The first step in this process is to examine what information
you have available.
- Does the waste or product container have labels listing hazards
or ingredients?
- Do you have a Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) available?
- Do you know who the manufacturer is? Can you contact them?
- Is there anything you can tell about this waste from its
appearance?
Those are just some very good sources of information that are
available for free. Knowledge of your process is also key. If you
know what went INTO your process, you can make assumptions of what
came OUT as a waste.
Using "Process Knowledge"
Think what went into the waste and compare it to the lists and
characteristics. This method is called using process knowledge. You
may use any information you have about the waste including product
labels, MSDSs, etc. to determine if the waste is on a list or is
characteristically hazardous.
Note: If you use process knowledge to make a hazardous waste
determination, you must keep documentation of the information you
rely on and the steps taken when making your determination.
If you do not have the necessary information to properly
classify your waste, contact a laboratory in your area, they will
perform the necessary testing and provide the results. It will be
YOUR responsibility to apply that information properly in the waste
classification process.
