How to Identify Hazardous Waste (U.S.)

For the United States, hazardous waste is identified through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Waste types are listed through the following EPA site: www.epa.gov/wastes/hazard/wastetypes/listed.htm . There are four types of lists: F, K, P, and U. The F-list provides non-specific waste sources and is regulated by 40 CFR 261.31. The K-list is for source-specific waste and is regulated by 40 CFR 261.32. P-list and U-list identify discarded commercial chemical products regulated by 40 CFR 261.33 .

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Federal and state law requires that certain substances need to be disposed of using specific procedures and cannot be thrown away in the trash or poured into a drain or discarded otherwise.

1. 
    
   EPA website

   To determine if an item is a waste go to the EPA 'Waste Types' webpage: www.epa.gov/wastes/hazard/wastetypes/index.htm.

2. 
    
   EPA website

   Use the 'Listed Wastes' link to find out if the EPA has a record of your waste type. Use the 'Characteristic Wastes' link for wastes not listed in 'Listed Wastes' but exhibit exhibit ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity. Use the 'Universal Wastes' link for information pertaining to batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps.

3. 
    
   EPA website

   Once your waste type is identified, search existing content for information about a particular waste. For example, a global search on 'Dimethylphenol' provides a return of links pertaining to the substance.

Resources

• EPA regulations pertaining to waste

[godfather25]

on 10/17/2009 Great article on identifying hazardous waste.