Hach DR/850, Procedures Manual, Page: 58 / 460

58
WASTE MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY
, continued
The categories are as follows:
•
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator - less than 100 kg
(220 lb.) per month
•
Small Quantity Generator - between 100 kg (220 lb.) and 1,000 kg
(2,200 lb.) per month
•
Large Quantity Generator - greater than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb.)
per month
Note: If a laboratory generates acutely hazardous waste (as defined on 40 CFR 261) or
accumulates more than a certain amount of waste, the facility may be moved into a larger
generator status. Check with your environmental compliance manager or state and local
officials to determine which category your facility is in.
Hazardous Waste Definition
For regulatory purposes, a “hazardous waste” is a material which is
subject to special laws by the USEPA under 40 CFR 261. In addition,
many states or local authorities regulate additional materials as hazardous
waste. Be aware that many very toxic compounds are not regulated by
this definition of hazardous waste. However, improper management or
disposal of these compounds may lead to legal problems under other laws
such as CERCLA (Superfund) or common law torts.
The 40 CFR 261 defines a hazardous waste as a solid waste which is not
excluded from regulation and meets any of the following criteria:
•
It is a discarded commercial chemical product, off-specification
species, container residue, or spill residue of materials specifically
listed in 40 CFR 261.33;
•
It is a waste from a specific source listed in 40 CFR 261.32;
•
It is a waste from a non-specific source listed in 40 CFR 261.31; or
•
It displays any of the following characteristics of hazardous waste
defined in 40 CFR 261.20-24:
•
ignitability
•
corrosivity
•
reactivity
•
toxicity
There are many exceptions to these regulations, and each generator should
review the regulations and determine if they are excluded from the regulations.