(a) All solid wastes (or materials which have been separated for the purpose of recycling) shall be stored in such a manner that they do not constitute a fire, health, or safety hazard or provide food or harborage for vectors, and shall be contained or bundled so as not to result in spillage. All solid waste containing food wastes shall be securely stored in covered or closed containers which are nonabsorbent, leakproof, durable, easily cleanable (if reusable), and designed for safe handling. Containers shall be of an adequate size and in sufficient numbers to contain all food wastes, rubbish, and ashes that a residence or other establishment generates in the period of time between collections. Containers shall be maintained in a clean condition so that they do not constitute a nuisance, and to retard the harborage, feeding, and breeding of vectors. When serviced, storage containers should be emptied completely of all solid waste.

(b) Storage of bulky wastes shall include, but is not limited to, removing all doors from large household appliances and covering the item(s) to reduce the problems of an attractive nuisance, and the accumulation of solid waste and water in and around the bulky items.

(c) Reusable waste containers which are emptied manually shall not exceed 75 pounds (34.05 kg) when filled, and shall be capable of being serviced without the collector coming into physical contact with the solid waste.

(d) In the design of all buildings or other facilities which are constructed, modified, or leased after the effective date of these guidelines, there shall be provisions for storage in accordance with these guidelines which will accommodate the volume of solid waste anticipated, which may be easily cleaned and maintained, and which will allow for efficient, safe collection.

(e) Waste containers used for the storage of solid waste (or materials which have been separated for recycling) must meet the standards established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for waste containers as follows: Waste Containers—Safety Requirements, 1994, American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z245.30-1994; and Waste Containers—Compatibility Dimensions, 1996, American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z245.60-1996.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You may obtain a copy from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. You may inspect a copy at the Environmental Protection Agency's RCRA Information Center, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

(a) Reusable waste containers should be constructed of corrosion resistant metal or other material which will not absorb water, grease, or oil. The containers should be leakproof, including sides, seams, and bottoms, and be durable enough to withstand anticipated usage without rusting, cracking, or deforming in a manner that would impair serviceability. The interior of the container should be smooth without interior projections or rough seams which would make it difficult to clean or interfere with its emptying. The exterior of the container should be safe for handling with no cracks, holes, or jagged edges. Containers should be stored on a firm, level, well-drained surface which is large enough to accommodate all of the containers and which is maintained in a clean, spillage-free condition.

(1) Reusable waste containers which are emptied manually should have a capacity of no more than 35 gallons (132.51) in volume, unless they are mounted on casters and can be serviced by being rolled to the collection vehicle and tilted for emptying. The containers should be constructed with rounded edges and tapered sides with the larger diameter at the top of the container to facilitate discharge of the solid waste by gravity. Containers should have two handles or bails located directly opposite one another on the sides of the container. Containers should have covers which are tight-fitting to resist the intrusion of water and vectors, and should be equipped with a suitable handle. Containers should be designed so that they cannot be tipped over easily.

(2) Reusable waste containers which are emptied mechanically should be designed or equipped to prevent spillage or leakage during on-site storage, collection, or transport. The container should be easily cleanable and designed to allow easy access for depositing the waste and removing it by gravity or by mechanical means. The containers should be easily accessible to the collection vehicle in an area which can safely accommodate the dimensions and weight of the vehicle.

(b) Single-use plastic and paper bags should meet the National Sanitation Foundation Standard No. 31 for polyethylene refuse bags and Standard No. 32 for paper refuse bags, respectively. However, such bags do not need to have been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation. Single-use bags containing food wastes should be stored within the confines of a building or container between collection periods.

Collection systems shall be operated in such a manner as to protect the health and safety of personnel associated with the operation.

(a) All solid waste collection personnel should receive instructions and training in safe container and waste handling techniques, and in the proper operation of collection equipment, such as those presented in Operation Responsible: Safe Refuse Collection.

(b) Personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, respirators, and footwear should be used by collection employees, as appropriate. This equipment should meet the applicable provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standards for Subpart I—Personal Protective Equipment (29 CFR 1910.132 through 1910.137).

(c) Scavenging should be prohibited at all times to avoid injury and to prevent interference with collection operations.

(d) When conducting carryout collection, a leakproof and puncture-proof carrying container should be used to minimize the potential for physical contact between the collector and the solid waste or the liquids which may derive from it.

(a) All vehicles used for the collection and transportation of solid waste (or materials which have been separated for the purpose of recycling) which are considered to be operating in interstate or foreign commerce shall meet all applicable standards established by the Federal Government, including, but not limited to, Motor Carrier Safety Standards (49 CFR parts 390 through 396) and Noise Emission Standards for Motor Carriers Engaged in Interstate Commerce (40 CFR part 202). Federally owned collection vehicles shall be operated in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (49 CFR parts 500 through 580).

(b) All vehicles used for the collection and transportation of solid waste (or materials which have been separated for the purpose of recycling) shall be enclosed or adequate provisions shall be made for suitable cover, so that while in transit there can be no spillage.

(c) The equipment used in the compaction, collection, and transportation of solid waste (or materials which have been separated for the purpose of recycling) shall be constructed, operated, and maintained in such a manner as to minimize health and safety hazards to solid waste management personnel and the public. This equipment shall be maintained in good condition and kept clean to prevent the propagation or attraction of vectors and the creation of nuisances.

(d) Collection equipment used for the collection, storage, and transportation of solid waste (or materials which have been separated for recycling) must meet the standards established by the American National Standards Institute as follows: Mobile Refuse Collection and Compaction Equipment—Safety Requirements, 1992, American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z245.1-1992; and Stationary Compactors—Safety Requirements, 1997, American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z245.2-1997.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You may obtain a copy from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. You may inspect a copy at the Environmental Protection Agency's RCRA Information Center, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

(a) Whenever possible, enclosed, metal, leak-resistant compactor vehicles should be used for the collection of solid wastes.

(b) Safety devices, including, but not limited to, the following should be provided on all collection vehicles:

(1) Exterior rear-view mirrors.

(2) Back-up lights.

(3) Four-way emergency flashers.

(4) Easily accessible first aid equipment.

(5) Easily accessible fire extinguisher.

(6) Audible reverse warning device.

(c) If crew members ride outside the cab of the collection vehicle for short trips the vehicle should be equipped with handholds and platforms big enough to safeguard against slipping.

(d) Vehicle size should take into consideration: Local weight and height limits for all roads over which the vehicle will travel; turning radius; and loading height in the unloading position to insure overhead clearance in transfer stations, service buildings, incinerators, or other facilities.

(e) Engines which conserve fuel and minimize pollution should be used in collection vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and air pollution.

(a) Collection vehicles should be maintained and serviced according to manufacturers' recommendations, and receive periodic vehicle safety checks, including, but not limited to, inspection of brakes, windshield wipers, taillights, backup lights, audible reverse warning devices, tires, and hydraulic systems. Any irregularities should be repaired before the vehicle is used. Vehicles should also be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week.

(b) Solid waste should not be allowed to remain in collection vehicles over 24 hours and should only be left in a vehicle overnight when this practice does not constitute a fire, health, or safety hazard.

Solid wastes (or materials which have been separated for the purpose of recycling) shall be collected with frequency sufficient to inhibit the propagation or attraction of vectors and the creation of nuisances. Solid wastes which contain food wastes shall be collected at a minimum of once during each week. Bulky wastes shall be collected at a minimum of once every 3 months.

(a) The minimum collection frequency consistent with public health and safety should be adopted to minimize collection costs and fuel consumption. In establishing collection frequencies, generation rates, waste composition, and storage capacity should be taken into consideration.

(b) When solid wastes are separated at the point of storage into various categories for the purpose of resource recovery, a collection frequency should be designated for each waste category.

The collection of solid wastes (or materials which have been separated for the purpose of recycling) shall be conducted in a safe, efficient manner, strictly obeying all applicable traffic and other laws. The collection vehicle operator shall be responsible for immediately cleaning up all spillage caused by his operations, for protecting private and public property from damage resulting from his operations, and for creating no undue disturbance of the peace and quiet in residential areas in and through which he operates.

(a) Records should be maintained detailing all costs (capital, operating, and maintenance) associated with the collection system. These records should be used for scheduling maintenance and replacement, for budgeting, and for system evaluation and comparison.

(b) The collection system should be reviewed on a regular schedule to assure that environmentally adequate, economical, and efficient service is maintained.

(c) Solid waste collection systems should be operated in a manner designed to minimize fuel consumption, including, but not limited to, the following procedures.

(1) Collection vehicle routes should be designed to minimize driving distances and delays.

(2) Collection vehicles should receive regular tuneups, tires should be maintained at recommended pressures, and compaction equipment should be serviced regularly to achieve the most efficient compaction.

(3) Compactor trucks should be used to reduce the number of trips to the disposal site.

(4) When the distance or travel time from collection routes to disposal sites is great, transfer stations should be used when cost effective.

(5) Residential solid waste containers which are serviced manually should be placed at the curb or alley for collection.

(6) For commercial wastes which do not contain food wastes, storage capacity should be increased in lieu of more frequent collection.

1. American National Standard Z245.1. Safety standard for refuse collection equipment. New York. The American National Standards Institute.

2. Decision-Makers guide in solid waste management. Environmental Protection Publication SW-127. Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1974.

3. Grupenhoff, B. L., and K. A. Shuster. Paper and plastic solid waste sacks; a summary of available information; a Division of Technical Operations open-file report (TO 18.1.03.1). [Cincinnati], U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1971. 17 p. [Restricted distribution].

4. Hegdahl, T. A., Solid waste transfer stations; a state-of-the-art report on systems incorporating highway transportation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1972, 160 p. (Distributed by National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia, as PB 213 511).

5. National Sanitation Foundation standard no. 31 for polyethylene refuse bags. Ann Arbor, The National Sanitation Foundation, May 22, 1970. 6 p.

6. National Sanitation Foundation standard no. 32 for paper refuse sacks. Ann Arbor, The National Sanitation Foundation, Nov. 13, 1970. 6 p.

7. National Sanitation Foundation standard no. 13 for refuse compactors and compactor systems. Ann Arbor, The National Sanitation Foundation, March 1973. 12 p.

8. Operation responsible (a safety training manual for S.W. Collection): Safe refuse collection: instructor's manual with slides, training manual with slides, and 16 mm film. Available from the National Audiovisual Center, General Services Administration, Washington, DC 20409.

9. Ralph Stone and Company, Inc. The use of bags for solid waste storage and collection. Environmental Protection Publication SW-42d. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1972. 264 p. (Distributed by National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia, as PB 212 590).

10. Shuster, K. A., and D. A. Schur. Heuristic routing for solid waste collection vehicles. Environmental Protection Publication SW-113. Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1974. 45 p.

11. Shuster, K. (Office of Solid Waste Management Programs.) Analysis of fuel consumption for solid waste management. Unpublished data, January 1974.

12. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Pesticides and pesticides containers; regulations for acceptance and recommended procedures for disposal and storage. Federal Register, 39 (85): 15235-15241, May 1, 1974.

13. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Pesticides and pesticides containers; proposed regulations for prohibition of certain acts regarding disposal and storage. Federal Register, 39 (200): 36847-36950, October 15, 1974.