Chapter 5: Debris Monitoring by Debris Type
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televisions.
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Typically, these products contain minerals and chemicals that require specific
disposal methods. When monitoring ensure that:
• E-waste is removed intact, collected, and stored at the DMS for later processing;
• E-waste complies with state e-waste requirements where applicable;
• Separation and salvage activities are implemented and documented as this type of debris
may be recyclable or have salvage value; and
• E-waste is segregated (in wildfire events, white goods and E-waste may not be able to be
segregated and therefore should be documented as one).
White Goods
White goods are defined as discarded household appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air
conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers, and water heaters.
Many white goods contain ozone-depleting refrigerants, mercury, or compressor oils that must
be removed and processed following environmental protocols and procedures before the white
goods can be further processed for disposal and recycling. When monitoring:
• Document that white goods are collected separately, cleaned, and processed to remove
putrescent debris inside and to remove all
oils, solvents, and refrigerants (Figure 5).
• If white goods are to be collected without
being cleaned, verify and document that the
DMS includes ample space for processing
the collected white goods.
• This type of debris may be recyclable or
have salvage value. Document separation
and salvage activities that are implemented.
Soil, Mud, and Sand
Floods, landslides, winds, wildfires, and storm
surges often result in soil, mud, and sand debris on improved public property and public rights-
of-way. Facilities commonly affected by this type of debris include streets, sidewalks, storm and
sanitary sewers, water treatment facilities, drainage canals and basins, parks, and public
swimming pools. When monitoring:
• Document that only the disaster-generated silt and soils are removed. This requires an
understanding of pre-disaster conditions as well as the documented maintenance of the
affected area.
• Contaminated soils may require special handling depending on the contaminant.
Document any contaminated soil issues to ensure proper handling, processing, and
disposition.
• Verify that any contaminated disaster-generated soils are addressed by specialists from
the State’s DEQ and/or U.S. Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) and
managed appropriately in designated areas.
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40 C.F.R. Part 261.
Figure 5: White Goods Being Staged