ORDER NO. 31860 UNIVERSAL WASTE MINIMIZATION AND DISPOSAL POLICY Came to be heard this the 23rd day of August, 2010, with a motion made by Commissioner Letz, seconded by Commissioner Oehler, the Court unanimously approved by a vote of 4 -0 -0 to: Approve a Universal Waste Minimization and Disposal Policy for Kerr County. L i COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST PLEASE FURNISH ONE ORIGINAL AND TEN (10) COPIES OF THIS REQUEST AND DOCUMENTS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT MADE BY: Tess Mabry OFFICE: Auditor MEETING DATE: 8/23/2010 TIME PREFERRED: none SUBJECT: Consider, Discuss and Take Appropriate Action to approve a Universal Waste Minimization and Disposal Policy for Kerr County. EXECUTIVE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON) NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: Tess Mabry ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: 2 minutes IF PERSONNEL MATTER - NAME OF EMPLOYEE: Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows: Meeting scheduled for Mondays: 5:00 PM previous Tuesday THIS REQUEST RECEIVED BY: THIS REQUEST RECEIVED ON: @ .M. All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has been prepared for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciated and contribute towards your request being addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rules Adopted by Commissioners' Court. Universal Waste Minimization and Disposal Policy PURPOSE 1) Comply with all federal, state and local laws which pertain to the minimization and disposal of universal waste; 2) Ensure that human health and the environmental are protected; 3) ensure the safe use, storage and disposal of universal waste; and 4) ensure the minimization of the amount of universal waste generated. POLICY AND GENERAL INFORMATION The Universal Waste Rule allows certain hazardous wastes known as "Universal Waste" to be managed under streamlined requirements that will encourage the collection and recycling of these wastes. DEFINITIONS Universal Waste (UW) is a hazardous waste that is managed under streamlined requirements so to encourage collection and recycling of these wastes. There are four types of wastes considered to be universal wastes: 1)Batteries such as nickel- cadmium (Ni -Cd) and small sealed lead -acid batteries, which are found in many common items in the business and home setting, including electronic equipment, mobile telephones, portable computers, and emergency backup lighting. 2) Thermostats, which can contain as much as 3 grams of liquid mercury and are located in almost any building, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, community, and household buildings. 3) Lamps, which typically contain mercury and sometimes lead, and are found in businesses and households. Examples of common types of lamps include fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID), neon, mercury vapor, high - pressure sodium, and metal halide lamps. 4) Agricultural pesticides that have been recalled or banned from use, are obsolete, have become damaged, or are no longer needed due to changes in cropping patterns or other factors. WASTE MINIMIZATION In certain applications non - mercury containing products can be substituted. In the case of thermometers, manometers, etc., digital, dial thermocouples, and alcohol thermometers are practical and accurate substitutes. When replacing fluorescent light tubes, low mercury containing bulbs should be used. However, these will still be collected as Universal Waste. WASTE COLLECTION /WASTE DISPOSAL 1. Used Fluorescent Light Tubes are considered universal waste. Also included are high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, mercury vapor, high - pressure sodium and neon tubes. Containers for collection of "Used Light Bulbs" are delivered to the academic and housing facilities. Each bulb container is supplied with a plastic lining that must be pulled up and over the top edges of the container and the bulbs placed inside. The container must remain closed at all times, except when adding bulbs. According to federal regulations, generators are allowed to accumulate used bulbs for one year from the date the first bulb is collected. If the container is full, or is approaching the one -year deadline for disposal. 2. Old Mercury- Containing Thermostats are also considered universal waste. When replacing old thermostats look to see if the thermostat contains a mercury switch. The mercury switch is a small self - enclosed glass tube with visible liquid mercury inside. You may accumulate thermostats in a sealed container. Used Batteries are a concentrated source of a few types of heavy metals. The main constituents of concern for human health and the environment include: cadmium, lead and mercury. The following is a table of the most commonly used batteries that will be managed as universal waste. TYPE OF BATTERY COMMON USES HAZARDOUS COMPONENT Non-rechargeable Carbon Zinc Many uses * Alkaline Many uses * Mercuric Oxide Medical equipment Mercury Silver Oxide (Button) Calculators, watches, Silver cameras Zinc -air (Button) Hearing aids, pagers, Mercury cameras Lithium Computers, cameras Lithium Rechargeable Small Sealed Lead -Acid Tools, camcorders Lead Small generators Large Sealed Lead -Acid Large generators Lead Alkaline Many uses ** Nickel- Cadmium Smoke alarms, tools, Cadmium small generators * Since 1993, domestically produced alkaline and carbon zinc batteries contain no added mercury and are essentially mercury -free but will still be managed as universal waste. * *Since early 1995, rechargeable alkaline batteries contain no added mercury and are essentially mercury -free but will still be managed as universal waste. Leaking batteries should be considered hazardous waste and placed in separate non - leaking, sealed containers and labeled with the generator's hazardous waste label. LABELING 1. Used Light Bulbs — Containers must have a label affixed with the words "Universal Waste - Used Light Bulbs" and must have the date marked on the label from the day the first tube was placed in the container. 2. Used Mercury- Containing Thermostats — Containers must have a label affixed with the words "Universal Waste - Used Mercury- Containing Thermostats" and must have the date marked on the label from the day the first thermostat was placed in the container. 3. Used Batteries — Containers must have a label affixed with the words "Universal Waste - Used Batteries" and must have the date marked on the label from the day the first battery was placed in the container. PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT 1. When handling used light tubes, and large lead -acid batteries, it is good practice to wear gloves, and eye protection.