Tag: disposal

Used Oil vs. Waste Oil

Posted on by Twin Specialties in Blog Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

The life of your oil-based lubricant does not end when it is time for a change. In fact, after draining a used lubricant, the oil will begin a new lifecycle thanks to advancements in recycling and recovery technology. 800 million of the 1.3 billion gallons of waste oil produced in the United States is recycled every year. To increase the amount of recyclable oil, manufacturers must collect and disposed of used and waste oil in safe, sustainable, and environmentally way. To achieve this, it is essential to follow best practices for used and waste oil management. However, there are key differences between “used oil” and “waste oil.”

Used Oil Defined

“Used oil” and “waste oil” are often used interchangeably, but the EPA defines them differently. The EPA defines used oil as:

“Used oil is any oil that has been refined from crude oil or any synthetic oil that has been used and as a result of such use is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities.”

This does not include any vegetable or animal-based oils. Simply, this is any petroleum or synthetic oil that has been used in operations and have reached the end of its service life.

Waste Oil Defined

Waste oil is much broader in its definition. Waste oil is “oil that has been contaminated with substances that may or may not be hazardous.” A lot of waste oil has not been used and was contaminated before use. A common example is a loose drum cap leaked and the oil mixed with water, rendering it unsuitable for use in lubrication.

Waste oil is considered a hazardous waste. In terms of regulations and compliance, that makes it a completely different product than “used oil.” That brings more liabilities and procedures needed to ensure it is handled properly. Additionally, used oil with certain additive mixtures and water can be classified as waste oil. Off-spec oils with exceeding amounts of arsenic (5 ppm), cadmium (2 ppm), chromium (10 ppm), lead (100 ppm) and halogens (> 4000 ppm) and a flash point above 100 F will also qualify as waste oil.

Best Practices for Storage and Removal

Even though the contents of waste oil may be similar to used oil, it is still classified as waste oil due to the method in which contamination occurred. Used oil is a by-product of doing business, thus allowable to be stored onsite. One mandatory practice for used oil is labelling the storage tanks correctly. Used oil tanks, drums, totes, containers, etc. must be labelled “Used Oil” in order to be in compliance with environment regulations.

By ensuring not cross-contamination, clearly label containers for waste oil and used oil. This prevents potentially spoiling non-hazardous used oil. Waste oil and used oil may be contain similar content mixes, but whether it is used makes all the difference. If an open or leaking drum is contaminated, it is considered waste oil as the contaminant is not known and not incurred during the course of operations.

One way to avoid accumulation of waste oil is ensuring storage best practices are maintained and the integrity of your drums and totes is maintained. If you store your oil near chemicals and solvents, potentially hazardous contamination can occur and proper waste oil procedures must take place. To save on handling costs of waste oil, consider a lubricant storage program and dedicate space for lubricants away from already-hazardous materials.

Learning from your Used Oil

Before dumping your used oil, it is advised to take a sample of the used oil and used oil filters. You can test the used oil and learn a lot about contamination and oil life. This can be a key part of your oil analysis program and help extend your service life and improve lubrication-related decision making and handling.

Key Takeaways

Proper planning and storage of unused lubricant will reduce the accumulation and likelihood of waste oil. Clearly labelling “Used Oil” and “Waste Oil” tanks will keep your facility in compliance and ensure used oil is not contaminated with hazardous materials. By using certified haulers, like Gemini Disposal Services, and recyclers more oil can be recycled and reduce harmful environmental activity like drilling and pipelines. For example, 1 gallon of used motor oil can provide the same 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil as 42 gallons of crude oil.

6 Tips for Disposing of Liquid Waste

Posted on by Twin Specialties in Blog Tagged , , , , , , ,

Getting rid of waste, particularly liquid waste, is not at the top of your to-do list.  Understandably, the waste generated by many of the manufacturing and machining processes gets in the way, and can be annoying and costly of which to dispose. Here are some simple best practices that most all generators should follow.

  1.  Become Informed – Learn about the contents and characteristics of your waste stream.  Quite often, the person in charge of waste stream management has not been properly educated or trained about the waste.  It’s not uncommon for many health and safety responsibilities to fall upon a team member that is already deluged with other responsibilities at the facility.  However, not knowing the laws and responsibilities regarding your waste stream has consistently not been an acceptable answer when confronted with the relevant government agencies.  Safe to say, you could be breaking the law and not even know it.  Educate yourself!
  2. Separate Your Waste – When storing liquid waste, be sure to segregate each waste stream.  Quite often the cost of a waste stream is determined by the way the waste has to be treated at a recycling facility.   Safe to say, hazardous waste is usually more costly than non-hazardous waste streams.  If you co-mingle the streams, you risk the possibility of costing yourself more money and potentially creating a substance or material that is much more flammable and combustible.
  3. Take Precautions – When transferring waste, take extra precautions for make sure the transfer is done safely.  This is often when most accidents occur – when moving the waste from a tank to a drum, for example.
  4. Isolate Waste Containers – Obviously, you want to store your waste in a secure, safe area.  Pick a low-traffic area, if possible.
  5. Label, Label, Label – Make sure when you take the time to implement a safe handling of your waste that you properly label all drums, tanks, pallets, etc. The waste hauler and processor will know which waste stream is which. This will allow for a smoother and safer removal and disposal process.
  6. Do not Delay – Dispose of waste in a timely manner.  This action step could certainly be #1 on our list.  Best practices suggest that you not store hazardous and non-hazardous waste at your facility for more than six months.  However, consult your local and state authorities for the specifics of your waste stream.

A great place to start researching is the EPA or DEP. These sites have plenty of information on the latest rules and regulations regarding your waste. If you have any questions, Gemini Disposal Services can help answer questions on your liquid waste streams. If you are looking to dispose of your liquid waste, request a quote and we will help you manage your liquid waste.

How to Dispose of Aerosol Cans

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes that the management of hazardous waste aerosol cans can be best implemented through a universal waste approach where handlers operate within a streamlined management system with regulatory oversight. On December 9, 2019, the EPA finalized the rule to add Aerosol Cans to the federal list of Universal Wastes. This final rule will impact the labeling and marking, accumulation time limits, employee training, responses to releases, export requirements, and, for large quantity handlers of universal waste, notification and tracking.

What is the definition of Aerosol Can?

As of February, 2020, the EPA defines an aerosol as a non-refillable receptacle containing a gas compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure, the sole purpose of which is to expel a liquid, paste, or powder and fitted with a self-closing release device allowing the contents to be ejected by the gas. Because the DOT language is more inclusive than the proposed language, it better matches the intent of the proposal to apply to all types of aerosol cans, including cans that dispense product in the form of paste or powder, and would not require states that have already added aerosol cans to their universal waste program to change their regulations.

Current Regulations

On March 16, 2018 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed adding aerosol cans to the federal universal waste list. This proposal recognized that the inclusion of this waste stream as a universal waste could better ensure that aerosol cans are managed appropriately from cradle to grave. Aerosol cans are widely used for dispensing a broad range of products including paints, solvents, pesticides, food and personal care products.

The Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) estimates that 3.8 billion aerosol cans were filled in the United States in 2015 for use by commercial and industrial facilities along with households. Aerosol cans may be dangerous if mismanaged, particularly when exposed to excessive heat, which may result in increased internal pressure and eventually could cause the container to burst and release its contents. If the propellant or product is ignitable, this could result in a rapidly burning vapor “fireball.” Even if the propellant is not ignitable there are dangers from a bursting aerosol can as parts of the aerosol can could become a projectile. After the proposed rule-making was announced the EPA took public comment on the proposed standards. The docket number for this rule-making is EPA-HQ-QLEM-2017-0463.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added hazardous waste aerosol cans to the universal waste program under the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations. The aim of this rule is to benefit the establishments generating and managing hazardous waste aerosol cans. These establishments include retail stores and others that discard hazardous waste aerosol cans. The rule will ease the regulatory burdens on these establishments and promote the collection and recycling of these cans and encourage the development of municipal and commercial programs to reduce the amount of aerosol cans from going to municipal solid waste landfills or combustors. This final ruling will impact the following areas for all handlers: Generator Status Universal Waste Aerosols do not count towards Generator Status.

Guidelines and Best Practices

The final rule requires aerosol cans to be labeled as “Universal Waste—Aerosol Can(s),” “Waste Aerosol Can(s),” or “Used Aerosol Can(s).”

  • The final rule allows for generators to store aerosol cans for up to one-year.
  • Employees must be trained on handling and how to safely puncture and drain universal waste aerosol cans – if applicable to facility.
  • Aerosol cans will now be exported as Universal Waste.
  • Notification and Tracking will only be impacted for large quantity universal waste handlers. Handlers must make a notification before beginning to puncture the aerosol cans.
  • Under the universal waste rule, a handler of universal waste can send the universal waste to another handler, where it can be consolidated into a larger shipment for transport to a destination facility.
  • Universal waste destination facilities are subject to all currently applicable requirements for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) and must receive a RCRA permit for such activities.
  • This will make it more economical to send hazardous waste aerosol cans for recycling for recovery of metal materials. This final action is estimated to result in an annual cost savings of $5.3 million to $47.8 million.
  • The EPA is requiring leaking or damaged aerosol cans that show evidence of leakage to be packaged in a separate closed container, overpacked with absorbents or immediately punctured and drained in accordance with the aerosol can Universal waste requirements.

Gemini Disposal Services can help you disposal of your aerosol cans and/or universal waste in a safe and economic matter. If you need to dispose of your aerosol cans, request a quote and we will work with you to properly manage your universal waste.

What is E-Waste?

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Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. However, according to the United Nations, only 20 percent of global e-waste is recycled each year. If that number startles you, it should.  The International Solid Waste Association believes that there needs to be a much stronger focus on e-waste, and out worldwide neglect has become a major concern.

Generators of e-waste have an increased responsibility to dispose of their waste responsibly.  Effectively disposing of this waste stream helps the economy by reducing the cost of producing new products, aside from the obvious – not sending this waste streams to already over-filled, landfills.  Also, the parts within each device that is recycled, are salvageable, and can be reused in the manufacturing process.  This cost savings can often be passed on to consumers.

Defining E-Waste

E-waste refers to any electrical and electronic equipment that has been discarded by its owner as waste, without the intent to reuse it. The term covers a very wide range of products. It can include:

  • households with circuitry or electrical components for delivering power;

    E-Waste
    E-Waste: Obsolete smart phones
  • Business products that do the same;
  • Temperature exchange equipment for cooling and freezing, like refrigerators, air conditioners and heat pumps;
  • Screens or monitors;
  • Large equipment like washing machines, clothes dryers, dish-washing machines, electric stoves, large printing machines, etc.
  • Smaller equipment like microwaves, ventilation equipment, video cameras, electronic tools, etc.
  • Small IT and telecommunication equipment like mobile phones, pocket calculators, printers, etc.

For many of these products, there’s an increasingly short replacement cycle as technological advances keep updating each device on a regular basis, offering consumers a new and improved model. And it’s not just smartphones that consumers replace frequently. Upgrades can include higher speeds and newer technologies, so older equipment gets replaced even if it’s not broken or obsolete. What it becomes, in the minds of the consumers, is outdated – too slow, or without the latest features.

In many countries, people own multiple devices. That means they also have multiple devices to discard.

The Future of E-Waste

Many forecasters predict that there will be up to 52.2 million metric tons of obsolete electronics by 2021, which would make e-waste the fastest growing part of the world’s continuous steam of discarded household items. The annual growth rate of e-waste is expected to be between 3-4 percent.

The concerns about the rising amount of discarded equipment are not just economic. There are also serious environmental concerns, and even serious fears, about the health risk of devices that contain toxic substances like lead and mercury not being treated adequately.

Allowing e-waste to pile up in landfills significantly increases these risks, when they can be lowered by having e-waste treated through appropriate recycling methods. This trend also shows how valuable resources are being wasted on a very large scale.

Gemini Disposal Services can help you with your E-Waste.  If you are a large or small generator of this type of waste stream, our company can dispose of this stream efficiently, responsibly, and cost effectively. Request a quote and we will help you properly dispose your E-Waste.