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Construction and Demolition Waste

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    • Hazardous Materials in Construction and Demolition waste must be properly managed to avoid fines or environmental liability. Proper management includes an appropriate waste determination, accumulation, and disposal. Determination and accumulation prior to disposal is the responsibility of the contractor or department performing the work however the liability for not doing this properly is shared by the University. Therefore, all project managers must be thoroughly aware of the following requirements. All disposal shall be through, coordinated, or approved by Environmental Health and Safety.

    Training
    All contractors who will handle or accumulate hazardous materials shall be able to document that their staff has had appropriate training to identify, manage, and safely handle the hazardous materials.
    Typical Waste Streams
    Asbestos
    An updated asbestos survey of any building or section of a building that is scheduled for renovation or demolition shall be conducted to identify both friable and non-friable asbestos containing materials. The survey shall be conducted under the supervision of a Florida-licensed asbestos consultant. Individuals performing asbestos surveys must be certified as EPA asbestos inspectors through a Florida-approved training provider.

    A draft copy of the survey must be reviewed by the University Asbestos Coordinator for completeness. A copy of the updated survey must be kept on site until the renovation or demolition activities are completed.

    Lead Paint
    A lead paint survey must be provided for any building constructed prior to 1980 and for any exterior structure (i.e. painted handrails) that may be affected by a construction project, regardless of age. Materials identified as having lead paint must be further characterized to determine if they are subject to hazardous waste disposal restrictions. Lead survey information must be provided to the contractor and the contractor must comply with applicable training requirements as required by OSHA and the EPA.
    PCB Caulking
    Samples of caulking in buildings constructed prior to 1978 must be analyzed for the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) if the material will be impacted by renovation or demolition activities. Caulking containing concentrations of PCBs equal to or greater than 50 ppm shall be handled and disposed of as hazardous waste.
    Lamp Ballasts
    All ballasts (PCB and non-PCB) must be collected for disposal, containers for ballast disposal can be obtained by contacting EHS Hazardous Materials Management. Drums must be labeled and closed during accumulation. Fifty-five-gallon drums should not be filled more than two-thirds of the way due to the weight. PCB ballasts must be segregated from non-PCB ballasts.
    Lamps and HID Light Bulbs
    Fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs must be handled by EH&S HMM. Other specialty bulbs which also may contain mercury must be handled by EH&S as well. All spent lamps, or the container which they are in, must be labeled clearly with the number of bulbs in the box, the date, and the following phrase: "Universal Waste—Lamp(s)". Lamp boxes and labels are available through EH&S at no cost. Lamps must be stored in a manner to keep them from breaking and the container from degrading.
    Mercury Containing Equipment
    There are many types of equipment that contain elemental mercury. Before disposing of any of these types of equipment, you should verify that they do not contain mercury. Mercury containing devices should be handled with caution to prevent spillage. Devices should be handled intact, sealed, and packaged to prevent breakage.

    All used mercury containing equipment must be labeled clearly with the date and the words "Universal Waste—Mercury Containing Equipment".

    Batteries
    Storage batteries and other batteries which contain hazardous metals such as mercury, lead, silver, or cadmium must be handled by EH&S. All used batteries must be clearly labeled with the date and the following phrase: "Universal Waste — Battery(ies)". Bagging small batteries in non conductive material will help prevent fires.
    Aerosol Cans
    Aerosol cans which are empty of all contents can be disposed of as “regular” trash by placing in any waste receptacle. If there are contents still in the can, the aerosol product should be placed in an appropriate outer container (e.g. fiberboard drum) with a hazardous waste label affixed to it.
    Chemicals
    Disposal of hazardous chemicals must be coordinated with EHS. Never dispose of chemicals onto the ground, into water bodies, or the stormwater system.
    Electronics
    Disposal of electronic waste should be coordinated with Asset Management.
    Ionizing Smoke Detectors
    Ionizing type smoke detectors contain an ionizing radiation source. These must be collected and disposed of through EH&S. It is critical that the entire smoke detector unit is collected as some designs use multiple radioactive sources located in different parts of the unit. Ionizing smoke detectors are marked with the isotope and the amount of activity present. If you have questions about identifying and or disposing of smoke detectors contact Chemical and Radioactive Waste Disposal at 352-392-8400.
    Storm Water Protection/Illicit Discharge Prevention
    Under its NPDES Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, the University of Florida is required to protect storm water by informing businesses operating on campus of the hazards associated with illicit discharges and improper disposal of waste. Illicit discharges to UF’s storm sewer system are carried to Lake Alice and other local waterbodies where they will adversely impact water quality and the aquatic environment.

    General Guidelines

    Illicit discharges are prohibited under the UF Policy to Prohibit Illicit Storm Water Discharge. Businesses (vendors or contractors) operating on campus on a regular or temporary basis are subject to any and all consequences listed in this policy up to and including trespass from campus, contract termination and civil or criminal prosecution for violation of UF policy or state and federal regulation.

    Any discharge of materials or waste other than rainwater to the University of Florida storm sewer system is considered an illicit discharge.  Illicit discharges may occur intentionally or by failure to prevent discharge or release of materials used or generated on campus by the business or its employees.

    Common materials prohibited from entering the storm water system include but are not limited to the following:

    • Hazardous Materials/Waste
    • Paint or paint washings or waste
    • Food Service/Cooking Oil Waste
    • Vehicle/equipment/building wash effluent
    • Leaks/discharges from vehicles/equipment
    Reporting Spills to the Storm Water System

    Upon discovery, any illicit discharge to the UF storm sewer system must be reported immediately to UF Environmental Health and Safety (352)-392-8400 during normal work hours or to University Police Department (352) 392-1111 after normal work hours.

    Waste Labels
    Waste labels are available at no cost from EH&S Hazardous Materials Management. Use the Hazardous Waste Management General Mailbox to make a request.
    Planning Assistance

    Matt Doty
    EH&S Coordinator
    (352) 392-8400

    Tom Ladun (Assistance for asbestos and lead)
    EH&S Coordinator
    (352) 392-1591

    University of Florida
    Gainesville, FL 32611
    (352) 392-3261

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