California DTSC Re-Adopts “Emergency” Hazardous Waste Regulations for CRTs

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) announced it will re-adopt emergency regulations for facilities that manage cathode ray tubes (CRTs). Originally implemented in 2012, and re-adopted in 2014, the emergency CRT rules provide generators with some relief from the California Universal Waste standards and allow generators to pursue alternative methods of recycling and disposal.

The emergency CRT rules now will remain in effect until September 15, 2018.

See DTSC’s notification, which was sent by mail last month, here.

Why Did DTSC Adopt “Emergency” CRT Rules?

CRTs are commonly found in older model televisions and computer monitors. As technology advances and fewer companies manufacture CRTs, the options for recycling CRTs have become sparse. One of the few options for recycling CRTs allowed under California law was to use them in the production of new CRT glass. Think of it this way: What if you could only dispose of your old cassette tapes by selling those tapes to a cassette tape manufacturer? It could be a challenge to get rid of those tapes!

With fewer and fewer new CRTs being manufactured, facilities that generate CRTs are left to manage, handle, and dispose of them in line with exacting hazardous and universal waste rules under California’s Title 22 regulations and Health and Safety Code (HSC). 
DTSC’s emergency CRT rules expand the universe of acceptable products CRT glass may be recycled into to include tiles, fiberglass, automotive glass, bricks, cast concrete, and others. See the full text of the amended CRT rules, found at 22 CCR, Division 4.5, Chapter 11, Section 66261.4, here.

As Lion News reported last week, hazardous waste violations involving unpermitted storage, handling, and disposal of cathode ray tubes recently resulted in multiple felony convictions for a California business owner.

Hazardous Waste Training for California EHS Professionals

If your site generates hazardous waste in California, knowing the Federal RCRA rules is not enough to ensure compliance. California’s State Health & Safety Code and Title 22 regulations set additional, State-specific requirements you must follow to avoid costly civil penalties, future liability, and even incarceration.

Be confident you know the specific hazardous waste management and reporting rules that apply to industry in California!  At the  California Hazardous Waste Management Workshop, satisfy your EPA and DTSC training requirement and get up to speed with the latest laws, rules, and CUPA interpretations that affect your business. Join an expert Lion instructor for the workshops in San Diego on September 26-27, Los Angeles on September 29-30, Bakersfield on October 3-4, and Oakland on October 6-7.

Can't make it to a workshop? The same trusted Title 22 training curriculum is now avaialble in an interactive, convenient online course for California generators.

Tags: DTSC, new rules, RCRA, state rules, universal waste