Selecting the proper container to store and transport hazardous waste is a key factor in successfully managing your wastes and complying with federal regulations.
Choosing the Correct Type of Container
When choosing a container, consider whether the wastes are incompatible or reactive. Combining incompatible wastes is prohibited under 40 CFR 265.177(a), unless you comply with other regulations found in 40 CFR 265.17(b). By keeping incompatible wastes separated, you prevent the wastes from reacting with each other and creating a fire or explosion.
Also, make sure the waste is not going to react with the container itself. Some wastes are highly corrosive, which may cause a reaction with a metal drum, possibly causing the drum to fail and release the waste. Plastic or plastic-lined drums are good solutions for corrosive wastes. Steel drums are a good choice for non-corrosive and flammable liquids.
Labeling
A United Nations (UN) packaging marking signifies that a container has been manufactured to conform to a UN standard [49 CFR 178.503]. The UN markings tell the user details about the package so that they can determine if it will meet their shipping needs.
The marking must include the following:
- United Nations symbol
- Packaging identification code (i.e., 1A1 or 4G)
- Letter identifying the performance standard under which the packaging design has been successfully tested, as follows:
- “X” for packagings meeting Packing Group I, II, and III tests
- “Y” for packagings meeting Packing Group II and III tests
- “Z” for packagings meeting Packing Group III tests
- Designation of the specific gravity for outer packagings intended to contain liquids (which can be omitted if <1.2) or the maximum gross mass, in kilograms, for packagings intended for solids or inner packagings.
- Test pressure in kilopascals rounded down to the nearest 10kPa of hydrostatic pressure for single and composite packagings for liquids, or, for solids and inner packagings, the letter “S.”
- Last two digits of the year of manufacture, except for plastic drums (1H) and jerricans (3H) which must also have the month of manufacture.
- Letters “USA” to indicate the package was manufactured in the USA and marked according to these regulations.
- Name and address or symbol of the manufacturer or approval agency certifying compliance. Symbols must be registered with the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
- Minimum thickness in millimeters (mm) of the packaging materials for metal or plastic drums or jerricans intended for reuse or reconditioning, or the outer packaging of a composite packaging intended for reuse or reconditioning.
For marking requirements of reconditioned packaging, see 49 CFR 178.503(c).
Hazardous Waste Transporter
A hazardous waste transporter is someone who transports hazardous waste off-site. Hazardous waste transporters must:
- Comply with all requirements federally regulated by 40 CFR Part 263
- Obtain an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identification number
- Properly use a manifest
- Maintain manifest and shipping paper records
- Contain and cleanup any spills or discharges while the hazardous waste is in their possession
Transporter Exemptions
There is a provision in the federal regulations that allows, under certain circumstances, generators to haul hazardous waste produced at their facilities to a designated treatment, storage and disposal facility. To be eligible to do this, the generator must:
- Obtain an EPA transporter identification number, regulated by 40 CFR 263.11
- Comply with the applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements for packaging, labeling, marking, and placarding the shipment, regulated by 40 CFR 262.30 through 262.33
A generator that decides to transport its hazardous wastes must call their state environmental office to find out what regulations apply. Not all states allow generators to transport their own hazardous wastes.
5 Comments
Tomas Killingtonsays:
05/10/2017 at 1:40 pmMy wife was recently diagnosed with diabetes. She will have to use a lot of needles, so we’re looking for ways to dispose of the hazardous materials. I didn’t realize there is a labeling system produced by the UN that tells the receiver specific details about the material. I’ll be sure to share this information with my wife.
Karensays:
05/11/2017 at 4:11 pmTomas,
It is great that you’re thinking ahead about the safe disposal of used needles. According to the FDA, about 7 billion sharps (needles, etc.) are disposed of in the United States each year. Of that number, about than 850,000 improperly managed sharps cause needlestick injuries to unsuspecting sanitation workers and others who handle those wastes.
What makes it difficult is that the UN shipping requirements for biomedical wastes and sharps only apply to hospitals, doctors offices and other healthcare and other business settings. They are not applicable at the home or consumer level. At the home or consumer level, sharps disposal requirements vary by state. A global medical technology company called BD has assembled a Household Sharps Disposal Guideline (www.bd.com/us/sharpsdisposalguidelines) that shows state-by-state requirements for disposing of used needles safely.
Thank you for your email and for considering responsible disposal methods!
-Karen
hilda rodgvellersays:
08/31/2017 at 4:26 pmis concrete suitable for eliminating the leaching of logs teated with creosote? Hilda
Brittanysays:
09/30/2017 at 9:50 pmEven though it seems to be solid, concrete is still somewhat porous and could allow the creosote to leach. Berming the edges of a concrete pad and sealing or epoxy-coating the entire area will make the concrete impervious and allow the creosote to be captured and recovered so that it does cause any sort of environmental damage.
Larry Weaversays:
11/06/2017 at 8:04 pmIn looking at labeling for a waste container, I appreciate the tip to make sure it has the United Nations symbol on it. I have some waste that I would like to take care of, and I want to make sure that I get rid of it the right way. In finding a waste container, I’ll also be sure to check to see if there’s a packaging identification code on the label.
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