Universal Waste Management Plan

Hazardous and Universal Waste Guide

The State of Connecticut has adopted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rule governing the management of certain hazardous wastes. Although still considered "hazardous," this "Universal Waste" rule provides for reduced management and record keeping requirements regarding these wastes.

The EPA and Connecticut DEEP require that labels clearly marked with the words "Universal Waste" must be affixed to the plastic pail, cardboard barrel, Gaylord box, or to each battery or electronic component placed in storage pending disposal. The date of disposal must be annotated on the label. (This label will be affixed at the waste storage area.) Universal Waste rules state that we are allowed to accumulate up to 10,000 lbs., and have 1 year from that date to ship the waste offsite for proper recycling and disposal.

If you need to dispose any of the following, please DO NOT throw it into the regular trash!

  • Used Electronics - Computers, monitors, televisions, keyboards, printers, calculators, etc.  (Anything that has a circuit board or a CRT.)  Electronic equipment contain lead, mercury, cadmium, silver and many other hazardous components.
  • Fluorescent Lamps, Bulbs and Ballasts - Includes all mercury containing lamps, such as mercury vapor, sodium vapor and high pressure sodium bulbs.)
  • Thermostats - Contains a Mercury switch.
  • Unused Pesticides
  • Batteries - Rechargeable batteries, and some non-rechargeable, contain hazardous components, including lead, nickle, silver, lithium, mercury and others metals.  Lead acid batteries also contain sulfuric acid.)

Refer to the Hazardous and Universal Waste Guide for further information on these wastestreams.

 

 Disposal Procedures

Faculty and staff and students should give these items to the building custodian, who will transport them to Physical Plant for proper disposal and recycling: 

Custodians will have a supply of plastic bags for batteries and CFL's.

  • Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL's) - Place into an individual plastic bag, then collect in a covered plastic pail kept by the building custodian.
  • Batteries (Except for alkaline and carbon zinc, which may be discarded into the regular trash.) - Place each battery should be placed in a individual plastic bag before being placed into a covered plastic pail.  Larger batteries require a piece of duct tape over each battery terminal.  (The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a Battery Safety Compliance Advisory on this issue.) 
    • Batteries are brought back to the Stockroom at Physical Plant, where they are segregated by type. Smaller NiCds and NiMH batteries are placed in individual covered plastic pails, while larger lead acid batteries are stored on secondary containment inside the 180 day Hazardous Waste facility. 
    • A "Universal Waste" label must be affixed to the plastic container when the first battery is deposited.  A label must be affixed to larger lead acid batteries placed on the secondary containment in the hazardous waste storage facility. 
  • Waste Electronics (TV's, computers, printers, monitors, etc.  Anything with a circuit board.) - Contact the Director of EH&S at x-2252. for assistance.
    • Unwanted electronics are collected and stored in Gaylord boxes, in the garage of College House pending disposal.
    • The Universal Waste disposal contractor affixes a pre-printed "Universal Waste" label to each Gaylord box, with the date it was placed in service  
  • Aerosol Cans - Should be collected and taken to the Physical Plant Stockroom for depressurizing and draining of the hazardous contents.  The empty can will be recycled.

 The following items should be disposed of in the recycling box located in the Post Office. 

  • Small Electronic Items (Cell phones, iPods/MP3 players)
  • Note:  Although not a regulated waste, empty printer cartridges may also be placed in the recycling box in the Post Office.  LaserJet cartridges should be taken to the Print Shop.
  • Note:  Fluorescent lamps/tubes are replaced by Physical Plant personnel.  The tubes are brought back to the Service Building, and sorted into cardboard barrels and boxes supplied by the Universal Waste contractor.

 

Spill Procedures

  • Fluorescent Lamps and CFL's:
    • Do not throw fluorescent lamp tubes or high intensity discharge lamps, broken or unbroken, into the regular trash.
    • Ventilate the area where the breakage occurred.  When a fluorescent lamp or tube is broken, most of the mercury vapor is released.
    • Because a very small quantity of mercury remains in the phosphorus powder, wear appropriate PPE. At a minimum wear a pair of latex gloves.
    • Carefully pick up the larger glass fragments, then thoroughly and carefully clean the spill with a damp disposable sponge or paper towels, to remove the phosphorus powder and any remaining glass fragments.
    • Dispose of the broken glass, phosphorus powder, contaminated gloves and clean up materials in the poly drum located in the Storeroom at Physical Plant.  A plastic pail with a tight fitting lid. can be used to transport the broken lamp to the Service Building.  (Plastic pails are available from the Storeroom Manager, at ext. 2257, or the Director of EH&S at ext. 2252.)
    • Never vacuum debris from broken fluorescent lamps with a standard vacuum cleaner!  Use only moist sponges or paper towels when cleaning phosphorus powder from broken lamps.
    • Contact the Stockroom Manager at the Service Building, at X-2257, or the Director of EH&S at X-2252 for disposal assistance.  They will ensure that a properly filled out "Hazardous Waste" label is affixed to the pail before it is placed in storage.
  • Lead Acid Batteries:
    • Don appropriate PPE (At a minimum, heavy duty nitrile gloves and splash goggles).
    • Prevent the spread of sulfuric acid by creating a berm around the spill with kitty litter or "Speedi-dri".
    • Place the broken battery into plastic pail that has a tight fitting cover/lid.
    • Neutralize the acid with baking soda, found in the chemical spill kit.
    • Use an absorbent pad or speedi-dri to soak up the spilled liquid.
    • Place the absorbent pad, contaminated kitty litter, baking soda and neutralized acid into the pail with the broken battery.
    • Affix a properly completed hazardous waste label and place in the Hazardous Waste Storage Facility.
    • Contact the Director of EH&S for assistance at extension 2252
  • Mercury Thermostats
    • Because of safety and environmental requirements for liquid mercury, the Director of Environmental Health & Safety will respond to all elemental mercury spills. 
    • The individual discovering or reporting the spill should determine the extent of the spill, evacuate and secure the area so the mercury does not get "tracked" or "kicked" around, then contact the Director of EH&S at extension 2252. (After hours call Campus Safety at extension 2222.
    • The Director of EH&S will evaluate the spill.  Larger mercury spills require emergency response from a HAZMAT spill responder.
    • For smaller spills, the Director of EH&S will:
      • don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (Nitrile gloves and safety glasses)
      • vacuum all loose globules of mercury with a hand-held vacuum pump, then sprinkle the area with "Hg Absorb" granules, to absorb any remaining mercury.
      • test the spill area with "Mercury Test Swabs"
      • sprinkle "Mercury Vapor Adsorbent," and allow time for the powder to absorb any remaining mercury vapors.
      • place the mercury, cleaning materials and gloves into an appropriate container (glass or plastic, with a tight fitting lid/cap), properly label with a Hazardous Waste Label (See the Hazardous Waste Management Plan) and place in the Hazardous Waste Storage Facility.
  • Broken Computers and Other Electronics
    • Wear personal protective attire appropriate to prevent injury when cleaning up broken CRT glass and debris. Recommended attire includes safety glasses, puncture resistant gloves (e.g. leather or other heavy duty work gloves), protective clothing such as long sleeve shirt and pants.
    • Sweep up the broken glass and dispose of in large heavy duty plastic bags. Double bag the waste. If possible, place the bag into a cardboard box, and tape it shut. Do not attempt to remove any portion of the CRT from its housing or television cabinet.
    • Fill out an orange "Hazardous Waste" label and affix it to the bag(s) or box.
    • Call the Director of Environmental Health and Safety to coordinate transport to the hazardous waste storage facility.

       

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Phone:
860-439-2252

Fax:
840-439-5180

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