Everyday Hazmat User’s Training Guide
Section II Waste Management
This section of the Everyday Hazmat User’s Training Guide contains guidelines for hazardous waste activities common to most USDA Forest Service facilities. Hazardous waste management is prescribed by Federal regulations, as well as USDA Forest Service handbooks and policies. Care should be taken to ensure full compliance. The guidelines in this report include some of the more common areas and are not intended to be a comprehensive review of all related regulations, or to include all situations. You are responsible for full compliance, so if you have any questions about the material presented, or some unique situation, contact your unit management. While most State regulations parallel Federal regulations, some States have more restrictive requirements; they are not included in these guidelines.
Many regulatory and work and facility safety concerns can be avoided by using products that are not hazardous or do not create hazardous wastes or air or water pollutants—known as green products. Visit the USDA Forest Service Technology and Development Program’s Web site for some specific suggestions: /eng/t-d.php?link=everyday_hazmat/green.htm
The following guidelines are based on EPA and OSHA regulations, and IFC and NFPA requirements; your State and local governments may have additional requirements. Your local fire marshal may choose to selectively adopt IFC and NFPA requirements, or may have additional requirements.
Common Regulated Wastes
Any waste that is flammable, reactive, corrosive, or toxic is considered a hazardous waste. Some common wastes in most USDA Forest Service units are now regulated. These wastes include lamps that contain mercury (such as fluorescent lamps), nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, and even aerosol cans. Wastes that are of particular concern include containers with unknown contents found in many boneyards. These containers must be handled carefully.
Common Regulated Wastes—What Are They?
Wastes from some routine activities within the USDA Forest Service have new environmental significance and must be handled differently now. This guideline summarizes some of these common wastes, presents selected regulatory restrictions, and recommends specific changes to reduce costs.
Mercury-containing lamps are found in most buildings. As these lamps are removed, they have traditionally been discarded in the trash. These lamps must be handled more carefully to ensure worker safety, protect the environment, and comply with regulations.
Aerosol cans can be found throughout the USDA Forest Service. If an aerosol can is still under pressure, or if its contents are hazardous, you cannot throw it into the trash. The proper way to handle it is discussed in this guideline.
Nickel-cadmium batteries are another common waste in most USDA Forest Service units. Because these batteries contain nickel and cadmium, they cannot be thrown into the trash. Look at these guidelines for recommendations.
Lastly, there are unknown wastes that are buried in boneyards and storage sheds that need immediate attention. Hazardous products that become a waste also need special management.
 Ni-Cd Batteries |
 Aerosol Cans |
 Fluorescent Lamps |
 Unknown Wastes |
 Hazardous Wastes |
 Handy Tips |
Ni-Cd Batteries
Nickel-cadmium batteries are often found in radio communication equipment used by USDA Forest Service units. These batteries can no longer be thrown into the trash because their ingredients make them hazardous and could pollute the soil in a landfill. The proper method for managing Ni-Cd batteries is summarized in this guideline.
Ni-Cd Battery Collection Areas
When you remove a Ni-Cd battery from service, you must store it in a container that is marked with WASTE BATTERIES, USED BATTERIES, or UNIVERSAL WASTE—BATTERIES. The container must be composed of a material that will not leak if the batteries are damaged.
Do NOT discard Ni-Cd
batteries in the trash.
Ni-Cd Battery Recycling
Recycling is the best management practice for your discarded Ni-Cd batteries. Be sure to use a licensed recycler; you can transport your Ni-Cd batteries in USDA Forest Service vehicles. Keep recycling information, including dates, amounts, destination, transporter, and recycler in your recordkeeping files.
Sample checklist and recordkeeping form
for personnel handling spent Ni-Cd
batteries.
See the appendix.
Storage Limits
You can keep your discarded Ni-Cd batteries in your unit if they are stored properly until it is cost effective to transport them to a recycling center. Ideally, they would not be stored longer than 1 year.
Other Batteries
Alkaline batteries can be recycled or discarded in the trash. Most lithium batteries in use at USDA Forest Service units are nonhazardous and can be recycled or discarded in the trash. Be sure to check with the manufacturer because some special lithium batteries are regulated.
Aerosol Cans
Aerosol products are used in many USDA Forest Service activities, from janitorial work to automotive maintenance and general painting. When aerosol products are no longer useful, they must be discarded in a way that avoids regulatory issues and environmental pollution. Some suggestions are summarized in this guideline.
Aerosol Can Collection Area
When an aerosol can becomes a waste, you must take special precautions if it is still under pressure or if it contains a product that is hazardous. Store discarded aerosol cans in a container that is marked: AEROSOL CAN COLLECTION AREA. The container must be composed of a material that will not leak if one or more of the cans are damaged; consider using secondary containment for added protection.
Do NOT discard aerosol
cans in the trash.
Puncturing Aerosol Cans
You can puncture your discarded aerosol cans if you use a proper can puncturer and collect the waste product. If the waste product is hazardous, it must be managed as a hazardous waste; see the Hazardous Wastes guideline. If the product is not hazardous, it can be disposed of in the manner specified by the manufacturer. A punctured, drained aerosol can may be discarded in the trash or recycled as scrap metal.
Aerosol Can Recycling
Waste aerosol can recyclers remove and manage the contents of aerosol cans properly. Consider taking or shipping your waste aerosol cans that contain a hazardous product to one of these recyclers. Maintain a record of these transfers in your recordkeeping files.
Sample checklist and recordkeeping form
for recycling aerosol cans.
See the
appendix.
E-mail: 