Hazardous Waste Management

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Hazardous Waste Management

Legal Definition of Hazardous Waste

Under RA 9003, hazardous waste shall refer to solid waste or combination of solid waste which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may:

1.  cause, or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness; or

2.  pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of, or otherwise managed.

Under RA 6969, hazardous wastes are hereby defined as substances that are without any safe commercial, industrial, agricultural or economic usage and are shipped, transported or brought from the country of origin for dumping or disposal into or in transit through any part of the territory of the Philippines. Hazardous wastes shall also refer to by-products, side-products, process residues, spent reaction media, contaminated plant or equipment or other substances from manufacturing operations, and as consumer discards of manufacture products.

Hazardous substances are substances which present either:

1)  short-term acute hazards, such as acute toxicity by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption, corrosivity or other skin or eye contact hazards or the risk of fire or explosion; or

2)  long-term environmental hazards, including chronic toxicity upon repeated exposure, carcinogenicity (which may in some cases result from acute exposure but with a long latent period), resistance to detoxification process such a biodegradation, the potential to pollute underground or surface waters, or aesthetically objectionable properties such as offensive odors.

What are Hazardous Materials?

Hazardous materials are chemical substances, which if released or misused can pose a threat to the environment or health. These chemicals are used in industry, agriculture, medicine, research, and consumer goods. Hazardous materials come in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials. These substances are most often released as a result of transportation accidents or because of chemical accidents in plants.

Household Hazardous Waste

Common household items such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides contain hazardous components. One way to help determine if your household waste has hazardous components is to read the labels on products. Labels that read "danger," "warning," "caution," "toxic," "corrosive," "flammable," or "poison" identify products that might contain hazardous materials. Leftover portions of these products are called household hazardous waste (HHW). These products, if mishandled, can be dangerous to your health and the environment.

Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be "household hazardous waste" or "HHW." Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them.

Although we cannot completely stop using hazardous products, we can make sure that leftovers are managed properly. The best way to handle HHW is to reduce the amount initially generated by giving leftover products to someone else to use.

Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash. The dangers of such disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. Many communities in the United States offer a variety of options for conveniently and safely managing HHW.

List of Common HHW Products

The following list shows common household items containing potentially hazardous ingredients that might be found in your garage, basement, or other storage space in your home.

Cleaning Products
·  Oven cleaners
·  Drain cleaners
·  Wood and metal
cleaners and polishes
·  Toilet cleaners
·  Tub, tile, shower cleaners
·  Bleach (laundry)
·  Pool chemicals / Indoor Pesticides
·  Ant sprays and baits
·  Cockroach sprays and baits
·  Flea repellents and shampoos
·  Bug sprays
·  Houseplant insecticides
·  Moth repellents
·  Mouse and rat poisons
and baits
Automotive Products
·  Motor oil
·  Fuel additives
·  Carburetor and fuel
injection cleaners
·  Air conditioning refrigerants
·  Starter fluids
·  Automotive batteries
·  Transmission and brake fluid
·  Antifreeze / Workshop/Painting Supplies
·  Adhesives and glues
·  Furniture strippers
·  Oil or enamel based paint
·  Stains and finishes
·  Paint thinners and turpentine
·  Paint strippers and removers
·  Photographic chemicals
·  Fixatives and other solvents
Lawn and Garden Products
·  Herbicides
·  Insecticides
·  Fungicides/wood preservatives / Miscellaneous
·  Batteries
·  Mercury thermostats or
thermometers
·  Fluorescent light bulbs
·  Driveway sealer
Other Flammable Products
·  Propane tanks and other compressed gas cylinders
·  Kerosene
·  Home heating oil
·  Diesel fuel
·  Gas/oil mix
·  Lighter fluid

Source Reduction Alternatives around the Home

Many consumers look for ways to reduce the amount and toxicity of waste around the house. This can be done, in some cases, by using alternative methods or products without hazardous constituents to accomplish a certain task. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

Although the suggested mixtures have less hazardous ingredients than many commercial cleaners and pesticides, they should be used and stored with similar caution. Please follow these guidelines for any household cleaner or pesticide.

Household Cleaners and Alternatives
Houshold Cleaner / Alternative
Drain cleaner / Use a plunger or plumber's snake.
Oven cleaner / Clean spills as soon as the oven cools using steel wool and baking soda; for tough stains, add salt (do not use this method in self-cleaning or continuous-cleaning ovens).
Glass cleaner / Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in 1 quart of water. Spray on and use newspaper to wipe dry.
Toilet bowl cleaner / Use a toilet brush and baking soda or vinegar. (This will clean but not disinfect.)
Furniture polish / Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in 1 pint of mineral or vegetable oil, and wipe furniture.
Rug deodorizer / Deodorize dry carpets by sprinkling liberally with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes and vacuum. Repeat if necessary.
Silver polish / Boil 2 to 3 inches of water in a shallow pan with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a sheet of aluminum foil. Totally submerge silver and boil for 2 to 3 more minutes. Wipe away tarnish. Repeat if necessary. (Do not use this method on antique silver knives. The blade will separate from the handle.) Another alternative is to use nonabrasive toothpaste.
Plant sprays / Wipe leaves with mild soap and water; rinse.
Mothballs / Use cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mint, or white peppercorns.
Flea and tick products / Put brewer's yeast or garlic in your pet's food; sprinkle fennel, rue, rosemary, or eucalyptus seeds or leaves around animal sleeping areas.

* DO NOT mix anything with a commercial cleaning agent.

* If you do store a homemade mixture, make sure it is properly labeled and do not store it in a container that could be mistaken for food or beverage.

* When preparing alternatives, mix only what is needed for the job at hand and mix them in clean, reusable containers. This avoids waste and the need to store any cleaning mixture.

Move to Reduce and Recycle

One way to reduce the potential concerns associated with household hazardous waste is to take actions that use nonhazardous or less hazardous components to accomplish the task at hand. Individuals can do this by reducing the amount and/or toxicity of products with hazardous components, use only the amount needed. Leftover materials can be shared with neighbors or donated to a business charity, or government agency, or given to a household hazardous waste program. Excess pesticide might be offered to a greenhouse or garden center, for example, and theater groups also need surplus paint. Some communities have even organized waste exchanges where household hazardous waste can be swapped or given away.

Recycling is an economical and environmentally sound way to handle some types of household hazardous waste, such as used automobile batteries and oil. Auto parts stores and service stations frequently accept used automobile batteries, and 80 percent of these batteries are currently recycled. In addition, hundreds of local governments working with civic organizations and private firms have implemented successful used oil recycling programs. Many service stations have begun collecting used oil as a service to their customers. Check with local solid waste officials to find out if a used oil recycling program is operating in your area.

HHW Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, and Disposal Options

The options of reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal are all important tools to safely manage HHW. The following information can help you determine the best ways to reduce, reuse, or dispose of common household products that may contain hazardous ingredients. Each community is different, so check with your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for more information on HHW management options in your area.

What Are the Dangers of Improper Disposal?

Household hazardous wastes are sometimes disposed of improperly by individuals pouring wastes down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or putting them out with the trash. The dangers of such disposal methods may not be immediately obvious, but certain types of household hazardous waste have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers; contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets; and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house.

Safe Management Methods

Because of the potential risks associated with household hazardous wastes, it is important that people always use, store, and dispose of materials containing hazardous substances safely:

Tip #1

Use and store products containing hazardous substances carefully to prevent any accidents at home. Never store hazardous products in food containers. Keep products containing hazardous materials in their original containers and never remove the labels. Corroding containers, however, should be repackaged and clearly labeled. This will prevent accidental ingestion and also can help protect sanitation workers.

Tip #2

When leftovers remain, never mix household hazardous waste with other products. Incompatibilities may react, ignite, or explode; contaminated household hazardous waste may become unrecyclable.

Tip #3

Follow any instructions for disposal and use provided on the label.

Tip #4

Take household hazardous waste to a local collection program, if available.

Reduction at Home

Consider reducing your purchase of products that contain hazardous ingredients. Learn about the use of alternative methods or products—without hazardous ingredients—for some common household needs.

Legal Framework of Hazardous Waste Management in the Philippines

Presidential Decree (PD) 1152, “the Philippine Environmental Code,” which took effect in 1977, provides a basis for an integrated waste management regulation starting from waste source to methods of disposal. PD 1152 has further mandated specific guidelines to manage municipal wastes (solid and liquid), sanitary landfill and incineration, and disposal sites in the Philippines.

In 1990, the Philippine Congress enacted the Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act, commonly known as Republic Act (RA) 6969, a law designed to respond to increasing problems associated with toxic chemicals and hazardous and nuclear wastes. RA 6969 mandates control and management of import, manufacture, process, distribution, use, transport, treatment, and disposal of toxic substances and hazardous and nuclear wastes in the country. The Act seeks to protect public health and the environment from unreasonable risks posed by these substances in the Philippines.

Apart from the basic policy rules and regulations of RA 6969, hazardous waste management must also comply with the requirements of other specific environmental laws, such as PD 984 (Pollution Control Law), PD 1586 (Environmental Impact Assessment System Law), RA 8749 (Clean Air Act) and RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) and their implementing rules and regulations.

Classification of Hazardous Wastes

Class / Description / Waste Number
A: Wastes with cyanide
Wastes with cyanide / Waste containing cyanide with a concentration >200 ppm in liquid waste / A101
B: Acid wastes
Sulfuric acid / Sulfuric acid with pH =< 2.0 / B201
Hydrochloric acid / Hydrochloric acid with pH =< 2.0 / B202
Nitric acid / Nitric acid with pH =< 2.0 / B203
Phosphoric acid / Phosphoric acid with pH =< 2.0 / B204
Hydrofluoric acid / Hydrofluoric acid with pH =< 2.0 / B205
Mixture of sulfuric and
hydrochloric acid / Mixture of sulfuric and hydrochloric acid with pH =< 2.0 / B206
Other inorganic acid / Other inorganic acid with pH =< 2.0 / B207
Organic acid / Organic acid with pH =< 2.0 / B208
Other acid wastes / Acid wastes other than B201 to B208 with pH =< 2.0 / B299
C: Alkali wastes
Caustic soda / Caustic soda with pH >= 12.5 / C301
Potash / Potash with pH >= 12.5 / C302
Alkaline cleaners / Alkaline cleaners with pH >= 12.5 / C303
Ammonium hydroxide / Ammonium hydroxide with pH >= 12.5 / C304
Lime slurries / Lime slurries with pH >= 12.5 / C305
Other alkali wastes / Alkali wastes other than C301 to C306 pH >=12.5 / C399
D: Wastes with inorganic
chemicals
Selenium and its
compounds / Includes all wastes with a total Se concentration > 1.0 mg/L based on analysis of an extract / D401
Arsenic and its
compounds / Includes all wastes with a total As concentration > 5 mg/L based on analysis of an extract / D402
Barium and its
compounds / Includes all wastes with a total Ba concentration > 100 mg/L based on analysis of an extract / D403
Cadmium and its compounds / Includes all wastes with a total Cd concentration > 5 mg/l based on analysis of an extract / D404
Chromium compounds / Includes all wastes with a total Cr concentration > 5 mg/l based on analysis of an extract / D405
Lead compounds / Includes all wastes with a total Pb concentration > 5 mg/l based on analysis of an extract / D406
Mercury and mercury
compounds / Includes all wastes with a total Hg concentration > 0.2 mg/l based on analysis of an extract. These also
includes organomercury compounds. Refer to CCO. / D407
Other wastes with
inorganic chemicals / Wastes containing the following chemicals:
- antimony and its compounds;
- beryllium and its compounds;
- metal carbonyls ;
- copper compounds;
- zinc compounds ;
- tellurium and its compounds;
- thallium and its compounds;