ECAR Fact Sheet for Alabama
Hazardous Wastes
The
intent of the hazardous waste program is to provide a cradle-to-grave
management system for hazardous wastes to ensure that these wastes
are not mismanaged in a way that will impact human health or the
environment.
The
Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) follows the
federal hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR Parts 260-279) and has
implemented other state-specific requirements.
The
ADEM has prepared guidance documents to help auto recyclers manage
hazardous waste. Much of the information is included in the fact
sheet below. ADEM guidance documents include:
To
comply with Alabama’s hazardous waste requirements, you must follow
the steps below:
- Determine whether any hazardous waste is generated.
- Determine your facility’s generator status.
- Determine which regulations must be complied with depending
upon your facility’s generator status, and comply with those requirements.
Regulations
Definition
of Solid Waste. In order for a waste to be considered a hazardous waste, it must
first meet the definition of solid waste. The term “solid waste” can be somewhat misleading. The word
“solid” does not refer to the physical state of the waste. Solid
waste can be a solid, liquid, or contained gas. Under the hazardous
waste rules, a solid waste is any material that will no longer be
used for its original intended purpose, or a material that must
be reclaimed before reuse. You will need to look at each of the
waste streams generated (e.g., antifreeze, used oil, solvents, etc.)
and determine whether it is a solid waste. Note that not all solid
wastes are considered hazardous wastes. Certain solid wastes, such
as used oil destined for recycling, are excluded from the hazardous
waste rules.
According to the Alabama Hazardous
Wastes Management and Minimization Act, a hazardous waste is a waste
that, because of its quantity, concentration or physical, chemical
or infectious characteristics may: a) cause, or significantly contribute
to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible,
or incapacitating
reversible, illness; or b) pose
a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the
environment when improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed
of, or otherwise managed.
Hazardous
Waste Determination. It
is the responsibility of all solid waste generators to determine
whether their waste is hazardous. The procedure for this is called
a “hazardous waste determination.” You may assume a waste
is hazardous based on its characteristics or on past laboratory
analysis provided there is no change in how the waste was generated.
In some cases, you may use your knowledge of a waste to make a determination
as to whether the waste is a characteristic hazardous waste. If you use such information
to classify a waste as nonhazardous, you must maintain documentation
supporting this determination. If you are not sure, have the waste
tested. Keep in mind that a non-hazardous waste may become hazardous
if contaminated or mixed with other materials and re-testing would
be needed.
Wastes
can be hazardous if they are either “listed” or “characteristic”,
or if they are a mixture of a listed hazardous waste and other wastes.
A.Listed wastes. Waste is considered hazardous if it is found on any one
of four “lists”. These “lists” are called the “F”, “K”, “P” and
“U” lists.
B.Characteristic wastes. Once a facility has reviewed the F, K, P and U lists,
and determined whether generated wastes are found on any of the
lists, a determination will need to be made to see if these wastes
are “characteristic” hazardous wastes. There are four different
characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity.
- IGNITABLE - combustible under certain conditions
- CORROSIVE - highly acidic, basic and/or capable of corroding
metal
- REACTIVE - unstable under normal conditions and capable
of creating explosions and/or toxic fumes, gases, and vapors when
mixed with water
- TOXICITY - wastes contain dangerous amounts of metals,
pesticides, herbicides, and organic chemicals that could be released
to the groundwater.
C.Mixtures of listed wastes and other wastes. A mixture containing a non-hazardous
solid waste and any amount of a listed hazardous waste is considered
a hazardous waste. For example, if a pint of spent solvent such
a toluene or benzene (an F005 listed hazardous waste) is mixed with
a 55 gallon drum of waste antifreeze, the entire mixture (e.g.,
55 gallons plus one pint) is considered a hazardous waste (as opposed
to only one pint being a hazardous waste had the two wastes not
been mixed). Hence, it is very important to keep wastes segregated.
Not only is it better for the environment, but it will reduce disposal
costs (it’s more expensive to dispose of hazardous waste than it
is solid waste).
D.Universal Wastes. Universal wastes have fewer waste management rules
that apply to them. For more information about the generation, storage,
transportation, disposal and recycling of universal wastes, refer
to the state’s universal waste requirements.
Generator
Status.
If you manage hazardous waste, you must determine your generator
status. Your facility will fall under one of these three classifications.
- Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator
(CESQG). You
are considered a CESQG in a calendar month if you generate no
more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) or 2.2 pounds of acute hazardous
waste per month. A CESQG cannot accumulate more than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste or
2.2 pounds of acute hazardous waste at any time.
- Small Quantity Generator (SQG). You are considered an SQG if
you generate less than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste and no more than 2.2 pounds
of acute hazardous waste in a calendar month. An SQG cannot accumulate
more than 13,200 pounds of h hazardous waste or 2.2 pounds of
acute hazardous waste at any time. Normally, hazardous waste cannot
be accumulated on-site for more than 180 days (up to 300 days
for special circumstances).
- Large Quantity Generator (LQG). You are considered an LQG if
you generate 2,200 pounds or more of hazardous waste or more than 2.2 pounds of acute
hazardous waste in a calendar month. Normally, hazardous waste
cannot be accumulated on-site for more than 90 days (up to 120 days for
special circumstances).
Complying
with Hazardous Waste Rules.
Once you have determined whether you generate hazardous waste and
your generator status, you can determine which requirements apply
to you.
Links
to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to hazardous
waste management.
Alabama Hazardous
Waste Management Requirements (Division 14)
Federal EPA Standards Applicable
to Generators of Hazardous Waste
Contacts
- For more information, contact the Alabama Department
of Environmental Management (ADEM) Land Division, Hazardous Waste
Branch, at 334-271-7730.
- To report a spill or leak, call the ADEM’s 24-hour
hotline at 800-843-0699, or the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact
the nearest regional
office.
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