More than 20,000 hazardous waste generators produce over 40 million tons of hazardous waste regulated by RCRA (the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) each year. Many types of businesses generate hazardous waste. Some are small companies that may be located in your community, such as dry cleaners, auto repair shops, hospitals, exterminators, and photo processing centers. Some hazardous waste generators are larger companies like chemical manufacturers, electroplating companies, and petroleum refineries.
Hazardous waste is a waste with properties that make it dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous waste takes many physical forms and may be solid, semi-solid, liquid, or even contained gases. RCRA hazardous wastes fall into two categories:
- Listed Wastes, which appear on one of the four hazardous wastes lists established by EPA regulations:
- The F-list (non-specific source wastes) identifies wastes from common manufacturing and industrial processes, such as solvents that have been used in cleaning or degreasing operations. Because the processes producing these wastes can occur in different sectors of industry, the F-listed wastes are known as wastes from non-specific sources.
- The K-list (source-specific wastes). This list includes certain wastes from specific industries, such as petroleum refining or pesticide manufacturing. Certain sludges and wastewaters from treatment and production processes in these industries are examples of source-specific wastes.
- The P-list and the U-list (discarded commercial chemical products). These lists include specific commercial chemical products in an unused form. Some pesticides and some pharmaceutical products become hazardous waste when discarded.
- Ignitability - Ignitable wastes, such as wastes oils and solvents, can create fires under certain conditions, are spontaneously combustible, or have a flash point less than 60 °C (140 °F).
- Corrosivity - Corrosive wastes, such as battery acid, are acids or bases (pH less than or equal to 2, or greater than or equal to 12.5) that are capable of corroding metal containers, such as storage tanks, drums, and barrels.
- Reactivity - Reactive wastes, such as lithium-sulfur batteries and explosives, are unstable under "normal" conditions. They can cause explosions, toxic fumes, gases, or vapors when heated, compressed, or mixed with water.
- Toxicity - Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed (e.g., containing mercury, lead, etc.). When toxic wastes are land disposed, contaminated liquid may leach from the waste and pollute ground water.
Household hazardous wastes include paint, mineral spirits, batteries, and used oil. Hazardous wastes that are generated in the home are not regulated by the federal RCRA program. Many communities provide collection centers or pick-up services for the management of household hazardous waste. Local recycling centers or fire departments may be able to provide more information about locations and details.
Homeowners can also use products that are non-hazardous or less hazardous and should use only the amount needed for a project. Leftover materials can be shared with neighbors, donated to a business charity or government agency, or dropped off at a local household hazardous waste program collection site.