|
BUSINESS HAZARDOUS WASTE |
|||||
Did you know that in addition to what most people would classify as a business that schools, municipal offices, and town garages are also considered businesses when it comes to disposing of hazardous waste? If you use products that are corrosive, ignitable, reactive, or toxic, then you probably generate hazardous waste. Examples include solvents, paints, and vehicular fluids like motor oil, diesel fuel, and antifreeze, pesticides, cleaning solutions, and lab wastes. Consider "Greening Up" your business. Visit our Resources page for more information. Fluorescent bulbs and some types of batteries are also considered hazardous. Did you know that a 60-watt incandescent bulb and a 14-watt compact fluorescent bulb provide the same amount of light? However, a fluorescent bulb's life expectancy is approximately 12,000 hours versus an incandescent bulb's 1,000 hours? Fluorescent bulbs use less electricity costing less to run as well as resulting in less air pollution from coal burning power plants. However, fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, a highly toxic metal. Did you know that mercury added items (labeled) have been banned from Vermont landfills since 1999. In July of 2007, ALL mercury products (whether labeled or not) will be banned. It is extremely important that these bulbs (and other hazardous products) are disposed of properly. Fluorescent bulbs (and other hazardous products) are collected at the SWAC household hazardous waste collections. Many True Value and Ace hardware stores throughout Vermont collect the bulbs in Vermont free of charge. Visit Vermont's Mercury Reduction Campaign website (www.mercvt.org) and the Agency of Natural Resources website at http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/ead/sbcap/pdf/fs_mercurylamps.pdf Many types of businesses and organizations create hazardous waste, including: Construction and painting contractors Printers Equipment repair shops Furniture refinishing shops Laboratories Dry cleaners Metal manufacturing operations Vehicle maintenance and auto body shops Farmers, nurseries, landscapers (businesses using pesticides or herbicides) Municipal entities – including schools, town offices, and town garages PROPER DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE: Hazardous waste should not be disposed of with ordinary garbage, or poured into the sewer system, down storm drains, or onto the ground. If disposed of improperly, it can harm the environment, human beings, and wildlife. Proper hazardous waste management makes good business sense, too, and can reduce your economic liability for cleanups, reduce your insurance costs, and minimize employee exposures. Hazardous waste should always be disposed of through an approved hazardous waste management or recycling facility. There are private companies that provide hazardous waste management services to businesses and organizations. Businesses that generate small quantities of hazardous waste are known as Conditionally Exempt Generators (CEGs). If your business or organization is a CEG, you may be eligible to dispose of your waste through an agreement between the Solid Waste Alliance Communities and the Rutland County Solid Waste Management District. Does Your Business Qualify as a CEG? A Conditionally Exempt Generator: Produces less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste each month (about 25 gallons of liquid waste that has a weight comparable to water); Produces less than 2.2 pounds of acutely** hazardous waste each month; Accumulates no more than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste on site. To determine whether you might be considered a CEG, estimate the waste you produce each month and inventory the hazardous waste currently on hand. If your business generates less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month and stores less than 2,200 pounds on site, you qualify as a CEG. If your business generates more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month or stores more than 2,200 pounds on site, you must manage your waste according to stricter regulations. For more information, call the Agency of Natural Resources, Waste Management Division at 802-241-3888 or visit www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/wastediv/rcra/regs.htm to review the current Regulations (effective October 1, 2004). New On-Line Compliance Resource for CEGs. The Vermont Small Business Development Center and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation recently launched a new learning resource for Conditionally Exempt Generators of hazardous waste (less than 220 pounds per month). This FREE on-line tutorial covers all of the basic hazardous waste requirements for Conditionally Exempt Generators, features interactive quizzes so users can test their knowledge, and offers a certificate of course completion. Now employees can learn what they need to know to keep their facilites in compliance at their own pace and convenience. Check it out by visiting: http://www.vtceg.org/ What Are Your Disposal Options? Through a cooperative agreement between the Solid Waste Alliance Communities (SWAC) and the Rutland County Solid Waste Management District, small businesses located in a SWAC town may now dispose of hazardous waste at the District’s hazardous waste facility located at Gleason Road in Rutland, Vermont during regularly scheduled working hours. The SWAC towns include Benson, Chittenden, Fair Haven, Middletown Springs, Pawlet, Rutland Town, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Tinmouth, and West Haven. In 2007, small businesses will be able to take their hazardous waste to the household hazardous waste collection events regularly scheduled for residents. Please see the HHW collection events schedule for 2007. Appointments: If you plan on taking your waste to either the depot of the household hazardous waste event, it is necessary to schedule an appointment at the depot. Businesses wishing to take waste to the household hazardous waste events must preregister. Please call 770-1333 and speak with Tom Remes. Disposal Fees: Disposal fees are based on the type and quantity of waste you bring to the facility or event. When you arrive for an appointment, your wastes will be inventoried. You will be charged a nominal fee for the actual quantity of waste brought in rather than the volume of the container it is stored in. Businesses who use pesticides may dispose of their waste at no charge through a grant made possible by the Department of Agriculture (i.e. Nurseries, golf courses, farmers, landscapers, etc.) If you have questions about participating in the collection program, call Tom at 770-1333 or Pam at 518-854-9702 or email info@rutlandcountyswac.org for more information. If you have questions about what materials are considered hazardous waste, either of the above numbers or the Agency of Natural Resources Waste Management Division at 802- 241-3888. Assistance is also available through the Small Business Compliance Assistance Program at 800-974-9559. **For assistance determining if your business generates “acutely hazardous waste” please Thomas A. Benoit Sr., Hazardous Materials Specialist, Agency of Natural Resources at email: Thomas.Benoit@state.vt.us or telephone: 802-241-3472.
This website was made possible by a Consumer/Youth Education Grant from the State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. | |||||
Solid Waste Alliance Communities(SWAC) |
2004.jpg) |
|---|
| What Do I Do With...? | Living Green | Less-Toxic Alernatives | Can I Burn? |
