Waste Management System.

Transcription

1 Waste Management System. Guidance for departments on the completion of waste assessments and identifying hazardous waste Introduction University policy is to carry out an assessment of the waste produced from experimental investigations or processes to identify its correct disposal route. This assessment should be completed at the planning stage of new investigations / experiments. For ease it is recommended that the waste assessment is combined with COSHH risk assessments. The form in Appendix 1 should be included into departmental COSHH pro-formas. Reference should be made to the University of Sheffield (UoS) Corporate Procedure WMS The identification, segregation and disposal of biological and associated waste when assessing the correct disposal route for the biological waste produced from experimental investigations. There are several waste disposal streams operated by UoS. Waste produced from experimental investigations must be assessed to determine how the waste needs to be segregated and what the most appropriate disposal route is. It is important to identify waste disposal routes correctly as legislation requires the University to segregate hazardous waste from non-hazardous waste and to separate different types of hazardous waste. Waste disposal streams Type of waste Details Chemical and solvent waste and some Unwanted waste chemicals, solvents, oils, lead acid batteries, items other hazardous items of waste containing mercury and waste packaging above threshold levels. Sewerage Non-hazardous liquids and low level hazardous aqueous waste can be disposed of via the sewerage system see the section on liquid waste on page 6. Biological waste There are several waste streams for biological waste, WMS 001 gives further details. Waste electronic and electrical Electrical equipment must not be disposed of via the commercial equipment waste stream - it must either be retuned to the manufacturer or disposed of through the corporate disposal system see EG Guidance for the purchase and disposal of WEEE. Commercial waste Uncontaminated general waste. Winchester bottle recycling Glass Winchesters can be recycled, however the scheme the university operates is for Fisher Winchesters only. Paper and card recycling Printer cartridges Uncontaminated paper and card. Empty printer cartridges should be sent to Central Stores for recycling Note: As additional recycling initiatives and waste disposal streams for the disposal of specific types of hazardous waste are developed this table will be amended.

2 Identifying hazardous waste In order to determine if a waste is classed as hazardous or not reference needs to be made to the European Waste Catalogue (EWC). In the catalogue waste is categorised and described according to the process that produced the waste or specific waste types. There are three types of waste entry in the catalogue: 1. Absolute hazardous Waste 2. Mirror hazardous Waste 3. Non-hazardous Waste Absolute entries are marked in the list with an asterisk (*) and a letter A, these wastes are automatically considered hazardous irrespective of the concentration or levels of dangerous substances present, for example * Fuel oil and diesel * Chlorofluorocarbons, HCFC, HFC Some waste can be either hazardous or not, depending on whether it contains dangerous substances at or above certain levels. Mirror entries are marked with an M and are covered by linked (usually paired) entries in the List, called mirror entries that are made up of: A hazardous waste entry marked with an asterisk (*), and An alternative linked non-hazardous waste entry (or entries) not marked with an asterisk. For example * Laboratory chemicals, consisting of or containing dangerous substances including mixtures of laboratory chemicals Discarded chemicals other than those mentioned in Where waste that is coded and classified as a mirror entry in the WWC, the composition of the waste and the concentrations of the chemicals within the waste must be determined to identify if they are sufficient to render the waste hazardous. The composition of the waste can be determined in one of three ways: 1. Knowledge of the process or activity that produced the waste, 2. Chemical / microbiological analysis of the waste, and/or 3. Information on the data safety sheet. Waste will come under the hazardous mirror entry if: it contains a dangerous substance(s) with a concentration at or above the appropriate threshold; and/or a test shows a hazardous property. Waste will be non-hazardous if it contains a dangerous substance(s) below the concentration level, or tests do not show a hazardous property. Then the non-hazardous part of the mirror entry should be used. If it is not possible to identify the composition of the waste the precautionary principle must be exercised and the waste must be consigned as hazardous waste.

3 A list of the categories of waste the university regularly disposes of has been reproduced in Appendix 1. If the waste produced as a result of a procedure or experiment does not appear there then the EWC must be consulted. Assessing threshold levels of waste To determine whether a mirror entry waste is hazardous the chemical composition of the waste and the hazardous properties of the chemicals must be identified. It must then be determined if the concentrations of these chemicals are sufficient to render the waste hazardous. Steps one to five on the next page break down the process. Threshold levels for hazardous properties are set out in Chapter 3 and Appendix C of the Environment Agency publication Technical Guidance WM2. Hazardous Waste - Interpretation of the definition and classification of hazardous waste. A summary of the hazardous properties and their threshold concentrations has been appended to this document. Assessments of mirror entries should be documented using the simple table in Appendix 5. Completed forms should be attached to completed COSHH forms along with the Waste Assessment. Packaging, used laboratory consumables, PPE and material used to wipe up spills are all classed as mirror entries in the European waste catalogue and will need to be assessed as such. It is necessary to assess the threshold levels of biological waste that are being disposed of through the offensive waste stream and the orange waste stream. Threshold levels of waste being disposed of through the yellow waste stream do not need to be determined as this waste is incinerated. Note: When considering whether the level of a hazardous substance in a waste exceeds the threshold concentrations it should be noted that mixing non-hazardous waste with hazardous waste with the purpose of reducing the concentration of the hazardous substances though dilution is not permitted.

4 Step one Identify the composition of the waste You should be able to identify the composition of the waste you produce using: Your own knowledge of the process or activity that produced the waste; and/or Chemical/microbiological analysis of the waste; and/or Information on the Safety Data Sheets. Step two Identify the risk phrases that apply to each component in the waste Once you have identified the components of the waste, you will then be able to identify the risk phrases that apply to any dangerous substances in the waste. Risk phrases for the dangerous components of the waste can be found in the Approved Supply List or from the Safety Data Sheets. Step three Identify the relevant hazards and threshold concentrations that apply to each component Having identified the risk phases associated with the waste you then need to identify the hazards and hazardous waste threshold limits for each component. The tables in Appendices 2 and 3 list hazards and the threshold limit for each risk phrase. Step four Record the hazards and threshold concentrations for each component You need to document your review of each mirror entry using the table in Appendix 5. This should be completed as part of the waste assessment. Step five Dispose of waste accordingly If any of the threshold concentrations recorded are exceeded, the waste will be classed as a mirror entry and must be disposed of as hazardous waste. If the thresholds are not exceeded then the waste can be disposed of as non hazardous waste. Note that for some hazards concentrations of components in the waste must be added together to calculate the total concentration of the substances with that hazard. See Appendix C of the WM2 for specific instances where this procedure applies.

5 Disposal of hazardous waste via the sewerage system Waste solutions from experiments containing trace/low levels of hazardous organic or water miscible chemicals can be disposed of via the sewer but must be flushed down with plenty of water However waste contaminated with the following should never be disposed of through the sewerage system. Antimony (*10mg/l) Arsenic (*10mg/l) Aldrin Atrazine Azinphos-ethyl Azinphos-methyl Beryllium (*10mg/l) Cadmium and compounds Calcium carbide Carbon disulphide Carbon tetrachloride Chloroform Chromium (*10mg/l) Copper (*10mg/l) DDT1 2-Dichloroethane Dichlorvos Dioxins Drins (aldrin, dieldrin, endrin) Endosulfan Fenitrothion Fenthion HCH (gamma hexachlorocyclohexane) Hexachlorobenzene Hexachlorobutadiene Lead (*10mg/l) Malathion Mercury and compounds Nickel (*10mg/l) Organo-halogen compounds Parathion Parathion-methyl PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) Pentachlorophenol and compounds Petrol Selenium (*10mg/l) Petroleum spirit** Silver (*10mg/l) Simazine Tetrachloroethylene Tin (*10mg/l) Tributyl-tin compounds Trichlorobenzene Trichloroethane Trichloroethylene Trifluralin Triphenyl-tin compounds Vanadium (*10mg/l) Zinc (*10mg/l) * At point of discharge to the public sewer. ** Defined in the Water Industry Act 199 1as (a) crude petroleum; (b) oil made from petroleum or from coal, shale, peat or other bituminous substances; or (c) product of petroleum or mixture containing petroleum, Alternative routes will need to be found for the disposal of these wastes, advice should be sought from the Environment Officer or Safety Services. Chemicals and medicines must not be disposed of via the sewer. Chemicals, solvents and oils should be disposed of using the X, Y and Z system overseen by Safety Services. Medicines should be disposed of using the purple medicine bins. Some liquid waste must be treated before disposal; refer to section to the next section. Treatment of hazardous waste prior to disposal There are some instances where it is a legal requirement to treat hazardous waste before it leaves the organisation: Acids, alkalis and other corrosive substances must be neutralised before being disposed of via the sewerage system. Infectious liquid wastes or liquid waste containing active GM material must be inactivated by validated methods before being disposed of via the sewerage system. Class 3 GMM waste must be inactivated within the laboratory suite and Class 4 GMMs must be inactivated with the laboratory prior to disposal. Infectious waste containing Class 3 and 4 pathogens, HG4, HG3 agents or Clostridium botulinum and poliovirus must be inactivated within the laboratory / laboratory suite prior to disposal. In instances where it is not legal requirement to treat hazardous waste prior to collection for disposal, departments are encouraged to do so if they have access to facilities.

6 Completing a waste assessment In order to ensure that all waste streams are identified during the waste assessment, it maybe useful to consider the materials and resources that are required for the investigations (i.e. inputs), how these are used in the process and then resulting outputs and waste. The outputs should then be listed in the table in Appendix 4 and the appropriate disposal route indicated. Examples of waste outputs include Damaged laboratory consumables Excess laboratory consumables Used laboratory consumables contaminated with various substances Out of date chemicals Excess chemicals Empty chemical containers Liquid broths Solid wastes Medicines Anatomical / tissue waste Used PPE gloves, goggles Sharps contaminated with various substances Off spec rejects / mistakes Packaging Spill residue and cloths

7 Appendix 1 Selected entries from the European Waste Catalogue Key Entries in red are Absolute entries and must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Entries in blue are Mirror entries and may be need to be disposed as hazardous waste if threshold levels are exceeded. Entries in black are non-hazardous waste. EWC code Description of waste wastes from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use (MFSU) of acids * sulphuric acid and sulphurous acid A * hydrochloric acid A * hydrofluoric acid A * phosphoric and phosphorous acid A * nitric acid and nitrous acid A * other acids A wastes from the MFSU of bases * calcium hydroxide A * ammonium hydroxide A * sodium and potassium hydroxide A * other bases A metal-containing wastes other than those mentioned in * wastes containing arsenic M * wastes containing mercury M * wastes containing other heavy metals M wastes from MFSU and removal of paint and varnish * waste paint and varnish containing organic solvents or other dangerous substances M waste paint and varnish other than those mentioned in * waste paint or varnish remover A wastes from MFSU of adhesives and sealants (including waterproofing products) * waste adhesives and sealants containing organic solvents or other dangerous substances M waste adhesives and sealants other than those mentioned in waste hydraulic oils * hydraulic oils, containing PCBs A * chlorinated emulsions A * non-chlorinated emulsions A * mineral-based chlorinated hydraulic oils A * mineral-based non-chlorinated hydraulic oils A * synthetic hydraulic oils A * readily biodegradable hydraulic oils A * other hydraulic oils A waste engine, gear and lubricating oils * mineral-based chlorinated engine, gear and lubricating oils A * mineral-based non-chlorinated engine, gear and lubricating oils A * synthetic engine, gear and lubricating oils A * readily biodegradable engine, gear and lubricating oils A * other engine, gear and lubricating oils A wastes of liquid fuels * fuel oil and diesel A * petrol A * other fuels (including mixtures) A waste organic solvents, refrigerants and foam/aerosol propellants * chlorofluorocarbons, HCFC, HFC A * other halogenated solvents and solvent mixtures A * other solvents and solvent mixtures A * sludges or solid wastes containing halogenated solvents A * sludges or solid wastes containing other solvents A

8 15 01 packaging (including separately collected municipal packaging waste) paper and cardboard packaging plastic packaging wooden packaging mixed packaging * packaging containing residues of or contaminated by dangerous substances M * metallic packaging containing a dangerous solid porous matrix (for example asbestos) absorbents, filter materials, wiping cloths and protective clothing * absorbents, filter materials (including oil filters not otherwise specified), wiping cloths, M protective clothing contaminated by dangerous substances absorbents, filter materials, wiping cloths and protective clothing other than those mentioned in wastes from electrical and electronic equipment * transformers and capacitors containing PCBs M * discarded equipment containing or contaminated by PCBs other than those mentioned in M * discarded equipment containing chlorofluorocarbons, HCFC, HFC M * discarded equipment containing free asbestos M * discarded equipment containing hazardous components other than those mentioned in 16 M to discarded equipment other than those mentioned in to * hazardous components removed from discarded equipment A components removed from discarded equipment other than those mentioned in gases in pressure containers and discarded chemicals * laboratory chemicals, consisting of or containing dangerous substances, including mixtures of laboratory chemicals * discarded inorganic chemicals consisting of or containing dangerous substances M * discarded organic chemicals consisting of or containing dangerous substances M discarded chemicals other than those mentioned in , or batteries and accumulators * lead batteries A * Ni-Cd batteries A * mercury-containing batteries A alkaline batteries (except ) other batteries and accumulators * separately collected electrolyte from batteries and accumulators A wastes from natal care, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease in humans Body parts and organs including blood bags and blood preserves (except ) * wastes whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to A prevent infection wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection wastes from research, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease involving animals * wastes whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to A prevent infection wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection * chemicals consisting of or containing dangerous substances M chemicals other than those mentioned in * cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines A medicines other than those mentioned in M

9 20 01 separately collected fractions (except 15 01) paper and cardboard glass * solvents A * acids A * alkalines A * photochemicals A * pesticides A * fluorescent tubes and other mercury-containing waste A * discarded equipment containing chlorofluorocarbons M edible oil and fat oil and fat other than those mentioned in A * paint, inks, adhesives and resins containing dangerous substances M paint, inks, adhesives and resins other than those mentioned in * detergents containing dangerous substances M detergents other than those mentioned in A * cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines medicines other than those mentioned in * batteries and accumulators included in , or and unsorted A batteries and accumulators containing these batteries batteries and accumulators other than those mentioned in * discarded electrical and electronic equipment other than those mentioned in and M containing hazardous components discarded electrical and electronic equipment other than those mentioned in , and * wood containing dangerous substances M wood other than that mentioned in plastics metals Note: This is a list of categories of waste that the University regularly disposes of. If the waste produced as a result of a procedure or experiment does not appear then the European Waste Catalogue must be consulted.

10 Appendix 2 Hazardous Properties Wastes are classed as hazardous if they have one or more of the hazardous properties described below. Code Hazardous property Description H1 Explosive Substances and preparations which may explode under the effect of flame or that are more sensitive to shocks or friction than dinitrobenzene. H2 Oxidising Substances and preparations which exhibit highly exothermic reactions when in contact with other substances, particularly flammable substances. H3A Highly flammable Liquid substances and preparations having a flash point below 21 o C (including extremely flammable liquids), or Substances and preparations which may become hot and finally catch fire in contact with air at ambient temperature without any application of energy or Solid substances and preparations which may readily catch fire after brief contact with a source of ignition and which continue to burn or to be consumed after removal of the ignition source or Gaseous substances and preparations which are flammable in air at normal temperature and pressure or Substances and preparations which, in contact with water or damp air, evolve highly flammable gases in dangerous quantities. H3B Flammable Liquid substances and preparations having a flash point equal to or greater than 21 o C and less than or equal to 55 o C. H4 Irritant Non-corrosive substances and preparations which, through immediate, prolonged or repeated contact with the skin or mucous membrane, can cause inflammation. H5 Harmful Substances and preparations which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve limited health risks. H6 Toxic Substances and preparations (including very toxic substances and preparations) which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve serious, acute or chronic health risks and even death. H7 Carcinogenic Substances and preparations which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may induce cancer or increase its incidence. H8 Corrosive Substances and preparations which may destroy living tissue on contact. H9 Infectious Substances containing viable micro-organisms or their toxins which are known or reliably believed to cause disease in man or other living organisms. H10 Teratogenic Substances and preparations which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may induce non-hereditary congenital malformations or increase their incidence. H11 Mutagenic Substances and preparations which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may induce hereditary genetic defects or increase their incidence. H12 Substances and preparations which release toxic or very toxic gases in contact with water, air or an acid. H13 Sensitizing Sensitizing : substances and preparations which, if they are inhaled or if they penetrate the skin, are capable of eliciting a reaction of hypersensitization such that on further exposure to the substance or preparation, characteristic adverse effects are produced. [As far as testing methods are available]. H14 Ecotoxic Substances and preparations which present or may present immediate or delayed risks for one or more sectors of the environment. H15 Substances and preparations capable by any means, after disposal, of yielding another substance, e.g. a leachate, which possesses any characteristics listed above. Note: Although not explicitly stated GM wastes are classed as hazardous, and are often classed as infectious (H9).

11 Appendix 3 - Mirror Entry Thresholds Risk Phrase R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R14 R15 R16 Hazardous property Explosive when dry Explosive Explosive Oxidising Flammable Highly flammable Extremely flammable N/A Flammable Explosive Threshold / comments This risk phrase is not related directly to explosive properties, but rather to an ability to cause explosions in the presence of or in combination with other substances. Wastes containing substances with these risk phrases will be candidates for hazard H15. There is no generic threshold for these risk phrases therefore waste containing any concentration with these substances must be classed as hazardous waste unless It is known that other substances in the waste modify the waste so that it is not explosive, Testing demonstrates that the waste is not more explosive than dinitrobenzene (this should only be done in exceptional circumstances). These risk phrases are not related directly to explosive properties, but rather to an ability to cause explosions in the presence of or in combination with other substances. Wastes containing substances with these risk phrases will be candidates for hazard H15. There is no single limiting concentration applicable to these risk phrases. The process for calculating whether oxidising waste needs to be classed as hazardous is set out in Appendix C C2 of the technical guidance. If the waste exceeds other thresholds and is classed as hazardous waste then there is no need to assess this property. Liquid substances with a flashpoint 55 C. Test required*. Solid substances that will readily catch fire, liquid substances with a flashpoint below 21 C. Test required*. Liquid substances with a flashpoint lower than 0 C and a boiling point 35 C. Test required*. This risk phrase is only associated with waste exhibiting other hazards and will not constitute hazardous waste in isolation. Waste containing this risk phrase should be assessed to determine if other hazardous substances are released after disposal. Substances that release highly flammable gases at a rate in excess of 1m3 per tonne per hour on contact with water. Calculation or test required*. This risk phrase is not related directly to explosive properties, but rather to an ability to cause explosions in the presence of or in combination with other substances. Wastes containing substances with these risk phrases will be candidates for hazard H15. R17 Flammable Substance is spontaneously flammable in air. Test required*. R18 R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 Explosive Harmful Toxic Very toxic These risk phrases are not related directly to explosive properties, but rather to an ability to cause explosions in the presence of or in combination with other substances. Wastes containing substances with these risk phrases will be candidates for hazard H15. One or more substances classified as harmful at a total concentration 25%. One or more substances classified as toxic at a total concentration 3%. One or more substances classified as very toxic at a total concentration 0.1%.

12 R29 R30 R31 R32 R33 R34 R35 R36 R37 R38 R39 R40 Releases toxic on gases N/A Releases toxic on gases N/A Corrosive Corrosive Irritant Toxic Carcinogenic Substances that release highly flammable gases at a rate in excess of 1m3 per tonne per hour. Calculation or test required*. This is an additional risk phrase and this phrase alone will not cause a waste to be hazardous. Substances that release highly flammable gases at a rate in excess of 1m3 per tonne per hour. Calculation or test required*. Wastes with this risk phase will not constitute hazardous waste in isolation. One or more corrosive substances classified as R34 at a total concentration 5%. One or more corrosive substances classified as R35 at a total concentration 1%. One or more irritant substances classified as R36, R37, R38 at a total concentration 20%. This risk phrase is always combined with phrases R Refer to these phrases. One substance known to be carcinogenic of category 3 at a concentration 1%. R41 R42 R43 R44 R45 R46 R48 R49 Irritant Sensitizing Explosive Carcinogenic Mutagenic Harmful / toxic Carcinogenic One or more irritant substances classified as R41 at a total concentration 10%. Limiting concentrations are given in CHIP for some specific substances. Thresholds range from % to 0.5%. If the substance not listed in Table 3.2 to the CLP, the limit is 0.2% for gaseous substances and 1% for other substances. This risk phrase is not related directly to explosive properties, but rather to an ability to cause explosions in the presence of or in combination with other substances. Wastes containing substances with these risk phrases will be candidates for hazard H15. One substance known to be carcinogenic of category 1 or 2 at a concentration 0.1%. One mutagenic substance of category 1 or 2 classified as R46 at a concentration 0.1%. This risk phrase is always combined with phrases R Refer to these phrases. One substance known to be carcinogenic of category 1 or 2 at a concentration 0.1%. R50 Ecotoxic One ecotoxic substance classified as R50 at a concentration 25%. R50/53 Ecotoxic One ecotoxic substance classified as R50/53 at a concentration 0.25%. R51/53 Ecotoxic One ecotoxic substance classified as R51/53 at a concentration 2.5%.

13 R52/53 Ecotoxic One ecotoxic substance classified as R52/53 at a concentration 25 %. R52 Ecotoxic One ecotoxic substance classified as R52 at a concentration 25 %. R53 Ecotoxic One ecotoxic substance classified as R53 at a concentration 25 %. R54 R55 R56 R57 R58 Ecotoxic Detailed criteria have not yet been developed for risk phrases relating to the terrestrial environment. Until criteria have been developed these risk phrases should not be considered when assessing hazardous waste. R59 Ecotoxic One ecotoxic substance classified as R59 at a concentration 0.1 %. R60 R61 R62 R63 R64 R65 Teratogenic Teratogenic N/A Harmful One substance toxic for reproduction of category 1 or 2 classified as R60, R61 at a concentration 0,5 %. One substance toxic for reproduction of category 3 classified as R62, R63 at a concentration 5 %. This is an additional risk phrase, this phrase alone will not cause a waste to be hazardous. One or more substances classified as harmful at a total concentration 25 %. R66 R67 N/A These are additional risk phrases, these phrases alone will not cause a waste to be hazardous. Harmful One or more substances classified as harmful at a total concentration 25 %. R68 Mutagenic One mutagenic substance of category 3 classified as R68 at a concentration 1 %. *Appendix C of the technical guidance gives further details of the required tests and calculations. Notes There are very complex relationships between risk phrases 50 to 53 and 59 (ecotoxic). If the waste has been assigned more than one ecotoxic risk phrase Appendix C of the technical guidance must be consulted for further guidance. Risk phrases 20 to 28 and 39, 48, 65, 68 (harmful, toxic and very toxic) are cumulative the threshold limit applies to the total concentration of substances in the waste classed as harmful, toxic or very toxic. However concentrations of very toxic substances can only be added to concentrations of other very toxic substances, concentrations of toxic substances can only be added to concentrations of other toxic substances and concentrations of harmful substances can only be added to concentrations of other harmful substances. Some waste may release other hazardous substances after disposal, for example dioxins maybe released during incineration or leachate may be released. The substances released during disposal need to be assessed using the thresholds above to determine the most appropriate disposal route. Threshold values are given as percentage of weight for weight, i.e. the percent by weight of the hazardous component in the total weight of the waste.

14 Appendix 4 Waste assessment Output / waste Treatment* Chemical Sewage Anatomical and prions Infectious and GM Disposal route Offensive Sharps Medicine Electrical equipment General waste / recycling *Can the waste be treated in the lab or the lab suite to reduce its hazardous properties for example through inactivation, neutralisation or rinsing / washing? see notes on page 6.

15 Appendix 5 - Assessment of Mirror Entries Output / waste Hazardous ingredient (s) % of ingredient (s) in waste Risk phrase assigned to hazardous ingredient (s) Threshold limit of component (s) Threshold exceeded?