Waste Management and Safety
5940022WasteandSafety.fm Page 55
Section 4 Waste Management and Safety
This section provides guidelines for laboratory waste management. These
guidelines are only a summary of basic USEPA requirements, and do not relieve
the user from complying with the complete regulations contained in the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR). The regulations may change, or additional state and
local laws may apply; waste generators are responsible for knowing and
following all the laws and regulations that apply to their operations.
4.1 Waste Minimization
Minimizing waste is the most effective way to decrease waste management
problems and expense. To do this:
• Use the smallest sample size that will produce accurate results.
• Where possible, choose methods that use reagents that pose fewer hazards.
• Eliminate the need to dispose of out-dated materials by purchasing in
smaller quantities.
• Use biodegradable detergents to clean glassware and apparatus unless
solvents or acids are specifically required.
4.2 Regulatory Overview
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) controls all solid waste
disposal with an emphasis on hazardous waste. Title 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) part 260 contains the federal hazardous waste disposal
regulations issued in accordance with the RCRA. The regulations create a system
to identify hazardous wastes and track waste generation, transport, and ultimate
disposal from cradle to grave. Each facility involved in hazardous waste
management must be registered with the USEPA, with the exception of
conditionally exempt small quantity generators.
Federal regulations recognize three categories of generators with those
generating larger amounts of waste being under stricter control.
The categories are:
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator — less than 100 kg (220 lb)
per month
Small Quantity Generator — between 100 kg (220 lbs) and 1000 kg (2200 lbs)
per month
Large Quantity Generator — greater than 1000 kg (2200 lbs) per month.
4.3 Hazardous Waste
4.3.1 Definition
For regulatory purposes, a hazardous waste is a material that is subject to special
consideration by the USEPA under 40 CFR 261. State or local authorities may
also designate additional materials as hazardous waste in their areas.
Many toxic compounds are not regulated, but improper management or
disposal may lead to legal problems under CERCLA (Superfund) or common
law tort.
The definition given by 40 CFR 261 defines a hazardous waste as a solid waste
that is not excluded from regulation and meets one or more of the
following criteria:
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