 Hazardous Waste Management
Summary
In accordance with the EPA's definition, "Hazardous waste is a waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to human health and the environment.  Hazardous waste can be liquids, solids, contained gasses, or sludges. They can be the by-product of manufacturing processes or simply discarded commercial products, like cleaning fluids or pesticides." When defining asbestos per government regulation then we need look no further than the RCRA standards. All hazardous waste is regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Subtitle C. This regulation defines hazardous waste as a waste that appears on one of four hazardous waste lists (F-list, K-list, P-list or U-list) or the waste must exhibit one of the following characterizes: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity. Finally, hazardous waste generators are classified into three categories in regards to disposal volumes. These hazardous waste details are defined below for a cursory review of hazardous waste materials and generator status:
Hazardous Waste Lists
| F-List |
These wastes include a wide variety of commonly found wastes, ranging from solvents to dioxin contaminated materials. |
| K-List |
These include wastes from specific commercial processes, most of which are in the chemical or pesticide manufacturing industry. |
| P-List |
These are acute wastes that are highly toxic and are not often found. |
| U-List |
These are less toxic commercial chemicals, off-specification products, or manufacturing chemical intermediates. They are normally waste materials only if they can't be used (off-specification) and must be discarded. |
Hazardous Waste Characteristics
Ignitability
If liquid waste has a flash point of less than 140° F, it is an ignitable hazardous waste. Some solid wastes are characterized ignitable hazardous wastes if they spontaneously combust and/or meet certain ignition/burning testing criteria. Ignitable hazardous wastes have an EPA waste code of D001
Corrosivity
Aqueous solutions that have a pH less than or equal to 2.0, or greater than or equal to 12.5, are considered corrosive hazardous wastes. Corrosive hazardous wastes have an EPA waste code of D002
Reactivity
A waste is reactive if it reacts violently with water, forms potentially explosive mixtures with water, generates toxic gasses when mixed with water, contains cyanides, or sulfides that are released when exposed to acid or alkaline materials, or is explosive. Reactive hazardous wastes have an EPA waste code of D003.
Toxicity
A waste is toxic if it fails the "Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure" (TCLP) lab test for any one of 40 parameters
Hazardous Waste Generator Status
In one (1) month, the total amount of ALL non-acute hazardous waste is generated and accumulated at the following volumes.
Large Quantity Generator (LQG)
More than 2,200 pounds (and/or more than 2.2 pounds of acutely and severely toxic hazardous waste) is generated.
Small Quantity Generator (SQG)
220 pounds to less than 2,200 pounds. Accumulation never exceeds 13,200 pounds.
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG)
Less than 220 pounds. Accumulation never exceeds 2,200 pounds.
Service Options
arch environmental group can provide all services associated with the proper handling of your hazardous waste and can conduct some or all of these services:
- Provide proper packaging and labeling supplies
- Provide labor for waste packaging
- Provide transportation and disposal services
Specific "Hazardous Waste and Universal Waste" services can be found on the following arch environmental group web pages. These links are provided for your convenience:
Electronic Waste & Lamp Recycling
Chemical & Lab Pack Services
Mercury Response
Medical Waste Services
Industrial & Hazardous Waste Cleaning
Industrial & Hazardous Waste Trucking
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