All waste generated at SNL is, at a minimum, commercial solid waste and subject to the following requirements.

Notes: 

• Members of the Workforce should consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) for assistance in identifying commercial solid waste.
• State of New Mexico Solid Waste Regulations applicable to Sandia solid waste are more stringent than those that apply to households.

• Do not mix commercial solid waste with any other type of waste.
• Do not burn or incinerate commercial solid waste.
• Do not dispose of commercial solid waste in a manner that harms the environment or endangers the health, welfare, or safety of the public.
• Do not store commercial solid waste in a manner that results in insect or rodent harborage or creates a nuisance or health hazard.
• Do not place any of the following types of waste in trash cans, waste receptacles, or dumpsters:
  • Hazardous waste (see ESH100.2.ENV.22, Manage Hazardous Waste at SNL).
  • Radioactive waste (see ESH100.2.ENV.23, Manage Radioactive Waste at SNL).
  • Mixed waste (see ESH100.2.ENV.24, Manage Mixed Waste at SNL).
  • Infectious waste.
  • Labels or markings that indicate the presence of a hazard that is prohibited from disposal as commercial solid waste (e.g., "Radioactive Waste," "Mixed Waste,"  "Radioactive," “Bio-Hazard” labels).
  • Wood or metal (e.g., pallets, conduit, rebar).
  • Sludge. Waste containing any free liquids, including bulk or contained liquids.
  • Ammunition, explosives, or energetic material.
  • Solid waste contained in opaque or colored bags or containers (i.e., only use clear plastic bags).
  • Loose, un-bagged solid waste (e.g., loose trash, vials, powders, or packing peanuts).
  • Contained powders or finely divided materials in quantities greater than 1-gallon volume.
  • Recyclable materials that have reasonably available collection containers.

Note: See the Pollution Prevention (P2) website for information about recyclable materials.

• Place commercial solid waste in trash cans, waste receptacles, or dumpsters that are used for commercial solid waste collection.
• Cover commercial solid waste containers to prevent blowing litter at outside storage locations.
• Keep trash cans, waste receptacles, and dumpsters reasonably clean to prevent the harboring of insects and rodents.

Determine if waste meets the definition of construction and demolition debris. 

Notes:

• Members of the Workforce should consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) for assistance in making this determination.
• Construction and demolition debris is usually generated by construction, demolition, or remodeling activities and is coordinated by SNL's Facilities organization.

• Ensure that construction and demolition debris is not:
  • Mixed with any other types of solid waste.
  • Disposed of in dumpsters.
• Contact the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) if construction and demolition debris needs to be managed and/or disposed of by a non-facilities organization. 

Notes:

• Members of the Workforce should consult Facilities when facility modifications or installations are needed, or see ESH100.1.GP.1, Manage Safety for Contracted Activities, for more information.
• Recycle construction and demolition debris according to the instructions at the Pollution Prevention (P2) site, if not generated by a Facilities project.

Determine if the waste meets the definition of asbestos waste.  If the waste meets the definition, determine the category of the asbestos waste by contacting the Facilities Asbestos Implementation Team. 

Notes: 

• Members of the Workforce should consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) or the Facilities Asbestos Implementation Team for assistance in making this determination.
• Non-facilities related asbestos waste includes discrete items not associated with building materials, such as: gloves, hot pads, gaskets, etc.

• Do not dispose of asbestos waste in dumpsters or regular trash.
• Do not allow public access to asbestos waste at any time.

• Contain asbestos waste in a 6-mil or thicker plastic bag or sheeting.
• Minimize the void space/air in plastic bags to the degree possible.
• Seal plastic bags or sheeting to make them leak proof.
• Mark each container with a label that states, in both English and Spanish:
  
  • DANGER – CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS. AVOID CREATING DUST. CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD.
  • PELIGRO – CONTIENE FIBRAS DE ASBESTO. EVITA CREAR EL POLVO. PELIGRO DE CÁNCER Y LA ENFERMEDAD PULMONAR.

• Designate an area for the storage of asbestos waste. 

Note: Members of the Workforce should consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) for assistance in designating a special waste storage area.

• Do not store asbestos waste for more than 90 days from the date the waste is placed in storage on Sandia-controlled premises within the State of New Mexico.

Do one of the following:

• Contact the Facilities Asbestos Implementation Team for proper disposal instructions when equipment is declared waste.
• Submit asbestos waste on a Waste Description & Disposal Request form (WDDR) to request disposal of non-facilities related asbestos.

• Use sealed impermeable bags, containers, or enclosures to prevent the release of beryllium dust during handling and transportation.
• Double bag the waste, equipment, or item when using plastic bags.
• Label the bags, containers, and enclosures used for disposal of beryllium with the following text:
  
  • DANGER – CONTAMINATED WITH BERYLLIUM. DO NOT REMOVE DUST BY BLOWING OR SHAKING. CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD.

Submit all waste that contains beryllium for disposal using the Waste Description & Disposal Request form (WDDR). 

Note: This material will not be picked up for disposal unless it is properly contained and marked.

Determine if the waste meets the definition of infectious waste. 

Note: Members of the Workforce should consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) for assistance in making this determination.

• Contain infectious waste in a manner and location which:
  • Prevents animal intrusion.
  • Does not provide a breeding place or a food source for insects and rodents.
  • Minimizes exposure to workers and the public.
• Segregate infectious waste from other waste at the point of generation through separate containment.
• Place only infectious waste in red or orange infectious waste containers, and ensure containers used for infectious waste are:
  • Leak resistant.
  • Impervious to moisture.
  • Of sufficient strength to prevent tearing or bursting under normal conditions of use.
  • Sealed to prevent leakage during transport.
• Contain infectious waste in plastic containment bags, inside rigid containers, except for sharps. The plastic bags must be no greater than 46 gallons in volume and must meet ASTM D 1709 and ASTM 1922 test methods, impact resistance of 165 grams, and tearing resistance of 480 grams in both the parallel and perpendicular planes with respect to the length of the bag.
• Securely close or tie the bags to prevent leakage or expulsion of wastes during storage, handling, or transport.
• Ensure rigid containers used for infectious waste are:
  • Leak resistant.
  • Impervious to moisture.
  • Of sufficient strength to prevent tearing or bursting under normal conditions of use.
  • Sealed to prevent leakage during transport.
  • Puncture resistant for sharps and sharps with residual fluids.
• Contain sharps in containers, which are manufactured for the purpose of sharps containment and are:
  • Leak-proof.
  • Rigid.
  • Puncture-resistant.
  • Tightly lidded or taped closed to prevent loss of contents.

• Place sufficient absorbent material inside the liner of the rigid container to absorb the entire amount of liquid present.  

Reuse rigid infectious waste containers for infectious waste if either of the following are true:

• Containers are thoroughly washed and decontaminated after each time they are emptied; or
• The surfaces of the containers have been completely protected from contamination by disposable, un-punctured, or undamaged liners, bags, or other devices are used and are removed with the infectious waste and the surface of the containers have not been damaged or punctured.

• Clearly identify plastic containment bags:
  • Use red or orange bags.
  • Mark bags with the word “BIOHAZARD” in letters large enough to be read at a minimum distance of 5 feet.
• Ensure that rigid containers of infectious waste are:
  • Marked as "biomedical waste" or otherwise conspicuously labeled as holding infectious waste.
  • Are red or orange in color.
• Place only infectious waste in an infectious waste container.

• Ensure infectious waste in storage is:
  • Protected from weather.
  • Ventilated to the outdoors.
  • Accessible only to authorized persons.
  • Marked with prominent warning signs on, or adjacent to, the exterior doors or gates that state “Infectious Waste Storage." The warning signs must be easily read during daylight from a distance of 25 feet.
• Do not store infectious waste for more than 90 days from the date the waste is placed in storage.

• Choose one of two methods for disposing of infectious waste:
  • Submit infectious waste on a Waste Description & Disposal Request form (WDDR) for disposal.
  • Sterilize infectious waste according to the requirements for sterilizing infectious waste.
• Do not render the following infectious waste non-infectious and only submit it for disposal on a WDDR:
  • Infectious waste consisting of recognizable human anatomical remains.
  • Infectious waste contaminated with hazardous and/or radioactive substances or waste.
• Identify all other hazards that may be associated with the infectious waste when requesting disposal.

• Sterilize infectious waste by heating it in a steam sterilizer (autoclave) according to the applicable written operating procedures and the requirements in this section.
• Prepare and maintain on file, a management plan that identifies the following:
  • Type of waste generated and handled.
  • Segregation.
  • Packaging.
  • Labeling.
  • Collection.
  • Storage.
  • Implemented transportation procedures.
  • Treatment or disposal methods.
  • Person responsible for the management of the infectious waste at the point of generation.
• Report immediately upon recognition:
  • Delivery of any unauthorized waste.
  • Contamination of any person with infectious waste.
  • Other emergencies.
• Comply with the reporting requirements in ESH100.4.RPT.4, Report Environmental Releases.
• Report the above occurrences to the Secretary of the New Mexico Environment Department by contacting the subject matter expert (SME) of this section or the SME's department manager.

• Use operating procedures for each steam sterilizer and certify in writing that you understand the written operating procedures, including:
  • Time.
  • Temperature.
  • Pressure.
  • Type of waste.
  • Type of container(s).
  • Closure on container(s).
  • Pattern of loading.
  • Water content.
  • Maximum load quantity.
• Attach temperature sensitive tape or equivalent test material such as chemical indicators to each package of infectious waste to be sterilized to indicate that the sterilization temperature and pressure have been reached, unless the steam sterilizer is equipped to continuously monitor and generate a printed paper record of time, temperature, and pressure during the entire length of each sterilization cycle.
• Do not consider waste sterilized if the tape or equivalent indicator fails to indicate that a temperature of at least 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 121 degrees Celsius was reached in the presence of steam under pressure during the process.
• Subject infectious waste to sufficient temperature, pressure, and time to do at least one of the following:
  • Kill Bacillus stearothermophilus spores, or
  • Induce a complete color change in an approved steam sterilization integrator when either indicator is located in the center of the waste load being decontaminated.
• Evaluate each sterilization unit at least once each 40 hours of operation by one of the following:
  • Demonstrating its effectiveness to kill Bacillus stearothermophilus spores.
  • Using an approved steam sterilization integrator.

Maintain a written log for each sterilization unit which contains:

• Date.
• Time.
• Load number for each load.
• Amount per load.
• Duration of the cycle.
• Operator's name.

• Certify the sterilization in writing by completing SF 2001-NON, Certification of Noninfectious Material (Word file/Acrobat file), the first time the sterilizer is used each calendar year and upon any change that could affect the efficacy of sterilization process.
• Provide a hard copy of the certification to the solid waste contact in the ES&H Contact List. 
• Maintain the original copy of the certification for a minimum of 3 years.

Sterilized infectious waste shall not be stored in the laboratory pending pick up.

Store sterilized infectious waste only in a posted “Sterilized Infectious Waste” storage container located outside those buildings, where this waste is generated. 

Note: Locations of these containers to store sterilized infectious waste will vary by building and will be communicated to users.

Determine if waste meets the definition of non-infectious waste.

Note: Members of the Workforce should consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) for assistance in making this determination.

• Shall sterilize non-infectious waste in clear plastic bags free of any markings that indicate the presence of a biological hazard, such as the bio-hazard symbol.
• Shall pour off, drain, or absorb all free liquids, including condensation, that result from the sterilization process.

Determine if the waste meets the definition of any of the following special wastes and consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) for requirements before beginning any activities that have the potential to generate the following special wastes:

• Treated, formerly characteristic hazardous waste.
• Ash.
• Sludge.
• Industrial solid waste that, unless specially handled or disposed, may harm the environment or endanger the public health or safety.
• A spill of a chemical substance or commercial product that is not being managed as a hazardous or radioactive waste.
• Dry chemicals, that when wetted can become characteristically hazardous, that are not being managed as a hazardous or radioactive waste.
• Petroleum-contaminated soils.

• Do not dispose of special waste in dumpsters or regular trash.
• Prevent public access to special waste at the point of generation.

• Ensure special waste is contained to prevent it from leaking or otherwise escaping into the environment.
• Ensure a completed Solid Waste (Special Handling) label, SA 6490-SW (8-2006 ), Just-In-Time, FRM-700004 is affixed to each special waste container and clearly mark the container with the following information:
  • The date the special waste container is placed into storage.
  • Potential health, safety, and environmental hazards associated with the special waste.

• Designate an area for the storage of special waste. 

Note: Members of the Workforce should consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) for assistance in designating a special waste storage area.

• Do not store special waste for more than 90 days from the date the waste is placed in storage on Sandia-controlled premises within the State of New Mexico.  

Administrative

Modified

Administrative

Modified

Updated links to ECC in "Manage Construction and Demolition Debris," "Identify Asbestos Waste," " Store Asbestos Waste," and "Identify Beryllium-Contaminated Waste." 

Administrative

Modified

• Replaced SAPLE links for subject matter experts with direct links to e-mail of improved usability.
• Updated the links in Applicability, Exceptions & Consequences so that they point to the requirements table headings instead of dictionary definitions.
• Updated link to solid waste contact (Requirements & Instructions).
• Updated link to ASTM D 1709 (Requirements & Instructions).
• Updated link to Records Retention (in that field).
• Updated the links in Related Corporate Process & Procedures.
• Updated the link in Additional Drivers for NM Solid Waste Management General Requirements.

Added

• Added a link to ECC throughout the Requirements & Instructions.
• Added link to ASTM 1922 (Requirements & Instructions).

Deleted

• Removed the link to division ES&H team, which was replaced by the link to ECC.
• Removed guidance links Forms, Links & Tools.
• Removed link in Additional Drivers for NM Register Adopted Rules.

Administrative

Modified

Administrative

Modified

Administrative

Modified

Administrative

Modified

Administrative

Modified

Administrative

Modified

• Updated SAPLE links to subject matter experts for system consistency.
• Updated links to dictionary terms to term identification numbers for system consistency.
• Removed extra blank line in Applicability field.
• Updated links to "solid waste contact" in Requirements and Instructions.
• Replaced SA 2008-SW with SA 6490-SW in Requirements and Instructions and added a link to SA 6490-SW in Forms, Links & Tools.
• Updated the link to Facilities Asbestos Implementation Team in Requirements & Instructions.

Administrative

Modified

• Cleaned up HTML code for hyperlinks under "Forms, Links, and Tools."
• Updated hyperlink to SME.

Administrative

Modified

Corrected link to infectious waste in Procedure Requirements.

Administrative

Modified

Relocated change summary for 1/29/2010 administrative changes to appear before 1/07/2010's administrative changes.

Administrative

Modified

Clarified entries for 1/07/2010 from "changed" to "modified." 

Added

Bullets to entries on 1/07/2010. 

Substantive

Added 

• Activity: Identify Commercial Solid Waste (i.e., regular trash):
  • “Note: State of New Mexico Solid Waste Regulations applicable to Sandia solid waste are more stringent than those that apply to households.”
• Activity: Comply with Restrictions:
  • Solid waste contained in opaque or colored bags or containers, (i.e., only use clear plastic bags).
  • Loose, un-bagged solid waste (e.g., loose trash, vials, powders, or packing peanuts).
  • Contained powders or finely divided materials in quantities greater than one gallon volume.
• New Activities:
  • Label Sterilized Infectious Waste
  • Store Sterilized Infectious Waste  
• New Section: Sterilized Infectious Waste in Render Infectious Waste Non-Infectious.  

Modified

• From: “Determine if the waste meets the definition of infectious waste. Note: Members of the Workforce should consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) for assistance in making this determination.”To:  “Determine if the waste meets the definition of infectious waste. Note: Members of the Workforce should consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) or the Sandia Biological Safety Officer for assistance in making this determination.”  In Identify Infectious Waste.
• In Render Infectious Waste Non-Infectious: 
  • Activity From: “Render Infectious Waste Non-Infectious” To:  “Sterilize Infectious Waste”. In Infectious Waste.
  • Activity From: “Request Disposal of Infectious Waste Rendered Non-Infectious”. To:  “Request Disposal of Sterilized Infectious Waste”. In Infectious Waste.
  • Activity From: “Render Infectious Waste Non-Infectious” To:  “Sterilize Infectious Waste”.  In Infectious Waste.

Administrative

Added

• Members of the Workforce should consult the appropriate division ES&H team environmental compliance coordinator (ECC) for assistance in identifying commercial solid waste. [added period].  In Identify Commercial Solid Waste (i.e., regular trash).

• Title 20, New Mexico Administrative Code, Chapter 9, New MexicoSolid Waste Management Regulations, State of New Mexico Environment Department (NMED). [added comma].  In Additional Drivers.

Modified

• Mark bags with the word “BIOHAZARD” in letters large enough to be read at a minimum distance of five feet. [changed from "five" to "5"].  In Mark Infectious Waste.
• Sterilize infectious waste according to the requirements for sterilizing infectious waste. [removed extra period].  In Request Disposal of Infectious Waste.
• Do not render the following infectious waste non-infectious and only submit it for disposal on a WDDR:  [removed extra space].  In Request Disposal of Infectious Waste.
• [Corrected title] From:  Request Disposal of Infectious Waste Rendered Non-Infectious  To: Request Disposal of Sterilized Infectious Waste.  In Request Disposal of Sterilized Infectious Waste.
• [Corrected title]  From:  Request Disposal of Infectious Waste Rendered Non-Infectious To: Request Disposal of Special Waste.  In Request Disposal of Special Waste.
• [corrected paragraph] From:  "Radioactive Waste," "Mixed Waste,"  "Radioactive", “Bio-Hazard” or any other labels or markings that indicate a hazard that is prohibited from disposal as commercial solid waste. To: Labels or markings that indicate the presence of a hazard that is prohibited from disposal as commercial solid waste (e.g., "Radioactive Waste," "Mixed Waste,"  "Radioactive," “Bio-Hazard” labels).  In Comply with Restrictions.
• Solid waste contained in opaque or colored bags or containers, (i.e., only use clear plastic bags). [removed comma after containers].  In Comply with Restrictions.
• [corrected heading] From: Sterilizing Infectious Waste To: Sterilize Infectious Waste. In Comply with Restrictions.
• Closure on container(s) [added period].  In Operate Steam Sterilizers.
• Implementa-tion [removed hyphen].  In Handle Facilities Related Asbestos.
• [corrected paragraph] From: Submit all beryllium-containing waste for disposal using the Waste Description & Disposal Request form (WDDR).  To: Submit all waste that contains beryllium for disposal using the Waste Description & Disposal Request form (WDDR).  In Request Disposal of Beryllium Waste.
• Sealed to prevent leakage during transport, and [removed and; changed comma to period].  In Contain Infectious Waste.
• Clearly identify plastic containment bags: [changed from a period to a colon].  In Mark Infectious Waste.