ECOSPACE (Waste Accumulation)

In this era of rapid technical development, waste management is a highly relevant topic. This is especially true for industrial operators, as this activity falls under the environmental legislation of the Russian Federation. Consequently, there is a significant risk of receiving administrative fines for non-compliance with environmental protection requirements during waste management (Article 8.2 of the "Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses").

In practice, all responsibility in this area lies with the environmental engineer, the chief engineer, and the head of the enterprise.

However, waste is generated by the activities and daily lives of each of us; therefore, we must also possess certain knowledge in this field.

This is a broad issue. It is advisable to start with what constitutes production and consumption waste and how to accumulate it correctly.

Production and consumption waste refers to substances or objects generated during production, work performance, service provision, or consumption, which are disposed of, intended for disposal, or subject to disposal (Article 1 of Federal Law No. 89-FZ "On Production and Consumption Waste" dated June 24, 1998).

General procedure for temporary waste accumulation:

► The organization of temporary accumulation, recovery, treatment, transportation, and disposal of waste to reduce the adverse impact of production and consumption waste on public health and the human environment must be carried out taking into account the requirements of SanPiN 2.1.3684-21 regarding:

• implementation of modern low-waste and zero-waste technologies in the production process;
• minimization of their volume and reduction of their hazard during primary processing;
• prevention of their dispersion or loss during reloading, transportation, and intermediate storage.

► Waste management processes (waste life cycle) include the following stages: generation, accumulation and temporary storage, primary processing, transportation, recycling, storage, landfilling, and incineration.

► The management of each type of production and consumption waste depends on its origin, physical state, physicochemical properties of the substrate, quantitative ratio of components, and degree of hazard to public health and the human environment.

► Temporary storage of production and consumption waste that cannot be utilized at enterprises at the current level of scientific and technical progress is permitted.

Waste Accumulation

► Waste accumulation is permitted:

• on the production territory of the primary waste generators (manufacturers),
• at collection points,
• on open areas specifically equipped for this purpose.

► Depending on the technological and physicochemical characteristics of the waste, temporary accumulation is permitted:

• in production or auxiliary premises;
• in non-stationary storage facilities (under inflatable, openwork, and canopy structures);
• in reservoirs, accumulators, tanks, and other surface and underground specially equipped containers;
• in railcars, cisterns, trolleys, on platforms, and other mobile means;
• on open areas adapted for waste storage.

► Storage of bulk and volatile waste in open form indoors is not permitted.

► In closed warehouses used for the temporary accumulation of Hazard Class I-II waste, spatial isolation and separate storage of substances in individual compartments (bins) on pallets must be provided.

► Temporary accumulation on the production territory is carried out according to the shop-floor principle and/or centrally.

► Temporary accumulation conditions are determined by the waste hazard class and the packaging method, taking into account the physical state and reliability of the container.

In this case, the accumulation of solid waste:

• Class I - permitted exclusively in airtight reusable (exchangeable) containers (containers, drums, tanks);
• Class II - in securely closed packaging (polyethylene bags, plastic bags);
• Class III - in paper bags and bins, cotton bags, textile bags; Class IV - in bulk, heaps, or ridges.

► When accumulating waste in non-stationary warehouses, on open areas without packaging (in bulk, heaps), or in non-airtight containers, the following conditions must be met:

• the surface of waste stored in bulk or open receiving accumulators must be protected from atmospheric precipitation and wind (covering with tarpaulin, equipping with a canopy, etc.);
• the surface of the site must have an artificial waterproof and chemically resistant coating (asphalt, expanded clay concrete, polymer concrete, ceramic tiles, etc.);
• the perimeter of the site must be equipped with bunding and a separate storm drain network with autonomous treatment facilities; connection to local treatment facilities is permitted in accordance with technical specifications;
• the entry of contaminated storm runoff from this site into the general storm sewer system or discharge into nearby water bodies without treatment is not permitted.

► Accumulation of fine waste in open form (in bulk) on industrial sites without the use of dust suppression measures is not permitted.

► Waste disposal in natural or artificial depressions in the terrain (excavations, pits, quarries, etc.) is permitted only after special preparation of the bed based on pre-project studies.

► Low-hazard (Class IV) and practically non-hazardous (Class V) waste may be temporarily accumulated (stored) both on the enterprise's industrial site and outside it in the form of specially planned special points, landfills, dumps, and storage facilities.

► If waste of different hazard classes is present, the calculation of the maximum quantity for one-time storage must be determined by the presence and specific content of the most hazardous substances (Classes I-II).

► The frequency of removal of accumulated waste from the enterprise's industrial site is regulated by established waste disposal limits defined in the draft waste generation standards and disposal limits (PNOOLR).

Waste that has exceeded the accumulation volume in the established accumulation area or exceeds the hygienic standards for human environment quality is subject to immediate removal from the territory.