Brockton Public Schools

School Committee Policy

HAZARDOUS WASTE CONTAMINATION - EBAB

  1. Introduction - Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Regulations 310 CMR 30.000 promulgate compliance with legal obligations of handling and disposal of hazardous waste. The Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection (DEP) regulates all non-waste households (business and institutions) which generate any amount of hazardous waste.
  2. Identification of Hazard Waste
    1. To identify hazardous wastes, call the Office of the Senior Director of Administrative Services for the Material Data Sheet (MDS) provided by the supplier of products. A file is kept in the Office of the Senior Director of Administrative Services of all MDS data provided by suppliers at the conclusion of the contract/purchase order process.
    2. Massachusetts law requires institutions which produce hazardous waste to:
      1. Identify the sources and type of waste.
      2. Manage waste properly by establishing routine storage, disposal, record keeping procedures and emergency plans.
  3. Classification of Common Wastes
    1. Waste oil
    2. Solvents and thinners
    3. Acids and bases/alkaline
    4. Toxic or flammable paint wastes
    5. Nitrates, perchlorates and peroxides

  4. Characteristics of Hazardous Waste

    Hazardous waste may be a listed discarded chemical, an off-specification product, or a liquid or solid residue from an operation process which:

    1. Ignites - Easily catches fire, flash point <140F>
    2. Corrodes - Easily corrodes materials or human tissue, very acidic or alkaline;
    3. pH <2 or >12.5.
    4. Is reactive - Explosive, produces toxic gases when mixed with water or acid.
    5. Is Toxic - Can leach toxic chemicals, as determined by a special laboratory test

  5. Small Hazardous Waste Generators

    The School Department will operate as one site at Brockton High School to insure compliance with hazardous waste regulations.

    6. The following programs or departments may be large/small generators of hazardous waste:
    Location Program/Department Type of Waste
    Brockton High Buildings & Grounds/Garage Oil/Grease/Paint/Cleaners
    Brockton High Building Maintenance Plumming supply wastes
    Brockton High Food Service Dry Chemicals
    Brockton High/Junior Highs Science Departments Solvents, metal recovery, stock chemicals
    Brockton High Auto Shop Oil/Grease/Paint/Cleaners
    Brockton High/Junior Highs Technical Education Department Paints/Thinners/Sludge/Spray
    BHS/Junior Highs/Elem Art/Graphic Arts/Photography Spent solvent/Inks & Paint Wastes
    Systemwide Building & Grounds Custodial Supplies/Paints/Insesticides/Herbicides