Special Waste Disposal Procedures
American Ref-Fuel may accept non-hazardous industrial and pharmaceutical waste for destruction only after receipt of the appropriate approval. In addition, approval from the applicable regulatory agency is required in some cases.
American Ref-Fuel requires special waste customers and transporters to observe the following requirements. This is to ensure that the waste is disposed of safely and to safeguard the well being of our employees and the communities where our facilities are located. Failure to observe these procedures may result in a surcharge and/or rejection of a load.
Types of waste that are not acceptable at any American Ref-Fuel facility:
• RCRA hazardous waste, (waste that is RCRA ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic). These wastes are also not permitted as part of a split load.
• Inhalable carcinogens (material known to cause cancer in human subjects)
• Regulated medical waste, including live vaccines and unused sharps
• Radioactive waste
• Waste that contains >1% iodine
• Highly halogenated waste
• PCB containing waste
• Asbestos containing waste
• Cytotoxic waste
• Bunker oil
• Waste of a size that would prohibit it from being combusted
Due to the unique characteristics of some special wastes, they are acceptable only under certain conditions, and may be limited in quantity, feed rate, and/or handling.
General Disposal Requirements
• To prevent shifting or tipping over, waste must be packaged in suitable containers.
All drums and other suitable containers must be on pallets and tightly
shrink-wrapped or banded (use of steel or plastic banding suggested). Loads
delivered loose on pallets will be rejected, also, loads that are inadequately
shrink-wrapped will be subject to rejection of they are considered inadequately
secured. Heavy weighted pallets or skids should not be placed on top of lighter pallets or skids. Loads that are deemed unsafe may be rejected. Suitable containers include cardboard boxes, plastic drums or fiber drums. Please check the plant specific procedural lists for acceptability regarding steel drums.
• All waste must be clearly labeled to reflect the contents and must be in conformance with
DOT regulations. Waste should be labeled such that it matches the
Customer's Approval Report. Labels should have the customer's name, address, type of waste, and
Ref-Fuel's approval number. Labels for drummed waste should indicate, in large
bold letters, whether the drums have powders, liquid, etc. Waste that is not labeled or does not match the approval report may be rejected.
• An inventory list of the shipment should be attached to the Manifest or
Non-Hazardous Bill of Lading.
• A non-hazardous manifest (available from the Special Waste Coordinator) or bill of lading must accompany each shipment.
Hazardous manifests are not acceptable.
• A licensed non-hazardous waste hauler must transport the waste.
• Each special waste delivery must be scheduled at least 24 hrs in advance with the special waste coordinator. Loads can be scheduled by calling 888-Ref-Fuel (888-733-3835), ext.
4965 or by e-mail,
adennis@ref-fuel.com.
• Please provide the following information when scheduling a load - customer name, generator name, account number, approval number, name of transporter, type of vehicle, amount of pallets/skids, witness loads (indicate amount of witnesses, direct feed or modified burn, elevator or pit burn), facility waste is being delivered to, and whether transportation needs to be arranged.
• Please notify the special waste coordinator when the scheduled time cannot be kept.
Tipping Floor Safety:
• Anyone wanting to enter the floor must obtain permission of the floor attendant/operator. Before entering the tipping floor, you will need to have on an orange/reflective safety vest (or equivalent), a hard hat, hearing protection in the form of earplugs or earmuffs and in some cases a strobe light. Anyone who will be on the floor for an extended period will need to have a radio or be with someone who does.
• Directions issued verbally by the facility's tipping floor attendant or loader operator must be followed.
• No alcoholic beverages, illegal substance or firearms are permitted on site.
• No smoking or open flames are allowed in or near the tipping floor at any time.
• No one should urinate on the tipping floor or on any facility grounds.
• No pilfering of waste is allowed. This is a criminal offense punishable by law.
• No child under 17 is allowed on the premises.
Plant Specific Disposal Procedures and Receiving Hours
(Each of our six facilities differs in the specific types of waste they can handle)
Hempstead, NY
• Delivery hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Liquid waste is not acceptable except in consumer packaging.
• Contaminated soil, sludge, and tank bottoms are not acceptable.
• Used oil and used oil debris is not acceptable.
• Toner waste is not acceptable.
• TSDF waste is not acceptable - "New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation", (NYSDEC) will not approve generic requests.
• Industrial waste and unfinished pharmaceutical waste must be approved by NYSDEC.
• Metal drums must have tops that can be popped open.
• Powders in metal drums are not acceptable.
• Finished pharmaceutical products, confiscated goods, documents, and food products require ARSWSC and facility approval only. NYSDEC approval is not necessary.
• Use a trailer with swing doors when triple stacking a load.
• Trucks are required to have a New York State, (NYS), Part 364 permit to haul non-hazardous industrial waste.
Essex, NJ
• Delivery hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Containers 20 gallons or larger of liquid waste are not acceptable.
• Contaminated soil is not acceptable.
• Toner waste is not acceptable.
• Metal drums must have tops that can be popped open.
• Triple stacked pallets are not acceptable.
• ARSWSC and facility must approve waste stream. State approval is not necessary.
• Trucks over 7,000 lbs. are required to have a New Jersey A-901 permit and valid DEP stickers to haul non-hazardous industrial waste.
Niagara, NY
• Delivery hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or by special appointment.
• Bulk liquids (in drums, totes, or tankers) may be acceptable. However, the quantity may be limited.
Tanker must be equipped with its own compressor or pump. Haulers need to be able
to get 10-30 psig on the tanker if they have a compressor. Tanker must have a
minimum of 20 feet of hose and hose must have Camlock fittings. Niagara's spray
nozzle is 3-inch Camlock fitting.
• Containers must be clearly marked as to content in bold, large letters (eg. POWDERS, LIQUID, ETC.)
• Containers with powders must be combustible
• Toner will only be received in pallet mounted Super-sacks or Gaylord boxes with sealed liners. No other shipping containers are acceptable. In addition we must insist that shipping containers be in good condition (i.e. no leakage). Any material that is improperly packaged will be evaluated by our Shift Supervisor and if necessary returned to the shipper at their expense.
• Metal drums are acceptable.
• All waste must be approved by the NYSDEC.
• Trucks are required to have a NYS Part 364 permit or acceptable permits from other states to haul non-hazardous industrial waste.
Chester, PA
• Delivery hours are Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Up to 5-gallon containers of bulk liquid waste is acceptable on an occasional basis.
• Bulk powder waste is acceptable in small quantities, up to 10% of the load. Full loads may be accepted with minimum 48-hours advanced notice.
• Trucks are required to have a PADEP ACT 90 STICKER. Use the website https://www.dep.state.pa.us/
to apply for stickers.
• Metal drums are not acceptable.
• Fiber drums should be 5 - 15 gals in size
• TSDF waste is not acceptable - "The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection", (PADEP), will not approve generic requests.
• Contaminated soils and sludges are not acceptable.
• All material must be approved by the PADEP.
Semass, MA
• Delivery hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Liquid waste is not acceptable
• Powders are not acceptable.
• Metal drums are not acceptable.
• ARSWSC and facility must approve waste stream. State approval is not necessary.
Preston, CT
• 48 hours written notice required prior to delivery.
• Delivery hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Liquid waste is acceptable, provided it is not leaking from the container or truck.
• If the generator of the waste stream uses knowledge to characterize it, they must write a letter detailing the thought process.
• Metal drums or containers are not acceptable.
• ARSWSC and facility must approve waste stream. State approval is not necessary.
Driver Guidelines
• Directions issued verbally by the facility's Tipping Floor Attendant or Loader Operator must be followed.
• No alcoholic beverages, illegal substance or firearms are permitted on site.
• No smoking or open flames are allowed in or near the tipping floor at any time.
• No one should urinate on the tipping floor or on any facility grounds.
• No children under 17 are allowed on the premises
• It is strongly recommended that haulers wear appropriate clothing while on the tipping floor (sturdy non-slip boots or shoes, shirt, long pants, bard hat and safety glasses, reflective traffic vest).
• Truck drivers must obey all posted speed limits, speed bumps, traffic direction, and truck instruction signs.
• Upon entry to the facility, all drivers/helpers are to remain in the cab of the vehicle.
• No one can ride on the back of a vehicle or walk along side when the vehicle is moving.
• After receiving authorization to dump from the scale house attendant, proceed to the tipping floor maintaining the posted speed limit at all times.
• Proceed to the tipping floor entrance door and stop until directed by the tipping floor attendant.
• After entering the tipping floor, only one person may exit the cab to unlatch the tailgate.
• The designated individual who exits the delivery vehicle must stay within 6 feet of their vehicle when in the tipping building.
• Where a truck "helper" is used, the helper should unlatch from opposite the driver side first, then move to the drivers side where he/she can be seen.
• Helpers should remain with their vehicle at all times.
• Drivers/helpers are not allowed in the operating areas of the facility.
• Be aware of other traffic movement around you at all times.
• Use every other bay position where possible.
• No one can walk within six feet of the curb in front of the refuse storage pit. A harness and lifeline must be worn for work that must be performed within the 6-fbot boundary
• Haulers must verify that the crane grapple is clear of the area in front of the tipping bay before backing in for unloading.
• If you have to release your tailgate or equipment, stop so the back of the truck is at least 10 feet from the edge of the pit.
• Haulers must not bump vehicles or roll into or over the pit curbs.
• The practice of jogging the vehicle back and forth to jar the load loose should be avoided.
• Unlatch tailgates at least six (6) feet from the pit edge before backing toward the pit.
• Make sure that tailgate doors are secured to the side of containers/trailers, before dumping.
• After dumping, pull forward and safely clean the rear of the vehicle, if required.
• Vehicles opening from the back, such as rear packer vehicles, also present a danger when frozen up. No operator is to stand behind the vehicle to attempt to loosen the load.
• Vehicles cannot be left unattended.
• Close the tailgate and/or lower the body before exiting the tipping floor.
• Leave the floor via the floor exit door.
• Do not attempt to re-enter the tipping floor
• Proceed to scalehouse, and then exit.
• Drivers of disabled vehicles are not to leave the immediate vicinity of their vehicle. Under no circumstances will the driver be permitted to repair or service his vehicle while on American Ref-Fuel premises without first going through ARC -safety orientation and obtaining a safe work permit.
• Drivers are obligated to remove disabled trucks from the facility. American Ref-Fuel reserves the right to tow a disabled vehicle from the main traffic flow.
• Drivers that do not observe these rules are subject to ejection from the site, up to and including being banned from the facility along with their company.
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