How do I Determine If Waste Is Hazardous?

Hazardous waste is defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments. Chemicals must meet at least one of four criteria to be categorized as hazardous waste. Substances that are highly flammable, corrosive, highly reactive or toxic to humans or wildlife are all considered hazardous waste. Some chemicals are designated as hazardous waste under federal regulations; others meet the criteria and are therefore considered hazardous waste even though not specifically listed. To determine whether a substance may be hazardous waste, follow the simple steps below.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

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Instructions

• 1

  Consult the material safety data sheet (MSDS) if the substance is a chemical. MSDS may be available from the supplier or for many common chemicals can be found online. The link under the Resources section below includes a search engine you can use to locate MSDS for a variety of chemicals. An MSDS will list some of the hazards posed by a chemical and may also indicate whether it's defined as hazardous waste.

• 2

  Check the EPA's Listed Wastes and Universal Wastes links at the EPA site under the Resources section below. These links list a number of wastes defined as hazardous under the criteria set forth by the Act. If your waste is listed, it's considered hazardous. If your waste is not listed, however, it might still be considered hazardous if it meets the characteristic waste criteria.

• 3

  Determine whether your waste meets the characteristic waste criteria by comparing the MSDS with the EPA regulations. Do NOT test your waste to find out whether it matches this description--serious injury could result. Instead, rely on the MSDS to determine the properties of your waste. If your waste has a pH of 12.5 or above or 2 or below, it's considered corrosive. If your waste has a flash point of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or less, can be ignited by friction or spontaneous reactions at standard temperature and pressure, or is an ignitable compressed gas, it is considered ignitable and hence hazardous. If your waste reacts violently with water, can detonate or explode if subjected to heat or pressure, or can decompose violently at standard pressure and temperature, it is considered highly reactive. Finally, if your waste is toxic to human life or wildlife at low concentrations it is considered hazardous waste.

• 4

  Consult state and local regulations. States may have different rules that apply to various categories of "universal waste", so if in doubt it's best to ensure you're complying with state guidelines.