How does a generator determine whether its waste is hazardous?

How does a generator determine whether its waste is hazardous?

• A. By applying the hazardous characteristics D001–D043 or by checking if the waste is listed in 261.31–261.33.
• B. By checking if the waste has a color code.
• C. By measuring its pH only.
• D. By comparing it to state recycling guidelines.

Answer: (B)

Hazardous waste determination under RCRA is based on objective criteria, not on color or appearances. A generator decides if waste is hazardous by one of two routes: first, by whether the waste exhibits one or more hazardous characteristics (ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic), which are defined as D001–D043; second, by whether the waste is specifically listed as hazardous in the listed-waste tables (261.31–261.33). If a waste is on a listed waste list, it is hazardous regardless of its other properties. If it shows a hazardous characteristic, it is hazardous even if it isn’t on a listing. Color codes are not an official method for determining hazard, and pH alone isn’t sufficient to establish hazard unless it is part of the specific corrosivity criterion under the D002 characteristic.

Hazardous waste determination under RCRA is based on objective criteria, not on color or appearances. A generator decides if waste is hazardous by one of two routes: first, by whether the waste exhibits one or more hazardous characteristics (ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic), which are defined as D001–D043; second, by whether the waste is specifically listed as hazardous in the listed-waste tables (261.31–261.33). If a waste is on a listed waste list, it is hazardous regardless of its other properties. If it shows a hazardous characteristic, it is hazardous even if it isn’t on a listing. Color codes are not an official method for determining hazard, and pH alone isn’t sufficient to establish hazard unless it is part of the specific corrosivity criterion under the D002 characteristic.