Session 3: Source Reduction Strategies for Hazardous and Special Wastes

1. Source Reduction Strategies for Tribal Solid Waste Programs Institute for Tribal Environmental ProfessionalsTribal Solid Waste Education and Assistance Program (TSWEAP) Session 3: Source Reduction Strategies for Hazardous and Special Wastes Todd Barnell, ITEP

2. Hazardous Wastes: Definition • Quick and dirty definition of “hazardous waste”- a waste that exhibits at least one of the following characteristics • Ignitability: able to create fires under certain conditions or have a flash point less than 140 °F • Corrosivity: acids or bases capable of corroding metal containers • Reactivity: cause explosions, toxic fumes, gases, or vapors when heated, compressed, or mixed with water • Toxicity: harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed • Many household cleaners and chemicals are hazardous and must be disposed of in special ways

3. Reducing and Managing Hazardous Wastes • The Federal law, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), identifies hazardous wastes and sets standards for safely managing this waste from the moment it is generated, through storage, transportation, recycling, treatment, and ultimate disposal • Federal laws encourage the reduction of hazardous wastes • Many tribes have developed, or are developing, their own ordinances dealing with hazardous waste reduction and management • Some tribes include language on hazardous waste management in their business licenses and agreements

4. Reducing and Managing Hazardous Wastes (Continued) • Source reduction includes any practice that reduces the quantity and/or toxicity of hazardous wastes entering a waste stream prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. • Equipment or technology modifications • Redesign of products • Improvements in work practices, maintenance, worker training, and better inventory control • Recycling includes the use, reuse and/or reclamation of residuals of, or materials in, a hazardous waste. • A material is "used or reused" if it is used as an ingredient in an industrial process to make a product or if it is used as an effective substitute for a commercial product. • A material is "reclaimed" if it is processed to recover a usable product, or if it is regenerated.

5. Household Hazardous Wastes • According to USEPA data, a little over 1% of all waste generated in the average American household is hazardous • The types and percentages of HHW in our waste are: • Household maintenance items (paint, thinners, glues) 36.6% • Household batteries 18.6% • Personal care products (nail polish, hair spray) 12.1% • Cleaners 11.5% • Automotive-maintenance products (grease, oil) 10.5% • Pesticides, pet supplies, and fertilizers 4.1% • Hobbies/Other (pool chemicals, lighter fluid) 3.4% • Pharmaceuticals 3.2%

6. Household Hazardous Wastes (Continued) • Improperly disposing of household hazardous waste down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or putting them into the waste stream may: • Cause physical injury to sanitation workers • Contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems • Present hazards to children and pets • Contaminate drinking water supplies

7. Household Hazardous Wastes (Continued) • Community reduction strategies for HHW may include: • Permanent collection or exchange – facilities that collect HHW year-round. Some may incorporate reuse centers (discussed in more detail later). • Special collection days – setting aside designated days for collecting solid waste at a central location to ensure safe management and disposal. • Local business collection sites - drop off certain products at local businesses for recycling or proper disposal. • Public education activities may also focus on encouraging community members to use less hazardous materials in their homes.

8. E-Waste • Electronic waste includes all electronic equipment, such as computers, casino machines, and lights • Any equipment that is still functioning may be donated rather than recycled or disposed • http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/donate.htm • http://www.computertakeback.com/ • Many types of e-waste can be recycled, including Compact Florescent Lights (CFLs) • http://www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling/ • Some excellent internet resources to look into are: • www.epeat.net/ • www.erecycle.org • www.greendisk.com • Excellent case study in your manual from Sault Ste Marie tribe

9. Batteries • Batteries usually contain various heavy metals which can cause serious problems in the environment • Encouraging the use of rechargeable batteries is a good long term source reduction strategy • Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe have established a battery collection program that: • Has three 5 gallon buckets, well marked and in high profile areas (expanding to ten) • Works with housing department to coordinate activities during fire prevention week when smoke alarm batteries are distributed • Expanding this program to include CFLs, used motor oil and other wastes • A factsheet on battery types and recycling is included in your manual

10. Special Wastes: Definition • Special wastes are defined by the USEPA as non-hazardous wastes that are usually not desired in a landfill • Tires, white goods, construction/demolition debris • Planning for construction/demolition debris can present serious challenges for tribal communities • Issue 5 of Tribal Solid Waste Journal focuses on this issue • It is often difficult to deal with special wastes before they enter your waste stream – usually you have to deal with them after they enter the waste stream

11. Special Wastes: Tires • Tires present serious problems to solid waste programs – it is nearly impossible to keep them out of the waste stream so you will need to develop strategies to deal with them • Some uses of old tires include: • Incineration for fuel • Shredded and buried in landfills • Retreaded for further use • Recycled into other products • http://www.epa.gov/garbage/tires/science.htm

12. Special Wastes: White Goods • “White goods” covers a variety of appliances and equipment such as washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, etc) • Like tires, these will end up in your waste stream and you need to plan to deal with them • These items often make up a large proportion of waste in illegal dumps • Recycling of these objects is possible, but it can be expensive, time consuming, and space intensive

13. Special Wastes: Construction & Demolition Debris • Changing building habits: the way you build and the materials you use can greatly affect the amount of waste you have at the end • Reuse of buildings: investigating new uses for old facilities can reduce demolition waste • Reuse of materials rather than landfilling: using scrap wood for sheds or fence posts; broken concrete as paving stones; paint and wire for new projects, etc.

14. Reuse and Exchange Centers These are basically stores where everything is free. People bring in unused cleaners, paints, varnishes, construction materials, etc. and others can come in and take what they need. St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is just one of many tribes that has established a reuse center in conjunction with one of their transfer stations.

15. FreeCycle • In 2003 a group of concerned individuals in Tucson, Arizona established a new, innovative way to keep a variety of items out of the waste stream • The FreeCycle Network has grown into an international web-based community in over 75 countries and throughout the United States. Several tribes are now members. • Local FreeCycle networks allow individuals, communities, and organizations to advertise the stuff they want to get rid of so others in their community can come pick it up • FreeCycle says: "Our mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community." • http://www.freecycle.org

16. Waste Reduction Contacts • Earth 911 • http://earth911.org/ • Tribal P2 Working Group • www.tribalp2.org • USEPA’s Recycling and P2 Program • www.epa.gov/osw/recycle.htm • Institute for Local Self Reliance • http://www.ilsr.org/recycling/index.html • North Carolina “P2 Pays” • http://www.p2pays.org/ • New Mexico Recycling Coalition • www.recyclenewmexico.com