C3. Solid Waste

Code 8.0

Participants shall implement a systematic approach to identify, manage, reduce, and responsibly dispose of or recycle solid waste (non-hazardous). Waste data shall be tracked and documented.

Elements to Demonstrate Compliance to RBA Code

1. Policy

Ensure the facility's environmental policy includes solid waste elements including:

• a. Solid waste is managed and responsibly disposed of
• b. Effort will be made to reduce solid waste.

2. Procedures & Practices

Procedures & Practices are in place such that:

• a. Solid waste is adequately and effectively categorized, handled, stored, moved:
  • i. Solid waste is stored in properly designed and maintained cabinets or storerooms.
  • ii. Solid waste is stored in appropriate containers that are properly labeled.
  • iii. Solid waste is properly handled, transported, used, and stored by appropriately trained personnel.
  • iv. Adequate control of temperature, security, ventilation, and fire risk is maintained in solid waste storage areas.
• b. Worker education and protection:
  • i. Hazard signage and information and waste characterization and response information is posted and provided.
  • ii. Personal protective equipment which is appropriate to the materials being handled is provided to workers.
  • iii. Workers are trained on the proper use, maintenance, and storage of personal protective equipment.
  • iv. Workers have the freedom to refuse tasks that the worker believes to be hazardous without penalty or termination.
  • v. Emergency eyewash and shower stations are available to workers in areas where chemicals and hazardous materials are used or stored.
• c. A documented, fully audited, waste management plan for proper disposal of all waste materials is in place. All waste is handled and disposed of under proper permits by persons authorized by law to handle such materials.
• d. An adequate and effective reduction program with:
  • i. Annual objectives
  • ii. Regular objective tracking
  • iii. Progress monitoring
  • iv. Adjustments made if off track.

NOTE: Reduction programs should not harm workers and the expectation is not something that is done at "any cost"/excessive cost such that the operations are uncompetitive.

• e. Engineering and administrative systems for improved resource efficiency adhere to the hierarchy of resource efficiency, reducing the generation of solid waste, when feasible, showing preference (in order) for the following functions:
  • i. Prevention: unnecessary consumptive processes are eliminated.
  • ii. Minimization: Process efficiency is improved.
  • iii. Substitution: Using a more environmentally benign or renewable resource.
  • iv. Reuse, recycling, recovery: In that order, to maximize the benefit of resource consumption.
• f. The facility sorts solid waste by type and sends recyclable materials offsite for reuse and recycling.
• g. The facility treats industrial and/or sanitary wastewater onsite in accordance with local laws and permit requirements.
• h. Treated wastewater is discharged to a municipal treatment system or to surface water (if allowed by local laws and regulations).
• i. Wastewater treatment equipment is included in a routine preventive maintenance program,
• j. Workers responsible for operating and maintaining wastewater treatment systems have received all necessary training.

3. Controls & Monitoring

Controls & Monitoring should include:

• a. Engineering and administrative systems intended to improve resource efficiency; reducing generation of solid waste, are in good repair or operating at high capacity.
• b. Access to solid waste is controlled.
• c. Potential employee exposure methods are adequate and effective such as:
  • i. Segregation
  • ii. Secondary containment
  • iii. Ventilation
  • iv. Fire protection

4. Records

Records are maintained including:

• a. Risk assessment results.
• b. Mitigation plans for all significant actual and potential risks identified, through the Hierarchy of controls and improvement objectives in a documented gated process, demonstrating that each hierarchy level has been fully evaluated and reasons why it could not address the risk fully before proceeding to the next hierarchal level, indicating the status of implementation, and resulting impact reduction including feedback of the affected internal and external stakeholders.
• c. Accurate waste inventory records are maintained and available for review.
• d. Inspection records of waste and their points of storage are maintained and available for review on site.
• e. Copies of waste manifests and shipping papers are maintained and available for review.
• f. Documents only vendors approved and/or licensed by the local regulatory authorities for transporting are used.
• g. Annual reduction targets, progress monitoring and corrective actions plans if applicable.

1.0.0 (2024-01-01)

Changed

• Initial release for RBA Code of Conduct 8.0: Comprehensive criterion covering solid waste identification, management, reduction, recycling, and disposal aligned with ISO 14001 and circular economy principles.