On August 8, 1995, Governor Hunt presented the 1994 Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste Reduction. For 13 years, the awards program has recognized companies that demonstrate outstanding commitment to protecting the environment and public health through waste reduction and sound management strategies. Below are highlights of the Outstanding and Significant Achievement Awards winners.
Eagle Snacks, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Bush Companies, Inc. produces a full line of salted snack foods. A well managed environmental management program guides Eagle Snacks' successful elimination and reduction of several waste streams. Nutrient rich wastewater used to process snack foods is now applied at Nutri-Turf Farm as a fertilizer. To reduce solid waste, Eagle Snacks has reduced the film used for snack bags from five to three thinner layers while maintaining package integrity. Eagle Snacks also installed a recovery system to collect starch from potato washing operations. This starch is subsequently sold as animal feed. Eagle Snacks has reduced landfill waste by 31 percent and diverted 63 million gallons per year of process water from treatment and discharge. Annual savings total over $160,000 in avoided landfill fees and revenues. The information contact is Anna Howell, Safety and Environmental Coordinator at (919) 795-5141.
Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex (HB/PS) is the world's largest manufacturer of toasters and toaster ovens. HB/PS's waste reduction efforts focus on process and material modifications and recovery/reuse of solid and hazardous waste materials. HB/PS eliminated the use of 1,1,1-trichloroethane by replacing a vapor degreaser with two aqueous-based parts washers. HB/PS is also recycling the aqueous parts washer bath through an innovative membrane separation system. In the material reuse arena, HB/PS reblends phenolic resin mold scraps and buffings with virgin resin in the injection molding process. The aqueous-based cleaners eliminate annual generation of 80,000 pounds of VOCs and 2,200 gallons of hazardous waste. Net annual savings are $95,000 from discontinued solvent purchases and disposal expenses. Reuse of phenolic resins saves the company $250,000 in annual raw material purchases. HB/PS is also saving money in diverted landfill costs and in recycling program revenues. The information contact is Hilton Creed, General Manager, at (919) 786-6161.
C&R Hard Chrome is a small company specializing in chrome and electroless nickel plating of plastic injection molds and machined tool parts. Seeking ways to reduce the high costs of waste management and associated liabilities, the company implemented an aggressive waste reduction program. C&R installed a closed-loop emission recovery system that eliminated the need to ship the contaminated wastewater off-site, reduced the amount of chromic acid used, and significantly reduced chromium emissions. C & R installed a new state-of-the-art electroless nickel plating system that employs several pollution prevention technologies. The waste reduction programs at C&R Hard Chrome have achieved dramatic results: chromic acid consumption has been reduced by almost 90 percent, chromium air emissions by 98 percent, water consumption by 87 percent, and hazardous waste generation by 80 percent. The information contact is Cheryl Cottingham, Office Manager, at (704) 861-8831.
T.S. Designs is a textile screen printing company that processes 4.5 million articles of clothing each year. The management's concern with the environmental effect of the facility's operations resulted in reduced pollutant discharge and community activities that promote environmental awareness. T.S. Designs switched from an aerosol platen adhesive to a non-aerosol water-based adhesive on most of the screen printing devices and, thus, substantially reduced VOC emissions. By installing solution holding tanks, T.S. Designs can now route the used screen cleaning chemicals back to the respective holding tanks for reuse. T.S. Designs also recovers the silver from the photographic processing equipment and receives revenues from its sale. The company reduced consumption of solvent-based adhesives by 91 percent and other chemical consumption by 86 percent. The total cost savings from all the waste reduction initiatives undertaken at the company amounted to $15,000 in 1994. The information contact is Eric Henry, President, at (910) 229-6426.
Significant Achievements Awards were presented to Cooper Hand Tools in Apex and Mid-East Tractor Parts in Goldsboro. The following case studies were also recognized: Corning, Inc., Wilmington; Packaging Corporation of America, Sylva; Craven County Wood Energy, New Bern; Exide Electronics, Raleigh; E.I. duPont de Nemours & Company, Inc., Wilmington; and E.I. duPont de Nemours & Company in Kinston; Signart, Charlotte; and Trinity Industries, Rocky Mount.
Streamlined Hazardous Waste Management Regulations:
The Universal Waste Rule
Over the last several years, EPA task forces have reviewed the definition of hazardous waste and recycling regulations. As a result of these studies, the agency has devised a streamlined management system for some hazardous waste. On May 11, 1995, EPA finalized the universal waste rule that established simplified guidelines for the accumulation and transportation of waste that otherwise would have to be managed under the hazardous waste standards. The recycling, treatment, and/or disposal of the wastes, however, are subject to the hazardous waste management regulations at the destination facility.
Common Sense Approach
A goal of the universal waste rule is to stimulate resource conservation. In the hope that companies and organizations will be encouraged to efficiently and effectively collect waste and divert its disposal from municipal waste acilities, the universal waste rule sets up a simplified process for the accumulation of waste. So far, batteries, pesticides, and thermostats that other- wise would be hazardous wastes are eligible for management under the universal waste program. These wastes come from a wide variety of generators in large numbers. The risk of managing them under the streamlined program is lower than for other hazardous waste. In addition, collection systems would ensure close stewardship of the waste and increase the likelihood that it will be diverted from non-hazardous waste management systems, such as municipal landfills and storm sewers, to recycling, treatment, or disposal in compliance with hazardous waste provisions.
Categories of Universal Waste Managers
The different categories of universal waste managers are similar to those for hazardous waste generators. Handler is a broader term than generator.
- Small Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste include those who generate (including contractors who take components out of service), collect, or accumulate universal waste (but do not treat/dispose) less than 5,000 kg of all types of universal waste at any one time.
- Large Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste (LQHUWs) include those who generate, collect, or accumulate (but do not treat/dispose) more than 5,000 kg of universal waste at any one time.
- Transporters include those who transport universal waste off-site as well as companies that transport their own wastes to another plant location; there are no quantity limits.
- Destination Facility is one permitted to receive hazardous waste for storage, treatment, recycling, or disposal.
Common Practices for SQHUWs and LQHUWs
Universal waste handlers must follow specific procedures to prevent releases:
- (1) Keep containers closed; (2) Use structurally sound and compatible containers; (3) Use tanks that meet the 40 CFR 265 Subpart J requirements; and (4) Transport waste in closed, structurally sound, and compatible vehicles. If there is a release, it must be immediately contained and managed in compliance with 40 CFR 262;
- Waste must be identified as "Universal Waste _____", "Waste _____", or "Used _____";
- Waste can be accumulated/stored up to one year. Some inventory management or labeling system must be in place to document the storage time; and
- Waste must be shipped to another handler or a destination facility. DOT shipping procedures for hazardous materials must be followed.
Specific Practices for SQHUWs
- No notification to the agency is required unless the SQHUW accumulates/stores more than 5,000 kg of universal waste (i.e., total amount of batteries, pesticides, thermostats) and, thus, immediately becomes a LQHUW;
- Employees must be informed of proper handling and emergency procedures appropriate for the universal waste managed; and
- Shipping records do not have to be maintained but are recommended.
Specific Requirements for Large Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste (LQHUWs)
- LQHUWs must notify the agency of the waste they are managing (i.e., batteries, pesticides and/or thermostats). If they already have an EPA ID number, they do not have to renotify.
- Employees must be thoroughly familiar with proper handling and emergency procedures appropriate for the universal waste managed;
- Shipping records (bill of lading, log, invoice, manifest, or other shipping documents) must be maintained for at least three years from the date the waste left the facility.
Specific Requirements for Transporters
- Prohibited from diluting, treating, or disposing of waste;
- Must comply with applicable DOT requirements for hazardous materials;
- May store waste for 10 days at a transfer facility;
- Must immediately contain all releases of waste, and if the resulting contamination is a hazardous waste, are subject to the hazardous waste generator regulations in 40 CFR 262; and
- May take the waste only to handler or destination facility.
Requirements for Destination Facilities
- Subject to applicable hazardous waste management regulations in 264, 265, 266, 268, 270 and 124;
- Can only send a waste to another handler or destination facility. If a destination facility rejects a shipment, the destination facility must send the waste back to the original shipper; or if both the shipper and the destination facility agree, it can go to another destination facility;
- If hazardous waste is received that is not a universal waste, the destination facility must immediately notify the Hazardous Waste Section of the NC Division of Solid Waste Management. If a non-hazardous/non-universal waste is received, the destination facility must manage the waste in compliance with any applicable waste regulation; and
- Must maintain shipping records for at least three years from receipt of the waste.
For More Information . . .
The effective date for using the universal waste rule in North Carolina is January 1996. See the Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 91, p. 25492 - 25551 (May 11, 1995), for the preamble and actual rule. If you have questions on the universal waste rule, please call the Hazardous Waste Section at (919) 733-2178.