Typical Wastes Generated by Industry Sectors
Many industrial processes have the potential to produce hazardous waste. To help potential hazardous waste generators identify if they produce hazardous waste, EPA provides examples of hazardous wastes that are typically generated by specific industries and provide suggestions for how to recycle, treat or dispose of the wastes according to federal regulations. Only the federal hazardous waste codes are provided here. States might have different codes for some waste streams so generators should check with their state regulatory agencies to find those out.
Additionally, EPA provides suggestions for recycling wastes and implementing pollution prevention activities. Recycling and pollution prevention measures:
- Can significantly reduce regulatory burden.
- Have the potential to save businesses money.
On this page:
- Construction, Demolition, and Renovation
- Dry Cleaning
- Educational & Vocational Shops
- Equipment Repair
- Furniture Manufacturing and Refinishing
- Laboratories
- Leather Manufacturing
- Motor Freight and Railroad Transportation
- Pesticide End Users and Application Services
- Photo Processing
- Printing
- Textile Manufacturing
- Vehicle Maintenance
Construction, Demolition, and Renovation
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes |
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Land-Clearing, Wrecking, and Demolition | Ignitable or toxic wreckage and debris, and lead pipe | D001 (ignitable wreckage and debris), D008 (lead pipe, toxic wreckage and lead-based paint debris), D009 (mercury-containing fluorescent lamps), D023-D026 (toxic wreckage and debris containing cresols) |
Heavy Construction | Asphalt wastes, petroleum distillates, and used oil. (Asphalt is widely recycled.) | D001 (asphalt wastes, petroleum distillates, used oil sent for disposal), D004 (arsenic), D006-D008 (used oil sent for disposal containing cadmium, chromium, or lead), D018 (asphalt wastes containing benzene) |
Carpentry and Floorwork | Acetone, adhesives, coatings, methylene chloride, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIK), mineral spirits, solvents, toluene, treated wood, trichloroethylene, and xylene | D001 (acetone, adhesives, coatings, methylene chloride, MEK, MIK, mineral spirits, solvents, trichloroethylene, toluene, xylene), D004 (treated wood), D023-D026, D037 (treated wood), D035 (MEK), D040 (trichloroethylene), F001 or F002 (trichloroethylene, methylene chloride), F003 (acetone, xylene, MIK), F005 (toluene, MEK), U002 (unused acetone), U159 (unused MEK), U161 (unused MIK), U239 (unused xylene), U220 (unused toluene), U080 (unused methylene chloride) |
Paint Preparation and Painting | Acetone, chlorobenzene, glazes, methanol, MEK, methylene chloride, paint, petroleum distillates, pigments, solvents, stripping compounds, toluene, and wastewater | D001 (acetone, chlorobenzene, glazes, methanol, MEK, methylene chloride, paint, petroleum distillates, solvents, stripping compounds, toluene, wastewater), D007 (chromium pigments), D008 (lead pigments), D021 (chlorobenzene), D035 (MEK), F001 and F002 (chlorobenzene), F003 (acetone, methanol), F005 (MEK, toluene), U002 (unused acetone), U037 (unused chlorobenzene), U159 (unused MEK), U220 (unused toluene) |
Specialty Contracting Activities | Acetone, adhesives, coatings, hexachloroethane, kerosene, MEK, MIK, pigments, solvents, toluene, wastewater, and xylene | D001 (acetone, adhesives, coatings, MEK, MIK, kerosene, solvents, toluene, wastewater, xylene), D007 (chromium pigments), D008 (lead pigments), D034 (hexachloroethane), D035 (MEK), F003 (acetone, MIK, xylene), F005 (toluene, MEK), U002 (unused acetone), U131 (unused hexachloroethane), U159 (unused MEK), U161 (unused MIK), U220 (unused toluene), U239 (unused xylene) |
More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide and the RCRA in Focus publication for this industry.
Dry Cleaning
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes | Potential Recycling, Treatment, and Disposal Methods | Potential Pollution Prevention Methods |
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Perc Plants (Chemicals Used: Perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene) |
Spent Solvents | F002 and D039 |
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Perc Plants (Chemicals Used: Perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene) |
Spent Filter Cartridges | F002 and D039 |
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Perc Plants (Chemicals Used: Perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene) |
Distillation Residues | F002 and D039 |
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Perc Plants (Chemicals Used: Perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene) |
Cooked Power Residues | F002 and D039 |
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Perc Plants (Chemicals Used: Perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene) |
Unused Perc | D039 and U210 |
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Non-Perc Plants (Chemicals Used: Trichloroethane (TCA) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-133)) |
Spent Solvents | D039 and U210 |
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Non-Perc Plants (Chemicals Used: Trichloroethane (TCA) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-133)) |
Spent Filter Cartridges | F002, F005, and D001 |
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Non-Perc Plants (Chemicals Used: Trichloroethane (TCA) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-133)) |
Distillation Residues | F002, F005, and D001 |
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Vent still condenser offgases to unvented refrigeration systems for additional solvent recovery |
Petroleum Solvent Plants (Chemicals Used: Stoddard's Solvent) |
Spent Solvent | D001 | Ship spent solvent to a hazardous waste TSDF for recovery, treatment, and/or disposal | Use alternative petroleum solvents with a higher flash point or lower volatile organic compounds (VOC) content |
More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide and the RCRA in Focus publication for this industry.
Educational & Vocational Shops
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes |
---|---|---|
Automobile engine and body repair, metalworking, graphic arts-plate preparation, woodworking | Ignitable wastes, solvent wastes, acids/bases, paint wastes | D001, D002, F001-F005 |
More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide.
Equipment Repair
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes |
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Degreasing, equipment cleaning, rust removal, paint preparation, painting, paint removal, spray booth, spray guns, and brush cleaning. | Acids/bases, toxic wastes, ignitable wastes, paint wastes, solvents | D001, D002, D006, D008, F001-F005 |
More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide.
Furniture Manufacturing and Refinishing
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes | Potential Recycling, Treatment, and Disposal Methods | Potential Pollution Prevention Methods |
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Construction and Surface Preparation | Acetone, alcohols, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methanol, methylene chloride, mineral spirits, oxalic acid, petroleum distillates, toluene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and xylene | D001 (solvent wastes, petroleum distillates, mineral spirits, acetone, and alcohols), D002 (oxalic acid), D035 (methyl ethyl ketone), D040 (1,1,1-trichloroethane), F001 or F002 (1,1,1-trichloroethane), F003 (acetone, xylene, methyl isobutyl ketone, and methanol), F005 (toluene and methyl ethyl ketone), U002 (unused acetone), U159 (unused methyl ethyl ketone), U161 (unused methyl isobutyl ketone), U239 (unused xylene), U220 (unused toluene), and U080 (unused methylene chloride) |
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Staining and Painting | Acetone, alcohols, methanol, methylene chloride, methyl ethyl ketone, petroleum distillates, pigments, toluene, and VOCs | D001 (solvent wastes, petroleum distillates, and acetone), D007 (pigments), D008 (pigments), D035 (methyl ethyl ketone), F003 (acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and methanol), F005 (toluene and methyl ethyl ketone), U002 (unused acetone), U159 (unused methyl ethyl ketone), U161 (unused methyl isobutyl ketone), and U220 (unused toluene) |
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Finishing | Alcohols, petroleum distillates, pigments, toluene, toluene diisocyanate, VOCs, wastewater, and xylene | D001 (alcohols, petroleum distillates, xylene, and toluene diisocyanate), D003 (toluene diisocyanate), D007 (pigments), D008 (pigments), F003 (xylene), F005 (toluene), U223 (unused toluene diisocyanate), U239 (unused xylene), and U220 (unused toluene) |
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Brush and Spray Gun Cleaning | Acetone, alcohols, isopropanol, methanol, methylene chloride, mineral spirits, petroleum distillates, toluene, and VOCs | D001 (solvent wastes, petroleum distillates, isopropanol, mineral spirits, acetone, and alcohols), F003 (acetone), F005 (toluene), U002 (unused acetone), U220 (unused toluene), and U080 (unused methylene chloride) |
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More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide and the RCRA in Focus publication for this industry.
Laboratories
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes |
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Diagnostic and other laboratory testing | Spent solvents, unused reagents, reaction products, testing samples, contaminated materials | D001, D002, D003, F001-F005, U211 |
More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide.
Leather Manufacturing
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes | Potential Recycling, Treatment, and Disposal Methods | Potential Pollution Prevention Methods |
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Soaking | High volume of wastewater and suspended solids | D002 (wastewater) |
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Hair Removal, Deliming, Bating |
Alkaline wastewater, ammonium sulfate, calcium hydroxide, hydrogen sulfide, suspended
solids, and toxic sulfides
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D002 (alkaline wastewaters) and D003 (reactive sulfides) |
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Tanning | Chromium, acid and alkaline salts, and acids | D002 (acid and alkaline salts and acids) and D007 (chromium) |
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Retanning, Dyeing, Fatliquoring | Chromium, kerosene, solvent and dye overspray, solvent still bottoms, toluene, and toxic dyes | D001 (kerosene, solvent and dye overspray, solvent still bottoms, and toluene), D007 (chromium), F001-F005 (solvent overspray, solvent still bottoms, and toluene) |
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Buffing Coating |
Alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, diacetone alcohol), chromium in leather
dust, esters (ethyl, propyl, and butyl acetates), glycol ethers (butoxyethanol and
propoxyethanol), ketones (methyl isobutyl ketone, acetone, cyclohexanone, di-isobutyl
ketone), methyl ethyl ketone, solvent overspray, solvent still bottoms, toluene, volatile organic air emissions and xylene
|
D001 (methyl ethyl ketone, solvent overspray, solvent still bottoms, and toluene), D007
(chromium), D035 (methyl ethyl ketone), and F001- F005 (methyl ethyl ketone, solvent overspray, solvent still bottoms, toluene, and xylene)
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Product Storage | Chromium, kerosene, methyl ethyl ketone, trichloroethylene, and toluene |
D001 (kerosene, methyl ethyl ketone, trichloroethylene, and toluene), U159 (methyl ethyl
ketone), U228 (trichloroethylene), and U220 (toluene)
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Collect hazardous waste and ship using a registered transporter to a hazardous waste TSDF for treatment and disposal. |
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More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide and the RCRA in Focus publication for this industry.
Motor Freight and Railroad Transportation
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes | Potential Recycling, Treatment, and Disposal Methods | Potential Pollution Prevention Methods |
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Unloading and Cleaning Tank Trucks and Rail Cars | Acid or alkaline cleaners, ethyl benzene, residuals (heels) from shipment of product or hazardous waste, residues from wastewater treatment, spent solvents, volatile organic emissions, and wastewater |
D001 (residuals, solvent wastes), D002 (cleaners, residuals, wastewaters), F003 (ethyl benzene), F and K waste codes (residuals from shipment of F- and K-listed waste), and P and
U waste codes (residuals from shipment of commercial chemical products)
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Degreasing, Parts Washing, Rust Removal | Ammonium hydroxide, benzene, chromic acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, methylene chloride, mineral spirits, nitric acid, oil or grease, petroleum distillates, phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, rags containing solvents or grease, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, toluene, toxic metals, volatile organic constituents, wastewaters, and sludges |
D001 (benzene, methylene chloride, mineral spirits, oil or grease, petroleum distillates,
toluene, used rags), D002 (ammonium hydroxide, chromic acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, sodium
hydroxide, sulfuric acid, wastewaters), D007 (wastewaters, rags, contaminated solvents), D008 (contaminated solvents, rags, wastewaters), D018 (contaminated solvents, wastewaters), F001 or F002 (methylene chloride), and F005 (benzene, toluene)
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Painting | Alcohols, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylene chloride, mineral spirits, paint pigments, petroleum distillates, volatile organic compounds, wastewater, and xylene | D001 (alcohols, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylene chloride, mineral spirits, petroleum distillates, xylene), D007 (pigments), D008 (pigments), D035 (methyl ethyl ketone), F001 or F002 (methylene chloride), F003 (methyl isobutyl ketone, xylene), and F005 (methyl ethyl ketone, toluene) |
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Spray Gun, Spray Booth, and Brush Cleaning | Acetone, alcohols, isopropanol, methanol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylene chloride, mineral spirits, paint pigments, petroleum distillates, toluene, and volatile organic constituents |
D001 (acetone, alcohols, isopropanol, methanol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone,
methylene chloride, mineral spirits, petroleum distillates, toluene), D007 (pigments), D008
(pigments), D035 (methyl ethyl ketone), F001 or F002 (methylene chloride), F003 (acetone,
methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone), and F005 (methyl ethyl ketone, toluene)
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Parts Replacement | Batteries (lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel, iron, carbonate), scrap metal, and used tires | D002 (battery acid), D006 (cadmium), and D008 (lead) |
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Maintenance and Fluid Replacement | Fluids contaminated with heavy metals, radiator flushing solutions, used oil, and used oil filters | D002 (flushing solution), D008 (contaminated fluids), and D018 (contaminated fluids) |
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Storage of Cleaning Chemicals |
Acetone, hydrofluoric acid, methanol, methylene chloride, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl
isobutyl ketone, mineral spirits, toluene, and xylene
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D001 (acetone, methanol, methylene chloride, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, mineral spirits, toluene, xylene), U002 (unused acetone), U080 (unused methylene chloride), U134 (unused hydrofluoric acid), U154 (unused methanol), U159 (unused methyl ethyl ketone), U161 (unused methyl isobutyl ketone), U220 (unused toluene), and U239 (unused xylene) |
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More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the full RCRA In Focus publication for this industry.
Pesticide End Users and Application Services
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes |
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Pesticide application and cleanup | Used/unused pesticides, solvent wastes, ignitable wastes, contaminated soil (from spills), contaminated rinsewater, empty containers | D001, F001-F005, U129, U136, P094, P123 |
More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide.
Photo Processing
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes | Potential Recycling, Treatment, and Disposal Methods | Potential Pollution Prevention Methods |
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Processing and Developing Negatives and Prints
(including bleach-fix, untreated tires, beach-fixers, reversal bleaches used in plumbingless minilabs, reversal bleaches, and system cleaners)
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Silver | D011 |
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Washing | Silver | D011 |
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Stabilizing | Silver | D011 |
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System Cleaning |
Acid regenerates, system cleaners, and photographic activators (D002), dichromate based
Cleaners
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D002 (acid regenerates, system cleaners, photographic activators) and D007 (dichromate) |
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Collect cleaners and reuse them. |
Storing Products | Off-specification chemicals that are RCRA hazardous for corrosivity or ignitability | D002 (chemicals hazardous for corrosivity) or D001 (chemicals hazardous for ignitability) |
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More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide and the RCRA in Focus publication for this industry.
Printing
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes | Potential Recycling, Treatment, and Disposal Methods | Potential Pollution Prevention Methods |
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Using Ink in Lithography, Letterpress, Screen Printing, Flexography, and Gravure |
Waste ink with chromium, barium, and lead content; and waste ink contaminated with cleaning solvents, such as trichloroethylene, methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,2,3-trifluoroethane, chlorobenzene, xylene, acetone, methanol, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), toluene, carbon disulfide, or benzene |
D005 (barium), D007 (chromium), D008 (lead), F001 to F005 (listed solvents), D001(ignitable waste), D018 (benzene), D019 (carbon tetrachloride), D021 (chlorobenzene), and D040 (trichloroethylene) |
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Plate Processing |
Acid plate etching chemicals for metallic lithographic plates, and flexographic photopolymer plates |
D002 (corrosive waste), F002 (perchloroethylene), and F003 (butynol) |
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Cleaning Printing Equipment |
Spent organic solvents might include trichloroethylene, methylene chloride, 1,1,1- trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,2,3-trifluoroethane, chlorobenzene, xylene, acetone, methanol, MEK, toluene, carbon disulfide, or benzene |
F001 to F005 (listed solvents), D001 (ignitable waste), D018 (benzene), D019 (carbon tetrachloride), D021 (chlorobenzene), D040 (trichloroethylene), D005 (barium), D007 (chromium), D008 (lead), D018 (benzene), and D019 (carbon tetrachloride) |
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Developing Negatives and Prints |
Waste photochemical solutions from fixer and rinsewater and from alkaline or acid process baths |
D011 (silver) and D002 (corrosive waste) |
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Printing Processes | Unused inks, solvents, and other chemicals used in printing industry |
D001, D002, U002 (acetone), U019 (benzene), U211 and D019 (carbon tetrachloride), U055 (cumene), U056 (cyclohexane), U069 (dibutyl phthalate), U112 (ethyl acetate), U259 (ethanol, 2-ethoxy), U359 (ethylene glycol monoethyl ether), U122 (formaldehyde), U154 (methanol), U226 (methyl chloroform), U080 (methylene chloride), U159 and D035 (MEK), U161 (methyl isobutyl ketone), U210 and D039 (tetrachloroethylene), U220 (toluene), U223 (toluene diisocyanate), U228 and D040 (trichloroethylene), U043 and D043 (vinyl chloride), and U239 (xylene) |
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Instigate inventory controls to avoid overstocking on inks, solvents, and other printing chemicals. |
More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide and the RCRA in Focus publication for this industry.
Textile Manufacturing
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes | Potential Recycling, Treatment, and Disposal Methods | Potential Pollution Prevention Methods |
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Bleaching |
Hydrogen peroxide, sodium silicate, and organic stabilizer |
D002 (hydrogen peroxide) |
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Use least-toxic bleach solutions. |
Mercerizing |
Alkali and sodium hydroxide. |
D002 (alkali and sodium hydroxide), if disposing of contaminated raw materials. |
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Equipment Maintenance |
Tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methylene chloride, chlorobenzene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, benzene, xylene, ethylene dichloride, isopropyl alcohol, and mineral spirits (naptha) |
D001 (isopropyl alcohol and mineral spirits), D018 (benzene), D021 (chlorobenzene), D035 (methyl ethyl ketone), D039 (tetrachloroethylene), D040 (trichloroethylene), F001- F005 (benzene, chlorobenzene, methylene chloride, methyl ethyl ketone, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, toluene, xylene), U019 (benzene), U037 (chlorobenzene), U077 (ethylene dichloride), U080 (methylene chloride), U159 (methyl ethyl ketone), U210 (Tetrachloroethylene), U220 (toluene), U228 (trichloroethylene) and U239 (xylene) |
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More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the full RCRA In Focus publication for this industry.
Vehicle Maintenance
Activity | Wastes Generated | Possible RCRA Waste Codes | Potential Recycling, Treatment, and Disposal Methods | Potential Pollution Prevention Methods |
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Air Conditioner Maintenance |
Dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12) |
U075 (if unused) |
None |
Reclaim spent CFCs. |
Battery Replacement |
Lead dross, zinc, copper, and spent sulfuric acid |
D002 and D008 |
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Install longer life batteries. |
Body Repair and Refinishing |
Scrap metal |
D006, D007, and D008 |
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None |
Car Washing |
Methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, aromatic, and chlorinated hydrocarbons |
D001, F002, D040, U080, and U228 |
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Use a grit separator before discharging wastewaters. |
Oil and Fluid Replacement |
Used oil, oil filters, and fuel filters contaminated with cadmium, chromium, lead, benzopyrene; ethylene glycol (antifreeze) contaminated with lead; petroleum distillates; and chlorinated hydrocarbons |
D001, D006, D007, and D008 |
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Tire Replacement |
Scrap tires |
None |
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None |
Rustproofing, Painting, and Paint Removal; |
Spent halogenated and nonhalogenated solvents such as acetone, toluene, benzene,xylene, methanol, methylene chloride, isopropyl alcohol; waste paint thinner and paint; paint filters; and spent rags and wipes |
D001, D035, F002, and F003 |
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Parts Washing and Degreasing |
Benzene, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sodium hydroxide, heavy metals, petroleum distillates, and spent rags and wipes |
D001, D002, D018, D008, and F001 |
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Product Storage and Storage Tank Cleaning |
Various solvents and petroleum products potentially outdated or off-specification |
D001 and F001 |
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Radiator Repair |
Zinc chloride (coolant), chlorinated solvents, and lead solder |
D001, D002, D008, and F002 |
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Shop Cleanup |
Used oil and drain or sump sludges contaminated with metals, petroleum, solvents, and spent rags and wipes |
D001, D002, D008, and F002 |
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More information on the regulations and this industry can be found in the Small Business Guide and the RCRA in Focus publication for this industry.