Dealing with your hazardous waste

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

If it doesn't go up the stack or down the drain, it's probably hazardous waste. Here's how to dispose of it properly.

GENERATING HAZARDOUS WASTE (HW) is an everyday reality in a collision repair shop. In addition to paint, the standard hazardous waste for shops include absorbent material such as mops, sponges, rags and booth filters that have been used with heavy metal-containing paints.

HW is any material that does not go up the stack or down the drain and exhibits one of the following characteristics: It is ignitable (less than 140 degrees IF flash point); corrosive (meaning it's a strong acid or alkali); reactive-i.e. explosive; or has a toxic characterization leachate procedure, which means it contains heavy metal pigments or some teachable organics, such as methyl ethyl ketone.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) provides for "cradle to grave" management of such products. Generators of this waste-which includes bodyshop owners-- ultimately have responsibility for management.

Most HW generators must notify the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and obtain an EPA Identification Number. They must also provide HW training annually to employees who handle HW activities, fill out manifests and/or respond to emergencies. This training must be documented meticulously and kept until three years after termination of employment.