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Options for Storing Special Waste
When dangerous goods, such as oil or solvents, are no longer useful for their original purposes, they must be stored properly to ensure that that they are not released into the environment. If they are not appropriately stored, leaks or spills of special waste could contaminate ground water or soil.
You must obtain a special waste permit if you generate or store special waste. In addition, the storage of hazardous substances is regulated under the Yukon's Storage Tank Regulations (see the Storage Tank Regulation Fact Sheet). The National Fire Code also offers guidelines for storing hazardous materials.
Be Safe
The following storage procedures must be followed to prevent special waste from endangering public health or the environment:
- Store liquid special wastes in a tank if the volume is more than 205 litres or a container for smaller amounts. For transportation, flammable and combustible liquids must be stored in containers or tanks that meet the requirements of the federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
- Use secondary containment when storing tanks containing more than 4,000 litres, or storing more than twenty-four 45-gallon drums in one group. Secondary containment prevents leaks and spills from contaminating near-by water supplies, sewage systems or other areas.
- For 45-gallon drums, use drip pans or similar containers, or use two containers, one placed inside of the other.
- For tanks, use an approved clay or plastic liner or a curbed concrete pad surrounding the tank, and a spill containment device attached to the intake valve. The liner or pad and spill containment device must be made of materials that are compatible with the stored wastes.
- Keep records of the wastes you are storing; including type, volume, origin and storage location. Keep records accessible, as they may assist response teams if a spill or fire occurs.
- Cover containers stored outside to protect them from the weather. Containers should be stored in piles, with 1.5 metres between the piles.
- Ensure that containers are always closed, except when waste is added or removed.
- The volume of waste should not exceed the limits set out in the National Fire Code for flammable and combustible liquids. For example, used oil stored in piles should not exceed 85,000 litres in volume.
- If wastes with different flash points are stored together, use the storage requirements for the liquid with the lowest flash point.
- Containers should not be stored closer than 6 metres from a property line or a building on the property.
- Label the containers with the waste's identity (including PIN number), class, and packing group. This information can be found in Part 1 of your Special Waste Permit, and in the federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
- Wastes should not be mixed or diluted with other wastes or water. Mixing wastes with incompatible substances can be dangerous. This practice is illegal under the Special Waste Regulations; it also makes it more costly and difficult to dispose of your waste.
- When storing waste in tanks and containers, follow the National Fire Code guidelines with regard to:
- distance from buildings and property lines;
- distance between tanks;
- dikes and drainage; and
- fire department access.
Spills
The Special Waste Regulations state that a person who possesses or controls a special waste at the time of a release (spill), or who causes a release, must report the incident. Containment and clean-up action should begin as soon as possible to protect human health and the environment.
Spills must be reported immediately to the |