Look in any storage cabinet and you’ll find hazardous materials. At work and at home, we purchase and use a variety of hazardous materials like cleaners, paints, solvents, pesticides, and aerosol products. We also rely on products like light bulbs, batteries, thermostats, and thermometers. These products are useful but can be hazardous to our health if used improperly and hazardous to the environment if they spill. Improper waste disposal contaminates the soil, ground water, and surface waters and, it’s also illegal. Hazardous materials should not be purchased if substitutes exist.
Hazardous wastes are wastes that have hazardous properties or ingredients and may be flammable, corrosive, reactive, and/or toxic. Examples of toxic ingredients include lead, mercury, cadmium, or chlorinated solvents. Don’t put these in the trash. These wastes must be shipped offsite for proper treatment and disposal.
Universal wastes are specially designated hazardous wastes that must be recycled. These wastes typically contain mercury and include most batteries, bulbs, mercury-containing equipment, and some pesticides. Universal wastes have less restrictive requirements (e.g., longer storage times) as long as they are recycled.
n The average household throws 15.5 pounds of hazardous materials into the trash each year.
n Most Postal Service™ facilities in the country generate some type of universal waste that must be recycled.
n The Postal Service has received several White House Awards for its hazardous waste reduction efforts.
Generating hazardous waste creates liabilities. We are responsible for hazardous waste from “cradle to grave.” It’s highly regulated and expensive to manage. That’s why USPS® policy calls for the purchase of non-hazardous products. If you don’t buy hazardous materials, you can’t generate hazardous waste.
Purchase products wisely. Research a product before you buy it. Don’t assume it’s non-hazardous because it’s available on a USPS contract. Labels may be helpful, but check a product’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Section 2 of the MSDS, “Hazard Identification,” may have “signal” words like “Danger,” “Carcinogen,” or “Toxic.” Section 3 of the MSDS lists “Ingredients” you can check against a list of targeted chemicals. If you find a “signal” word or targeted chemical, don’t buy it. Look for a less hazardous product. Lastly, buy only what you need! Leftover products become waste.
Use and store products carefully. Segregate hazardous wastes and don’t mix hazardous materials or hazardous wastes with other non-hazardous materials or wastes. Mixing increases hazardous waste and disposal costs. Keep waste storage containers closed. If a container shows signs of damage or deterioration, put the product in a more suitable labeled container.
Manage and dispose of hazardous wastes properly. For those hazardous materials that have not yet been eliminated, do your part to store them properly and avoid cross-contaminating other materials. Hazardous waste must be disposed of using a licensed contractor. Before its removal, containers must be properly labeled, kept closed, and stored with secondary containment (if a liquid) in a secure location. The label must include the words “Hazardous Waste” and the contents, and associated hazards of the waste in the container. Federal and state regulations restrict hazardous waste storage times based on the amount of waste you generate. Similarly, there are labeling, storage, and containment requirements for universal waste as well. Universal waste labels must state the words “Universal Waste” and this waste must be shipped offsite within one year.
n Don’t Buy Hazardous Materials: Hazardous materials become hazardous waste when spilled, mixed with other products, or when they are no longer needed. Purchase products wisely to avoid creating hazardous waste.
n Avoid Buying Products with Chemicals Targeted for Elimination: The USPS has targeted chemicals for elimination, which include 13 key chemicals found in USPS operations.
n Hazardous Materials must be Labeled and Containerized: If it’s necessary to use hazardous materials, verify their proper use by following the MSDS guidance.
n Properly Manage and Store Waste: If you generate hazardous waste, it must be properly collected, containerized, labeled, and stored prior to disposal.
n Properly Recycle Universal Waste: Certain hazardous wastes, if recycled, can be managed as universal waste. This includes certain hazardous batteries, mercury-containing lamps, switches, devices, and pesticides. These can never be disposed in the trash and must be properly collected, containerized, labeled, and stored prior to recycling.
n Label Containers: Be sure containers are properly labeled for your wastes with the words “hazardous waste” or “universal waste,” as appropriate.
n Your Efforts Count: Recycling all our universal waste (e.g., batteries & bulbs) helps eliminate 120 tons of hazardous waste annually.
n Get Involved: See the USPS Sustainability website at http://blue.usps.gov/sustainability/welcome.htm for more information about the proper management of hazardous and universal waste. You can also learn about joining a postal “Green Team” to help your facility become a sustainability leader.
n For more information on what you can do to make a difference, visit the USPS Sustainability website at http://blue.usps.gov/sustainability/welcome.htm.
n Tips on hazardous waste, resource conservation, and eliminating waste generation, can be found at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website at http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htm.
— Corporate Sustainability Initiatives,
Office of Sustainability, 1-10-13
