North Carolina View of Special Waste Joe Fitzpatrick, Environmental Specialist North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality May 16, 2017

Safety Concerns Special Waste materials can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, corrosive or toxic To avoid the risks associated with Special Waste, it is important that people always monitor the use, storage, and disposal of products with potentially hazardous substances. Improper disposal of Special Waste can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the regular trash. Certain types of Special Waste have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets.

Operational Concerns Banned From Landfill May Require Special Permit Need Staff On Site Staff May Need Training Requires Special Handling Where can you collect it Where can you store it How long can you store it Can Be Expensive To Manage Department of Environmental Quality

Let’s Take a Special Look When NC Says Special Waste, What Are We Talking About? Quick Look At The Numbers Trends Policies & Support Alternative/Additional Disposal Options Department of Environmental Quality

Your Every Day Run Of The Mill Special Wastes Automotive Waste Used Motor Oil Used Oil Filters Used Antifreeze Batteries Lead Acid Dry Cell Mercury Products Fluorescent Bulbs Mercury Thermostats Used Cooking Oil Textiles Propane Tanks Can be collected at all sites Have well establish markets Low or no cost May provide revenue

Automotive Wastes Used Motor Oil Recent drop in revenue   FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 FY 2015-16 Used Motor Oil Number of programs 129 127 128 Gallons collected 860,785 762,066 729,623 704,669 796,050 Oil Filters 105 104 108 107 Tons collected 184.41 166.97 160.2 155.73 152.55 Antifreeze 74 71 79 35,159 22,916 25,400 24,005 39,412 Used Motor Oil Recent drop in revenue Shift to oil burners Used Oil Filters NC landfill banned list Mixed with scrap metals Antifreeze No programs receive revenue 2012 filters drums- 1122 tons - 44.1575 Drum covers reduce contamination and prevent rain-water issues https://ncadmin.nc.gov/document/used-oil-and-antifreeze-recycling-contract

Battery Recycling State Contracts:   FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 FY 2015-16 Lead Acid Batteries Number of programs 93 91 Tons collected 362.69 316.23 350.94 371.09 349.51 Dry Cell Batteries 37 34 38 43 45 45.37 33.91 27.51 73.95 90.28 State Contracts: Lead Acid Batteries - http://www.surplus.nc.gov/documents/Contract-BatteryContract.pdf Alkaline - http://www.pandc.nc.gov/926b.pdf $$$$$ Example Alkaline $0.45 under contract VS. $1.00 from HW Vendor $$$$$

Mercury Containing Products Fluorescent Lights & Mercury Containing Thermostats State Law – 2009 House Bill 1766 Landfill ban NCGS 130A-310.54 – Repealed June 30, 2017 Grant Requirement State Convenience Contract for bulbs - http://www.pandc.nc.gov/926b.pdf Thermostat Recycling Corporation - http://www.thermostat-recycle.org/ Mercury Containing Products FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 FY 2015-16 Number of programs 48 58 62 59 Tons collected 37.93 53.01 92.88 80.76 98.56 Department of Environmental Quality

Serviced by bio-fuel or rendering vendors  Used Cooking Oil FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 FY 2015-16 Number of programs 55 61 74 75 77 Tons collected 142.15 133.05 213.28 197.35 197.72 Demand for waste fats and grease for fuel has fueled the demand for recycling program Serviced by bio-fuel or rendering vendors Must be kept separate from used motor oil Vendors typically provide collection containers

FY 2016 Data – 26 Counties Report 1,354 Tons Textiles The U.S. EPA estimates that textile waste occupies nearly 5% of all landfill space. The average US citizen throws away 70 pounds of clothing and other textiles annually. While the EPA estimates that the textile recycling industry recycles approximately 3.8 billion pounds of post-consumer textile waste (PCTW) each year, this only accounts for approximately 15% of all PCTW, leaving 85% in our landfills. That 85% adds up to about 21 Billion pounds of PCTW per year FY 2016 Data – 26 Counties Report 1,354 Tons Local Government Textile Recycling Factsheet Simple and easy to operate No infrastructure cost, small foot print Can be placed at all sites Vendor provides collection service (free) Some communities now earning revenue

Propane Tanks Blue Rhino AmeriGas Collect and Store: Accept and safely store gas grill propane tanks that meet the Rhino Recycle Acceptance Guidelines. Minimum quantity of 36 is required to schedule a pick-up. Schedule Pick-up: Once you have reached the minimum pick-up requirements call 1-888-753-7159 or e- mail us at customercareleads2@bluerhino.com to schedule a pick-up. Watch us Drive Away: Blue Rhino will pick up the tanks from your facility. The tanks will then be refurbished by shot-blasting, repainting and retrofitting outdated valves and components, extending the useful life of the tank. If the tank does not meet safety and quality standards, Blue Rhino will reclaim any unused propane and recycle the steel. http://www.bluerhino.com/getdoc/9b1ade3a-5cb6-466b-93eb-69894ef2aa7b/Rhino-Recycle.aspx AmeriGas Guide residents to locate office http://www.amerigas.com/find-amerigas-propane-locations/  Propane Tanks FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 FY 2015-16 Number of programs 37 46 41 43 Tons collected 47.22 61.33 63.47 63.23 136.84 Department of Environmental Quality

Just a Little More Special Paint Pesticides Pesticide Containers Mattresses Pharmaceuticals Household Hazardous Waste Typically collected at one site More expensive Require special training Require special handling

Stand alone programs, separate from HHW collection Paint  Paint FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 FY 2015-16 Number of exchange programs 21 13 17 15 Number of other collection programs 9 11 16 Total tons collected 117.94 111.74 160.21 182.14 161.4 Number of programs steady. Purchase a latex paint hardener from your paint supplier. Use sawdust, floor dry, kitty litter or sand to thicken the latex paint. Mix light colors and use as primer Stand alone programs, separate from HHW collection

Pesticide Collection Funded by Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program (PDAP) Work with County or Agricultural Extention Can be collected as part of HHW program or stand alone event http://www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/pesticides/PDAP/  Pesticides FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 FY 2015-16 Number of programs 16 14 17 19 Tons collected 14.03 14.12 11.77 17.31 18.24 Department of Environmental Quality

Pesticide Containers Pesticide Containers FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 Number of programs 66 64 60 59 58 Tons collected 118.32 143.45 128.03 170.6 109.52 NCDA sponsors Provide service to local AG base Easy and free to operate

Mattresses Approximately 15-20 million mattresses and box-springs are disposed of each year in the U.S. with each piece occupying approximately 40 cubic feet or more of landfill space. Mattresses are hard to compact, and the springs can easily catch in equipment used in landfill and incinerator operations. In response, some disposal facilities require the segregation of mattresses from other solid waste, resulting in increased management costs for some communities. Over 80% of each mattress (by weight) can be recycled into other useful products. Orange County – 50/week, charge $10 each, pay $9 each Brunswick County – Started in July, pay $11.50 each, Do no charge fee, just standard tipping fee

Pharmaceuticals Events and permanent drop boxes sponsored by NC DOJ and NC DOI 22 programs sponsored by local governments 49 programs operated by private pharmacy http://www.ncdoj.gov/getdoc/5386f36d-cbd7-4b76-8327-584a88985645/Operation-Medicine-Drop.aspx

Household Hazardous Waste  Household Haz. Waste FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 FY 2015-16 Number of communities offering programs 57 59 67 65 62 Number of permanent sites 20 18 19 HHW tons collected 2,905.63 3,239 3,241.07 3,443.51 3,358.89 Household Hazardous Waste Paint Fluorescent Lights Mercury Thermostats Batteries Pesticides Propane Temp. Event 67% Perm. 47%

Overall Recycling of Electronics in NC FY 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 TVs by Manufacturer N/A 1,754 2,733 1,624 2,460 2,834 TVs by Local Govs 993 3,019 8,265 8,739 9,315 10,026 TV Totals (Tons) 4,773 10,998 10,363 11,775 12,860 Computer Equip by Manufacturers 2,896 3,996 2,099 1,843 1,193 by Local Govs 3,580 4,432 6,424 5,420 5,471 5,051 Computer Equipment Totals (Tons) 7,328 10,420 7,519 7,314 6,244 PROGRAM TOTAL (tons) 4,574 12,102 21,417 17,882 19,090 19,104 Recycling Pounds Per Capita 0.98 2.50 4.43 3.66 3.87 3.84 Electronics Senate Bill 887, SL 2010-67 – NC Electronics Management Program, Ban, Electronics Management Fund H-157 / SL 2015-1 – Recycler Registration, Removed keyboards and mice HB 765 / SL 2015-286 – Landfill ban repeal discussion, study of program (Fall 2015) HB 769 – Landfill ban repeal discussion (Spring 2016) Projected cost for local government to manage electronics $0.25/lb. Manufacturer Responsibility Law Banned the disposal of computer equipment and televisions effective July 1, 2011 Treats Computer Equipment and Television Manufacturers differently

Suggestions for Special Wastes Establish programs that can be a revenue source (oil, lead-acid batteries) Many special waste programs can be started at little to no cost Keep containers well labeled Place all special waste collection in site of an attendant When you do not offer a service provide information to citizens on alternatives You should provide a program for all banned items Find a partner

Questions Joe Fitzpatrick, NCDEQ, 919-707-8121, joseph.fitzpatrick@ncdenr.gov Department of Environmental Quality