential for ground water contamination.Some people are familiar with the hazards ofpesticides, but they may be less aware of thehazards of other commonly used chemicals.

Improper use of hazardous products maycause toxic health problems. Improper storagemay allow chemicals to leak, causing potential-ly dangerous chemical reactions, toxic healtheffects or ground water contamination.Improper disposal may allow these chemicalsto enter drinking water through surface wateror ground water.

Two key steps to minimizing the risk of pol-lution on your property from farm and house-hold wastes are to reduce the amount of wasteproduced and recycle when possible.Hazardous wastes are defined as materials thatare ignitable, toxic, corrosive or explosive(TWC, 1990). Lists of hazardous wastes arecontained in 40 Code of Federal Regulations(CFR), Part 261.31 through 261.34.

Some hazardous materials, such as lubricat-ing oils or solvents for cleaning metal parts, arean unavoidable part of life. Examine your useof hazardous materials to make sure you reallyneed all the products you are using. Keep inmind that hazardous waste must be managedin accordance with state and federal rules. Aglossary at the back of this publication willassist with terminology. This publication focus-es on managing hazardous waste and coversthe following areas:

1) Hazardous waste use

2) Farm and household waste

3) Household vs. farm business waste

4) Burning

5) Cleaners and chemicals

6) Storage of chemicals and waste

7) Evaluation table

Hazardous Waste Use

Carefully consider how to use products safe-ly. Recycle or reuse them when possible, anddispose of remaining products in a way thatwill not pose a risk to your drinking water. Afew simple management principles apply inevery situation:

★ Keep hazardous products 150 feet or morefrom your well and preferably to the sideor downhill from it, even when all yourspills and drips will be contained.

★ Return excess product, spills or drips tothe original container. Collect waste paint,solvents, antifreeze, oil and grease, andother hazardous chemicals for communityrecycling. Dispose of pesticide containerrinse water by spreading it on fields orlawns at the proper application rate.

★ Contain any unusable wastes, spills anddrips for appropriate disposal.

★ Locate all hazardous waste products andactivities, including mixing and storage, ona surface which will prevent spilled mate-rials from entering ground water. Thecumulative effects of small spills mayhave as great an impact on ground wateras a larger spill.

★ Segregate different types of waste in stor-age to prevent dangerous chemical reac-tions that could release the products.

★ Have emergency equipment, such asadsorbents and shovels, ready to containspills.

Farm and Household Waste

This category of potentially hazardous sub-stances includes the following items:

★ Ash and sludge from burned farm, homeand garage trash;

★ Plastic wraps and containers;

★ Personal care products, such as spotremovers, dry cleaning fluids, moth ballsand shoe and leather polishes;

★ Hobby products, artist paints and solvents,undiluted photography and swimmingpool chemicals, and strong acids;

★ Home cleaning and repair products, suchas air fresheners and pest strips; furnitureand wood polishes and waxes; paints,stains and finishes; wood-preserving prod-ucts; and

★ Farm business hazardous waste, includingunusable or waste cleaners, solvents, pesti-cides and other hazardous chemicals.

Health concerns, product toxicity and theincreased volume of waste guarantees that anew approach to urban and rural disposal prac-tices is necessary to ensure that safe drinkingwater supplies are available for property own-ers and their neighbors now and in the future.Updated local, state and federal laws alsoreflect the increased concern with many dis-posal practices. For example, new rules requirethat environmentally protective conditions bemet before some disposal practices are permit-ted. Other previously common disposal prac-tices are now illegal because of their potentialrisks to human health and the environment.

This new approach suggests several changesin traditional practices, including the following:

★ The typical burning site should be elimi-nated for all but a limited number ofneeds. Don’t dispose of trash on yourproperty, with the exception of organicwaste that can be composted (such ashousehold garbage, leaves and straw).

★ Recyclable materials should be taken to arecycling facility and uncontaminatedtrash to a licensed landfill or a municipalincinerator.

Farm and household waste is excluded fromhazardous waste management regulations andis often included with regular trash disposal.Neither household hazardous waste nor haz-ardous waste from a farm can be safely dis-posed of in a responsibly “pollution-free man-ner” on private property.

Household Waste vs. Farm Business Waste

Texas law divides hazardous waste into twomanagement categories: waste produced fromproducts used in the home; and waste pro-duced as part of a farm business.

Household quantities of hazardous waste areexempt from regulation under state and federal

law. Many communities sponsor householdhazardous waste collection events to help usersdispose of products safely. For informationabout locations and dates of collection events,call your county Extension office.

Hazardous waste must be disposed ofthrough a permitted hazardous waste disposalcontractor or an agricultural waste pesticidecollector, when available. For more informationabout hazardous waste contractors, contact thehazardous waste section of the Texas NaturalResource Conservation Commission.

Burning

Researchers estimate that ground-level con-centrations of 2,3,7,8,-TCDD dioxin resultingfrom burning household trash in a burn barrelare 7,000 times the amount formed when trashis burned in a municipal incinerator. Ash andsludge from open burning also contain signifi-cant amounts of such toxic substances as lead,cadmium, chromium, dioxin and furan com-pounds.

Texas regulations prohibit the open burningof household garbage, wet combustible rub-bish, oily substances, asphalt, plastic or rubberproducts. Household trash can be burned onlyin incinerators that meet state air quality regu-lations.

If not contaminated with other solvents, afurnace designed for burning oil as a fuel canburn waste oil. Contain and dispose of anyresulting ash or sludge in a licensed landfill.Waste contaminated with solvents may be ahazardous waste and must be properly man-aged.

There are no specific design standards toadequately protect the environment from airpollution or ground water contamination result-ing from burning and ash disposal of wet trash,plastic containers, waste oil, and other haz-ardous products used on the farm.

Open burning sites, burn barrels and domes-tic incinerators do not produce adequate tem-peratures to eliminate the production of toxicsubstances such as dioxin compounds, chlorineproducts, solvent vapors, and a residue ofheavy metals.

While burning may destroy some toxic sub-stances, others will become concentrated in thesmoke, ash and sludge. Repeated burning at thesame location under similar weather conditionsmay cause the toxic substances in smoke (espe-

cially heavy metals such as lead, mercury andarsenic) to accumulate in a concentrated areaaround the burn barrel. These substances canin turn be absorbed into the soil and movethrough the soil to ground water. Ash andsludge disposed of by burying them or spread-ing them on the land also can release toxic sub-stances into the soil.

Open burning of dry combustibles in smallamounts is appropriate if it is permitted bylocal ordinance. Dry combustibles includeclean, untreated, unpainted wood, paper, andcardboard. Burn dry combustibles outdoors orin a well-ventilated area to minimize adversehealth effects from smoke.

Empty pesticide bags or other containersshould never be burned.

Cleaners and Chemicals

This category of potentially hazardous sub-stances includes:

★ Solvent-based building and wood cleaners,including wood polishes and products forcleaning wood floors and panelling. It isimportant to note that detergent-basedcleaners do not pose a threat to groundwater.

★ Stripping and finishing products, stainsand paints, products for brush or spraygun cleaning, and adhesives such as gluesand caulk. Also included in this listing ofpotentially hazardous substances are sol-vents used in degreasers and paint thin-ners, stains, varnishes and wood-preserva-tive compounds.

Disposing of these products by dumpingthem on the ground or in a septic system couldallow hazardous constituents to leach to groundwater. Farm disposal of any of the products isillegal.

The best disposal method for these productsis to use up leftovers or share unused productswith others. Allow leftover household products,such as paints or adhesives, to evaporate whereand when conditions permit.

Some products, such as paint thinners, canbe filtered and reused. Other products, such aswood preservatives and lead-based paints, needto be labeled and saved for disposal by a haz-ardous waste contractor.

Because of the volume of these productsused on the farm, even spills and drips can addup to a problem for ground water. Don’t per-form equipment maintenance activities within150 feet of your well. Conduct maintenanceactivities in a location where spills and dripscan be contained, such as on a concrete pad.Evaporate collected drips and dispose of theresulting sludge or hardened material in alicensed landfill.

Disposal of Leftover Pesticides and Containers

Pesticides, including those used for indoorplants and yard care, are referred to as acutehazardous substances because of their extremetoxicity.

Handle all pesticides as directed on the labelto prevent health and environmental problems.Pay particular attention to pesticides classifiedas “restricted use” or state-limited-use. Pesti-cide labels and regulations concerning their useoften change over time. If pesticides have beenstored for a while, remember that they mightnot have current warning labels, and some mayeven have been banned since the time of pur-chase.

The only acceptable management practicesfor pesticides are to use them according to cur-rent label directions and arrange for containerdisposal with a hazardous waste contractor.When the EPA bans a pesticide it sometimesprovides a “buy-back” and disposal program fora period of time. If pesticides are purchased inminibulk tanks or returnable containers anyexcess chemical can be returned. Leftover pes-ticides that cannot be disposed of in any ofthese ways should be stored safely until theycan be disposed of through a community orstate sponsored hazardous waste collection pro-gram or a hazardous waste contractor.

Plastic and metal containers should be triple-rinsed or high-pressure rinsed. The rinse water(rinsate) should be added to your pesticideapplication tank and applied following labelinstructions. The rinsed containers should thenbe stored in a dry, secure area until they canbe taken to a state sponsored recycling event orlicensed landfill. Paper containers should bebundled and taken to a licensed solid wastefacility. Check with your local cooperative,retail store or Extension agent to learn whethercontainer recycling opportunities have beenarranged.

Due to liability concerns, some landfills willnot accept even triple- or pressure-rinsed con-tainers. Triple- or pressure-rinsed pesticide con-tainers may still contain enough pesticideresidue that they should not be used for anyother purpose.

For additional information regarding pesti-cide storage, handling and disposal, pleaserefer to the TEX*A*Syst publication, B-6025,Reducing the Risk of Ground Water Contami-nation by Improving Pesticide Storage andHandling.

Vehicle Maintenance Chemicals

This category of hazardous substancesincludes :

★ Vehicle maintenance products, such asantifreeze, oil and grease

★ Used oil filters

★ Solvents for oil and grease removal anddisposal

★ Engine, parts and equipment cleaners

★ Lubricants

★ Rust removers

★ Paints and paint preparation products

★ Brush or spray gun cleaners

★ Lead acid batteries

Oils, fuels and solvents used for cleaningmetal parts contain toxic ingredients.Fortunately, there are good recycling opportuni-ties for both solvents and waste oil. Considerrenting a parts washer from a solvent recycler.The recycler picks up old solvents and providesyou with clean solvent. To recycle waste oil,take it to an oil recycling tank, mechanic orservice center. There is usually at least one inevery county and often more. Used oil filtersalso should be turned in for recycling with thewaste oil. It is illegal to dispose of them inlandfills. It is also illegal in Texas for anyone tothrow used oil filters in the trash. Used oil fil-ters must be taken to a collection center.Individuals who change their own oil mustcomply with this law. Used motor oil and oilfilters should be taken to service stations, auto-motive centers or oil change shops that collectoil for recycling. Filters also can be taken toany registered collection center for proper dis-posal. Containers with oil should be sealedtightly before delivery to a collection site.

Solid and hazardous waste laws prohibitspreading waste oil on land for dust or weedsuppression. Waste oil can be burned in awaste oil burner if the oil has not been contam-inated with solvents or other materials. Thewaste oil furnace should be located accordingto building code requirements.

Use up old fuels whenever possible. Diluteone part old fuel with five parts new fuel toprotect your engine.

Do not dispose of antifreeze in storm drainsor sewer systems. It should be recycled orturned in at a household hazardous waste col-lection center.

If you find yourself painting a lot of vehiclesor other equipment, use a paint booth. Somebooths are structured to collect excess paintand spray gun cleaners so they can be taken toa solvent recycler. Note that filters used with apaint booth are considered a hazardous wastewhen discarded.

The design and location of the equipmentmaintenance area is important. Some individu-als use a grease pit. Others allow drips andspills to collect on the floor. In both cases, thearea is generally “cleaned” by periodic flushing.

If you prefer to keep your floor clean byflushing, you will need a system to containwaste liquids so that they will not be flushedonto soil. Using sawdust to soak up drips andspills is another common practice. Evaporatevolatile chemicals in a protected outdoor areawith good ventilation, and take the sawdust toa licensed landfill. Burning any of these sub-stances can produce air emissions that maycontaminate ground water.

Evaporation of liquid wastes prior to flushingmay take care of the problem of contaminatedrunoff, but it is not recommended because ofair quality concerns and the potential for liq-uids to seep through cracks in floors. Flushingis one of many past waste management meth-ods that should be re-evaluated to determinewhether it is worth the risks of contaminationto the environment.

Storage Of Chemicals and Waste

Some activities may result in leftover or usedchemicals, such as waste oil and solvents, thatneed to be stored until disposal. Store thesechemicals and their wastes at least 150 feet

from your water well. Dike storage areas toprevent well contamination from spills if thevolume of the stored products and wastesexceeds 10 gallons. Store chemicals in clearlylabeled containers designed to contain that haz-ard category (flammables, poisons or corro-sives). Store chemicals in a well-ventilated,flame-free area with sturdy shelves. Whenchoosing the storage location, keep indoor airquality, safety, and flammability considerationsin mind. Be sure that the area is adequatelyvented to prevent buildup of fumes from left-over products. As a rule of thumb, if you cansmell your products, ventilation may be inade-quate to protect your health. Also, to minimizeaccidental release due to chemical interactions,be sure that flammables, poisons and corrosivewastes are kept separate in storage. Do notstore household chemicals, pesticides,wastes, or used bags and containers in awell house.

Hazardous wastes generated in the course ofmaintaining equipment, such as solvents andparts washer solution, must be collected andplaced in closed containers and labeled withthe words “hazardous waste. The name of thewaste and the date that the waste was put intothe container also should be on the label. Sol-vents that are hazardous only because of theirignitability (such as mineral spirits) generallymay be mixed with used oil, as long as the sol-vent content is less than 10 percent of the totalvolume of the solvent-oil mixture.

Hazardous wastes generated from householdvehicle maintenance should be stored safelyuntil they can be taken to a household haz-ardous waste collection site. For example, bat-teries may be stored in a plastic-lined area, butsome solvents could dissolve a plastic liner.Spilled solvents may also penetrate concrete orasphalt if they are not cleaned up quickly.Some solvents are able to permeate clay soilsmore rapidly than water, so movement toground water may be accelerated.

Store flammable chemicals and batteries inan area shaded from direct sunlight. Rags usedto clean up solvent spills may also be a firehazard. Store them with the same care as haz-ardous materials.

Evaluation Table

The following table can be used to help agri-cultural producers and rural homeownersdetermine the risk level that drinking water ona given property may be contaminated as aresult of the management practices being used.For each category on the left that is appropri-ate, read across to the right and circle the state-ment that best describes conditions on yourland. Allow 15 to 30 minutes to complete thetable, and skip any categories that do notapply. Note any high risk ratings and takeappropriate actions to remedy them. Strive forall low or low-moderate risk ratings.

Hazardous Waste Management: Assessing Drinking Water Contamination RiskLow Risk Low-Moderate Risk Moderate-High Risk High Risk

Ash Disposal

From burn barrel Ash collected and Disposal of ash from Disposal of ash from Disposal of ash from or incinerator disposed of at li- dry combustibles only, mixed trash on home- mixed trash on

censed landfill or on private property or stead away from well. homestead in con-municipal incinerator. at dump, or spread sistent location near

on farm fields. well or in drainageways.

Building/Wood Maintenance Products

Adhesives, such as Used up or shared Liquid evaporated in Disposal at dump. Disposal on caulk and solvent- with someone else. open air. Sludge or property.based glues Hazardous waste leftover product taken

contractor collection to licensed landfill orservice used for left- municipal incinerator.over adhesives.

Hazardous Waste Management: Assessing Drinking Water Contamination RiskLow Risk Low-Moderate Risk Moderate-High Risk High Risk

Building/Wood Maintenance Products (continued)

Brush or spray gun Cleaned in contained, Cleaned in contained, Cleaned in uncon- Disposal of left-cleansers (solvent ventilated area. Sol- ventilated area. tained, ventilated over cleaning sol-based) vent recycler collec- Filtered cleaning areas and used vents on property.

tion services used for solvents reused or cleaning solvents leftover cleaners. evaporated in open disposed of at dumps.

air. Sludge taken to licensed landfill or municipal incinerator.

Lead-based paint Hazardous waste Liquid evaporated in Disposal of sludge or Disposal oncontractor collection open air. Paint or paint at dump. property.service used. sludge taken to li-

censed landfill or municipal incinerator.

Paint or stain Used up or shared Liquid evaporated in Disposal of oil-based Disposal of oil-(no lead) with someone else. open air. Paint or paints or stains at based paints or

Hazardous waste sludge taken to li- dump. Latex paint dis- stains on property.contractors used for censed landfill or posal on propertyleftover paint or stain. municipal incinerator. away from well.

Stripper or thinner Spills contained. Un- Liquid evaporated in Disposal of sludge, Disposal onfor paint/finish used products used open air. Stripper or stripper or thinner at property.

up. Hazardous waste stripper sludge taken dump.contractor collection to licensed landfill orservices used for left- municipal incinerator.over stripper or finish.

Surface cleaners Used up or shared Liquid cleaners evap- Disposal of sludge or Disposal of triple-(solvent based) with someone else. orated in open air. cleaners on property. or pressure-rinsed

Hazardous waste Cleaners or sludge containers on prop-contractor collection taken to licensed land- erty.service used for left- fill or municipalover cleaners. incinerator.

Container Disposal

Paper/cardboard Returned to supplier Empty container taken Disposal of empty Disposal of partial-pesticide containers or hazardous waste to licensed landfill, containers on ly filled containers

collection service municipal incinerator property. on property.used. or dump.

Plastic or metal Triple- or pressure- Disposal of triple- or Disposal of empty but Disposal of partiallypesticide containers rinsed containers re- pressure-rinsed con- unrinsed containers filled containers on

turned to retail store tainers on property. on property. property.for reuse or taken to licensed incinerator or recycled. Rinsate applied to appropriate crop.

Plastic containers Product used up and Any remaining ingre- Disposal of empty Disposal of partiallyfor oil or other containers recycled. dients evaporated in containers at dump filled containers onvehicle product, oil safe conditions. Empty or on property. property.filter containers taken to

licensed landfill or municipal incinerator.

Household Taken to recycling Empty containers Disposal of empty Disposal of partially hazardous product facility or reused for taken to licensed land- containers on filled containers oncontainers similar products. fill, municipal incinera- property. property.

tor or dump.

Hazardous Waste Management: Assessing Drinking Water Contamination RiskLow Risk Low-Moderate Risk Moderate-High Risk High Risk

Pesticides

Unwanted or banned Participation in EPA Pesticides sold for Disposal of unused Disposal of unusedpesticides banned pesticide restricted or general pesticides at dump. pesticides on prop-

buy-back program if purpose used up or erty.available. Unused taken to licensedpesticides taken to landfill or municipalplace of purchase. incinerator.Hazardous waste contractor collection serice used. Turned in during Texas Am-nesty Day Program.

Vehicle/Metal Equipment Maintenance Products

Used antifreeze Saved and taken to Collected and dispos- Disposal on property Dumped near well.antifreeze recycling ed of at municipal away from the wellfacility or filtered and sewage treatment (including the septicreused as water in drain with permission system).other radiators. of municipality. Taken

to licensed landfill, municipal incinerator or dump.

Waste oil, grease Taken to used oil Reused for lubrica- Disposal at dump. Disposal on and used oil filters collection tank for tion. Burned for heat property.

recycling or local in an approved resi-cooperating service dential incinerator orstation. collected and dispos-

ed of at licensed land-fill or municipal incinerator.

Waste oil sludge Hazardous waste Collected and dis- Disposal at dump. Disposal on(left over after contractor services posed of at a property.burning) used. municipal incinerator.

Spent organic Solvent recycler Filtered in ventilated Disposal of solvents Disposal of sol-solvent/parts cleaner collection service area and reused or or sludge at dump. vents or sludge on

used for leftover evaporated in open property.cleaners. air. Sludge taken to

licensed landfill or municipal incinerator.

Rust-removal Used up or shared Taken to licensed, Disposal of leftover Disposal of usedproducts with someone else. municipal incinerator product on property. product on proper-

Hazardous waste or landfill. ty.contractor service used.

Lead acid battery Taken to battery Used batteries taken Used batteries taken Disposal on prop-recycler or battery to licensed landfill or to dump or stored erty near well.store. municipal incinerator, near well.

or stored away from well.

Vehicle maintenance Contained on paved Contained on paved Occasional flushing Frequent flushingdrops and spills area with sawdust. area with sawdust. onto property near onto property near

Contaminated saw- Contaminated saw- well. well.dust disposed of at dust disposed of atlicensed landfill or landfill.municipal incinerator.

Glossary

Burn barrel: Any on-property system of openburning, such as burning in a barrel. (Seeincinerator.).

Dump: A local landfill that is not designed toprevent leaching and offers little groundwater protection.

Farm business: A farm that generates at least$1,000 in net annual income from farming.

Hazardous waste contractor: A hazardouswaste collection service offered by busi-nesses with vehicles licensed to transporthazardous waste to licensed hazardouswaste facilities.

Household hazardous waste collection pro-gram: A special program in which a com-munity collects waste for disposal in a spe-cially constructed hazardous waste landfillor incinerator.

Household quantities: Less than 5 gallons ofa household product.

Incinerator (municipal): A community incin-erator specifically engineered to burnmunicipal quantities of home waste.

Licensed landfill: A landfill specificallydesigned to protect ground water throughthe use of a high quality clay or clay/imper-meable film liner, accompanied by a systemof buried pipes to collect any liquids gener-ated. Meets current state and national stan-dards for household solid waste landfills.

On-farm disposal: Any method of burning,dumping or land spreading of wastes on thefarm. Also includes use of the septic systemfor disposal.

Recycling: Reusing waste materials to developanother product.

Solvent recycler collection service: A serviceprovided by businesses to reprocess usedsolvents.

Contacts and References

For additional information contact your localcounty Extension agent, or:

★ The Texas Natural Resource ConservationCommission at (512) 239-1000,

★ The Texas Agricultural Extension ServiceWater Quality unit (409) 845-0887,

★ Texas State Soil and Water ConservationBoard, (817) 773-2250.

Internet addresss: TEX*A*Syst bulletins andlinks to other water quality sites are containedin a homepage located on the World Wide Webat: http://waterhome.tamu.edu.

Hazardous Waste Management: Assessing Drinking Water Contamination RiskLow Risk Low-Moderate Risk Moderate-High Risk High Risk

Wood Preserving

Application drips Drips and spills Drips and spills con- Application without Application withoutand spills contained. Applicator tained. Applicator containment more containment within

and drop cloths dis- and drop cloths dis- than 100 feet from 100 feet of well.posed of at licensed posed of at landfill. well. Applicator andlandfill or municipal drop cloths disposedincinerator. of on property.

Disposal of unused Used up or shared Disposal at licensed Disposal at dump. Disposal onpreservatives with someone else. landfill or municipal property.

Hazardous waste incinerator.contractor collection service used for left-over preservatives.

TEX*A*Syst is a series of publications to help rural residents assess the risk of ground water pollution, and to describeBest Management Practices (BMPs) that can help protect ground water. The TEX*A*Syst documents were developedfrom the national Farm*A*Syst ground water protection program. The TEX*A*Syst system is designed to help the userlearn more about the environment, existing environmental policies and regulations, and recommended managementpractices. Thus, the user can voluntarily reduce the pollution risks associated with water wells.

TEX*A* Syst materials were edited by Anna Schuster Kantor, and reviewed by M.C. Dozier and the personnel of theUSDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Department ofAgriculture, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Texas Water Development Board, Texas State Soil andWater Conservation Board, Texas Water Resources Institute, and Texas Farm Bureau. Editorial and formatting assis-tance were provided by the Department of Agricultural Communications, The Texas A&M University System.

The TEX*A*Syst program is sponsored by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act.Funds for this program are administered by the Texas State Soil andWater Conservation Board’s Agricultural/Silvicultural NonpointSource Management Program.