ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS
ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS
NREM 905
COURSE LECTURER: PROF. I.O. AGBAGWA
Institute of Natural Resources, Environment & Sustainable Dev.,
University of Port Harcourt,
Rivers State, Nigeria.
Waste (also known as rubbish, trash, refuse, garbage, junk,
litter, and ort) is unwanted or useless materials. In biology,
waste is any of the many unwanted substances or toxins that are
expelled from living organisms, metabolic waste; such as urea
and sweat.
Basel Convention Definition of Wastes
“substances or objects which are disposed of or are intended to be disposed of or are required to be disposed of by the provisions of the law”
Disposal means
“any operation which may lead to resource recovery, recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative uses”
Waste
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal –
➢ Adopted in 1989 and came into force in 1992
➢ The most comprehensive global environmental treaty on hazardous and other wastes
➢ About 170 member countries (Parties). Nigeria is a party
• Aim is – Protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation, management, transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous and other wastes.
Reasons for the Basel Convention
• Illegal cross-border transport of hazardous wastes in the 1980s
• Toxic waste traders were in the rise with third world countries targeted as dumping grounds for hazardous waste
• Toxic ships such as the Katrin B and the Pelicano, sailed from port to port trying to offload their poisonous cargoes
• Five ship loads of highly toxic and radioactive wastes originating from city of Pisa, in the Italian region of Tuscany discovered at Koko Port (old Bendel State now in Warri North LGA of Delta State) in May 1988 – Katrin B
A little on Basel Convention
UNSD waste definition
• According to the United Nations Statistics Division (U.N.S.D.): “Wastes are materials that are not prime products (that is products produced for the market) for which the generator has no further use in terms of his/her own purposes of production, transformation or consumption, and of which he/she wants to dispose. Wastes may be generated during the extraction of raw materials, the processing of raw materials into intermediate and final products, the consumption of final products, and other human activities. Residuals recycled or reused at the place of generation are excluded.”
Nigeria and Waste Legislations
• THE HARMFUL WASTE (SPECIAL CRIMINAL PROVISIONS, ETC) ACT, 1988
• THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ACT 2007 (NESREA ACT, repealed the Federal Environmental Protection Act of 1988)
• ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ACT OF 1992
Relevant regulations are
• NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL (SANITATION AND WASTES CONTROL) REGULATIONS, 2009)
• THE National Environmental Protection (POLLUTION ABATEMENT IN INDUSTRIES AND FACILITIES GENERATING WASTE) REGULATIONS, 1991
Hazardous Waste General definition
A hazardous waste has the potential to cause an
unacceptable risk to:
➢ PUBLIC HEALTH
➢ THE ENVIRONMENT
Note: Hazardous wastes may arise in a number of different forms: liquids, solids, gases, or sludges.
• They may be by-products of extraction of raw materials (e.g. drill cuttings), manufacturing processes (e.g. leather, textile etc.) or simply discarded products (e.g. used electronics).
• The hazard associated with a waste depends on its composition, its physical form and its physical and chemical properties.
Hazardous Waste General definition
• In its simplest form, the definition of a hazardous waste is one that has the potential to cause harm to public health and to the environment. However, such a definition is too vague for use in a regulatory framework
• It is important to stress that waste classifications are related to, but generally independent of, the classification systems used for industrial chemicals.
• This can cause the waste generator confusion, and waste managers need to know both systems and have access to both sets of data.
Why definition is difficult
HAZARDOUS WASTE
PHYSICAL FORM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIESCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
COMPOSITION
The hazard associated with a waste depends on:
BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Slide 8 Why definition is difficult
▪ Definition may be based on its composition; its physical form; its
chemical, biological or physical properties; or alternatively on the waste
stream in which it arises.
▪ Each country has its own interpretation of what constitutes hazardous
waste, as well as using various terms to refer to it, such as ‘chemical’,
‘special’, ‘poisonous’, ‘toxic’ or ‘difficult’.
▪ Worldwide there is no standard definition of hazardous wastes, and a
number of different approaches are taken to the problem of defining it.
▪ The Global Waste Survey 1992 – the first attempt to gain a worldwide
picture of hazardous wastes – found that there were ‘almost as many
definitions as countries’.
▪ Other ways of defining hazardous wastes might include one based on its
recycling potential.
▪ In developing economies, there is often an inadequate identification of
the waste streams which arise – not simply of hazardous wastes – and
this can lead to an increase in pollution of the environment as well as
increased risks to human health. Nigeria and artisanal mechanics
▪ However difficult, waste classification is an important early step in
developing a waste management system.
Examples of hazardous waste
definitions: 1. Basel Convention
According to the Basel Convention there are 45 categories of
wastes that are presumed to be hazardous.
•18 are waste streams (e.g. clinical wastes, mineral oils,
Polychlorinated biphenyls -PCBs) (Y1-Y18)
•27 are wastes having clearly identified constituents (e.g.
mercury, lead, asbestos, organic cyanides, solvents) (Y19-Y45)
These categories of waste need to exhibit one or more
hazardous characteristics:
flammable, oxidising, poisonous, infectious, corrosive,
ecotoxic
Examples of hazardous waste definitions: 2. UNEP
Wastes other than radioactive wastes which,
by reason of their chemical activity or toxic, explosive,
corrosive or other characteristics cause danger or are likely
to cause danger to health or the environment
• Definition is based on the UN Transport of Dangerous Goods
Code. This is a classification system for hazardous materials
which does not have regard to the origin of the waste, nor to
the fact that wastes are often a complex mixture of unspecified
composition rather than pure substances.
• Such a classification is useful for improving aspects of
handling, transport and storage safety.
Examples of hazardous waste
definitions: 3. USA
UNDER US EPA REGULATIONS, there are three ways of
defining hazardous wastes:
1. The waste is listed/included in list of defined
hazardous wastes (i.e. in EPA regulations)
2. The waste is tested and meets one of the four
characteristics established by EPA:
• Ignitable
• Corrosive
• Reactive
• Toxic
3. The waste is declared hazardous by the generator
Examples of hazardous waste
definitions: 4. European Waste
Catalogue A core list of 850 types of waste
Of these, around 420 are classified as hazardous wastes
These are divided into 19 main categories
The objective of definitions
Why define wastes?
To decide whether or not that waste should be
controlled – this is important for the generator as well
as the regulator
Why create a list?
•Clear and simple
•No need for testing
Different methods of Classification
i. Lists e.g. Basel Convention Annex I, Basel List
A, EU European Waste Catalogue, US EPA list
ii. Origin e.g. processes, Basel Convention Annex
II
iii. Hazardous characteristics e.g. toxicity,
reactivity, Basel Convention Annex III
iv. Chemical and physical properties e.g.
inorganic, organic, oily, sludges
• Need to match classification to objectives
• No method will suit all cases
Methods of waste classification: by Origin
•Waste streams e.g. Basel Convention
•Miscellaneous or ubiquitous wastes e.g.
• contaminated soils
• dusts
• redundant pesticides from agriculture
• hospital wastes
Example of waste classification by Origin: Basel
The Basel Convention’s List of
Hazardous Waste Categories (Y1-Y18)
identifies wastes from specific
processes
e.g. Y1 Clinical wastes
Y6 Wastes from the production and
use of organic solvents
Y18 Residues from industrial waste
disposal operations
Methods of Waste Classification: by Hazardous Characteristics
Main characteristics:
•Toxic
•Corrosive
UN Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
by Road or Rail (ADR) lists waste characteristics.
These have been adopted by Basel Convention –
Annex III gives 13 characteristics, based on ADR
rules, including:
•Explosive
•Flammable
•Toxic and eco-toxic
Represented as codes H1-H13
•Ignitable
•Reactive
Hazardous Characteristics: Toxicity
Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested, inhaled or
absorbed through the skin
Examples:
•Spent cyanide solutions
•Waste pesticides
• Toxic wastes disposed of on land may result in contaminated leachate.
• The leaching of toxic compounds or elements from landfills into
groundwater is one of the most common ways in which the general
population can be exposed to the chemicals found in industrial wastes.
• In the US, the EPA has devised a toxicity characteristic leaching
procedure (TCLP) test to identify wastes likely to leach hazardous
concentrations of toxic constituents.
• Using the test on a waste sample creates a liquid similar to the liquid the
US EPA would expect to find in the ground near a landfill containing the
same waste.
Hazardous Characteristics: Corrosivity
Acids or alkalis that are capable of dissolving human flesh and corroding metal such as storage tanks and drums
• Corrosive wastes are acid or alkaline and can readily corrode or dissolve flesh, metal or other materials.
• They are also one of the most common hazardous waste streams. Wastes with a high or low pH can react dangerously with other wastes or cause toxic contaminants to migrate from certain wastes.
• Examples of corrosive wastes include acids from metals cleaning processes (e.g. ferric chloride from printed circuit board manufacture) and liquor from steel manufacture.
Hazardous Characteristics: Ignitability Ignitable wastes:
• can create fires under certain conditions
• or are spontaneously combustible
Examples: •Waste oils •Used solvents •Organic cleaning materials •Paint wastes
For emphasis, ignitable wastes are those which readily catch fire and sustain
combustion. These could cause a fire during transport or storage of the waste,
or after disposal.
Hazardous Characteristics: Reactivity Reactive wastes are unstable under ‘normal conditions’
They can cause: explosions, toxic fumes, gases or vapours
Examples: • Peroxide solutions • Hypochlorite solutions or solids •Discarded munitions and explosives
For emphasis, reactive wastes will readily explode or undergo violent
reactions. Reactivity is an important characteristic of hazardous wastes
because unstable wastes can pose a problem at any stage of the waste
management life cycle.
Hazardous characteristics: Eco-toxicity
Eco-toxic wastes are harmful or fatal to other species
or to the ecological integrity of their habitats
Examples: Heavy metals, Detergents, Oils, Soluble salts
• The high sensitivity of some fish like trout to toxins at levels far lower than
human drinking water standards illustrates the importance of regarding eco-
toxicity as an important separate issue.
• By implication, human toxicity standards are not always appropriate when
considering ecological problems.
• Some substances such as oils and detergents that barely affect humans can
nevertheless interfere with other species’ life processes including
reproduction.
• Issues of bio-magnification along the food chain are just as important for
other species as they are for human toxicity.
• Despite the importance of this issue, criteria, measurements and standards
for eco-toxicity are not well developed, and are thus frequently discounted
by regulators or waste operators.
• Animal and plant species can be much more sensitive to
certain chemical substances or to conditions of pH than
mammals (including humans).
Methods of waste classification: by chemical, biological and physical properties
• Inorganic wastes e.g. acids, alkalis, heavy metals, cyanides, wastewaters from electroplating
• Organic wastes e.g. pesticides, halogenated and non-halogenated solvents, PCBs
• Oily wastes e.g. lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids, contaminated fuel oils
• Sludge e.g. from metal working, painting, wastewater treatment
Hazardous waste handling and
storage
Links in an integrated hazardous
waste management system
Storage
Collection/
Transportation
Disposal
Links in an integrated hazardous waste management system contd.
• There is always a need for a structured hazardous waste management system which begins as soon as the waste has been generated and continues through all subsequent stages to final treatment and disposal. In the simplest form, a hazardous waste management system comprises three units:
i. Storage upon generation
ii. Collection and transportation
iii. Final treatment and disposal
• Handling and storage are both important factors in all of these management stages, from cradle to grave.
• Different materials have to be handled in different ways, and may have special storage requirements. For this reason proper identification and labelling of materials is essential, and is likely to represent the difference between a safe hazardous waste management system and a dangerous one.
Links in an integrated hazardous waste management system contd.
• Correct handling, storage, packaging and labelling are vital if accidents are to be avoided and the environment is to be protected.
• The hazardous waste management system consists of a series of actions to control and contain the waste. This must be coordinated so that the various persons and groups of persons involved at the different stages are aware of their role and how that role fits within the larger structure. This is particularly true of handling and storage procedures.
Storage site selection
On-site storage:
• In waste generator premises
• Not subject to flooding
• Away from manufacturing/processing areas
• Away from employee activities
Off-site storage:
• Not subject to flooding
• Away from residential area
• Ideally in industrial area
• Good access to public infrastructure e.g. roads, emergency services
• Minimise risk of explosion or unplanned releases
• Keep incompatible wastes separate
• Not < 15m from site boundary (where possible)
• Away from foot and vehicular traffic
Storage site design criteria 1
.
• Impermeable base material
• Leak and spill containment
Storage site design criteria 1 contd.
• Whether it is stored on-site or off, any hazardous waste storage areas must be designed to minimise the possibility of an explosion or any unplanned sudden or gradual release of hazardous waste to air, water or soil. The following design criteria should be observed:
• Waste compatibility: different hazardous wastes should be stored in separate compatibility areas
• Distances from boundary and traffic: hazardous waste should be stored away from traffic, including both vehicular and foot traffic. Ignitable and reactive wastes should be stored at least 15m from the facility’s boundary, if possible – on small sites
• Base material: an impermeable base should used for the area where containers may be stored, to prevent any leaks or spills, or accumulated precipitation, from seeping into the ground.
• Leak and spill containment: the storage area must be designed and operated to contain any leaks and spills e.g. with bunds. For outdoor storage facilities, the maximum probable quantity of runoff must also be considered. Regulatory agencies, such as fire departments, may specify certain containment requirements.
Storage site design criteria 2
• Protection from climate
• Good ventilation
• Limit height of stacked containers
• Eye wash station
• Provide drainage system or elevate
• Adsorbent material for spills
• Re-packaging area
• Comply with regulations
Storage site design criteria 2 contd.
• Climate and environment: weather conditions can frequently be an important factor in determining storage conditions. Heat, cold, moisture, and wind can adversely affect storage of all chemicals. If waste materials must be stored outside, they should always be covered by a roof or tarpaulin, and be kept away from direct sunlight.
• Ventilation: adequate ventilation should be provided to prevent build-up of gases. Any area used for storage of chemical wastes or any other hazardous material should be well ventilated.
• Stack height: drums should not be stacked more too high. Drums containing flammable liquid should not be stacked.
• Eye wash station: an eye wash station must be provided for each storage area
Storage site design criteria 2 contd.
• Drainage system: floors should be sloped towards retention pits or drains. The drainage system should ensure that any spilled wastes or precipitation do not remain in contact with the waste containers. Alternatively, storage could be on elevated platforms or pallets – this also simplifies inspection. Any spilled or leaked waste, or storm water run-off, should be removed from the sump or collection area as soon as possible to prevent any overflow. (This collected waste must then be correctly handled as hazardous waste.)
• Earthing: when pumping waste or emptying and filling containers, it is necessary to earth the process
• Adsorbent material: should always be present to clean up spills immediately
• A separate repackaging room: any items which are seen to be incorrectly or inadequately packaged can be taken here
• Agency requirements: government agencies, such as the fire department, should be contacted prior to the design and building of a storage structure to incorporate any other specific requirements they may have.
Hazardous waste compatibility 1
• Need compatibility between:
• waste & container; wastes stored together; wastes stored close to each other; wastes & environment
Compatibility = the ability of two or more materials to exist
in close association with each other without the formation
of harmful chemical or physical reactions
• The concept of compatibility, when applied to hazardous waste, refers to: the
way chemicals react when in contact with each other
• Chemicals need compatibility with the containers in which they are stored,
otherwise there is a risk of container failure resulting in environmental
damage or personal injury. For example, acid should not be stored in steel
drums, or pressurised materials in weak containers.
• Compatibility with nearby materials and equipment: For example, containers
of flammable materials should be stored with proper consideration of
proximity to heat, electrical sources and open flames.
• All flammable containers 20 litre or larger should be earthed.
• Compatibility with the environment itself. Storing many waste materials
outside may be practical, but storing drums of highly flammable material in
dark drums in open sunlight can be extremely dangerous.
Hazardous waste compatibility 2
Source: UK DoE (1988) Waste Management Paper No 26
Undesirable reactions to mixing incompatible wastes
▪Generation of heat by chemical reaction
➔ Alkali metals, metal powders
▪ Generation of toxic gases
➔ Hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulphide
▪ Generation of flammable gases
➔ Hydrogen, acetylene
▪ Generation of gases
➔ Nitrogen oxides, chlorine, sulphur dioxide
▪ Dissolution of toxic compounds
➔ Heavy metals, complexing agents
• Storage should be for as brief a period as possible
• Permitted temporary storage duration varies from country to country
Western Europe:
• Typically 28 or 90 days
USA:
• Up to 90 days for large quantity generators
• Up to 180 days for small quantity generators
Some European countries and Far East:
• Indefinite period allowed
Duration of hazardous waste storage
Long term storage
• For longer term storage, different controls needed
• If storage may be indefinite, controls should be similar to
those for final disposal facilities
• Long term storage may be a practical solution to the
problem of a shortage of hazardous waste treatment and
disposal facilities
• Important to avoid ‘storage’ becoming an excuse for
uncontrolled disposal
• Example of inappropriate long term storage of wastes is the stockpiling of obsolete pesticides in some countries. Because the conditions were not properly controlled, drums have corroded or buckled, and storage areas h
