ECAR Fact Sheet
for Oregon
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 Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
adopted the federal hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR Parts 260-279).
However, DEQ has added several more stringent requirements that
apply to hazardous waste generators, transporters, universal waste
generators and handlers of used oil.
To comply with Oregon'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.
DEQ has prepared several fact sheets
to assist auto recyclers with managing hazardous wastes. See the
links under Other Relevant Resources at the bottom of the page.
Regulations
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 non-hazardous, 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) 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.
Links
to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to hazardous
waste management.
Oregon
Administrative Rules (OAR) on Hazardous Waste Management
Oregon
Universal Waste Regulations
Federal
EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste
Contacts
- For more information, contact the Oregon Department
of Environmental Quality (DEQ) at 503-229-5696 or 800-452-4011
(toll-free in Oregon).
- To report a spill or leak, contact the Oregon Emergency Response System (OERS) at 800-452-0311.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact
the nearest DEQ Regional Office.
Other
Relevant Resources
- Oregon DEP Hazardous
Waste Fact Sheets
- OR Vehicle Dismantlers webpage
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