HAZWASTE — No chemical left behind!
Commercial chemical products (CCPs) refer to materials that, under normal circumstances, are considered products and not waste. However, they may be considered hazardous waste (abandoned CCPs) by the EPA if a chemical container is leaking or is damaged.
It’s up to your employer to play a role in identifying abandoned CCPs in their facility. However, whether you know it or not, you’re are in the best position to alert your employer of abandoned chemicals and materials that you find.
Spot the signs
An abandoned CCP is a product that will eventually be thrown away once it’s no longer useful. It may be a solid waste, and potentially, a hazardous waste. To determine if a CCP is abandoned, check the following:
- Are containers in good condition?
- Are containers stored in a manner that shows the material has value (i.e., protected from the elements, locked up when the facility is not operating, or otherwise protected)?
- Are the containers protected from becoming unstable, unusable, or contaminated?
- Are the containers labeled to identify their contents?
- Does the container label identify the lot number, manufacturer date, or expiration date to help determine the age of the material, especially if the recommended expiration date has passed?
- Has the container been returned from a customer?
- Is there an SDS available for the container/material?
- Is the container stored in an appropriate location?
You are in the best position to bring abandoned chemicals you find to the attention of your supervisor or employer. Know your role in alerting your supervisor to potentially abandoned chemicals in your facility.