Search

New RCRA Exclusion for Wipes: Has Your State Adopted Yet?

Posted on 10/13/2017 by Roger Marks

A few years ago, US EPA added an exclusion to the RCRA hazardous waste regulations to relax the management requirements for solvent-contaminated wipes and rags. Wipes contaminated with a solvent are one of the most common forms of waste in industry. Wipes and rags are used for cleaning and other purposes in tens of thousands of facilities nationwide, EPA estimates.

Solvent-rag-2-(1).jpgUnder the new exclusion for contaminated wipes, wipes contained with certain solvents may be excluded from some burdensome RCRA hazardous waste requirements.

Facilities can capitalize on the exclusion to save time and effort spent managing wipes as RCRA hazardous waste. That said, there are new requirements that generators must follow to qualify for the exclusion, including:
 
  • Container management/storage standards
  • Unique container marking requirement
  • A 180-day accumulation time limit
  • Rules for managing free liquids
  • Documentation and recordkeeping rules
To take advantage of the exclusion without running afoul of RCRA hazardous waste regulations, generators must identify which solvent-contaminated rags are eligible (and which are not) and select an authorized disposal or laundering facility.

If any the conditions for exclusion are not met, the wipes or rags will be subject to RCRA—which means management mistakes could cost facilities as much as $71,264 per day, per violation.


Where Is the Exclusion in Effect?

While the new RCRA exclusion took effect at the Federal level in early 2014, not all states have yet adopted the relaxed standards. 

The map below, taken from US EPA’s website, shows which states have adopted the new exclusion for solvent contaminated wipes. Generators in these states can use the new exclusion now.


More detailed information about State adoption of the new exclusion is available on EPA’s website, here.


Learn to Use the New Exclusion Now

On October 24, join a full-time Lion instructor for live training on how to use the new exclusion for solvent-contaminated wipes to save your facility time, effort, and money. In 60 minutes, we cover everything you need to know to take advantage of the new exclusions and start saving now.

Managing Solvent Contaminated Wipes Webinar 

This is the final session of this webinar scheduled for 2017. Don’t miss it! 
 

Tags: hazardous, new rules, RCRA, waste

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!

Ed Grzybowski

EHS & Facility Engineer

The online course was well thought out and organized, with good interaction between the student and the course.

Larry Ybarra

Material Release Agent

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

The instructor was energetic and made learning fun compared to dry instructors from other training providers.

Andy D’Amato

International Trade Compliance Manager

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

Having the tutorial buttons for additional information was extremely beneficial.

Sharon Ziemek

EHS Manager

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Ace hazmat inspections. Protect personnel. Defend against civil and criminal penalties. How? See the self-audit "best practices" for hazardous materials shippers.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.