This corporate procedure applies to all Members of the Workforce who are primary waste generators responsible for generation and management of mixed waste.
Exceptions to, or deviations from, this procedure must be approved through the Executive Policy Sponsor or Policy Area Manager, if delegated. Click here to view Contacts for Corporate Policies, Processes, and Procedures. See CG100.1.7, Request an Exception to a Policy, Process, or Procedure, for directions on how to obtain an exception to this procedure.
Granting or permitting exceptions or violations of policy, process, or procedure without authority, regardless of position or title, may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Violating a policy, process, or procedure may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: A printed copy of this document may not be the document currently in effect. The official version is located on the Sandia National Laboratories Sandia Restricted Network (SRN).
This procedure describes the requirements for managing mixed waste at SNL, including mixed waste that is generated at SNL/NM and mixed waste that is generated at other sites and is returned to SNL/NM for management through the SNL/NM waste management system.
Notes:
| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Ensure Training Compliance | Managers |
Ensure that:
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| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Minimize Mixed Waste | Primary waste generators |
Note:
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| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Plan and Manage Mixed Waste | Primary waste generators |
Plan and manage mixed waste in accordance with PG470228, SNL Radioactive Waste Management Basis, as follows:
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| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Document Process Knowledge | Primary waste generators |
Notes:
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| Manage Unknown Waste | Primary waste generators |
Manage unknown waste for which there is no characterization information as mixed waste, unless process knowledge and/or sampling and analysis can verify that the waste does not contain RCRA-regulated hazardous waste, state-regulated hazardous waste, or radioactive waste. Notes:
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| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Manage Mixed Waste with No Disposal Path | Primary waste generators |
Notes:
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| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Set Up Appropriate Mixed Waste Accumulation Areas | Primary waste generators |
Determine appropriate locations for mixed waste accumulation at a satellite accumulation point (SAP) or at a less-than-90-day accumulation area and ensure that areas used for mixed waste accumulation:
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| Provide Secondary Containment for Liquid Mixed Waste | Primary waste generators |
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| Handle a Spill or Release of Mixed Waste | Primary waste generators |
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| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Label Waste Parcels | Primary waste generators |
Label waste parcels using the appropriate labels and tags:
Notes:
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| Dispose of Labels | Members of the Workforce | Do not dispose of labels used to indicate mixed waste in normal office trash unless the words “Hazardous Waste,” "Caution," "Radiation," "Radioactive Material," "Tritium Waste," the trefoil, and any other applicable labels have been removed or obliterated (see Figures 1 through 6). |
| Manage Mixed Transuranic Waste | Primary waste generators | Consult the transuranic waste management contact for additional requirements regarding packaging and venting of containers, if mixed transuranic waste must be generated. |
| Contain, Label, and Package Waste | Primary waste generators |
|

Figure 1. Hazardous Waste Label

Figure 2. Sample Caution Radioactive Material Information Tag

Figure 3. Sample Caution Radioactive Material Information Label

Figure 4. Sample Caution Radioactive Material Warning Label

Figure 5. Sample Tritium Waste Warning Label

Figure 6. Sample Caution Danger Contains Asbestos Fibers Label
| Step | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| 1 | Primary waste generators |
Obtain the following, as appropriate:
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| 2 | Primary waste generators |
Perform the following, as applicable:
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| 3 | Primary waste generators |
Perform the following before use:
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| 4 | Primary waste generators |
Perform the following labeling immediately after waste is placed into the waste parcel:
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| 5 | Primary waste generators |
Perform the following actions when segregating and placing mixed waste into a waste parcel:
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| 6 | Primary waste generators |
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| 7 | Primary waste generators |
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| Step | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| 1 | Primary waste generators |
Collect liquid mixed waste in an appropriate rigid container (plastic, glass, or metal) that has a screw-cap lid, such as a carboy, or collect it in an approved drum. Before the container is used:
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| 2 | Primary waste generators |
Perform the following immediately after liquid radioactive waste is placed in the waste parcel:
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| 3 | Primary waste generators | Control the liquid waste parcel in a mixed waste accumulation area with secondary containment, as described under the topic, Mixed Waste Accumulation Area. |
| 4 | Primary waste generators |
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| 5 | Primary waste generators |
Prepare the liquid waste parcel for pick-up, as follows:
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| 6 | Primary waste generators | Label the outer container appropriately, as described in Step 2. |
| 7 | Primary waste generators |
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| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Segregate Mixed Waste | Primary waste generators |
|
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Segregate Potential Mixed Waste into Waste Parcels
|
Primary waste generators |
Segregate mixed waste into separate waste parcels if any of the following are also determined to be present in mixed waste:
Notes:
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| Segregate Radioactively Contaminated Brass and Radioactively Contaminated Electronics | Primary waste generators |
|
| Use the Generator Waste Accumulation Disposal Log Form | Primary waste generators |
Document waste items placed into a waste parcel, as applicable, using the Generator Waste Accumulation Disposal Log form (found in SF 2042-TRA, Radioactive or Mixed Waste Disposal Request form), or an equivalent form. Note: The Generator Waste Accumulation Disposal Log form is for heterogeneous waste, such as metal debris. The Generator Waste Accumulation Disposal Log form is not required if the waste in the waste parcel is a homogeneous waste, such as soil from one site, liquid from one process, or soft personal protective equipment from one process. |
| Implement Administrative Controls and Maintain Traceability | Primary waste generators |
|
| Implement Criticality Safety Requirements | Primary waste generators | Observe criticality safety requirements related to the accumulation of mixed waste if the process involves fissile material (see ESH100.2.SB.2, Ensure Nuclear Criticality Safety, and POL 95-01,Programmatic Waste Acceptance Criteria, for more information). |
| Segregate Explosive Waste | Primary waste generators |
|
| Segregate Ignitable and Reactive Waste | Primary waste generators |
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| SNL TG No. |
Titles | Description |
| 1 | Inorganic debris (with an explosive component) | This TG includes inorganic debris with an explosive component. Examples include a metal component with an explosive, such as a ferro-electric neutron generator. |
| 2 | Inorganic debris (with a water-reactive component) | This TG includes inorganic debris that contains a water-reactive component. An example is elemental sodium. |
| 3 | Reactive metals | This TG includes metals capable of causing fire, under standard temperature and pressure through friction, absorption of moisture, or spontaneous chemical changes. When ignited, these metals burn vigorously and persistently enough to create a hazard. |
| 4 | Elemental lead | This TG includes waste that contains >50 percent by volume, bulk, and elemental lead. Examples of waste in this category are lead bricks, sheets, pigs, and pipes. |
| 5 | Aqueous liquids (corrosives) | This TG includes aqueous liquids with a pH <2.0 or >12.5. Examples include nitric acid solutions, sodium hydroxide, and radiological standard solutions. |
| 6 | Elemental mercury | This TG includes waste that is bulk, pourable liquid mercury. Manometers or other equipment that contains small residual amounts of mercury should be assigned to this debris category. |
| 7 | Organic liquids I | This TG generally includes scintillation cocktails and other clear, organic liquids that meet the WAC of Permafix in Florida and are not heavily contaminated with metals or other hazardous compounds. |
| 8 | Organic debris (with organic contaminants) | This TG consists of organic debris that contains mainly organic contaminants (e.g., solvents). Examples of organic debris include plastics, rubber, wood, paper, and cloth. |
| 9 | Inorganic debris (with Total Concentrate Leachate Procedure [TCLP] metals) | This TG consists of inorganic debris that exhibits the characteristic of toxicity due to one or more of the following metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and/or silver. Examples of inorganic debris include metal, concrete, glass, and brick. |
| 10 | Heterogeneous debris | This TG includes waste that does not meet the criteria for inorganic debris or organic debris, such as waste that is essentially entirely debris, but which cannot be determined by visual estimate to be inorganic or organic. An example is a high efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter. This TG also includes organic debris that contains both an organic and inorganic contaminant. |
| 11 | Organic liquids II | This TG consists predominantly of organic liquids that may be contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), metals, or other hazardous compounds. Examples include oils, Freon©, and ethyline ethylene glycol. |
| 12 | Organic debris (with TCLP metals) | This TG consists of organic debris that exhibits the characteristic of toxicity, due to one or more of the following metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and/or silver. Examples of organic debris include plastics, rubber, wood, paper, cloth, and biological materials. The characteristic of toxicity is exhibited if, using the TCLP, any of the metal contaminants in 40 CFR 261.24 are present above the regulatory level. Examples of TCLP metals include arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver. |
| 13 | Oxidizers | This TG includes waste that is solid and is defined as an oxidizer under Department of Transportation regulations. Examples include uranyl perchlorate, uranyl nitrate, thorium nitrate, and uranium oxynitrate. |
| 14 | Aqueous liquids (with organic contaminants) | This TG consists predominantly of aqueous liquid contaminated with organic material (e.g., solvents). An example is water with methanol. |
| 15 | Soils with <50 percent debris, and particulates with TCLP metals | This TG includes soil (estimated to be >50 percent by volume), and debris (estimated to be <50 percent by volume). Examples are sand, silt, rock, and gravel that do not meet the EPA land disposal restriction criteria for classification as debris, and exhibit the characteristic of toxicity due to one or more of the following metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver. |
| 16 | Cyanide waste | This TG consists of discarded cyanide waste, including waste that is reactive due to the presence of cyanide, or discarded chemicals containing cyanide. |
| 17 | Liquid and solid waste with organic and/or metal contaminants | This TG consists of a semi-solid or sludge-like material that would require pretreatment to separate liquid from solids. It contains an organic or a metal contaminant, or both. An example is septage. |
| 18 | Particulates (with organic contaminants) | This TG consists of particulate-sized material containing an organic contaminant. An example is fine charcoal or vermiculite. |
| 19 | Liquids with metals | This TG consists of liquids or solidified liquids that exhibit the characteristic of toxicity due to one or more of the following metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver. Examples would be solidified oils and liquids or noncorrosive liquids with TCLP metals. |
| 20 | Propellant with TCLP metals | This TG consists of materials that exhibit both the characteristic of ignitability and the characteristic of toxicity due to one or more of the following metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver. The characteristic of ignitability is based on process knowledge (e.g., contains nitrocellulose) or analysis. Examples are mock high explosives. |
| 21 | Sealed sources with TCLP metals | This TG consists of radioactive sources that exhibit the characteristic of toxicity due to one or more of the following metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver. An example would be a mixed gamma source adsorbed onto a silver-zeolite substrate or a radium source with a silver foil backing. |
| 22 | Reserved | This TG has not been defined and is reserved for future use. |
| 23 | Thermal batteries | This TG consists of thermal batteries, exhibiting both reactivity and toxicity for TCLP metals. |
| 24 | Spark gap tubes with TCLP metals | This TG consists of spark gap tubes that exhibit the characteristic of toxicity due to one or more of the following metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver. Examples include krytron tubes, spark gaps, switch tubes, electron tubes, and over-voltage gap tubes. |
| 25 | Classified Items with TCLP metals | This TG consists of classified items that exhibit the characteristic of toxicity due to one or more of the following metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver. Examples of such items may include neutron generators, firing sets, and electronic components. |
| 26 | Debris items with reactives and metal (controllatrons) | This TG consists of items that exhibit the characteristic of reactivity and/or the characteristic of toxicity due to one or more of the following metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver. The primary example would be controllatrons. |
| 27 | High mercury solids and liquids | This TG consists of either solid or liquid material that exhibits the characteristic of toxicity due to mercury, such that the mercury concentration is in excess of 260 mg/kg. Examples could include oils or soils contaminated by high levels of mercury. |
| MTRU | MTRU: mixed transuranic waste | This TG consists of mixed transuranic waste that exhibits a hazardous waste characteristic or contains a listed hazardous component. Examples might include either compactable (filters) or noncompactable (radioactive sources or rigid items) materials that meet the definition of a mixed transuranic waste. |
| Note: For additional guidance and for permission to generate mixed waste, consult the permission to generate mixed waste contact. | ||
| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Use Sampling and Analysis | Primary waste generators |
Notes:
|
| Develop a Sampling and Analysis Approach | Primary waste generators |
Consult with the waste characterization project leader for assistance with the following:
|
| Develop a Sampling and Analysis Plan | Primary waste generators |
Perform the following when a sampling and analysis plan is required for a project:
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| Validate the Data Package | Primary waste generators |
Ensure that a sampling and analysis data package has gone through data validation, as appropriate. Note: Consult the waste characterization project leader for assistance on data validation. The waste characterization project leader must determine whether data validation is required for a specific data package. If required, the SMO must perform data validation. |
| Document When Sampling and Analysis Cannot Be Performed | Primary waste generators |
Document why sampling and analysis could not be performed, if it is unsafe or impractical to obtain representative samples because of high radioactivity or because of the heterogeneity of the waste material. Notes:
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| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Treat Mixed Waste | Primary waste generators |
|
| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Comply with Prohibitions Regarding Disposal of Mixed Waste | Primary waste generators |
Do not do any of the following with mixed waste:
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| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Request Disposal of Classified Mixed Waste | Primary waste generators |
Do not include any information on process knowledge documents or disposal request forms (SF 2042-TRA) that are submitted with regard to classified mixed waste that would cause the document to be a classified document. Note: Consult the appropriate Environmental Compliance Coordinator or the waste characterization project leader for assistance in appropriately characterizing classified mixed waste. |
| Request Disposal of Mixed Waste | Primary waste generators |
|
| Accumulate Mixed Waste for Longer than 1 Year | Primary waste generators | Request an allowance to accumulate mixed waste for longer than 1 year from the Waste Management and Pollution Prevention Department (WMPPD) Manager or from the SNL/CA waste characterization project leader, if needed. |
|
Document |
|
Format |
| Process knowledge documentation. | Memo or other suitable form. | |
|
Sampling and analysis results, as needed. Note: Provided for mixed waste that cannot be characterized through use of process knowledge and waste control. |
PLA 96-02, Sampling and Analysis Plan for Characterization of Low-Level Mixed and Mixed Waste. | |
|
The Generator Waste Accumulation Disposal Log. Note: The log is included for each waste parcel that contains different items within a heterogeneous waste. |
SF 2042-TRA, Radioactive or Mixed Waste Disposal Request form; or an equivalent form. | |
|
Radiological survey documentation. Notes: Review the radiological survey form to ensure that:
|
Radiological survey form. | |
|
Data validation documentation, as requested by the waste characterization project leader. Note: This form is documented by the reviewer at the Sample Management Office. |
Data validation review form. | |
| Certification of Mixed Waste Management Office. | Data validation review form. | |
| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Certify Mixed Waste | Primary waste generators |
Notes:
|
| Activity | Responsible Individual | Required Action |
| Respond to Non-conformance Related to Mixed Waste Management | Primary waste generators |
Ensure that:
Note: Primary waste generators must:
|
Guidance
Forms
Websites
| Responsible Individual | Required | Recommended |
|
Primary waste generator Environmental compliance coordinator involved with mixed waste. |
ENV112 (annually), RAD210 or RAD230 (every 2 years), ENV189 (once), ENV252 (every 2 years). | N/A |
|
Secondary waste generator ES&H coordinator and project leader involved with mixed waste. |
Primary waste generators train secondary waste generators on waste management requirements applicable to their projects and document this training in organizational files. | ENV112 (annually), RAD210 or RAD230 (every 2 years), ENV189 (once). |
| Primary waste generator (SNL/CA). | ENV112CA (annually), RAD210 or RAD230 (every 2 years), ENV189CA (once), ENV252 (every 2 years). | |
| Secondary waste generator (SNL/CA). | Primary waste generators train secondary waste generators on waste management requirements applicable to their projects and document this training in organizational files. | ENV112CA (annually), RAD210 or RAD230 (every 2 years), ENV189CA (once). |
| ENV252 is a refresher that is required every 2 years following completion of ENV189 or ENV189CA. | ||
Processes
Procedures
| Review Completion Dates |
|---|
| In Process |
| Date | Summary |
|---|---|
| 03/27/2012 |
Administrative Modified Updated the link to the radioactive and mixed waste operations. (Requirements & Instructions, Process for Labeling and Packaging Containers of Solid Mixed Waste) |
| 03/27/2012 |
Administrative Modified
|
| 03/22/2021 |
Administrative Modified
Added Reference to ESH100.3, Perform Work, and SCM100.4, Dispose of Property, Material and Services through the Supply Chain. (Related Corporate Processes & Procedures) Deleted Note text: "See “Waste Minimization Hierarchy” in Guidance on Managing Mixed Waste at SNL for a description of the hierarchy Sandia follows for waste minimization." |
| 08/11/2011 |
Administrative Modified Replaced James Thompson with Jeff Jarry as procedure manager. |
| 01/21/2011 |
Administrative Modified Updated contact-related links that were overlooked in the changes made on 01/12/2011. |
| 01/12/2011 |
Administrative Modified
|
| 01/06/2011 |
Administrative Modified
|
| 12/01/2010 |
Administrative Modified
|
| 6/29/2010 |
Administrative No changes were made to this procedure. An archive was generated to capture the images. |
| 6/25/2010 |
Administrative Modified
|
| 6/17/2010 |
Administrative Modified
|
| 6/10/2010 |
Administrative Modified Updated procedure designation from" ESH100.2.OTH.1" to "ESH100.2.FP.1." |
| 05/19/2010 |
Administrative Modified (bold)
|