Damaged or leaking parcels and parcels containing nonmailable hazardous materials, as defined in Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, are not permitted in the mailstream. Hazardous items that are removed from the mailstream and disposed of locally could be regulated by environmental laws and require proper waste management. Failure to properly dispose of regulated items could result in a regulatory agency notice of violation.
Potentially regulated hazardous materials include, but are not limited to:
n Aerosol cans.
n Batteries.
n Cleaning supplies and other chemicals, including bleach, hand sanitizer, and nail polish remover.
n Compressed gases.
n Drugs and pharmaceuticals.
n Fertilizers and fuels, including lighter fluid.
n Fluorescent lamps.
n Oils, paints, perfumes, and pesticides.
n Matches and lighters.
n Devices containing mercury (Note: Devices containing metallic mercury, such as antique thermometers, barometers, and blood pressure monitors are prohibited in the mailstream).
n Solvents and thinners.
Use the following guidance when handling potentially hazardous damaged, leaking, or nonmailable parcels:
n Postal Service™ employees trained in Incidental Releases must only clean up substances known to be mailable and not expected to exceed Occupational Safety and Health Act permissible exposure limits or pose any other hazard (such as flame, explosion, or radioactivity).
n For Emergency Releases of nonmailable hazardous substances, Postal Service employees must not move, transport, handle, or clean up these materials. These items must be immediately isolated at the identified location and the supervisor, manager, or Installation Head must be notified. If the Installation Head or the United States Postal Inspection Service® determines that additional assessment or remediation efforts are needed, contact an approved USPS® National Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Services contractor.
n If the substance is identified as an Incidental Release, trained members of the facility’s Spill and Leak team should bring damaged or leaking parcels to a designated re-wrap or hazardous material mail staging area for assessment.
n Report the incident in the Mail Incident Reporting Tool.
n Once the parcel is considered abandoned or dead mail, follow proper disposal procedures. Never forward abandoned or dead mail hazardous materials to the Mail Recovery Center.
n If parcels contain items determined to be waste, inventory and document the classification and quantity of each item. Common waste classifications are non-hazardous, hazardous, universal, state-regulated, and medical or infectious waste.
n Store hazardous materials and other regulated wastes in a container that is structurally sound, liquid-tight, closed, and clearly labeled. Do not mix incompatible materials.
n Using eBuy+, arrange for pick-up and disposal of hazardous and regulated waste parcels using the appropriate USPS National Waste Management Service contractor.
n Maintain waste classification and off-site shipment and disposal records.
For more information about the waste characterization process and proper waste disposal, review the Damaged, Leaking, and Nonmailable Parcels Waste Management Environmental Compliance Bulletin at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/environmental/_pdf/ecb-mail-derived-waste.pdf.
For state-specific waste disposal requirements or questions, consult your designated USPS environmental specialist at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/regional-environmental-compliance-all.htm.
— Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability,
Corporate Affairs, 12-14-23
