|
In this issue... |
 Welcome to the new look of the VT DEC Environmental Assistance Office e-newsletter. We hope to provide you with regular updates on environmental regulatory compliance issues throughout DEC and helpful tips, resources and links. You can contact us at any time by phone or email with questions. You can also contact us to schedule an on-site assistance visit to help you with specific compliance questions or to just walk through your facility to identify compliance and pollution prevention opportunities. Among other things, this issue provides tips on storing hazardous wastes in winter and how to properly dispose of those pesky aerosol cans. In our next newsletter we will discuss the new solid waste law, new fluorescent bulb recycling options, and our new compliance assistance guide for auto refinishing. |
|
Hazardous Waste Storage in the Winter |
|
Do not forget about your hazardous waste as the temperatures drop!
With winter just around the corner, it is important to ensure that "hazardous wastes subject to freezing" - basically, any hazardous waste that contains water - are either stored in a heated space or shipped off-site to an appropriate facility before being exposed to consistently below-freezing temperatures. Because water expands upon freezing, containers or aboveground tanks holding freezable hazardous wastes my bulge and even split if the waste should happen to freeze; upon thawing, that waste could then be released to the environment. Common examples of freezable hazardous wastes are fuel/water mixtures.
Remember...
Under the VHWMR, all hazardous wastes must be stored on an impervious surface and within a structure that sheds rain and snow. |
|
How to Manage and Dispose of Aerosol Cans |
If the can is empty:
- Make sure to store empty cans separate from full or partially-full cans.
- It is acceptable to puncture the can.
- Recycle the can or throw it in the regular trash to dispose of it.
If the can is NOT empty:
- Determine if it contains hazardous waste or not.
- If it does not contain hazardous waste, puncturing the can is acceptable (see procedure below) and then recycle it or throw it away in the regular trash to dispose of it.
- If it does contain hazardous waste, manage it as hazardous waste.
For more information, please refer to the Procedure Addressing the Management and Disposal of Aerosol Cans. |
