usehold Hazardous Waste The Quarterly NewsGer of ent News The Waste Watch Center

Volume N. No. 15 November I992

Chittenden County's 'Rover is a modified roll-off container - Page 3.

EPA Focus:

(Voluntary) Toxics Reduction Promotion of voluntary reduction of hazardous compounds in products is the overall goal of the Municipal and Indus- trial Solid Waste Division (MISWD) toxics reduction program. To accom- plish this, EPA is: 1) providing information on the

in municipal solid waste (MSW),

on soufce reduction options, and

toxicity reduction by businesses and manufacturers. These three key areas combine to form a strategy to decrease toxics in MSW.

Sources oPToxics The EPA pro- gram focused initially on studies e m - ining sources of lead, cadmium, and mercury in products typically found in MSW. Additional efforts include a pre- liminary assessment of the technical feasibility of substitutes for lead and cadmium in products, and background research on additional compounds of concem. The results of the background research point toward chlorinated or-

amounts/sourcesofthesecompounds

2) holding discussions with industry

3) highlighting successful examples of

ganic solvents as a class of compounds that are present in MSW that have the potential for source reduction. A rough screening of compounds present in MSW facilities resulted in the develop ment of a short list of compounds of po- tential focus:

methylene chloride 1 , 1 , 1 trichloroehe trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene.

These compounds are used in house- hold cleaners, degreasers, paint remov- ers, aerosols and surface coatings. The list highlights large volume, widely- used compounds that hold promise for toxics reduction. Recognition of source reduction opportunities for these com- pounds could bring attention to toxics reduction at all levels of industry.

Discussions with Industry EPA conducted a source reduction workshop for a select group of products contain- ing the heavy metals lead, cadmium and mercury at a forum in Providence, RI, Dec. 2-3. The products that ynderwent

continued on page 6

-~

From the Editor's Desk:

Conferences Another successfu1U.S. EPA National HHWM Conference has just concluded. Nearly 400 people came to Minneapolis and enjoyed how-to, source reduction, CESQG, fluorescent light and waste management sessions.

Despite the lack of snow (no cross country skiing), a merry group enjoyed dinner and clogging in the barn at an apple orchard. The tours included fluo- rescent light and appliance recyclers and local HHW programs.

Planning has begun for HHWM VIII, Burlington, VT, Nov. 9-13,1993. The Waste Watch Center welcomes suggestions for the agenda and speakers - do include an abstract if you wish.

HHWKESQG Meeting At the end of October, the Waste Watch Cen- ter held a meeting, funded by the Re- gion I EPA office, for local and state government officials, HHW program and environmental representatives. The goal was to educate the attendees, who came from the New England states, how each of those states regulates and manages CESQG hazardous waste - both those states that grant conditional exemptions from their hazardous waste generator regulations and those that do

continued on page 6

Inside Stencil the Drain 2

Household Cleaners 3

Vermont 'Rover' 3

Regional Reports 4 - 6

'rinted on recycled paper.

-> Please circulate your HHWM News

I Household Hazardous

Waste Management News Advisory Board

DavidAlkn cenlaforpdlntianAeM*ion Tracy Bone U S &vhm“l Rotemon Bil Bnmn WUaeManaeaM*.Inc. charb.cubbege M k . h i g e n J h p ” o f A g r i ~ JoanDot8on LepBueofWamen Vuaa dRuilmds,CA Jay Fddman NatloaPlCoplitmAlyinslthCMinued- DavidQeMn ! h t t k . ~ W a t e r R e s w r c e s Lerlk,Goklrmith FVhCSOUPORUliCQCClUmlAgaKy Janet H. Grohsm SpeciahyW- saviar Jan K h a n Dq”tdEalvh”dReeuLtkn,FL Jerry Martin ‘IheDowaKmialcompsny UsMacOnnlok l m i d t n w l ? n ~ d 1 , 6 a c LeeAm Murarhoff LaimawHn’ *IsavicQs~arhBpa).lnc Judv carny- w = Q n - ~ B e m U r f i n o Gina Rrln p r o j a c t * M n r i n c a n t t y . ~ W l i h Rauljo IheGatbqeRojeq Univadyof Ak” MerUynReeva Leagueofwomenvccers,us Bob Ruudl chanicrlWnsu:M8MgUMl&k PaMck J. Scadon wheelabratarTdogic-s,Inc MarieStdnwachr HHWRojeqMO

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Household Hazardous Waste Manage ment News io a quarterly publicstlon of the nonprofit (Federai I D 044044519):

WASTE WATCH CENTER 16 HsV&ili S W t Andovet, MA 01810

Artkies may be nproducod with d i t to HHWY News, pleew H n d umpk to the Warto Watch Center. BACK krum: call for detallo; B U M ordore (ourrent luue): non-profha - p t a g o & handling, ail oth- ers $20 each plus postage & handling.

Dana Duxbuy: Editor-lnchicsf Mkhaei Friohman: Managing Edltor

sos-470.3044, (fax) 508470-5984

‘Paint the Town! Get Involved in a Storm Drain Painting Proj-

ect,’ is the simply stated exhortation on the cover of the Connecticut Sea Grant brochure describing the why and how of storm sewer stenciling.

DON‘T DUMP 1.1. SOUND

... is the message used by both the Con- necticut and New York Sea Grant Ex- tension Programs. “Sea Grants” pro- grams, part of the Cooperative Exten- sion System, are in more than 20 states.

The Center for Marine Conservation in Virginiacoordinatesanetwork-24 programs including the Connecticut and New York Sea Grants - that paints warnings on storm drains to educate people about the hazards of pouring wastes into the system. The Center’s “Million Points of Blight” project acts as a network for existing programs and also serves as a guide to groups or com-

of our nation’s water quality problems. Many times more oil -only one pol- lutant - enters the world’s water every year from do-it-yourself oil changing than was spilled by the Exxon-Valdez. Our nation’s 1 million storm sewers also introduce into the waterways street litter, fertilizer, pet waste, yard waste, other automotive fluids like antifreeze, and other household hazardous wastes including paint. In November 1990, EPA’s final rule implementing Section 402@) of the Clean Water Act required every community over lO0,OOO popula- tion with separate storm sewer systems to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Other cities, towns and counties should also work to make residents aware of the problems caused by non-point source -pointless! - pollution. Swan MacleodLauri Halperin, Pollution Prevention Stafi Center for Marine Comer- vatwn, 306-A Buckroe Avenue, Hampton.

HHWP. 1031 E. Battk$eld.Suite 214, Springtield, MO, 6807,417-889-3000. 0 VA23664,804-851-6734. Sruah Dewey,

munities that want to srart stenciling pgrams; the assistance includes a package of information and how-to ma-

National HHW AssociatOon Proposed

terials. The Household Hazardous Waste hoject (HHWP) in Springfield, Missouri, recently u p d a d their 1991 report on “smrm main Stenciling b j -

several pro-‘ and a variety Of how- to suggestions. Publicity. and procedural materials.

The stenciling programs are the re- su14 in part, ofEPA determination that non-point sources are a primary cause

A discussion group at the U.S. EPA Na- tional HHWM Conferenceconsidered the need for a national association for those concerned with HHW and CESQGS and the form it might take. The Waste Watch

dustry people were present and a late spring meeting was proposed if there is enoughinterest. Michael Bender, CVRPC (address in box below), agreed to be the recipient of comments and suggestions. Please contact him before February 15.

ects,” which Center, and in-

“f Publicathls The South Dakota “Governor’s Report of the Chi- zena Advisory Committee on Hazardous Waste Management” identifies HHW as an issue needing attention and recommends education of consumers and the regulated community. (Vonni Kallemeyn, DWNR, 605773453) Begln at Home, a new 2 volume curriculum anthology includes superior activities collected from around the country, has been prepared by Kathy Jacobson, Thurston County (WA) Community and Environmental Programs, 206-754-41 11. Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission recently surveyed 500 house- holds and found that Vermonters buy 30 percent fewer drycell batteries than the na- tional average, generate three pounds of waste paint per year and that 30 percent change their own oil compared with 60 percent estimated nationally. HHW A Ver- mont Perspective, CVRPC. 26 State St., Montpelier, VT 05602, $5.00. New York’s Battery Task Force report, due in January, will include evaluations of battery toxicity, recyding technologies, and collection and recovery systems -to receive a copy of the report call: 51 8-457-7337. f3

2 November 1992 Household Hazardous Waste Management News

Toxic Constituents and Household Cleaners by Philip Dickey

In the HHW arena, few subjects generate more controversy and confu- sion than household cleaning products. How hazardous are they, are they HHW at all? What ingredients do they con- tain? Do they need special disposal? Do alternatives really work? Is “environ- mentally friendly” just a lot of hoopla? These questions are asked by HHW professionals as well as by consumers.

Household cleaners include many different kinds of products. classifica- tion by use is not easy because some products have many functions. The table gives one possible overview of the various types of cleaners and the spe- cific hazards they pose. The variety of formulas and dispensing systems is endless, and research continues to in- vent new products, including m e we didn’t know we needed. Hazard Classification

Are cleaning products hazardous? The simple answer is: It varies. It also depends on whom you ask and why you need to know. According to the Con- sumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), which regulates cleaning prod- ucts (except disinfectants), cleaners are “hazardous” if they cause skin or eye ir- ritation in specified tests, if a lethal dose by ingestion is less than 5 grams per kilogram of body weight, or if they are combustible or corrosive. Many clean- ersareirritants,andtheproductlabels accordingly bear a CAUTION signal word. Are such detergents considered HHW. and do they need special collec- tion? The answer is often no, although the definition of HHW is vague enough

sothatadeterminationissometimes difficult. The wastewater system is usu- ally considered an acceptable disposal route for small amounts of non-solvent based detergent products, although as with all household cleaners, mass

dumping is generally discouraged. Note that products not consided hazardous by CPSC may still contain constituents which would be hazardous individually, andeven ifaproduct does not meet

continued on page 7

Type of Constituents of Major Use Indoor Water Disposal* Cleaner Concern Hazard* Air drain lye C . . oven lye C . . toiletbowl acids C . . laundry phosphates, nonylphenol I .

ethoxylates, arsenic‘ bleach sodium hypochlorite, borax I, R . . dishwasher phosphates, chlorine I, R

bleach, arsenic’ phosphates, g lyd ethers, I . ammonia

general

scouring silica, acids, bleach I . bathroom acids, bleach, germicides I . . .2

glass butoxy ethanol, ammonia . rug& petroleum distillates, I 0 . . upholstery trichloroethane . . .3 .. spoffstain petrdeum ~p tha , T, F

dsinfectant bleach, quats I, c . . . rust “ow strong acids C . . fumiture polish petroleum distillates T, F air freshener parackhlorobenzene T metal petroleum distillates, T, F

degreasers petroleum distillates, T, F

’Major Hazard: Ccorrosive, I-irritant, T-toxic, R+xctive, F-flammable ’Disposal: - Hazardous waste: take to HHW collectiOn, do not dispose of in solid or liquid waste stream. Hazardous waste: HHW collection would likely accept, but generally can be disposed in sewer. No dots: Not generally hazardous waste, may be hazardous product per CPSC regulations. 1 Arsenic in deaning products is an impurity. 2 Products with germicide1 properties may be considered hazardous for disposal purposes. 3 Not a hazard to water in normal use , but would be if poured down sanitary sewer or storm drain. All products within a given use category will not pose the same hazards; designation re- fers particularly to those containing the listed constituents of concern. Columns 4-7 indi- cate whetherthe hazards are associated primarily with direct product use, indoor air pol- lution, water pollution, or disposal. Much of this information was collected during a study done for Seattle (available from Metro or Washington Toxics Coalition).

purpose

trichloroethane

. .3 .. . . .. . .. ammonia, acids

trichloroethane . . .3 0.

The Rover in Chittenden County by Jennifer Holliday ‘The Rover,” the Chittenden County, Vermont, mobile HHW collection facil- ity, was launched in Williston for a shakedown cruise Oct. 23,1991. By Nov. 23 when the Rover packed up for the season, 352 participants - at least one from each of the 16 communities in the county - had visited the program and the Chittenden Solid Waste District

knew the few kinks that would need fix- ing before taking the Rover on the road for a full season this past April. The Rover is permitted by the state as a solid waste facility and HHW can be stored until there is a full load for a hauler, or until it is time to move to the next site. The most important addition in prepara- tion for the 1992 season wasa 500 gal- lonoil tankon asepate trailer with its

own secondary containment. Chittenden County includes Bur-

lington and is home to 5 l ,000 house- holds (127,000 people), one quarter of the state’s population; it covers 532 square miles between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains in northwest Vermont. The Solid Waste District was established in 1987 and in the Novem- ber 1990 general election voters in the district voted by a seventy percent ma-

continued on page 8 h

ousehold Hazardous Waste Management News November 1992 3

I REGIONAL REPORTS l REGION I Michael Bender. Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, 802-229-0389.

Connecticu Eight towns in south- westem Connecticut have agreed in principle to establishment of a regional HHW collection prom that would be open 6-8 months of the year and man- aged by an existing mycling organiza- tion. R e g i d Refuse Disposal District I (northwest corner) has been granted approval, per a minor amendment to their solid waste pennit, far collection of paint and paint related items at their transfer facility. (Paul Franson, DEP,

mne. Plans for battery manage- ment (Oct. 1,1993) and paint manage- ment (July 1,1993) will be prepared by the Waste Management Agency in co- operation with manufacturers, whole- salers and retailers.(John James, WMA,

-huse@. Green Paint Co. in Manchaug conducted a pilot paint recy- cling project, collecting paint from nearby communities and at the factory from contractors - only five percent was rejected and 2,000 gallons were sold to a large chain; the cans will be re cycled, too, and the company has re- ceived a recycling permit from the state. (Scott Herbert, Green Paint, 508-476- 1992). On Nov. 7, the Department of Environmental protection held a day- long forum on HHW planning. (Nancy Wrenn, DEP, 617-292-5587)

New ham^&&. The Exeter Public Works Department maintains a data- base of residents who have surplus haz- ardous household products, matching it with those who need the products; ex- changes are arranged by the residents,

totaling $100,ooOpartiaUy fundedFall collections and educational materials for 74 of the state’s 234 communities.

203-566-5277)

207-287-5300)

thus precluding regulation. state grants

(Ken Stuart, DES, 603-271-2047) Rhode Island. Engineers are review-

ing plans for a permanent HHW facil- ity, construction is scheduled next year. (Jeff Crawford, DEM,401-277-3434)

Vermont. Regions and districts are developing state required plans to keep non-regulated wastes (HHW, CESQG) out of solid waste landfills. The state is

in the midst of a six-month, $50,000 multi-media waste education blitz with 1/3 directed at household toxics - calls about HHW to the state hotline have in- creased dramatically. A CESQG only collection was held in Brattleboro No- vember 7. (Andrea Cohen, ANR, 802- 244-7831)

REGION 11 Sharon Rehab, Department of Environ- mental Conservation, NY, 5 18-457-6072.

New Jersey. Every county must have a permanent HHW program established by August 1995; DEP has published permanent facility guidelines -the fa- cilities will be incorporated into exist- ing solid waste permits when possible or will be issued new ones when neces- sary, some CESQG wastes will be ac- cepted. Drycell battery manufacturers were required to submit plans for col- lection, transportation and processing of batteries by Oct. 20 - four were re- ceived, state and manufacturers have been meeting since March. Final plans are due Jan. 20,1993, some counties al- ready collect batteries. (Mike Winka,

Pennsvlvani& The Department of Environmental Resources has issued regulations and application procedures for HHW collection programs (no fund- ing currently available); the rules also set minimum fees for CESQGs - Rules and Regulations 4272.38 1-3,

717-787-7382) In September, an HHW seminar covered HHW, PA regulations, case studies of two collections, NiCad recycling and a tour of INMETCO’s battery recycling facility; future semi- nars are scheduled. (Mark Schweers, INMETCO. 412-758-5515, ext 300)

DEP, 609-530-8591)

4272.501-543. (William Apw, DER,

REGION III JeMjferLadd, Southeastem Public Service Authority, VA, 804-420-4700.

Jklawq. The report on two collec- tion pilots (curbside and fixed site) is available with data and analysis. (Julie Wilke, DSWA, 302-739-5361)

JM K l e m ~ , Department of Environmental

Regulation, FL, 904488-0300.

Poria. The 40 counties with per- manent collec-

YE- VI1

2 ‘Vill \ tion centers are benefiting from competitionbe- ~ f i ’ mwb tween three haz- ardous waste contractors. Steve Water- man (Jacksonville, 904-630-0973) is testing devices that depressurize and capture gases from aerosol cans. (Jan Kleman, DER, 904-488-0300)

North Car0 lim. DEHNR has permit- ted the state’s first permanent facility in Cumberland County and also has given a Part B permitted hazardous waste storage facility in Greensboro permis- sion to hold periodic collections. (Ellis Cayton, DEHNR, 919-733-0692)

South Cmliw. The state’s first con- tracted collection (four have been do- nated by hazardous waste companies) for two counties is scheduled for Co- lumbia early next year, sponsored by the state, the League of Women Voters and the governor’s office. (Pam Bergstrand, DHEC, 803-734-4716)

REGION V Liz GelbmaM, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 612-297-8324.

Waste Agency won three major awards at the annual SWANA conference: 1st place for public education, Meritorious for K- 12 HHW curriculum, Meritorious for satellite HHW collection and recy- cling programs. (Kathy Kendall, SWA,

Michipan. The Kellogg Foundation grant through GEM (Ground Water Education in Michigan) supporting the state’s HHW program has been ex- tended at a reduced level for one year - it will support development of new edu- cational materials for small businesses. (Cynthia Fridgen, MSU Coop Exten- sion, 517-355-9578)

new permanent facilities (one mobile) this Fall, the state now has 16. MPCA will soon begin accepting applications for very small quantity generator col- lection (VSQG) sites; the agency has

The Des Moines Area Solid

515-244-0021)

Minnesoh . With the addition of four

4 November 1992 Household Hazardous Waste Management News

HHWMNewsregknsare the area covered by ow reportera and have no other significance.

% also received a U.S. EPA grant covering several HHW and VSqGprOgramsintheDUluth area. (Ned Brooks, MPCA, 612-

2 9 ; ~ ~ ~ ~ 0 " s 0 n e - d a y , seven-site paint swap resulted in

8,000gallonsfrom800cars.Halfwas swapped the same day, the rest was bulked and a local paint company re- blended and donated leftovers to non- profits. An on-going system to match people with paint and people needing it will be set up. (Bruce Ehrich, Nebraska Coalition on Hazardous Waste, 402- 444-6866)

Wisconsin. Department of Agricul- m e grants ranging from $12,500 to

tions for spring and summer 1993; col- lections will take pesticides, farm main- tenance chemicals and pesticide con- tainers for recycling; eight additional grants are pending for stronger educa- tional components focusing on assisting farmers in making appropriatepurchas- ing and storage decisions. (Elaine An-

$50,000 will fund 13 farm waste collec-

drew~, UWEX, 608-262-0142) - REGION VI Marie Steimuachs. Household Hazardous Waste Roje~t, MO, 417-889-5000. m. IEPA's eight cc+sponsod Fall collections averaged 2.5 percent participation and total cost is expected to be $750,000. (Mike Chandler, IEPA, 217-785-8604) The first IEPA co-spon- sored permanent facility will be open Saturdays and Sundays in Naperville. (Kris Cam, Naperville, 708-420-6088) Jnw. Allan County's fourth an-

nual collection had about one percent participation and received 14,000 pounds of waste - participants wen: charged $5.00 per car (antifreeze and used oil accepted free of charge), esti- mated cost of collection $4O,ooO. Since introduction of the fee, participation has decreased, waste per participant in- creased. (Tony Bums, Safe@ & Envi- ronmental Affairs, 219-428-7265) m. Jefferson County had 1,587 participants at its thnx Fall col- lections - 287 at one site compared to

69 last year and tMal would have been higher ifrecord flooding had not shut down one site at mid-day. (Cas Harris, Jefferson County, 502-625-6510) M. Several state agencies co-

authoda brochure on best disposal recommendations for H E W collabora- tion wasfelttobebestway tomaximize effectiveness of resoms. (Marie

m. The state selected a HHW planning consultant in December for a statewide mobile collection p gram. (Don Manning, Solid Waste As-

Stehwachs, HHWP,417-889-5000)

~istance. 615-532-0076)

REGION W Marlies Greenwood, Dow Chemical Com-

-. Regulations for HHW collection programs and grants will be finalized by January; Jackson was awarded $25,000 towards a collection. (Mario Banmi, DEQ, 601-961-5052) m. TheTexas Water Commis- sion has awarded seven grants totaling $1.6 million for HHW collection sites, which include permanent sites in Abilene, Corpus Christi, New Braun- fels and Odessa; funds for Austin's per- manent facility; funding for a Lower Colorado River Authority collection, and funds for one collection each quar- ter at a different site in Houston next year. Dow Chemical in Freeport incin- erated 20,000 pounds of chemicals free for the Texas Parks and Wildlife De- partment, a local high school and a local mosquito control district (Marlies

pan^, Freepcnt, TX, 409-238-2805.

Greenwood, DOW, 409-238-2805)

REGION WI Sally Ta@, Thurston County Environ- mental Health, WA, 206-754-4663.

Alaska participation continues to increase at the Anchorage HHW / CESQG facility; posters and stickers for 4th-6th grade have been added to the Household Toxics curriculum. (sill Kryger, Anchorage, 907-561-1906)

Hawaii. The Department of Health Office of Solid Waste Management has received a"Pollution Prevention Inen- tives for States" grant from U.S. EPA - targets will be composting; use of less toxic cleaners, pesticides, and sol- vents by resorts and hotels, and a waste exchange for businesses. (Roger Harte,

DOH, 808-586-8143) m. Two additional collection days were scheduled following a 56 percent increase in participation at the fourth annual Boise/Ada County collec- tion day in May. (Donna-Marie Hayes, Boise, 208-384-3900) m. DHES and the Extension Service has presented their Hazard Free Home Seminar -participants are then responsible for HHW education in their communities. Boseman is planning a 1993 HHW collection and paint swap.

m. Legislation to continue the (Lars Dado, DHES. 406-444-1430)

state HHW program is in subcommit- tee; aDEQreportproposestwomai1 fees they estimate would generate $5OO,OOO that could be used to fund the

sued a permit for a second Portland Metro permanent facility. (Maggie Conley, DEQ, 503-229-5106) In the first six months, the Metm facility, open

day,processed5,148 participants (2.6 percent participation) and 361,010

each; a six-month report describing the program development, implementation and some analysis is available. (Jim Quinn, Metro, 503-221-1646 ext 293)

-. No-Waste Recycle Week (at 3- 1 1) emphasized three themes -recycle, practice waste re- duction and substitute saferdtematives for home cleaners. (Sheila Homer, DOE, 206-649-7250). In Seattle-King County, recent pilot efforts to encour- age residents to use less toxic household cleaners included free distribution of "Green Cleaning Kits" and recipe cards for less-toxic cleaners; evaluation re- sults are available. The hazardous waste program monthly newsletter, Flash- pint, provides HHW and SQG news to local agencies. The Wastemobile goes out to bid the first of the y w , in its new "greeter pr0g.1"" mined staff talk to participants about reduction and alter- natives while they wait in line. (Annette Frahm, Mem, 206-689-3064) Lewis County, population 58,000, has re- cruited 2,300 PEN (public education network) representatives from county clubs and groups who are responsible for keeping their groups informed about HHW. (Chilly Sterner, LCSWU, 206- 748-9169 ext. 221) Island County is opening satellite collection sites at three

state's HHW pr~gram~. DEQ has is-

lo:ooam-5:oopm,ThurSdaytoSatur-

pOUnds Of waSte-7Op~~~arat$lO9

Household Hazardous Waste Management News November 1992 5

- Regional Reports, -tirmed transfer stations and this Fall is opening its d m to CESQG’s -a CESQG co- ordinator has been hired to draft regula- tions and provide technical assisme. (Jerry Mingo, ICPW, 26678-51 11) Burlington Environmental is operating a private CESQG collection service (by appointment only) at four sites in the western part of the state. (Tim Richie, BEI, 800-228-7872)

I REGION IX Gina Purin, Project Managex. Marin County, CA. 415-499-6647.

Arizona. Phoenix held a door-to- door, by appointment, collection for la- tex paint, used oil, car batteries and anti- freeze - the 4,000 households served were triple the number at one-day drop- offs. A HHW hotline offers information on saferaltematives andproper dis- posal. (wandawildman,phoenixpub lic Works, 602-256-33 10)

California Marin County mails par- ticipant surveys along with a reminder card to people calling for an appoint- ment. (Gina Purin, Marin County. 415- 499-6647) Data h m three CESQG pi- lot collections at the San Francisco per- manent facility will be used in prepat- ing a proposal to make such service per- manent. Fees ranged f” $2-7.00 per gallon - 139 businesses participated: painting contractors (25 percent), print- ers (24 percent), property managers (12 percent); major wastestreams were la- tex and oil-based paint (37 percent), solvents (29 percent), and photochemi- cals (1 1 percent). Paul Frascina, Sani- tary Fill Co., 4 15-468-2442) Vacaville saved $5,000 by having a re-use table at their collection - 50 people took mate- rial. (Deanna Seaman, NORCAL, 415-

ticipants and turned away another 500 Oct. 3, a 500 percent increase over par- ticipation at the previous collection. (Henry Renteria, Oakland, 5 10-238- 3938) San Mateo’s permanent program now recirculates back to the public all fertilizers and pool chemicals, most household cleaners and garden prod-

4305) The local radio station broadcast live from the Toulumne County one- day collection, inviting people to “come on down” for “recycled music” - the station gave away their used tapes and records. (Mark Rappaport, Toulumne

330- 1109) Oakland m e d 2,500 par-

ucts. (Rick Milla, Redwood, 4 15-363-

6 November 1992

County, 209-533-5588) colorado. Boulder County held a

second event (629 participants) at their permanent facility -appointments are one option being considered to control overwhelming, over budget response. (Hilary Collins, Boulder County, 303- 441-3900) Larimer County has regular drop-off hours at the Fort Collins ~ l - lection site, previously the facility oper- ated by appointment. (Janelle Hender- son, Larimer County, 303-498-5771)

Nev&. The state is distributing guidelines to municipalities on how to set up collection days. (Dave Emme, DEP, 702-687-5872 ext. 3001) m. Salt Lake City/County Health Department is planning a permanent HHW facility - the one-day collection in May exhausted the HHW budget and 1,OOO calls from homeowners came in after the event; educational flyers have been sent to all realtors for distribution to home buyers; the department and DEQ are working on a booklet on waste reduction and recycling for small busi- ness. (Dorothy Adams, Salt Lake City DEH, 801-534-4588)

Editor, continuedfiovnpagel not. Two models developed for CESQG pgrams include collection, education and pollution prevention elements.

Paint Reuse (“Use-Up”) and Re- cycling Meeting In early November, U.S. EPA funded a Waste Watch Cen- ter consensus meeting to discuss reuse (the participants decided they preferred

paint. The participants included local and state HHW program coordinatom; among the representatives of many dif- ferent paint companies were two that already recycle old paint. The discussions focused on technical, economic and political barriers and potential solutions.

The meeting didnot conclude that every paint company should take back all old paint and pay for reprocess- ing. Various technical, economic and political solutions were sug- gested; about a third of existing, small, non-

“tJ~e-Up”) and mycling of unwanted

computerized paint companies might be interested in accepting old paint that had been pre-tested for hazardous con- taminants and if the HHW program paid for the reprocessing.

To purchase conference proceed- ings and meeting summaries, contact the Waste Watch Center. Conference audio tapes are available from ProMe- diaproductions (612-631-3681).

Dana Duxbury, Editor, HHWM News 0

FOCUS, c o n t i n u i m p a g e I evaluation for s~urce reduction poten- tial were fluorescent lamps and ther- mometers/measuring devices (mer- cury), lead-based solder and lead-oxide in cathode ray tubes, NiCad batteries, and cadmium used as a stabilizer for plastics. Findings h m the forum will be available in the Spring of 1993. EPA is eager to discuss source reduction op portunities across other sectors of prod- uct manufacturing. Case Studies of Toxics Reduction

EPA is interested in learning abut suc- cess stories of toxics reduction resulting f” reformulated products, new prod- ucts and other product innovations. Your experiences and our research may result in a report highlighting these ef- forts, as well as the role of the environ- mental manager and the exchange of toxics reduction strategies among or- ganizations. The “refoxmulated prod- ucts session” at the HHWM conference in M i ~ a p o l i s was a good opportunity to start the process of learning abut “success stories.” E u g e n e k . Municipal & Industrial Solid Waste Diviswn, O m e of Solid Waste, 202- 260-7564. 0

Household Hazardous Waste Management News

I Cleaners, continuedfi.ompage3 HHW criteria, it may still pose risks during use which would make other products better choices.

With “extremely hazardous” clean- ers, such as those bearing the DANGER label, the hazard classification is easier. Products which are comsive, flam- mable, or reactive or which contain pe troleum distillates or other solvents, are considered both hazardous products and hazardous waste. Even for some of these, such as toilet or drain cleaners for example, the sanitary sewer system is an acceptable avenue of disposal for small quantities. Such products would not be suitable for disposal in the gar- bage, however. Efficacy and Safety

reacted to efforts to steer consumers away from some of their products by questioning both the efficacy and the safety of alternative cleaners. They have a point-up to a point. Safer clean- ers which don’t work can cause con- sumers to use more product to achieve the desired result or to give up on alter- natives entirely and return to using more hazardous products. However, a slight sacrifice in performance to achieve substantial safety or environ- mental gains is justified. We need to de- fine a level of efficacy which is ade- quate, but which does not require undue risk. Environmental labeling programs are defining adequate efficacy in a vari- ety of ways. Currently, cooperative ex- tension agents in several states are con- ducthg some efficacy studies of clean- ing products. Consumer’s Union also tests some altematives for their maga- zine, and inclusion of more “green” brands would be welcome.

which is often recommended as “greener cleaner” - strikes me as a waste of time. It might level the playing field if vinegar were labeled “CAU- TION eye irritant” As a food, vinegar falls under different labeling laws from cleaning products -but even with a cautionary label, consumers would likely perceive it as less toxic than Mr. Clean, because they eat vinegar on their salad.

The cleaning products industry has

Impugning the safety of vinegar-

Legislation, Regulation and Labeling

The Federal Trade Commission has published formal guidelines for accept- able environmental product claims (Federal Register, Vol. 57-157, Aug. 13,1992). These guidelines may help manufacturers avoid making vague and indefensible claims such as “environ- mentally friendly,” but it may be that a law with more specific definitions and penalties will ultimately be needed.

Green Seal, one of the national non- profit labeling programs, is in the p m - ess of developing criteria for awarding its seal to general purpose household cleaners and eventually to laundry de- tergents. Green Cross, the other player in this field, has been certifying clean- ing products for biodegradability for some time. Both seals have the potential to help consumers make better deci- sions, but both also carry the possibility of misinterpretation by an unsophisti- cated public.

With the exception of phosphates, few ingredients in cleaning products are likely to be banned in the near future. Theozonedepleting chemical l,l,l- trichloroethanein stain andgreasere- movers will be phased out under the Clean Air Act (0603). The Future: Setting Priorities

Many household cleaners are safer than they were 10 years ago, but a typi- cal grocery store shelf still contains cleaning products which can cause death, permanent injuries and ozone depletion.

to identify every product in the home which could be replaced with a less haz- ardous one so as to minimize health and environmental impacts. In practice, consumers will not be willing or able to implement so many changes at once. If we know which products are most haz- ardous, we can decide intelligently where to begin.

Theoretically, it would be desirable

What should our priorities be with

respect to cleaning products? One way to proceed would be to use risk assess- ment and life cycle analysis (LCA) as tools to evaluate products for the health and environmental hazards they pose. Early hope that LCA would provide a method for identifying the most eco- logical products has dimmed, but in the long term it may still prove up to the task. While such methods are not ade- quate to calculate actual risks to users, they may help to set priorities.

Without the benefit of such sophisti- cated methods, it seems obvious that we should focus attention on the corrosives and the solvent-based products because they represent the greatest health and safety threat in the home. Less hazard- ous altematives already exist for clean- ing drains, ovens and toilet bowls; find- ing spot removers and furniture pol- ishes with less hazardous solvents is a bit more difficult. A high priority should also be placed on replacing products containing l,l,l-trichlo- roethane or other chlorinated organics.

A somewhat lower priority could be placed on most of the other product categories. We need more altematives to phosphate-based dishwasher deter- gents, which are currently exempted from state and regional phosphate bans because of a perceived lack of altema- tives. Also important is to reformulate products containing butyl ethanol to in- clude less hazardous solvents.

The manufacturers’ role in the refor- mulation of their products is crucial. Equally important is thorough, consis- tent and honest: 1) labeling f” manu- facturers; 2) govemment regulations, and 3) third party certification compa- nies. And unless manufacturers take re- sponsibility for disposing of unwanted products that are incompatible with solid or liquid waste systems, local gov- emment will have to be involved in or- der to operate s p e d collection mecha- nisms for those materials. Philip Dickey is director of the Household Toxics Project, Washington Toxics Coali- twn, 4516 University Way, NE, Seale, WA 98105 206-632-1545 0

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Household Hazardous Waste Management News November 1992 7

The Rover, conliruccdfrwnpog~jl

jority to approve an HHW/recycling user fee. The $5.00 per ton surcharge on all solid waste landfilled in the district is expected to I.aise $500,000 a year; the district surcharge goes primarily to the HHWProgram.

In March 1991, a fixed site perma- nent HHW collection facility, the Envi- ronmental Depot, opened downtown Burlington for use by all district resi- dents, but as predicted, very few non- Burlington residents participated The Rover, which was included in the origi- nal plan, was established to provide the county’s rural residents with a conven- ient way to remove hazardous wastes from their trash.

The Rover is a retrofitted 40 cubic yard roll-off container used for bulking and storage of HHW. In addition to the storage container, the facility includes an office trailer where spill and safety equipment are also stared. An Army surplus trailer was fitted with a 500 gal- lon oil storage tank for used oil, a port- able fence is used to enclose the 45‘ x 65’ area needed for structures and re- ceiving, and landfiill liner was used to cover the ground at unpaved sites this past summer. A solid waste dumpster is on site for empty paint cans and other miscellaneous trash. A modifiedroll- off container for storing HHW was cho- sen rather than a p r e f a b r i d structure on a trailer because it is easier to ma- neuver the drums of waste on to and off

of a container with a floor only a few inches above the ground

The container is divided into two compartments - 2/3 for flammables. 1/ 3 for acids and bases. It is equipped with explosion relief panels, a built-in fire suppression system and a fire alarm sys- tem which automatically dials 3 pro- grammable numbers if the container reaches 165’F. There are. also: apanic button which can be used to manually dial the emergency phone numbers; a pull station to manually activate the fire suppression system; a secondary con- tainment sump divided into three sec- tions, each with a capacity of 1 10 per- cent capacity of a 55-gallon drum, and a ventilation system capable of 100 air changes per hour. A timer controls the fans while the fqcility is unoccupied. Shelves, walls a& sumps are coated with a chemical-resistant epoxy paint.

The total capital investment for the ROVW was $47,2W, the State Of VU- mont Agency for Natural Resources Solid Waste Division paid 40 percent with an implementation grant. The con- taine-r itself cost approximately $35,000 to purchase and modify. Them 1993 operating budget for the Rover is $160,300 with 16percent allocated for insurance, and 38 percent for HHW management - $35,000 was spent on waste management this year. All HHW is bulked or lab packed

and stored on site. The container has sufficient storage capacity for 16 drums. When 7 or 8 drums are filled the contractor picks up the barrels, which

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N m - p f i t Org. U.S. POSTAGE

The Waste Watch Center 16 Haverhill Street Andover, MA 0 18 10

4ddress Correction Requested Do Not Forward Retum Postage Guaranteed

U.S. E P A

Permit No. 182 Andover, MA

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are ultimately shipped out of state for fuel blending, to an incinerator, or to a hazardous waste landfii. All HHW is removed from the container and the oil tank is emptied before the facility is moved to a new site; it is closed four days between sites and two people can easily demobilize and move it in one day. Some latex paint is brought to the facility in Burlington and distributed by the district’s paint re-use program; anti- freeze and car batteries (the program re- ceives $1 .OO each) are also recycled.

During the 1992 season, the Rover collected42,000pounds of HHW from over 1,500participants, about 3 percent of eligible households, 4,500 residents brought HHW to the Depot from July 1991 to June 1992. The 6 sites this year were a variety of municipally owned properties and one vacant residential property owned by the state transporta- tion agency. The only difficulty encoun- tered in gaining site approval for this year’s sites arose at two sites when all affected boards were not notified of the permit application - 1 d officials - zoning, planning, health, safety, etc. - do not always communicate efficiently with each other. The district is currently constructing 8 recycling dropoff centers and each center will include a paved area with telephone and electric hook- ups for the Rover.

Sites were selected in part for their visibility so that the Rover can be its own advertisement -people are quite aware of the Rover’s presence and as each departure date approaches partici- pation increases. Each site was adver- tised in display ads in major and local newspapers and with posters and radio broadcast public service announce- ments. The district has prepared a Tox- ics Use program about HHW widely used by teachers in the district schools.

The district permits, promotes and staffs the Rover with its own full time employees. One person staffs the facil- ity during operating hours and two people are present for bulking HHW and moving. The district employs three HHW operators for the Depot and the Rover April to October and two opera- tors the rest of the year. Each operator has 40-hour OSHA emergency response training as well as CPR and first aid. Jemrer Holliday is Chittenden County Haz- ardous Waste Coordinator, 802-655-9801 .C

8 November 1992 Household Hazardous Waste Management News