R315-273-13. Standards for Universal Waste Management, Standards for Small Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste -- Waste Management

  (a) Batteries. A small quantity handler of universal waste shall manage universal waste batteries in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment, as follows:

  (1) A small quantity handler of universal waste shall contain any universal waste battery that shows evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions in a container. The container shall be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the battery, and shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

  (2) A small quantity handler of universal waste may conduct the following activities as long as the casing of each individual battery cell is not breached and remains intact and closed, except that cells may be opened to remove electrolyte but shall be immediately closed after removal:

  (i) Sorting batteries by type;

  (ii) Mixing battery types in one container;

  (iii) Discharging batteries so as to remove the electric charge;

  (iv) Regenerating used batteries;

  (v) Disassembling batteries or battery packs into individual batteries or cells;

  (vi) Removing batteries from consumer products; or

  (vii) Removing electrolyte from batteries.

  (3) A small quantity handler of universal waste who removes electrolyte from batteries, or who generates other solid waste, e.g., battery pack materials, discarded consumer products, as a result of the activities listed above, shall determine whether the electrolyte and/or other solid waste exhibit a characteristic of hazardous waste identified in Sections R315-261-20 through 24.

  (i) If the electrolyte and/or other solid waste exhibit a characteristic of hazardous waste, it is subject to all applicable requirements of Rules R315-260 through 266, 268 and 270. The handler is considered the generator of the hazardous electrolyte and/or other waste and is subject to Rule R315-262.

  (ii) If the electrolyte or other solid waste is not hazardous, the handler may manage the waste in any way that is in compliance with applicable federal, state or local solid waste regulations.

  (b) Pesticides. A small quantity handler of universal waste shall manage universal waste pesticides in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment. The universal waste pesticides shall be contained in one or more of the following:

  (1) A container that remains closed, structurally sound, compatible with the pesticide, and that lacks evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions; or

  (2) A container that does not meet the requirements of Subsection R315-273-13(b)(1), provided that the unacceptable container is overpacked in a container that does meet the requirements of Subsection R315-273-13(b)(1); or

  (3) A tank that meets the requirements of 40 CFR 265.190 through 202, except for 40 CFR 265.197(c) and 40 CFR 265.200 and 201, 40 CFR 265 is adopted by reference in R315-265; or

  (4) A transport vehicle or vessel that is closed, structurally sound, compatible with the pesticide, and that lacks evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

  (c) Mercury-containing equipment. A small quantity handler of universal waste shall manage universal waste mercury-containing equipment in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment, as follows:

  (1) A small quantity handler of universal waste shall place in a container any universal waste mercury-containing equipment with non-contained elemental mercury or that shows evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions. The container shall be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the device, shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions, and shall be reasonably designed to prevent the escape of mercury into the environment by volatilization or any other means.

  (2) A small quantity handler of universal waste may remove mercury-containing ampules from universal waste mercury-containing equipment provided the handler:

  (i) Removes and manages the ampules in a manner designed to prevent breakage of the ampules;

  (ii) Removes the ampules only over or in a containment device, e.g., tray or pan sufficient to collect and contain any mercury released from an ampule in case of breakage;

  (iii) Ensures that a mercury clean-up system is readily available to immediately transfer any mercury resulting from spills or leaks from broken ampules from that containment device to a container that meets the requirements of Section R315-262-34;

  (iv) Immediately transfers any mercury resulting from spills or leaks from broken ampules from the containment device to a container that meets the requirements of Section R315-262-34;

  (v) Ensures that the area in which ampules are removed is well ventilated and monitored to ensure compliance with applicable OSHA exposure levels for mercury;

  (vi) Ensures that employees removing ampules are thoroughly familiar with proper waste mercury handling and emergency procedures, including transfer of mercury from containment devices to appropriate containers;

  (vii) Stores removed ampules in closed, non-leaking containers that are in good condition;

  (viii) Packs removed ampules in the container with packing materials adequate to prevent breakage during storage, handling, and transportation;

  (3) A small quantity handler of universal waste mercury-containing equipment that does not contain an ampule may remove the open original housing holding the mercury from universal waste mercury-containing equipment provided the handler:

  (i) Immediately seals the original housing holding the mercury with an air-tight seal to prevent the release of any mercury to the environment; and

  (ii) Follows all requirements for removing ampules and managing removed ampules under Subsection R315-273-13(c)(2); and

  (4)(i) A small quantity handler of universal waste who removes mercury-containing ampules from mercury-containing equipment or seals mercury from mercury-containing equipment in its original housing shall determine whether the following exhibit a characteristic of hazardous waste identified in Sections R315-261-20 through 24:

  (A) Mercury or clean-up residues resulting from spills or leaks; and/or

  (B) Other solid waste generated as a result of the removal of mercury-containing ampules or housings, e.g., the remaining mercury-containing device.

  (ii) If the mercury, residues, and/or other solid waste exhibits a characteristic of hazardous waste, it shall be managed in compliance with all applicable requirements of Rules R315-260 through 266, 268, and 270. The handler is considered the generator of the mercury, residues, and/or other waste and shall manage it in compliance with Rule R315-262.

  (iii) If the mercury, residues, and/or other solid waste is not hazardous, the handler may manage the waste in any way that is in compliance with applicable federal, state or local solid waste regulations.

  (d) Lamps. A small quantity handler of universal waste shall manage lamps in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment, as follows:

  (1) A small quantity handler of universal waste shall contain any lamp in containers or packages that are structurally sound, adequate to prevent breakage, and compatible with the contents of the lamps. Such containers and packages shall remain closed and shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

  (2) A small quantity handler of universal waste shall immediately clean up and place in a container any lamp that is broken and shall place in a container any lamp that shows evidence of breakage, leakage, or damage that could cause the release of mercury or other hazardous constituents to the environment. Containers shall be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the lamps and shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage or damage that could cause leakage or releases of mercury or other hazardous constituents to the environment under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

  (3) A small quantity handler of universal waste may crush universal waste lamps using a drum-top lamp crusher designed specifically for crushing lamps provided that the small quantity handler submits a drum-top lamp crusher registration application to and receives approval from the Director. The registration application shall demonstrate that the small quantity handler shall operate the drum-top lamp crusher to ensure the following:

  (i) The lamps are crushed in a closed accumulation container as specified by the manufacturer of the drum-top lamp crusher;

  (ii) The lamps are crushed in a controlled manner that prevents the release of mercury vapor or other contaminants in exceedance of the manufacturer's specifications;

  (iii) The drum-top lamp crusher shall have a filtration system consisting of, at a minimum, a bag filter followed in series by a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter;

  (iv) The drum-top lamp crusher is installed, maintained, and operated in accordance with written procedures developed by the manufacturer of the equipment including specific instructions for the frequency of filter changes;

  (v) Filters are either characterized to demonstrate that they are not a hazardous waste or managed as a hazardous waste;

  (vi) A spill clean-up kit is available;

  (vii) The area in which the drum-top crusher is operated is well ventilated and monitored to ensure compliance with applicable OSHA exposure levels for mercury;

  (viii) An employee using the drum-top lamp crusher is trained annually on the written operating, safety, personal protection and maintenance procedures of the system;

  (ix) An employee using the drum-top lamp crusher is trained annually in emergency procedures;

  (x) An operating record is kept and consists of the following:

  (A) the number and size of lamps crushed per calendar day, per calendar month, and per calendar year;

  (B) the schedule for the change out of filters;

  (C) date and time of filter change out;

  (D) date, type, and time of equipment maintenance;

  (E) any occurrence of equipment malfunction; and

  (F) procedures for preventing equipment malfunctions.

  (4) The operating record shall be maintained for at least three years.

  (5) When a drum-top crusher is no longer used or is relocated, the area where the crusher was located shall be decontaminated of all mercury and other contaminants caused by the use of the drum-top lamp crusher. A report documenting the decontamination steps as well as supporting analytical data demonstrating successful remediation shall be submitted to the Director for approval within 30 days following completion of decontamination.

  (6) The small quantity handler shall provide a closure plan along with a detailed written estimate, in current dollars, of the cost of disposing of the drum-top lamp crusher; decontamination of the area surrounding the drum-top lamp crusher, and any analytical costs required to show that decontamination is complete. Drum-top lamp crushers operated by the state or the federal government are exempt from the cost estimate requirement of Subsection R315-273-13(d)(6).

  (7) The small quantity handler shall demonstrate financial assurance for the detailed cost estimates determined in Subsection R315-273-13(d)(6) using one of the options in Subsections R315-261-143(a) through (e). Drum-top lamp crushers operated by the state or the federal government are exempt from the financial assurance requirement of Subsection R315-273-13(d)(7).

  (8) Crushed universal waste lamps may be managed as universal waste lamps under Rule R315-273 or they may be managed as hazardous waste in accordance with all applicable requirements of Rules R315-260 through 266 and 268.

  (e) Antifreeze. A small quantity handler of universal waste shall manage universal waste antifreeze in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment. The universal waste antifreeze shall be contained in one or more of the following:

  (1) A container that remains closed, structurally sound, compatible with the antifreeze, and that lacks evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions; or

  (2) A container that does not meet the requirements of Subsection R315-273-13(e)(1), provided that the unacceptable container is overpacked in a container that does meet the requirements of Subsection R315-273-13(e)(1); or

  (3) A tank that meets the requirements of 40 CFR 265.190 through 202, except for 40 CFR 265.197(c) and 40 CFR 265.200 and 201, 40 CFR 265 is adopted by reference in R315-265; or

  (4) A transport vehicle or vessel that is closed, structurally sound, compatible with the antifreeze, and that lacks evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

  (f) Aerosol cans. A small quantity handler of universal waste shall manage universal waste aerosol cans in a way that prevents release of any universal waste or component of a universal waste or accelerant to the environment as follows:

  (1) A small quantity handler of universal waste shall immediately contain any universal waste aerosol can that shows evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions in a separate individual container. The individual container shall be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, and shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

  (2) A small quantity handler of universal waste may accumulate universal waste aerosol cans in a specially designated accumulation container provided it is clearly marked for such use. The accumulation container shall be closed, structurally sound, compatible with the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, and shall lack evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions. The universal waste aerosol cans shall be sorted by type and compatibility of contents to ensure that incompatible materials are segregated and managed appropriately in separate accumulation containers.

  (3) A small quantity handler of universal waste may puncture universal waste aerosol cans to remove and collect the contents of the aerosol can provided the handler:

  (i) Ensures that the universal waste aerosol can is punctured in a manner designed to prevent the release of any universal waste or component of universal waste or accelerant to the environment;

  (ii) Ensures that the puncturing operations are performed safely by developing and implementing a written procedure detailing how to safely puncture universal waste aerosol cans. This procedure shall include:

  (A) the type of equipment to be used to puncture the universal waste aerosol cans safely;

  (B) operation and maintenance of the unit;

  (C) segregation of incompatible wastes;

  (D) proper waste management practices, i.e., ensuring that flammable wastes are stored away from heat or open flames; and

  (E) waste characterization;

  (iii) Ensures that a spill clean-up kit is readily available to immediately clean up spills or leaks of the contents of the universal waste aerosol can which may occur during the can-puncturing operation;

  (iv) Immediately transfers the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, or puncturing device if applicable, to a container that meets the requirements of Section R315-262-34;

  (v) Ensures that the area in which the universal waste aerosol cans are punctured is well ventilated; and

  (vi) Ensures that employees are thoroughly familiar with the procedure for sorting and puncturing universal waste aerosol cans, and proper waste handling and emergency procedures, relevant to their responsibilities during normal facility operations and emergencies.

  (4)(i) A small quantity handler of universal waste who punctures universal waste aerosol cans to remove the contents of the aerosol can, or who generates other solid waste as a result of the activities listed above, shall determine whether the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, residues and/or other solid wastes exhibit a characteristic of hazardous waste identified in Sections R315-261-20 through 24, or are listed as a hazardous waste identified in Sections R315-261-30 through 35.

  (ii) If the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, residues and/or other solid waste exhibit a characteristic of hazardous waste or are listed hazardous wastes, they shall be managed in compliance with all applicable requirements of Rules R315-260 through 266, 268, 270 and 124. The handler is considered the generator of the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, residues, and/or other waste and is subject to the requirements of Rule R315-262. In addition to the Rule R315-262 labeling requirements, the container used to accumulate, store, or transport the hazardous waste contents removed from the punctured universal waste aerosol can shall be labeled with all applicable EPA Hazardous Waste Codes found in Sections R315-261-20 through 24 and Sections R315-261-30 through 35.

  (iii) If the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, residues, and/or other solid waste are not hazardous, the handler may manage the waste in a way that is in compliance with applicable federal, state or local solid waste regulations.