SOLID WASTE (NONHAZARDOUS)
3–1. Scope
Solid waste (SW) includes garbage, rubbish, hazardous waste (HW), regulated medical waste, and human waste. This section only covers the management of garbage and rubbish (trash), which constitutes most of the waste generated by field activities. Garbage and rubbish include items such as discarded paper, plastic, cardboard, wood, metal, glass, construction debris, and food waste. Other types of SW are discussed in later chapters of this technical bulletin, medical (TB MED) as follows: hazardous and special waste – chapter 4, medical waste – chapter 5, and human waste – chapter 6.
3–2. Deployment planning
Effective waste management programs during deployments begin with careful planning. Prior to Army units occupying a base camp overseas, the Corps of Engineers (or other designated entity) should conduct an environmental baseline survey (EBS) of the proposed location according to field manual (FM) 3-100.4. The EBS identifies the general geologic, hydrogeologic, hydrologic, and/or topographic conditions of the area, as well as the potential for contaminant migration. In conjunction with the EBS, engineer and preventive medicine personnel should also conduct an environmental health site assessment (EHSA) according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E2318-03. The EHSA identifies exposure pathways that may affect the health of deployed personnel. Evaluation of the EBS and EHSA results helps leaders select the best disposal methods for solid waste (for example, landfill burial, incineration, or backhauling) and the best PPE for use during disposal activities.
3–3. Source reduction and reuse
Commanders, supervisors, and FST members should continually seek ways to reuse or reduce the generation of waste materials. Source reduction and reuse are the preferred means of pollution prevention, and are often easily implemented (for example, using empty meal, ready-to-eat (MRE) boxes as storage bins).
3–4. Recycling
Recycling is another excellent way to reduce the amount of SW requiring disposal on installations and in the field. The DLA (or its local equivalent) should determine what type of recycling program is used by the local municipality or host installation and should seek recycling support services. In most overseas deployment locations, shipping recyclable materials back to the United States is cost prohibitive, whereas participating in the local community recycling or Army installation program may be feasible.
3–5. Composting
a. General. Composting is a form of organic waste treatment that will reduce the volume of SW requiring disposal. The suitability of composting as a waste disposal method depends upon the amount of organic waste generated, susceptibility to vectors, available land and manpower, and duration of occupancy. There are various methods of composting that range in complexity in terms of labor and equipment requirements. Additional information is available from the USACHPPM Ground Water and Solid Waste Program Web site at http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/gwswp/SolidWaste/index.htm.
b. Approach. The supporting engineer unit (or waste contractor) should determine whether a composting program is operated by the local municipality or host installation and should participate if composting support services are available. Aerated (turned) windrow and in-vessel composting are not practical in most training and deployment settings due to the equipment and land space requirements.
3–6. Separation, storage, and collection
At the unit level, collection and storage of SW is the responsibility of the individual and is monitored by the FST.
a. Separation. Source separation should be used to remove recyclable, reusable, and marketable materials in order to reduce the quantity of waste requiring disposal. The best means of achieving appropriate segregation is by providing separate, labeled containers for different types of wastes. A less desirable option is to take wastes and recyclables to a consolidated segregation yard where assigned personnel manually separate the waste.
b. Storage. All SW should be placed in plastic bags, tied, and consolidated as quickly as possible at designated waste collection points. These collection points should employ closeable containers such as dumpsters or garbage cans with lids. Cardboard boxes should be broken down prior to placement in dumpsters to reduce volume. Waste collection points should be located at least 100 feet from dining facilities. Receptacles, dumpsters, and compactors used by dining establishments will also be cleaned according to the guidelines in TB MED 530. Before departing a field site, commanders should ensure no SW (including wire, sandbags, brass, and paper) remains in the training area.
c. Collection. Waste should be removed at least twice per week from collection points and daily from food service facilities. A contractor will often perform collection services, particularly if wastes are disposed in a municipal facility. The collection method will depend on the disposal method, which is a factor of unit size. Solid waste should be collected in a vehicle dedicated for that purpose. If a vehicle is converted for use in trash collection, this vehicle should have a low gate for easy access and a suitable cover, such as chicken wire or canvas, to keep trash from blowing off. Vehicles used to transport trash must be cleaned prior to use for other missions. For example, the truck must be cleaned and disinfected with a 200 milligrams per liter (mg/L) chorine solution prior to transporting foodstuffs.
3–7. Disposal
The primary options for SW disposal in the field are burial, burning, or backhauling. Within the United States, all SW generated during field exercises must be backhauled to garrison or picked up by contractors. During overseas training exercises, host nation requirements must be followed which normally require the same policies of backhauling or contract disposal. If incineration, burning, or landfilling is used during contingency operations, additional security measures must be taken to deter scavenging by local populations.
a. Incineration. In the absence of host nation support, the preferred method of SW disposal in the field is incineration (unless smoke and flames would compromise the tactical situation). This method should only be used for stays of a week or more. Corps of Engineer personnel should be consulted prior to construction or use of any incineration device. Open burning, to include barrel incinerators (figure 3–1), should only be used in emergency situations until approved incinerators can be obtained. The use of improper incinerators or burning methods can lead to significant environmental exposures to deployed troops. As a result, all burn operations should be conducted as far downwind as possible (at least 450 feet) from troop locations and living areas. Particular care must be taken to ensure no HW is incinerated—as explosions or toxic gases may result.
b. Burial. If burning or contract removal is not an option, SW must be buried. Soil types, rainfall, drinking water sources, and waste quantity are some of the factors to consider when using this waste disposal method. At a minimum, burial sites must be located at least 300 feet from any natural water source used for cooking or drinking such as a stream, lake, or well. The burial site should also be at least 100 feet from kitchens (or food consumption sites) to minimize problems with insects, rodents, and odor.
(1) Landfilling. Preexisting landfills should be used whenever possible. If an adequate landfill does not exist, the Corps of Engineers or a contractor may construct one. Care should be taken to ensure these landfills are maintained and operated properly, and permitted if required. Guidance for construction and operation of landfills is provided in technical manual (TM) 5-634, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 258 (40 CFR 258), and United Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-240-10A (formerly TM 5-814-5).
(2) Tactical burial. On the march, in bivouac, or in camps of less than 1-week duration, SW should be buried in pits or trenches. Pits are preferred for overnight halts. A pit 4 feet square and 4 feet deep is suitable for 1 day for a unit of 100 individuals (see figure 3–2). For stays greater than 2 days, a continuous trench is preferable since it can accommodate a large amount of garbage and allows for a daily coverage of earth as the trench is extended. The trench is first dug about 2 feet wide, 3 to 4 feet deep, and long enough to accommodate the garbage for the first day. As in the pit method, the trench is filled to not more than 1 foot from the top. The trench is extended as required, and the excavated dirt is used to cover and mound the garbage already deposited. This procedure is repeated daily or as often as garbage is dumped.
c. Destruction of classified materials. Army Regulation (AR) 380-5 addresses the destruction and disposal requirements for classified material. Classified material must be destroyed completely to prevent recognition or reconstruction of sensitive information. Approved destruction methods include crosscut shredding and burning.
Figure 3–1. Barrel incinerator.
d. Rations disposal. Coordinate with veterinary service personnel prior to disposal of unused government-purchased rations (for example, expired MREs). Veterinary personnel will provide specific disposal guidance such as burial, incineration, or release to local farmers for animal consumption.
e. Disposal of retrograde wastes. To prevent the introduction of foreign pests or disease into the United States, all garbage from retrograde cargo missions (flights or shipments originating from foreign countries) should be placed in leakproof containers and incinerated or sterilized according to U.S. Department of Agriculture clearance protocols. Following heat treatment, the waste material is safe for landfill or other disposal, except for feeding to animals. Landfills alone are not an acceptable means of disposing of garbage from foreign flights or vessels.