How do I manage this waste stream?

Practical advice on how to manage, recycle, or dispose of common wastes at Brookhaven

Pollution Prevention Home | EWMS Home

Note: Advice on waste disposal and management is for typical waste streams. Wastes contaminated with hazardous or radioactive materials may require additional controls.

Acids

Unused acids that have not expired can be made available to the laboratory community for use via the Chemical Management System’s "Chemical Exchange" program.

I. Disposal via the sink

Any material disposed to the sink constitutes a liquid effluent. Requirements for releasing liquid effluents are contained in the BNL Standards Based Management System subject area entitled, Liquid Effluents.

Some liquid effluents may contain material not listed on the sink releasable chemical list, but may be sink releasable. These effluents must be evaluated by the subject matter expert in the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division to determine whether the effluent is acceptable for sink release. The procedure for having a liquid effluent evaluated for sink release are contained in the above reference subject area, or contact your Environmental Compliance Representative for help.

Small quantities of certain acids can be neutralized by knowledgeable staff and disposed to the sink following the guidance in Neutralization. Contact the Environmental Compliance Representative for assistance in determining whether this is advisable.

II. Disposal via the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division

Acids which can not be disposed in the sink shall be accumulated, stored, labeled and disposed of per the requirements described in the BNL Standards Based Management System subject area entitled Hazardous Waste

III. Acid waste storage issues:

The following acids should not be stored together, because they are incompatible:

• Acetic Acid, Chromic Acid and Nitric Acid
• Acetic Acid and Perchloric Acid
• Nitric Acid and Hydrocyanic Acid

Refer to the exhibit in the Hazardous Waste subject area "Examples of Incompatible Chemicals" for a more complete list of chemical incompatibilities, or contact your Environmental Compliance Representative or Waste Management Representative.

Aerosol Cans

There are two options for managing aerosol cans: Either as a recycled material or as a hazardous waste.

Management as a Recycled Material

Empty and release all pressure from the can by puncturing using an approved can-puncturer.  Aerosol cans containing highly toxic chemicals (a.k.a. acute or RCRA P-wastes, or pesticides/herbicides/rodenticides) may NOT be punctured and must be managed as hazardous wastes. Additionally, generators may NOT puncture cans using other than an approved device as it may be UNSAFE.  

NOTE: Un-punctured, depressurized cans (i.e. will no longer discharge contents) should not be assumed to be, nor managed as, empty or scrap as they may still contain product.

Once the aerosol can is punctured and allowed to thoroughly drain of residual liquids, the metal cans may be recycled as scrap metal as per the Industrial Waste SBMS Subject Area.

Call your ESH Coordinator, ECR or WMR to determine if a can-puncturer is available to your group.

Management as Hazardous Waste

Instead of using an approved can-puncturer, generators have the option of managing the cans as hazardous waste (i.e. ignitable, toxic; depending on the type of contents and/or propellant).  Cans must be managed as per the Hazardous Waste SBMS Subject Area and generators may accumulate them in a satellite area or inside a 90-Day Hazardous Waste Accumulation Area.

Note: aerosol cans containing materials that transform into solids or semi-solids upon discharge (such as foam insulation, sealants, etc) cannot be punctured as it clogs the approved can puncturer. Also, cans not containing hazardous propellants and/or hazardous components (e.g. shaving cream cans) do not require puncturing and can be handled as scrap metal.

Aluminum Cans

A recyclable material; should be disposed of in dedicated recycling containers, located in the Cafeteria (Berkner Hall) or in Building lunchrooms or kitchenettes. You may request an aluminum can recycling container from the Recycling Coordinator.

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)

Waste that does not contain another hazardous material and contains asbestos becomes classified as asbestos containing material waste (ACM). Special programs on the federal, state, and Laboratory level regulate and/or manage asbestos waste depending on the form and concentration of asbestos in waste. Individuals who are involved with asbestos and ACM abatement, removal, and disposal shall obtain specific regulatory-based training and certification. BNL requires all ACM removal and waste activity to be coordinated by the Plant Engineering Division (PE). Contact PE’s Asbestos Abatement Coordinator on extension x5284 to arrange for the removal and disposal of ACM.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze (typically ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) is usually characterized as "Industrial Waste". Collect spent antifreeze in an appropriate container for transfer to Environmental and Waste Management Services Division. Complete the Nonradioactive Waste Control Form, label the container with a 'Non-Hazardous Waste' label and move the container to the 90-Day Accumulation Area.

Batteries

Batteries may or may not be "universal  wastes" depending on the type.

• Alkaline batteries - Currently manufactured alkaline batteries (post-1995) may be disposed of in the regular garbage (no hazardous constituents). Old stockpiled batteries (pre-1995) should be disposed of as “universal  waste” (see note below describing new “Universal Waste” regulations).
• Button Cells (silver oxide and/or mercury oxide = calculator, watches, etc.) - These batteries are typically characterized as "Universal Waste" due to the silver or mercury content. These batteries should be segregated by content in the satellite accumulation area. Complete the Nonradioactive Waste Control Form, label the container as per the above and move the container to the 90-Day Accumulation Area.
• Lead Acid batteries (automotive type) – automotive batteries should be brought to the BNL Motor Pool (Building 423) for proper recycling. Note: Do not empty the liquid contents of the battery.
• Lead Containing batteries (D-cell type) – typically characterized as "Universal Waste" due to the lead content. Collect batteries as per the universal waste requirements below and  transfer to Environmental and Waste Management Services Division. Complete the Nonradioactive Waste Control Form, and move the container to the 90-Day Accumulation Area.
• Lithium batteries – typically characterized as "Universal Waste" due to the lithium content. Collect batteries in an appropriate container for transfer to Environmental and Waste Management Services Division. Complete the Nonradioactive Waste Control Form, label the container as per the above and move the container to the 90-Day Accumulation Area.
• NiCad (nickel/cadmium = power tool batteries/power packs) – typically characterized as "Universal  Waste" due to the cadmium content. Collect batteries in an appropriate container as per the above for transfer to Environmental and Waste Management Services Division. Complete the Nonradioactive Waste Control Form, and move the container to the 90-Day Accumulation Area.

NOTE: New York State Department of Conservation regulations regarding batteries containing hazardous constituents (e.g. lead, lithium, mercury/mercury oxide, nickel-cadmium, silver/silver oxide, etc.) have recently changed to facilitate recycling. These batteries are considered “universal wastes”, NOT hazardous wastes. Storage containers for waste batteries must be:

1. Labeled with “Universal Waste-battery(ies)” or “Waste Battery(ies)” or “Used Battery(ies)”,
2. Marked with the type of battery (e.g. mercury, lithium, mercury, etc.),
3. Dated when the first battery was added to the container,
4. Compatible with the battery(ies) stored (e.g. plastic container for lead-acid batteries),
5. Structurally sound without major defects, and
6. Closed at all times unless adding a battery(ies)

Generators may keep the above batteries for up to one (1) year from the time the first battery was placed into the container until shipped off-site for disposal/recycling. Generators must also allot enough time for Environmental and Waste Management Services Division to process the batteries and ship them off site so as not to exceed the 1 year limit.

Leaking batteries must NOT be handled as “universal wastes”. Since batteries may contain hazardous materials, contact the ECR for guidance. Batteries that are Universal Waste must be segregated by type in the satellite accumulation area.

Bottles (Beverage)

A recyclable material; should be disposed of in dedicated recycling containers, located in the Cafeteria (Berkner Hall) or in Building lunchrooms or kitchenettes. You may request a yellow bottle/can recycling container from the Recycling Coordinator.

Broken Glass

To protect janitorial and waste handling staff from injury, please place glass, whether broken or intact, into a rigid outer container (such as plasticware or cardboard) marked with the works "glass" or "broken glass". Glass packaged in this manner can then be placed into regular trash receptacles. Office, lounge and food areas should have recycling bins for unbroken glass containers such as soda bottles. If the waste glassware was used to store a chemical, see Empty Chemical Containers for guidance on proper disposal.

Caustic Wastes

I. Disposal via the sink

Unused bases that have not expired can be made available to the laboratory community for use via the Chemical Management System’s "Chemical Exchange" program.

Any material disposed to the sink constitutes a liquid effluent. Requirements for releasing liquid effluents are contained in the BNL Standards Based Management System subject area entitled, Liquid Effluents.

Some liquid effluents may contain material not listed on the sink releasable chemical list, but may be sink releasable. These effluents must be evaluated by the subject matter expert in the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division to determine whether the effluent is acceptable for sink release. The procedure for having a liquid effluent evaluated for sink release are contained in the above reference subject area, or contact your Environmental Compliance Representative for help.

Small quantities of certain bases can be neutralized by knowledgeable staff and disposed to the sink following the guidance in Neutralization of Corrosive Wastes.

II. Disposal via the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division

Caustic wastes that cannot be disposed of to the sink shall be accumulated, stored, labeled and disposed of per requirements described in the BNL Standards Based Management System subject area entitled Hazardous Waste Management

Refer to the exhibit in the Hazardous Waste subject area "Examples of Incompatible Chemicals" for a more complete list of chemical incompatibilities, or contact your Environmental Compliance Representative or Waste Management Representative.

Chemicals

Unused chemicals that have not expired can be made available to the laboratory community for use via the "Chemical Management System’s "Chemical Exchange" program.

Please search the list of waste management techniques for the specific type of waste stream that you have.

General disposal instructions for chemicals:

• Waste chemicals must be accumulated, stored, labeled and disposed of per the requirements described in the BNL Standards Based Management System subject area entitled Hazardous Waste.
• Refer to the exhibit in the Hazardous Waste Management subject area titled "Examples of Incompatible Chemicals" for a list of chemicals that should not be stored together.
• Refer to the exhibit in the Hazardous Waste subject area titled "Sink Releasable Chemical List", for guidance regarding chemicals that can be discharged to the sink.

Questions? Contact your Environmental Compliance Representative or Waste Management Representative.

Chlorinated Solvents

See Solvents

 Compactable Radioactive Waste

• Compactable Radioactive Waste refers to items that are easily crushed in a compactor. Examples include paper; rags; clothing; respirators; empty glassware; easily crushable, empty, lightweight metal labware; and empty crushable plastic labware.
• Compactable Radioactive Waste shall be shall be accumulated, stored, labeled and disposed of per requirements described in the BNL Standards Based Management System subject area entitled Radioactive Waste Management.

Computers & Related Equipment

Computers and related equipment are considered sensitive items, which are controlled and inventoried by Property Management, and hence need to follow a specific protocol for transfer/disposal.  The first thing to do is contact your Department’s Property Representative (see https://sbms.bnl.gov/SupportServices.cfm?SS=P).  The Property Representative will aid you in determining the proper SOP’s to follow.  The hierarchy of computer / electronic equipment disposal is:

• Internal division transfer – transferred to another individual with the Department
• Intra-Lab transfer – transferred to another Department
• Transfer to excess – usable equipment which may be transferred to a non for profit school participating in the Computers for Learning Program
• Sent to a recycler for disposal

Controlled Substances

Controlled substances designated as waste are rarely managed by BNL and are handled on a case-by-case basis. When you designate controlled substances as waste, send a complete inventory (Chemical Name, CAS No., and Weight (solid) or Volume (liquid) of Waste) to a Environmental and Waste Management Services Division Generator Services Supervisor. Environmental and Waste Management Services Division will contact the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on your behalf. You will be required to complete a DEA Form 41 and may be interviewed by a local DEA Agent. Although Environmental and Waste Management Services Division will arrange transportation and disposal of the materials on your behalf, Environmental and Waste Management Services Division does not fund disposal of controlled substances. You will be required to pay for transportation and disposal costs. You may also be required to witness the destruction of the controlled substances at the disposal facility.

Corrosive Wastes

See Acids and/or Caustic Wastes

Neutralization of Corrosives for Sink Disposal

If you have corrosive waste that is rad contaminated, see Neutralization of Radioactive Corrosive Waste.

Small quantities of acids or caustic waste can be neutralized by knowledgeable staff to a pH of 6-8 in the laboratory and disposed to the sink, if safe practices are followed during the neutralization. The following guidelines apply:

• The concentration of the solution being neutralized should be <1 Normal.
• The volume of the solution should be < 1 Liter.
• The acid/caustic cannot contain contaminates, especially halogenated organics, oils or metals such as arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, or silver.
• All constituents of the neutralized solution must be listed on the Sink Releasable Chemical List. As per this list, some uncontaminated acids can be discharged into the sink directly, with running water.
• Acids that cannot be neutralized and sink disposed are chromic acid, hydrofluoric and fluoboric acid.

Any liquid disposed to the sink constitutes a liquid effluent. Requirements for releasing liquid effluents are contained in the BNL Standards Based Management System subject area entitled Liquid Effluents.

There are special cases when an effluent that contains material not listed on the sink releasable chemical list is sink releasable. These wastes must be evaluated by the subject matter expert in the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division to determine whether it is acceptable for sink release. The procedure for having a liquid effluent evaluated for sink release is contained in the above referenced Liquid Effluent subject area. If you have questions regarding liquid effluent, or require help identifying potential sink releasable effluents, contact your Environmental Compliance Representative or your Waste Management Representative.

Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated Cardboard is a recyclable material; if large quantities, locate the dumpster labeled as "Cardboard Only" and dispose of therein – if small quantities, leave the contents outside of your office door and custodial services will recycle it.

Cylinders (gas)

Unwanted, Non-Radioactive cylinders, including lecture bottles, may be managed in one of the following ways. For cylinders that are in good condition and are properly marked to identify the contents, contact the Cylinder Warehouse (ext. 2964) managed by the Procurement & Property Management Division to try and arrange for return of the cylinder(s) to the supplier/manufacturer.  See the Supply & Material group procedure for tagging and control of gas cylinders.

If the cylinder cannot be returned to the supplier/manufacturer, then cylinders must be disposed through the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division. See the Hazardous Waste Management subject area for guidance. If the cylinder is in poor condition and/or its contents are uncertain, contact the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division for characterization/disposal guidance.

Degreasing & Part Washing Wastes

The two most common broad categories of part-washing methods are;

1. Aqueous-based cleaning
2. Solvent-based cleaning

Use part washing solutions in this order of preference:

1. Aqueous cleaning solutions, like alconox, trisodium phosphate (Spic & Span), Simple Green, etc.
2. High flash point mineral spirits cleaners, like kerosene
3. Non-Chlorinated solvent cleaners, like ethanol or isopropanol. DON'T use toluene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), benzene, 2-ethoxyethanol, or 2-nitropropane if at all possible. These compounds are listed hazardous wastes.
4. Chlorinated solvent cleaners should be the last resort. These are typically all hazardous wastes.

Disposal of part washing wastes varies depending on the type of cleaner used and what has been cleaned off the parts. Certain parts washers are Hazardous Wastes when disposed while others are Industrial Wastes. Additionally, rags and wipes contaminated with certain degreasers are also considered Hazardous Waste. See the guidance below to determine the best method for disposal of the materials used.

Aqueous-based Part Washing Wastes

Typically involves;

• Detergents and water
• Aqueous solutions of acids or bases

Typically disposal recommendations are;

• Detergent-based aqueous cleaning solutions are typically not hazardous wastes. Often they are releasable to the sanitary system with the approval of the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division (see the Liquid Effluents subject area). If they were used to clean gross amounts of oil and grease, they may require disposal as industrial wastes, unless it is contaminated with hazardous or radioactive materials in which case it should be managed accordingly. A secondary option to disposal as an Industrial waste is to contact your ECR to see if the waste can be disposed of through the Central Shops evaporator.
• Aqueous solutions of acidic or basic cleansers are hazardous wastes IF the pH is less than or equal to 2.0 or greater than or equal to 12.5. You may neutralize the pH to 6-8 range, in which case the solution could be handled as an industrial waste, unless it is contaminated with hazardous or radioactive materials in which case it should be managed accordingly.

Solvent-based Part Washing

• High flash point mineral spirit based cleaners (e.g., kerosene) should be collected for disposal as industrial waste, unless it is contaminated with hazardous or radioactive materials in which case it should be managed accordingly.
• Non-Chlorinated solvent cleaners (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol) should be collected as hazardous waste due to ignitability. Rags and wipes contaminated with these solvents may be disposed in the trash PROVIDED THEY ARE DRY. Saturated rags/wipes should be collected and disposed as hazardous wastes.
• Halogenated Solvents (e.g., freon, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, perchloroethylene, etc.) must be disposed of as Hazardous Wastes. In addition, any rags or other items contaminated with the halogenated solvents must be disposed of as Hazardous Waste

Drums

Empty drums from virgin products (which have a deposit fee) may be sent back to the manufacturer if:

• the drum is kept in a secure location;
• the user can certify that the drum is not contaminated with other product (i.e, no other materials were placed in the drum for short-term storage);
• the drum was not stored in a “suspect area”; and
• the drum  is not activated or contaminated with radioactivity

In order to be able to ship the drums back, the user will need approval and authorization from both PPM and EWMSD.  You may contact your ECR for more information.

Drums, which are not activated or contaminated with radioactivity, were not stored in a “suspect area” and did not contain hazardous constituents, may be sent to the clean metals scrap yard for recycling.  The user will need to provide PPM with a Process Knowledge Certification Form.

Drums, which are not activated or contaminated with radioactivity and did not contain hazardous constituents but were stored in a “suspect area”, may be sent to the suspect metals scrap yard.  The user will need to provide PPM with a Process Knowledge Certification Form.

Drums, which are activated or contaminated with radioactivity and/or contained hazardous materials, will need to be sent to the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division for disposal.   The user will need to provide Environmental and Waste Management Services Division with a Nonradioactive Waste Control Form and Process Knowledge Certification Form.

Empty Chemical Containers and Drums

See Chemical Bottle Collection Program for empty chemical containers.
See Drums

Electrical Equipment

See also Computers and Related Equipment

Electrical equipment (e.g., motors, control panels, relays, switches, cables, meters, gauges, etc.) that is damaged, unusable, or has no intrinsic value may be disposed, salvaged, or recycled only when all hazardous material (e.g., asbestos, lead, oils, lead, PCBs, freon, mercury) has been removed from equipment and has been surveyed and certified as radiologically clean by the Radiological Controls Division.

Electrical equipment disposal may be subject to BNL sensitive and capital property management controls. The BNL Administrative Services Division’s Supply and Materiel Property Management Section is responsible for excessing or salvaging all non-hazardous material and equipment released by BNL organizations for disposal. Contact extension 2977 for information and instruction regarding property management controls for electrical equipment that may be bar-coded sensitive or capital equipment.

To dispose of non-hazardous electrical equipment, an Equipment Movement Request Form available from your department or division administrative office shall be completed and returned to the Property Management section located in Building 211.

Ethers

See Organic Peroxides and Peroxide Forming Compounds

Ethidium Bromide Solutions & Gels

Ethidium bromide (EtBr; 2,7-diamino-10-ethyl-phenylphenanthridinium bromide, CAS #1239-45-8) is used routinely by molecular biologists in visualization of nucleic acids in gels.  Wastes contaminated with ethidium bromide are not regulated as a hazardous waste, however the mutagenic properties of this substance may present a hazard if it is poured down the drain untreated or is disposed in the trash. It is therefore BNL practice to collect EtBr wastes as Industrial wastes.

Electrophoresis gels contaminated with EtBr should be collected in a container with a lid and a green Non-hazardous waste label.  The material should be disposed as an Industrial Waste following the Industrial Waste subject area.

Solutions containing EtBr *should either be treated or collected for disposal as an industrial waste.   Treatment of EtBr is encouraged to reduce the amount of waste being disposed.  Appropriate gloves should be worn when working with EtBr.

*solutions refers to aqueous based non-hazardous solutions.

Treatment of Aqueous Solutions of EtBr:

There are several methods for treatment of aqueous solutions with EtBr waste.  BNL encourages the use of activated charcoal for decontamination and does not permit treatment methods that utilize bleach.

Method 1: Activated Charcoal**

• Add 100 mg activated charcoal powder per 100 ml of solution to be decontaminated (dilute solutions ~0.5 ug/ml).
• Store solution for a minimum of 1 hour at room temperature, with occasional shaking or overnight stirring.
• Filter through Whatman No. 1 filter paper and discard the filtrate to the sanitary sewer system.
• Seal the filter and charcoal in a plastic bag for disposal as an industrial waste following the Hazardous Waste Management subject area.  Multiple filters with charcoal may be stored in each bag.

**This information was taken from http://res2.agr.ca/winnipeg/decontam.htm (Winnipeg Cereal Research Center) and http://www.man.ac.uk/policies/68.htm (University of Manchester)

Method 2: Activated Carbon Kit

• Purchase a gel destaining bag kit*
• Drop the bag into the solution (usually overnight). Review manufacturer directions.   Typically each bag adsorbs 10 mg EtBr.
• Occasionally shake or rotate solution.  Overnight stirring is acceptable.
• Discard wastewater to sanitary sewer.
• Collect bag for disposal as an industrial waste following the Hazardous Waste Management subject area.

*Some sources of destaining bag kits include:

1. Scienceware Gel Destaining Bags (www.bel-art.com, 1-800-423-5278, F13555-0000)
2. EtBr Green Bag Kit by Qbiogene (www.bio101.com)
3. Thomas Scientific Gel Destaining Bags (4313L01)

Excess Equipment

Contact Supply and Material to dispose of excess equipment.

Gasoline

Gasoline is characterized as Hazardous Waste due to ignitability. Collect waste gasoline in an appropriate container for transfer to Environmental and Waste Management Services Division. Complete the Nonradioactive Waste Control Form, label the container with a 'Hazardous Waste' label and move the container to the 90-Day Accumulation Area.

Glass

Type dependent:

• Beverage containers - should be disposed of in dedicated recycling containers, located in the Cafeteria (Berkner Hall) or in Building lunchrooms or kitchenettes.
• Lab glassware (uncontaminated - beakers, Petrie dishes, etc.) – dispose of in dedicated lab glass bags available from the custodial staff.
• Manufacturer’s chemical bottles – should be reused to store, collect and disposed of waste chemical material. If there is an overabundance of manufacture’s chemical bottles, they should be disposed of in dedicated lab glass bags.
• Do not dispose of glass into the regular trash.

Hazardous Wastes

Hazardous waste must be managed through, or in conjunction with, BNL’s Environmental and Waste Management Services Division. See the SBMS Hazardous Waste Management subject area for detailed guidance on the proper storage, identification, and documentation required prior to pick-up by Environmental and Waste Management Services Division.

In general, wastes are regulated hazardous wastes if they are listed in the regulations (40 CFR Part 261 Subpart D, Lists of Hazardous Waste) or exhibit one or more characteristics of hazardous waste (40 CFR Part 261 Subpart C, Characteristics of Hazardous Waste). Your Environmental Compliance Representative or Waste Management Representative has expertise in determining whether wastes are hazardous.

Industrial Waste

The Industrial Waste subject area details the requirements when managing Industrial Waste.  Questions regarding Industrial Waste can also be forwarded to the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division.  Your Environmental Compliance Representative or your Waste Management Representative can help you identify common industrial wastes such as uncontaminated photographic developer and uncontaminated pump oil. Your ECR or WMR can also help identify potential industrial wastes that are good candidates for evaluation by the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division and help with the evaluation process.

Guidance pertaining to liquid Industrial Waste:

Liquid industrial waste may only be discharged to the sanitary system if it meets the requirements for discharge dictated by BNL’s SPDES Permit. See the Liquid Effluents subject area for more information.  All Requests for discharge to the sanitary system must be made on a Liquid Effluent Evaluation Form found in the Liquid Effluents subject area.

Lead (metal)

Uncontaminated “clean” lead can be recycled through the Procurement and Property Management (PPM) Division.  The lead should be stored indoors to protect it from the elements.  Call PPM at ext. 7238 to make arrangements for pick up of the material.  Prior to pick up a completed Process Knowledge Certification form will be needed.

Contaminated lead (activated or radioactive) should be directed to the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division.

Lead-Based Paint (LBP) & Debris

LBP and debris, depending on sample analysis data, most likely are considered a hazardous waste when no longer useable and/or have been scraped or removed from another substrate.

LBP and debris that exceeds the hazardous constituent threshold shall be identified, packaged, labeled, stored, and managed in accordance with the requirements contained in the BNL Standards Based Management System (SBMS) subject area entitled, Hazardous Waste Management

For additional information regarding LBP scraping, removal, and disposal contact the Plant Engineering Division (EP) Operations and Maintenance Section’s Building Maintenance and Services Group on extension 3981 or review/download EP’s internal web-based environmental safety and health procedure. Reference BNL hyperlink: http://epweb.pe.bnl.gov/Ep_Procedures/procedure/ep-es&h/ESH201g.DOC

and http://epweb.pe.bnl.gov/Ep_Procedures/procedure/ep-es&h/ESH201h.DOC

Laser Dye Solvent Wastes

See Solvents

Lighting Equipment (Bulbs & Lamps)

Fluorescent & Mercury-Containing (high mercury & green-tipped) lamps (Non-radioactive)

Fluorescent bulbs (high mercury/non-green-tip bulbs) must be managed as a “Universal Wastes” (see note below). Low Mercury type (green-tips) bulbs must NOT be disposed of in the trash. These bulbs can be handled as  “Universal Wastes” or, alternatively, as non-hazardous “Industrial Wastes” Refer to the Hazardous Waste Management subject area or the Industrial Waste subject area for more details. For info on mercury-containing consumer products, see “Mercury” section in this document.

Non-Fluorescent and non-mercury light bulbs, lamps and other light emitting devices  (Non-radioactive)

Evaluate the lights for hazardous constituents (lead, etc.). If no hazardous constituents are present, handle the bulbs/lamps/lights as solid waste. If hazardous constituents are present, handle them as hazardous wastes. Refer to the Hazardous Waste Management subject area for more details.

Radioactive light bulbs, lamps and other light emitting devices

Evaluate the lights for hazardous constituents (lead, mercury, etc.). If no hazardous constituents are present, segregate from all other waste types and handle the lights as radioactive waste [refer to the Radioactive Waste Management subject area for more detail]. If hazardous constituents are present, handle the lights as mixed waste [refer to the Mixed Waste Management subject area for more detail].

 NOTE: The New York State Department of Conservation regulations allow lamps containing hazardous constituents (e.g. lead, mercury, etc.) to be managed according to Universal Waste regulations. Management of the above wastes as Universal Waste allows for alternative management as compared to hazardous waste requirements so as to facilitate off-site recycling.  Storage containers for universal waste mercury lamps/bulbs must be:

1. Labeled with “Universal Waste-Lamps">
2. Marked with the type of Lamp (e.g. mercury, lead, etc.),
3. Dated when the first lamp was added to the container,
4. Closed at all times unless adding a Lamp

Generators must either submit a Nonradioactive Waste Control Form for the above bulbs within 6 months of the above accumulation start date to the Environmental and Waste Management Services Division. (EWMSD), or contact the Plant Engineering Waste Management Representative for transfer to the on-site, designated accumulation area.

Any broken mercury bulbs MUST NOT be handled as “Universal Wastes”. Broken bulbs MUST be handled as hazardous wastes.

Magazines

A recyclable material; dispose of in one of the blue plastic containers with the Town of Brookhaven "Community Recycling" label.

Mercury

The following mercury-containing items MUST be either handled as "Universal Waste", "Hazardous Waste", non-hazardous "Industrial Waste", or be recycled (if no other use), but in no case can they be thrown into the normal municipal trash:

1. Thermostats - handle as "Universal Waste";
2. Batteries containing mercury - handle as "Universal Waste";
3. Electronics equipment containing liquid mercury components - remove components before disposing and handle these as "Hazardous Waste" (Note: if being routed for reuse/donation, then removal is not necessary);
4. Low-mercury/green-tipped fluorescent light bulbs - handle as “Universal Wastes”, non-hazardous "Industrial Waste" or recycle;
5. Thermometers - handle as "Hazardous Wastes";
6. Miscellaneous mercury-containing novelty items - handle as “Hazardous wastes” or recycle;
7. Medical equipment (e.g. blood pressure sphygmomanometers) - remove liquid mercury components and handle mercury as "Hazardous Wastes". Associated glass and other components contaminated with mercury must be handled as "hazardous waste"

NYS has recently passed the “NYS Mercury-Containing Consumer Products Law” that prohibits the disposal of any mercury-containing item(s) into the normal municipal trash.

Any recycling and/or removal of mercury-containing items from specialized equipment requires adequate work planning and controls for personnel safety- see pertinent SBMS subject areas.

For additional information on the handling of Universal, Hazardous, and Industrial Wastes, see Hazardous Waste Management subject area or the Industrial Waste subject area for more details.

Low-mercury, green-tipped fluorescent light bulbs are currently managed through Plant Engineering. See EP’s Waste Management Representative (WMR) for additional information.

One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE’s Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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