![]() Waste that can leach hazardous constituents into groundwater which pose a threat to drinking water supplies.Īfter making a proper waste determination, decisions on the disposal options available for hazardous waste can be considered.Waste that can become chemically unstable under normal conditions, water, or air reactive, generate toxic fumes, gases, explode or cause violent reactions.Wastes with a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5 and/or it can corrode, dissolve or damage metal, human tissue, and other materials.Wastes that can readily catch fire and sustain combustion.Ignitability – Defined at 40 CFR 261.21.If the results for a specific parameter equal or exceed the USEPA standards the waste material is determined to have a characteristic of a hazardous waste. Environmental testing laboratories perform the required analytical methods according to the USEPA methods. Specifically, the characteristics defined as: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. The next step in the waste determination process is to evaluate the material for any potential hazardous characteristics. the P-List and U-List, contain pure or commercial grade, unused chemicals, off specification chemical products, container residues and spill residues. The K-List is a group specific to industry and includes production facilities such as chemical, iron, steel, aluminum, petroleum refining and other manufacturing. Examples include spent solvents and electroplating operations. The F-List shows generic types of manufacturing processes that generate hazardous waste. The first two lists, Hazardous Waste from Non-Specific Sources (F-List) and Hazardous Waste from Specific Sources (K-List) relates to process waste and sludges. Following the steps in the process can help define a waste as hazardous or non-hazardous.įirst, the hazardous waste listings consist of four lists found in 40 CFR Part 261. The answer to question four can be as simple as reviewing the regulations, performing lab analysis, reviewing waste generating processes or compiling other technical information to find the right information. The first three questions require reading and research. Does the waste have any characteristic(s) or is it a listed waste as defined in the regulations?.Is the waste delisted from regulation as a hazardous waste?.Is the waste specially excluded from the definition of solid waste or hazardous waste?.Does the waste meet the definition of a solid waste as defined in the regulations?.Basically, a solid waste as defined by USEPA can be a hazardous waste if it meets any of the criteria below: ![]() The regulations layout a process with detailed descriptions for the waste generator to make a proper waste determination. Certain words and phrases in the regulations carry special significance and must be applied correctly. A regulatory definition often has a different meaning than common usage. Like other specialized fields, understanding the hazardous waste regulations is comparable to learning a foreign language. The formal regulatory definition of hazardous waste as defined by the USEPA, requires reading the Code of Federal Regulations starting with 40 CFR Part 260 – 262. The simple definition of hazardous waste is any waste that has the chemical or physical properties that makes it dangerous or capable of causing an adverse impact on human health or the environment. The Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 achieved its goal of implementing regulations that were protective of human health and environment with a comprehensive system for managing and properly disposing of hazardous waste. The result is a tracking system that accounts for every pound of hazardous waste generated and documents all participants involved in the management process. Each group involved in the hazardous waste management process has specific compliance requirements to ensure all requirements, from the point of the waste generation to the point of final disposal, are fulfilled. USEPA defines a participant as waste generators, transporters, and owners / operators of treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. Cradle to grave simply means that all participants involved in the management of hazardous waste must register with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as to their involvement in the process. The phrase “cradle to grave” describes the hazardous waste disposal system in place today in the US. The proper management of hazardous waste, including hazardous waste disposal and recycling, requires an understanding of both the federal and state regulations to make sound decisions and ensure proper disposal through environmental compliance. Common Methods of Hazardous Waste Disposal ![]()
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