LISTED WASTES
A waste is hazardous if it is listed in the Code of
Federal Regulations,
40 CFR Part 261. For
details on listed wastes and waste code numbers,
contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The Code of Federal Regulations is available at
most libraries or may be purchased from The U.S. Government Bookstore
(phone (904) 353-0569).
ACUTELY HAZARDOUS WASTES
Small amounts of very dangerous wastes, such as
arsenic and cyanide compounds, are regulated in the same way as large
amounts of other wastes. A
business that generates 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) or more of these wastes
per month is subject to full regulation under the hazardous waste rules.
IDENTIFYING YOUR HAZARDOUS WASTES
It is very important to determine whether a waste
is hazardous or non-hazardous. There
are several ways to identify hazardous wastes.
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Obtain and read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
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Talk to product suppliers and manufacturers.
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Read product labels.
-
Compare product and process information to hazardous waste
characteristics and to wastes listed in federal regulations.
-
If product or process information is not available or is
inconclusive, have a commercial lab sample and test the waste using the
TCLP test.
-
A non-hazardous material or product may become a hazardous
waste due to contaminants added during use. Lab testing may be
necessary.
SOURCES OF HAZARDOUS
WASTE
Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
Used Oil
Used oil that is not mixed with a
hazardous waste and is recycled is exempt from state and federal
regulation as a hazardous waste. If oil is spilled on the ground and not
cleaned up immediately, the oil and soil are likely to be hazardous and
cause a groundwater contamination problem.
Lead Acid Batteries
Reclaimed lead acid batteries that are
properly handled are exempt from regulation. Batteries that are thrown
away are hazardous wastes.
Engine Coolant
Used coolant may contain perc, solvents and heavy metals. Coolant should be recycled through an approved recycling
company. For more information, obtain a fact sheet from DEP.
Parts Cleaners and Parts Washers
Spent parts cleaners and washers
are considered hazardous wastes because they have a low flashpoint (less
than 140 F) or they can be toxic. Common solvents include mineral
spirits, MEK, 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane and toluene. Some solvents become
hazardous wastes because they are contaminated with heavy metals such
as lead, cadmium, chromium or barium. Do not mix spent solvents with
used oil. Mixing a hazardous cleaner with any other substance makes the
entire mixture hazardous.
Shop Cleanup
Rags contaminated with used oil or solvents may be a hazardous waste. If your shop washes rags, water must be discharged to a
publicly owned sanitary sewer, not a storm sewer, septic
tank or cesspool. If you
use a towel service, make sure the
company discharges its water to a publicly owned sewer
system.
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