No Free Ride

Summary

This script highlights the crucial role of Homeland Security in protecting the US from agricultural threats posed by foreign insects and microorganisms. It emphasizes the importance of regulated garbage disposal by private firms, in partnership with USDA and CBP, to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. The video underscores the need for vigilance, adherence to strict procedures, and the use of appropriate equipment to ensure the nation's agricultural security.

Takeaways

• 🛃 The United States Homeland Security employs thousands of dedicated individuals and private companies to protect the country from various threats, including tiny foreign insects and microorganisms.
• 🔍 These tiny invaders can pose a significant threat to the nation's agriculture, environment, and economy if they are allowed to enter the country, potentially causing widespread damage.
• 🚮 Collecting, isolating, and disposing of foreign garbage is a critical job that requires vigilance, consistent procedures, and the right equipment to prevent the entry of foreign pests and diseases.
• 🏛 The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been developing and enforcing agricultural regulations for over 100 years to prevent harmful insects and microorganisms from entering the country.
• 🤝 The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection, a Department of Homeland Security agency, to apply these regulations.
• 📋 Compliance agreement holders, which are private firms, are responsible for disposing of regulated garbage in strict accordance with USDA regulations, covering all aspects of handling and disposing of potentially hazardous waste.
• 🧹 Different roles and responsibilities are assigned in various settings, such as airports and seaports, with caterers, cleaners, truckers, and processors all playing a part in the disposal process.
• 🔄 Recycling is an important aspect of the process, with specific procedures for recycling materials like aluminum, glass, plastic containers, cardboard, and paper, while ensuring they have not been in contact with certain types of waste.
• 🚫 A single lapse in procedure, such as improperly sealing a garbage container or inadequately cleaning up a spill, can lead to severe consequences, including job loss, fines, and legal prosecution.
• 🧴 Proper cleanup and disinfection are crucial in case of spills or accidents, with the use of EPA-approved disinfectants and adherence to safety protocols to prevent the escape of pests or microorganisms.
• 📝 Documentation and reporting of spills and incidents are mandatory, with records to be kept for 3 years, and local authorities to be informed for follow-up inspections to ensure no potential contamination.

Q & A

What is the primary role of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in relation to Homeland Security?

The USDA, specifically its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), develops and enforces agricultural regulations to prevent harmful insects and microorganisms from entering the country, playing a critical role in protecting the nation's agriculture, environment, and economy.

How do private companies contribute to Homeland Security in the context of the script?

Private companies, often as compliance agreement holders, provide essential services to the transportation industry, such as collecting, isolating, and disposing of regulated garbage, which includes foreign pests and diseases that could harm the United States' agriculture and environment.

What are the potential consequences of not properly handling foreign pests and diseases?

If foreign pests and diseases are not properly contained and disposed of, they could infest crops and livestock, spread quickly, and inflict widespread damage on the nation's agriculture, environment, and economy.

What is the significance of 'regulated garbage' in the script?

Regulated garbage refers to waste that may contain foreign pests and diseases, such as leftover food, dirty dishes, and discarded items from ships and planes. It must be handled and disposed of according to strict USDA regulations to prevent the spread of harmful organisms.

What are the responsibilities of compliance agreement holders in handling regulated garbage?

Compliance agreement holders are responsible for disposing of regulated garbage in strict accordance with USDA regulations. This includes ensuring proper sealing, storage, transportation, and disposal methods to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

What are the potential penalties for not following the proper procedures for handling regulated garbage?

Failure to follow proper procedures can result in job loss, fines of up to $250,000, and potential prosecution and jail time.

How is recycling handled in the context of regulated garbage?

Recycling of certain materials like aluminum, glass, plastic containers, cardboard, and paper is allowed under specific conditions. For example, containers that have never held dairy products and have been kept separate from garbage may be recycled, while those in contact with dairy products or mixed with food waste must be incinerated or sterilized.

What steps are taken to ensure that spills involving regulated garbage do not lead to contamination?

In the event of a spill, the area must be immediately contained, cleaned with an EPA-approved disinfectant, and thoroughly rinsed. The spill must be documented in a spill log and reported to local DHS Customs and Border Protection or USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine office for follow-up inspection.

What are the transportation requirements for moving regulated garbage from the point of collection to the processing facility?

Regulated garbage must be transported in leak-proof containers within vehicles approved for this purpose. The route should be as direct as possible, preferably through developed areas to minimize the risk of spreading agricultural threats.

What methods are used to dispose of regulated garbage after it has been removed from planes or ships?

Regulated garbage can be disposed of through sterilization, incineration, or other approved methods. Sterilizers use high temperature and pressure, while incineration reduces all biological material to ash, which can be disposed of separately.

How can individuals and companies support Homeland Security efforts in relation to agricultural threats?

Individuals and companies can support Homeland Security by consistently following USDA regulations and procedures for handling and disposing of regulated garbage, ensuring that even the smallest threats do not harm the country's agriculture and environment.

Outlines

00:00

🛃 Homeland Security and Agricultural Protection

The first paragraph introduces the critical role of Homeland Security in protecting the United States from threats, including tiny foreign insects and microorganisms that could harm the nation's agriculture, environment, and economy. It highlights the importance of collecting, isolating, and disposing of foreign garbage, which is a task performed by thousands of dedicated individuals and private companies in partnership with the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and US Customs and Border Protection. The paragraph emphasizes the need for vigilance, consistent procedures, and the right equipment to prevent the entry of foreign pests and diseases.

05:01

🧼 Regulated Garbage Handling and Recycling Procedures

The second paragraph delves into the specific procedures for handling and recycling regulated garbage in the aviation and maritime industries. It describes the responsibilities of catering crews, cleaners, and other contractors in removing and isolating waste materials that could harbor pests. The paragraph outlines the importance of proper sealing, storage, and disposal methods, including sterilization or incineration, as well as the recycling of certain materials like aluminum, glass, and specific types of cardboard and paper. It also addresses the need for preparedness in dealing with spills and accidents, ensuring that no harmful organisms escape into the environment.

10:03

🚚 Transporting Regulated Garbage with Caution

This paragraph focuses on the transportation of regulated garbage, detailing the requirements for overland hauling, including the use of leak-proof containers and vehicles approved for this purpose. It discusses the preferred routes that avoid rural areas to minimize agricultural threats and the need for preparedness in case of spills or accidents. The paragraph also covers the procedures for offloading at treatment facilities and the responsibility of haulers to clean and disinfect containers after use. It underscores the importance of proper documentation and reporting to relevant authorities to prevent environmental contamination.

15:05

🔥 Sterilization, Incineration, and Disposal of Regulated Garbage

The final paragraph discusses the various methods for treating regulated garbage to eliminate biohazards, including sterilization, cooking, and incineration. It explains the processes and requirements for each method, such as maintaining a minimum temperature for a specified duration to ensure the destruction of microorganisms and pests. The paragraph also touches on the record-keeping aspect of these treatments and the disposal options, such as landfills or energy production from waste. It concludes by emphasizing the role of compliance agreement holders and their employees in contributing to homeland security by following regulations and procedures diligently.

Keywords

💡Homeland Security

Homeland Security refers to the collective efforts of the United States government to protect the nation against threats, including terrorism, natural disasters, and other dangers. In the video's context, it is associated with the protection against foreign insects and microorganisms that could harm the country's agriculture and environment. The script mentions 'the face of Homeland Security' to describe the people and agencies involved in this protective mission.

💡Regulated Garbage

Regulated garbage in the script refers to the waste material that is potentially hazardous and requires specific handling procedures to prevent the spread of foreign pests and diseases. It includes leftover food, dirty dishes, and other items that could harbor harmful organisms. The video emphasizes the importance of following strict regulations for the collection, isolation, and disposal of this type of waste to safeguard the country's agricultural and environmental health.

💡Agricultural Threats

Agricultural threats are foreign insects, microorganisms, or diseases that could negatively impact the United States' crops, livestock, and overall agricultural sector. The script discusses how these tiny invaders, if allowed to enter the country, could spread quickly and cause widespread damage. The efforts to collect, isolate, and dispose of foreign garbage are directly related to mitigating these agricultural threats.

💡USDA

The USDA, or United States Department of Agriculture, is a governmental agency responsible for developing and enforcing agricultural regulations. In the script, it is mentioned that the USDA has been working for over 100 years to prevent harmful insects and microorganisms from entering the country. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), a part of the USDA, leads the effort to protect against agricultural threats in partnership with other agencies.

💡APHIS

APHIS stands for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is a division within the USDA. The script highlights APHIS's role in heading the effort to protect the United States from agricultural pests and diseases. It works in conjunction with other agencies, such as US Customs and Border Protection, to ensure the enforcement of regulations related to the handling and disposal of regulated garbage.

💡Compliance Agreement Holders

Compliance agreement holders are private firms that have committed to disposing of regulated garbage in strict accordance with USDA regulations. The script explains that these companies play a crucial role in the day-to-day application of these regulations, ensuring that potentially hazardous waste is handled and disposed of properly to protect the country from agricultural threats.

💡Sterilization

Sterilization is a process used to destroy all forms of life, including microorganisms and pests, and is a key method for treating regulated garbage. The script describes how sterilizers use a combination of high temperature and pressure to ensure that all hazardous materials are eliminated. This process is crucial for preventing the spread of foreign pests and diseases into the environment.

💡Incineration

Incineration is the process of burning waste at high temperatures to eliminate biological materials and reduce the volume of garbage. In the script, incineration is presented as a common disposal method for regulated garbage, which not only eliminates pests and diseases but also minimizes the load on landfills. The ash, glass, and metals that remain after incineration can be retrieved and disposed of separately.

💡Spill

A spill in the context of the script refers to an accidental release of regulated garbage or other hazardous materials. The video emphasizes the importance of being prepared to deal with spills, including having the necessary tools and disinfectants to contain and clean up the spill area. Proper documentation and reporting of spills to relevant authorities are also highlighted as critical steps to prevent environmental contamination.

💡Disinfectants

Disinfectants are substances used to clean and kill harmful microorganisms on surfaces. The script mentions the use of EPA-approved disinfectants for cleaning up spills and ensuring that no pests or microorganisms escape into the environment. Following the manufacturer's material safety data sheet is essential for the safe and effective use of disinfectants.

💡Environmental Contamination

Environmental contamination refers to the presence of harmful substances or organisms in the environment that can cause damage to ecosystems, agriculture, or human health. The script discusses the risk of contamination from spills or improper handling of regulated garbage and emphasizes the importance of strict procedures to prevent such contamination and protect the nation's agriculture and environment.

Highlights

Homeland Security employs thousands of dedicated individuals and companies to protect the US from potential threats.

Tiny foreign insects and microorganisms pose a significant threat to US agriculture, environment, and economy if they were to enter the country.

Collecting, isolating, and disposing of foreign garbage is a critical job requiring vigilance and adherence to strict procedures.

The USDA has been developing and enforcing agricultural regulations for over 100 years to prevent harmful entry.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection to enforce agricultural regulations.

Private firms, known as compliance agreement holders, are responsible for the day-to-day application of regulations to protect America.

Regulations are specific and cover every aspect of handling and disposing of potentially hazardous garbage.

A single lapse in procedure can lead to severe consequences, including job loss, fines, and legal prosecution.

Compliance agreement holders and their employees demonstrate the application of regulations through their daily jobs.

Caterers, cleaners, truckers, and processors each have specific roles in handling and disposing of regulated garbage.

Recycling procedures for aluminum, glass, plastic containers, cardboard, and paper are outlined in APHIS policies.

Spills and accidents must be contained and cleaned with EPA-approved disinfectants, followed by proper documentation and reporting.

Transporting regulated garbage requires the use of leak-proof containers and vehicles approved for this purpose.

Sterilization or incineration of all international catering equipment and regulated garbage is mandatory to eliminate biohazards.

Different disposal methods, such as sterilizers, cookers, and incinerators, are used to treat regulated garbage.

Incineration not only eliminates pests and diseases but also reduces the load on landfills.

Compliance with APHIS regulations is crucial for the nation's first line of defense against agricultural threats.

For more information, the public can visit USDA and CBP websites or contact local USDA PPQ or DHS CBP offices.

Transcripts

what the United States this is the face

of Homeland Security that Americans know

well day after day thousands of

dedicated and and women doing what needs

to be done to protect our country

against those who would harm us this too

is the face of Homeland Security

thousands of hard-working people

employed by hundreds of private

companies every day providing essential

services to the transportation industry

and a wall of protection against some

very dangerous enemies these enemies are

tiny some too tiny to see they are

foreign insects and microorganisms and

they're concealed in the leftover food

food packaging dirty dishes rejected

cargo and discarded carry-on items left

aboard the thousands of ships and planes

arrived in this country every day

despite their small sides these invaders

pose a huge threat if allowed to enter

our country they could easily infest

crops and livestock spread quickly and

inflict widespread damage on our

nation's agriculture environment and

economy

this makes collecting isolating and

disposing of foreign garbage a critical

job it's a job that requires vigilance

consistent procedures the right

equipment

and a daily commitment for making sure

that foreign pests and diseases get no

free ride into the United States many

pests and diseases that plague

agriculture and other parts of the world

are virtually unknown here in the United

States this is not the result of good

luck but of a lot of hard work on the

part of both government and private

companies for more than 100 years the US

Department of Agriculture has been

developing and enforcing agricultural

regulations to prevent harmful insects

and microorganisms from entering the

country today

avis USDA's Animal and Plant Health

Inspection Service heads this effort in

partnership with US Customs and Border

Protection an agency of the Department

of Homeland Security but much of the

day-to-day work of applying those

regulations to protect America lies with

hundreds of private firms compliance

agreement holders who have committed to

disposing of what is known as regulated

garbage in strict accordance with USDA

regulations the regulations are specific

and cover every aspect of handling and

disposing of potentially hazardous

garbage yet the responsibilities

involved are handled in different ways

in different settings at large airports

and seaports for example the various

tasks are often divided among

contractors caterers are responsible for

removing all regulated garbage from

galleys cleaners are responsible for

cabins and cargo areas truckers or water

taxis do the hauling processors do the

sterilization or incineration yet there

are endless variations on this

arrangement some caterers do their own

sterilization

some processors offer hauling services

and at many private ports and airports

fixed base operators FBOs handle

everything from collecting garbage to

rendering it harmless regardless of the

role you or your company plays your

objective is the same strictly follow

all regulations and procedures all the

time a single lapse such as failing to

properly seal a garbage container or

failing to adequately clean up a spill

can cost you your job cost your company

a fine of up to $250,000 and even

resulting prosecution and jail time the

best way to understand the regulations

and procedures involved is to see how

experienced compliance agreement holders

and their employees do their jobs this

international flight has just arrived

passengers of crew have deplane and the

catering crew is coming aboard to clear

the gallery in accordance with

regulations they remove all equipment

containing leftover food unused meals

dishes and utensils food wrappings even

flowers it can easily harbor pests and

before removing anything from the plane

they close and securely latch all

portable food storage containers and

seal everything stripped from the galley

in leak-proof containers that are

clearly designated as containing

regulated garbage their objective is to

ensure that all regulated garbage is

completely isolated from the environment

meanwhile the crew responsible for

cleaning the passenger cabin has started

work they remove all food and items that

have been in contact with food has

regulated garbage often cleaners will

give any regulated garbage to the

caterers to handle since caterers

specialize in handling food and

food-related wastes in this case the

caterers have finished their work before

the cleaners

so under their own compliance agreement

the cleaners bagged their regulated

garbage

and dispose of it according to approved

procedures recycling is important

economically and environmentally and

Avis policies list specific procedures

for recycling aluminum glass and plastic

containers as well as cardboard and

paper only containers that have never

held dairy products and have been kept

separate from garbage may be recycled

containers that have been in contact

with dairy products or commingled with

food waste must be incinerated or

sterilized cardboard and paper must be

clean free of any animal material and

kept separate from food waste meat

containers may not be recycled all

cardboard and paper for recycling must

be bailed for ships the procedures for

handling regulated garbage follow the

same rules all regulated material is

sealed in 4 mil bags or clearly labeled

leak-proof containers which are stored

prior to removal in a secured easily

identified area within the ship's rails

offloading hazardous garbage must be

done carefully to avoid damaging the

bags or containers and exposing the

garbage to the environment onshore the

refuse is placed in a secured dumpster

clearly labeled as approved by USDA for

transport of regulated garbage in

addition to passenger areas cargo areas

aboard both planes and ships also

require cleaning this may involve

removing and destroying shipments of

plant material that cannot pass

agricultural inspection in cases where

animals have been transported cleaning

personnel must follow regulations for

collecting and isolating bedding and

animal waste and disinfecting surfaces

to ensure that all harmful

microorganisms are destroyed

disinfecting is also essential in

dealing with spills no matter how

careful people are accidents do happen

the important thing is to make sure that

an accident does not allow pests or

microorganisms to escape into the

environment always be prepared to deal

with spills

have on hand plenty of regulation wait

plastic bags usda-approved disinfectants

and all the tools you need to do a

thorough cleanup including whatever

personal protection equipment such as

gloves masks and eye protection are

required by your company and OSHA and

EPA regulations always follow the

disinfectant manufacturer's material

data safety sheet requirements the first

priority is to contain the spill if a

bag has torn seal it in a second bag if

a cover has come loose secure it bag any

spilled garbage cleaned and then

disinfect the spill area with the proper

solution of an approved disinfectant

rinse the area thoroughly to remove the

disinfectant then and this is especially

important document the spill in your

spill log and report it to your local

DHS Customs and Border Protection or

USDA plant protection and quarantine

office this allows qualified personnel

to make a follow-up inspection to assure

that there is no potential for

contamination your spill log must be

kept for 3 years from the date of the

spill

once regulated garbage is removed from a

plane or ship it has to be transported

safely to where it can be sterilized or

incinerated for catering companies that

have in-house sterilization facilities

this can mean hauling it just a short

distance but many ports and airports

contract with independent processing

facilities and rely on hauling companies

to move regulated garbage

sometimes considerable distances by land

or water no matter how far the garbage

must travel it must be transported in

leak-proof containers and in vehicles

approved for this purpose

Overland hauling has specific

requirements only trucks with enclosed

beds may haul regulated garbage no open

or tarp covered trucks qualify the route

between the pickup point and the

processing facility should be as direct

as possible and because rural areas with

their crops and livestock are especially

susceptible to agricultural threats a

route through developed areas is better

than one through the countryside

if restricted garbage must be hauled

through rural areas it must be sealed in

containers that are rigid as well as

covered and leak proof otherwise it must

be enclosed in four mill bags in closed

containers for routes through urban

areas compactors and dumpsters can both

provide adequate containment as long as

they are used exclusively for regulated

garbage and their lids and hydraulic

mechanisms form a satisfactory seal in

all cases containers use to haul

regulated garbage must be clearly

labeled international or regulated

garbage or have other approved

identification always be prepared for

the unexpected carry sufficient bags

tools and approved disinfectants to deal

with spills know how to safely clean up

and disinfect spill areas and remember

to report to your CBP office not only

spills but also any traffic accidents or

truck breakdowns all such incidents

require a follow up to make sure that no

environmental contamination results at

the garbage treatment site the driver or

water taxi operator must notify plant

personnel that the load being delivered

is regulated garbage and must follow

their directions as to where to offload

once clear of the facility it's the

haulers responsibility to wash and

disinfect whatever containers were used

as directed by the local CBP office all

regulated materials removed from an

international flight must be sterilized

or incinerated

this means sanitizing all catering

equipment from stowage containers and

food preparation utensils to dishes and

it means sterilizing or incinerating all

regulated garbage and plant and animal

materials some companies and facilities

that service both international and

domestic carriers treat all incoming

equipment and refuse the same way they

sanitize all equipment and food service

items and treat all garbage as regulated

this eliminates the need for maintaining

separate areas of following separate

procedures it also avoids errors and

possible cross-contamination

however treating everything as regulated

can be costly so many companies keep

international catering equipment and

regulated garbage separate and treat

them differently if this is the case

with your company the most important

rule is to isolate all international

equipment and refuse in their own secure

area the area should be clearly

identified as containing only regulated

material and posters specifying the

procedures for its proper handling

should be present all international

catering equipment should be labeled as

such and all regulated garbage must be

stored in clearly marked covered bins or

containers these containers must be used

only to store and move regulated garbage

any domestic garbage placed in them even

temporarily must be treated as regulated

to prevent contamination garbage cleaned

from the dishes and equipment from an

international flight must be treated as

regulated this means either grinding it

in a garbage disposal that feeds into an

approved sewage system or scraping it

into approved bags or trash containers

which are then stored in the regulated

garbage area when a spill happens inside

a facility the required procedure is the

same as for a spill outside reback the

garb

clean the affected area with an

epa-approved disinfectant then flush

away the disinfectant and any remaining

debris reusable equipment such as dishes

silverware trays and containers are

washed and sanitized using hot water and

detergent once cleaned they should be

moved to the food preparation area to

avoid any possibility of recontamination

when it comes to disposing of regulated

garbage there are several options this

caterer has an in-house sterilizer a

sterilizer uses a combination of high

temperature and high pressure to destroy

microorganisms and pests for each load

of garbage processed the time and

temperature of the treatment is recorded

the internal temperature at the center

of each load must be maintained at a

minimum of 212 degrees Fahrenheit the

temperature of boiling water

for at least 30 minutes all records

related to handling and processing

foreign garbage should be kept for at

least one year after treatment the

garbage is no longer considered

regulated and can be disposed of in a

landfill cookers are essentially large

pots used to heat treat regulated

garbage unlike sterilizers cookers are

not pressurized they rely on heat alone

again

212 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or

more to eliminate bio hazards properly

cooked garbage also can be disposed of

in landfills

the most common disposal method is

incineration by regulation all that can

remain after incineration are ash glass

and metals which can be retrieved and

disposed of separately because

incineration reduces all biological

material garbage to ash it not only

eliminates pests and diseases but also

minimizes the load on landfills the

steriliser cooker and incinerator we've

seen are operated on-site by companies

who provide catering and cleaning

services but there are other options

many companies offer off-site

sterilization and incineration services

and caterers and cleaning

bunnies send their regulated garbage to

them for processing these are usually

large scale facilities and because they

receive potentially hazardous materials

in large volume and from many sources

their operations are regulated by

specific rules and procedures

incineration and sterilization companies

must certify that regulated garbage will

be treated quickly upon delivery each

delivery must be weighed and its source

recorded then it must be unloaded

immediately either into the incinerator

or the incinerator pit for temporary

storage in some areas regulated garbage

is incinerated to produce energy waste

energy facilities like this one urn

refuse of all types to turn into

electricity when handling regulated

garbage they must conform to the same

APIs regulations as other compliant

incinerator operations although

expensive to build plants like this are

very efficient and will likely become

more common as space in landfills

dwindles and the country's energy needs

increase we are all asked to remain

alert to threats against our country and

to do our part to support the

government's security efforts but few

Americans have the opportunity every day

to make a real and important

contribution to homeland security

compliance agreement holders and their

employees do your commitment to

consistently following APIs regulations

and procedures is our nation's first

line of defense against agricultural

threats and our best assurance that even

the tiniest enemies get no free ride for

more information please visit these USDA

and CBP websites or contact your local

USDA ppq or DHS CBP office

you