 |
|
Definitions of Hazardous Waste
Characteristic Hazardous Waste
If the waste exhibits a hazardous characteristic, it is a characteristic hazardous waste. |
|
Characteristic |
Description |
Examples |
Waste Codes |
|
Ignitable |
Flash point < 140 ºF,
solid oxidizers |
Solvents, alcohols, aerosol can residues, pool sanitizers |
D001 |
|
Corrosive
(acidic or caustic) |
pH < 2 or pH > 12.5 |
Drain cleaners, lab and pool acids, rust removers, water treatment chemicals, etc. |
D002 |
|
Reactive |
Cyanides, sulfides, compressed gasses, materials that react spontaneously or with water |
Explosives, old unstable chemicals (old ethers, picric acid), water-reactive metals, some nitrogen compounds (including some fertilizers), aerosol cans |
D003 |
|
Toxic: Test a sample of the material to determine whether it contains metals or pesticides at levels above those listed in 40 CFR 261.24 |
Lead paint, photographic fixers, some fluorescent lamps, chromium-based corrosion inhibitors, solders, pesticides |
D004–D043 |
Listed Hazardous Wastes
These are specific wastes or kinds of wastes. The chemicals or constituents of the waste appear in lists in the regulations. Thus, these are listed hazardous wastes. There are four lists of hazardous chemicals; three may occur on your campus. The fourth list, the K-list, is wastes from specific industrial processes. |
|
List |
Description
(see 40 CFR 261.25) |
Examples |
Waste Codes |
|
Waste solvents
(F-list) |
Specific solvents and mixtures |
Parts cleaners, methylene chloride, xylol, acetone, alcohol used as a solvent, etc. |
F001–F006 |
|
Waste chemicals
(U-list) |
Chemicals when they are outdated or no longer needed and in which the listed chemical is the sole active ingredient |
Outdated photo products, excess lab chemicals, unused pesticides, etc. |
U001–U409 |
|
Acute hazardous waste chemicals
(P-list) |
Some unused reagents, some unused pesticides, etc. |
P001–P205 |
Note: Wastes may exhibit multiple characteristics. Unneeded and unused products and wastes that exhibit a characteristic may also be listed wastes. There are other waste codes. The full regulatory text and listings for hazardous waste determinations are in 40 CFR 261.
RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator Status and Management Requirements*
Generator status is based on the quantity of waste generated in a calendar month, per site.
|
|
Conditionally Exempt Small-Quantity Generator |
Small-Quantity Generator |
Large-Quantity Generator |
|
Monthly generation of hazardous waste other than acute hazardous waste |
Less than 100 kg
(220 lb.), about one-half of a 55-gallon drum |
Less than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb.), about five 55-gallon drums |
More than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb.), more than five 55-gallon drums |
|
Monthly generation of acute hazardous waste |
Less than 1 kg (2.2 lb.), about 1 quart |
More than 1 kg (2.2 lb.) |
|
Time limit for storage without a permit |
None |
180 days (270 days if disposal facility is distant) |
90 days |
|
Hazardous waste storage weight limits (not acute hazardous waste) |
Less than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb.) |
Less than 6,000 kg (13,200 lb.) |
No federal limit; states may have limits |
|
Acute hazardous waste storage weight limit |
Less than 1 kg (2.2 lb.) |
No federal limit; states may have limits |
|
Preparedness and prevention |
Not required |
Required |
Required |
|
Contingency plan |
Not required |
Not required |
Required |
|
Biennial reporting |
Not required |
Not required |
Required |
|
Personnel training |
Not required |
Per responsibilities |
Full, per responsibilities |
|
Waste minimization plan |
Not required |
“Good faith effort” required |
Required |
|
Emergency coordinator |
Not required |
Required |
Required |
|
Written agreements with offsite responders |
Not required |
Required |
Required |
|
Use of hazardous waste manifests and land disposal restriction documentation |
Not required |
Required |
Required |
* - This list is illustrative. Specific requirements are in 40 CFR 261, 262, 264, and 265.
|
 |