Characterization of Hazardous waste

Wastes having the following characteristics are classified as hazardous wastes:

Explosive Flammable liquids Flammable solids Substances or wastes liable to spontaneous combustion Substances or wastes, in contact with water emit flammable gases Oxidizing Organic Peroxides Poisonous (Acute) Infectious substances Corrosives Potential to liberate toxic gases in contact with air or water Toxic (delayed or chronic) Ecotoxic Capable, by any means, after disposal, of yielding another materials, eg., leachate which possesses any of the characteristics listed above

Responsibility
The responsibility of proper collection, reception, treatment, storage and disposal (proper handling) of hazardous wastes listed in schedule 1,2 & 3 lies with the occupier and operator of the facility.

Grant of authorization for handling hazardous wastes: (Rule 5 Sub rule 3)

Every occupier generating hazardous wastes and having a facility for collection, reception, treatment, transport, storage and disposal of such wastes shall apply in a Form 1 as specified in the rules (along with a fee as prescribed by the concern State Pollution Control Board) to the State Pollution Control Board for grant of authorization for any of the above activities. An operator of a facility (intended) for the collection, reception, treatment, transport, storage and disposal of hazardous waste shall also apply similarly for grant of authorization to State Pollution Control Board for any of the activities.

 The authorization complete in all respects shall be processed by Pollution Control Boards within 90 days of the receipt of such application. The authorization to operate for a facility shall be issued subject to laid down condition and would be enforced as specified by the State Board. Power to Suspend and Cancel an Authorization Failure to comply with any of the conditions of authorization/provisions of the rules may result in suspension/cancellation of authorization by State Pollution Control Board.

Packaging, labeling and transport of hazardous waste:

Proper labeling and packaging procedures should be followed (Packaging based on the composition, suitability for handling, storage and transport, both labeling and packing should be easily visible and be able to withstand physical and climatic factors, should follow {including transport} provisions of rules under Motor Vehicles Act 1988) as in form 8.

Occupier shall provide transporter 6 copies of the manifest (Form no 9) as per color code as under.
Copy 1 (white) : Forwarded to Pollution Control Board by the occupier Copy 2 (yellow) : Signed by the transporter and retained by the occupier, rest four copies carried by the transporter Copy 3 (Pink) : Retained by the operator of a facility Copy 4 (orange): Returned to the transporter by the operator of facility after accepting waste. Copy 5 (green) : Forwarded to Pollution Control Board by the operator of the facility Copy 6 (blue) : Returned to the occupier by the operator of the facility after disposal.

Recycling and Re-refining of Non-Ferrous Metal Wastes/Used Oil/Waste Oil (Rule 19)
A separate for (Form 11) has to be filled and submitted to the CPCB in triplicate for Grant/Renewal of Registration of Industrial Units Possessing Environmentally sound Management Facilities for Recycling/ Re-Refining Non-Ferrous Metal Wastes/Used Oil/Waste Oil. Similarly for filing returns, Recyclers/Rerefiners of Non-Ferrous Metal Wastes/Used Oil/Waste Oil have to submit a Form 12 as specified in the rules, to the State Pollution Control Board/ Committee by 31st January of every year. In case of auction/sale of nonferrous metal wastes/used oil/waste oil, a form 13 has to be filled for filing returns and submitted to the State Pollution Control Board/Committee by 31st January of every year.

Disposal of hazardous Wastes

Selection of Disposal Sites The occupier or any operator of a facility shall identify site for establishing hazardous waste disposal facility. For common hazardous waste disposal facility in the state, the state government, operator of a facility of any association of occupiers shall identify sites. A number of possible sites shall be identified after preliminary impact assessment. For final selection EIA shall be carried out and before notification of the site, the state government may invite public objection/suggestions and on receipt of these, if any, conduct a public hearing as per procedure under EIA notification. Pollution Control Boards has to notify the site and shall also publish & maintain inventory of the disposal sites in the state.

Design and setting up of a disposal facility

Design and setting up of a disposal facility shall be done by an occupier, any association or operator of the facility as per the guideline issued by the Central Pollution Control Board. The design and layout of the facility should be approved by the SPCB before setting up the disposal facility. SPCB also must supervise the TSDF during construction.

Operation and Closure of Landfill Site

The occupier or operator shall ensure safe and environmentally sound operation of the facility and closure of the facility (as per approved design)

Records and Returns

Records of generation, storage and disposal must be maintained (in form 3) for filing annual returns, in form 4 as specified. Submission of annual returns regarding disposal of hazardous wastes should be submitted to the State Pollution Control Board by 31st January of every year.

Accident Reporting and Fellow Up:

In case of accidents, state pollution control board must be notified the details of the accident as specified in Form 5 of the rules.

Import and Export of Hazardous Waste for Recycling and Reuse

Import and Export of hazardous waste is permitted (As per Schedule 3) as raw materials for recycling or reuse. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the nodal ministry to deal with transboundary movement of hazardous wastes for regulation. The authorities mentioned in Schedule 4 shall be responsible. Exporter has to apply in form 7 directly to the Ministry of Environment & Forests: MoEF would give final permission. Occupier exporting hazardous wastes shall provide detailed information in form 7A to the customs authority.

Import and Export of Hazardous Waste

Import and export of hazardous wastes for dumping or disposal shall not be permitted. For import of hazardous waste, importer must apply in form 6 to concerned State Pollution Control Board. SPCB examine the proposal, when they are convinced, they will forward the application to MoEF, after examining the application by concerned MoEF officials, permission may be granted subject to specified conditions or may refuse permission to import. Any person importing hazardous wastes shall maintain records of the waste imported as specified in form 7 which shall be open for inspection by the appointed statutory agencies.