ECAR Fact Sheet for Kentucky
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 Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) has prepared a guidance documents
to help auto recyclers manage hazardous waste. Much of the information
is included in the fact sheet below or you can visit DNR’s website
for more information on managing
hazardous wastes.
To comply with Kentucky’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.
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.” 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.
- Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG). You
are considered a VSQG in a calendar month if you generate no more
than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of hazardous waste per month.
- Small Quantity Generator (SQG).
You are considered an SQG if you generate greater than 100 kilograms
(220 pounds) but less than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of hazardous
waste in a calendar month.
- Large Quantity Generator (LQG). You are considered an LQG if you generate 1,000 kilograms
(2,200 pounds) or more of hazardous waste in a calendar month.
You also are considered an LQG if you generate during a calendar
month, or accumulate at any time, more than one kilogram of acutely
hazardous waste, or more than a total of 100 kilograms (220 pounds)
of any residue, contaminated soil, waste, or debris from cleaning
up a spill of any acutely hazardous waste onto land or into water.
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. See DEP's
hazardous waste handbook for more information on the specific
regulations.
Contacts
- For more information, contact the Kentucky Department
for Environmental Protection, Division of Waste Management, at
502-564-6716 or contact the nearest regional
office.
- To report a spill or leak, call 1-800-928-2380 or 502-564-2380.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact
the nearest regional
office.
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