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Facility managers and others responsible for handling, recycling, and disposing of waste materials must know what their companies are generating and act accordingly under the rules and regulations set forth by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
This was brought out at the Central Ohio IFRMA Chapter’s monthly meeting March 10 at the Fawcett Center at The Ohio State University by Rose McLean of the Ohio EPA’s Division of Hazardous Waste Management’s Regulatory Services Unit. She spoke on EPA Regulations for the Facility Manager.
Though complex as the rules and regulations may be, McLean offered several sources for assistance within the Regulatory Services Unit, including free guidance/policy fact sheets, regulatory interpretations, meetings and presentations, and a list of recyclers. This information may be obtained by email at www.epa.state.oh.us/dhwm/, by telephone at (614) 644-2917, or by regular mail at 122 S. Front St., Columbus 43215.
She urged those in attendance to utilize these resources if they have specific questions with regard to any type of waste disposal.
In discussing what is called “universal waste,” McLean said this is a general term used to describe wastes that are generated by a large, diverse population and consists of three categories—unused pesticides, mercury-containing thermostats, and spent batteries. Incandescent, neon, and fluorescent lamps will be added to the list later this year, McLean said.
Another area of great concern is disposal of computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, cell phones, telephones, and television sets. The Ohio EPA encourages businesses to recycle such equipment if it is no longer in use because it can contain hazardous materials.
If the equipment is useable or can be repaired, it may be donated to schools or non-profit and charitable organizations. If not, it is recommended that it be sent to a reputable recycler who will disassemble the equipment and recover any usable components. Plastic and glass components may be recycled into new products, and metals can be separated and sent to smelters where they are melted and used to make new products.
When companies recycle electronic equipment properly, it is not considered waste and is not regulated under the state’s hazardous waste laws. However, if electronic equipment is not recycled, it must be evaluated and determined if it exhibits a characteristic of hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste is a sub-set of universal waste, and it is the responsibility of the generator of such to have any questionable product evaluated through his or her own knowledge, information from the vendor/supplier, a material safety data sheet, process information, or laboratory analysis, McLean said.
She said it was necessary that the generator keep information on file to show how it was determined that the waste was classified hazardous or non-hazardous, and recommended facility managers refer to the Ohio Administrative Code for procedures for handling and disposing of these products.
Next month, the chapter activity will be a tour of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), 1600 McKinley Ave., and a “follow-up” to a presentation last April by Ronald L. Barnes, COTA president and chief executive officer. The event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. April 27.