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Chapter 17 Table of Contents (website)
Publication: February 2007, update 03/08. For information about changes, please see the Revision History.

Chapter 17: Hazardous Waste

Overview (1)

Hazardous waste is an unavoidable by-product of SLAC research and technical support activities and is generated at various locations around the site. To ensure that SLAC operations are safe and to provide protection to staff and the environment, these wastes must be handled properly.

This chapter describes the SLAC program for managing hazardous wastes, including the responsibilities of individual generators.

Hazards/Impacts (1.1)

Improper handling of hazardous waste can result in harm to people and equipment, and releases of waste can harm both people and the environment. For example:

• The improper handling of oil waste can result in spills and slippery surfaces; releases to the storm drain or onto open roadway may result in harm to wildlife and natural resources, in significant cleanup costs, and regulatory fines.
• The improper handling of waste corrosive chemicals can result in danger to employees from skin contact or noxious fumes and can require challenging cleanups if spilled on site or on public roadways.
• Improper handling practices can also result in the release of toxic metal and solvent wastes generated from equipment fabrication cleaning operations. Such releases can impact the soils, surface waters, and ground water.

Scope (2)

This chapter applies to all personnel, including employees, users, visitors, and subcontractors at SLAC involved with the generation, storage, transportation, and treatment of hazardous wastes. This chapter contains requirements for the following kinds of waste

1. Hazardous. A used material with properties that could pose a danger to human health or the environment and can no longer be acceptably reused in any SLAC activity or operation
2. Industrial. Waste that exhibits a level of contamination not considered hazardous, but is required by California to be managed more strictly than other kinds of wastes
3. Universal. Hazardous waste generated through everyday activities, such as batteries and fluorescent tubes, that pose a lower risk to people and the environment. Universal wastes can therefore be managed under less stringent handling rules if they are recycled through permitted recycling facilities.

See Section 4, “Definitions” for detailed descriptions of these categories.

For requirements concerning mixed waste - that is, hazardous waste generated in radiologically controlled areas (RCAs) - see the SLAC Radioactive Waste Manual [pdf].

For requirements concerning waste minimization, which helps protect the environment, fulfills regulations limiting disposal of hazardous waste, and reduces the costs associated with waste management, see Chapter 22, "Waste Minimization and Pollution Prevention".

Most hazardous wastes begin as hazardous materials. For requirements governing hazardous materials see Chapter 40, "Hazardous Materials".

Exemptions (2.1)

If a waste is deemed non-hazardous, it is not subject to the requirements of this chapter. It may be required that the waste generator and the Waste Management Group (WM) make a determination if a waste is hazardous or industrial waste (see Section 5.2.1, “Determination”) to prevent the improper release of hazardous or regulated wastes into the environment.

Non-hazardous or municipal waste is waste that is accepted for disposal at a Class III (municipal) landfill. This waste category is not subject to the requirements of hazardous or industrial wastes discussed in this chapter.

Implementation (8)

The requirements of this chapter will be implemented according to Hazardous Waste: Implementation Plan [pdf].

continue to Standards (3)