[Title 40 CFR 261.3]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 1996 Edition]
[Title 40 - PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT]
[Chapter I - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION]
[Subchapter I - SOLID WASTES (Continued)]
[Part 261 - IDENTIFICATION AND LISTING OF HAZARDOUS WASTE]
[Subpart A - General]
[Sec. 261.3 - Definition of hazardous waste.]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




  40
  PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
  13
  1996-07-01
  1996-07-01
  false
  Definition of hazardous waste.
  261.3
  Sec. 261.3
  
    PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
    SOLID WASTES (Continued)
    IDENTIFICATION AND LISTING OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
    General
  


Sec. 261.3  Definition of hazardous waste.

    (a) A solid waste, as defined in Sec. 261.2, is a hazardous waste 
if:
    (1) It is not excluded from regulation as a hazardous waste under 
Sec. 261.4(b); and
    (2) It meets any of the following criteria:
    (i) It exhibits any of the characteristics of hazardous waste 
identified in subpart C except that any mixture of a waste from the 
extraction, beneficiation, and processing of ores and minerals excluded 
under Sec. 261.4(b)(7) and any other solid waste exhibiting a 
characteristic of hazardous waste under subpart C of this part only if 
it exhibits a characteristic that would not have been exhibited by the 
excluded waste alone if such mixture had not occurred or if it continues 
to exhibit any of the characteristics exhibited by the non-excluded 
wastes prior to mixture. Further, for the purposes of applying the 
Toxicity Characteristic to such mixtures, the mixture is also a 
hazardous waste if it exceeds the maximum concentration for any 
contaminant listed in table I to Sec. 261.24 that would not have been 
exceeded by the excluded waste alone if the mixture had not occurred or 
if it continues to exceed the maximum concentration for any contaminant 
exceeded by the nonexempt waste prior to mixture.
    (ii) It is listed in subpart D of this part and has not been 
excluded from the lists in subpart D of this part under Secs. 260.20 and 
260.22 of this chapter.
    (iii) It is a mixture of a solid waste and a hazardous waste that is 
listed in subpart D of this part solely because it exhibits one or more 
of the characteristics of hazardous waste identified in subpart C of 
this part, unless the resultant mixture no longer exhibits any 
characteristic of hazardous waste identified in subpart C of this part, 
or unless the solid waste is excluded from regulation under 
Sec. 261.4(b)(7) and the resultant mixture no longer exhibits any 
characteristic of hazardous waste identified in subpart C of this part 
for which the hazardous waste listed in subpart D of this part was 
listed. (However, nonwastewater mixtures are still subject to the 
requirements of part 268 of this chapter, even if they no longer exhibit 
a characteristic at the point of land disposal).
    (iv) It is a mixture of solid waste and one or more hazardous wastes 
listed in subpart D of this part and has not been excluded from 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section under Secs. 260.20 and 260.22 of this 
chapter; however, the following mixtures of solid wastes and hazardous 
wastes listed in subpart D of this part are not hazardous wastes (except 
by application of paragraph (a)(2) (i) or (ii) of this section) if the 
generator can demonstrate that the mixture consists of wastewater the 
discharge of which is

[[Page 34]]

subject to regulation under either section 402 or section 307(b) of the 
Clean Water Act (including wastewater at facilities which have 
eliminated the discharge of wastewater) and:
    (A) One or more of the following solvents listed in Sec. 261.31--
carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene--Provided, 
That the maximum total weekly usage of these solvents (other than the 
amounts that can be demonstrated not to be discharged to wastewater) 
divided by the average weekly flow of wastewater into the headworks of 
the facility's wastewater treatment or pretreatment system does not 
exceed 1 part per million; or
    (B) One or more of the following spent solvents listed in 
Sec. 261.31--methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, chlorobenzene, 
o-dichlorobenzene, cresols, cresylic acid, nitrobenzene, toluene, methyl 
ethyl ketone, carbon disulfide, isobutanol, pyridine, spent 
chlorofluorocarbon solvents--provided that the maximum total weekly 
usage of these solvents (other than the amounts that can be demonstrated 
not to be discharged to wastewater) divided by the average weekly flow 
of wastewater into the headworks of the facility's wastewater treatment 
or pretreatment system does not exceed 25 parts per million; or
    (C) One of the following wastes listed in Sec. 261.32--heat 
exchanger bundle cleaning sludge from the petroleum refining industry 
(EPA Hazardous Waste No. K050); or
    (D) A discarded commercial chemical product, or chemical 
intermediate listed in Sec. 261.33, arising from de minimis losses of 
these materials from manufacturing operations in which these materials 
are used as raw materials or are produced in the manufacturing process. 
For purposes of this paragraph (a)(2)(iv)(D), ``de minimis'' losses 
include those from normal material handling operations (e.g., spills 
from the unloading or transfer of materials from bins or other 
containers, leaks from pipes, valves or other devices used to transfer 
materials); minor leaks of process equipment, storage tanks or 
containers; leaks from well maintained pump packings and seals; sample 
purgings; relief device discharges; discharges from safety showers and 
rinsing and cleaning of personal safety equipment; and rinstate from 
empty containers or from containers that are rendered empty by that 
rinsing; or
    (E) Wastewater resulting from laboratory operations containing toxic 
(T) wastes listed in subpart D of this part, Provided, That the 
annualized average flow of laboratory wastewater does not exceed one 
percent of total wastewater flow into the headworks of the facility's 
wastewater treatment or pre-treatment system or provided the wastes, 
combined annualized average concentration does not exceed one part per 
million in the headworks of the facility's wastewater treatment or pre-
treatment facility. Toxic (T) wastes used in laboratories that are 
demonstrated not to be discharged to wastewater are not to be included 
in this calculation; or
    (F) One or more of the following wastes listed in Sec. 261.32--
wastewaters from the production of carbamates and carbamoyl oximes (EPA 
Hazardous Waste No. K157)--Provided that the maximum weekly usage of 
formaldehyde, methyl chloride, methylene chloride, and triethylamine 
(including all amounts that can not be demonstrated to be reacted in the 
process, destroyed through treatment, or is recovered, i.e., what is 
discharged or volatilized) divided by the average weekly flow of process 
wastewater prior to any dilutions into the headworks of the facility's 
wastewater treatment system does not exceed a total of 5 parts per 
million by weight; or
    (G) Wastewaters derived from the treatment of one or more of the 
following wastes listed in Sec. 261.32--organic waste (including heavy 
ends, still bottoms, light ends, spent solvents, filtrates, and 
decantates) from the production of carbamates and carbamoyl oximes (EPA 
Hazardous Waste No. K156).--Provided, that the maximum concentration of 
formaldehyde, methyl chloride, methylene chloride, and triethylamine 
prior to any dilutions into the headworks of the facility's wastewater 
treatment system does not exceed a total of 5 milligrams per liter.
    (v) Rebuttable presumption for used oil. Used oil containing more 
than 1000 ppm

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total halogens is presumed to be a hazardous waste because it has been 
mixed with halogenated hazardous waste listed in subpart D of part 261 
of this chapter. Persons may rebut this presumption by demonstrating 
that the used oil does not contain hazardous waste (for example, by 
using an analytical method from SW-846, Third Edition, to show that the 
used oil does not contain significant concentrations of halogenated 
hazardous constituents listed in appendix VIII of part 261 of this 
chapter). EPA Publication SW-846, Third Edition, is available for the 
cost of $110.00 from the Government Printing Office, Superintendent of 
Documents, PO Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. 202-512-1800 
(document number 955-001-00000-1).
    (A) The rebuttable presumption does not apply to metalworking oils/
fluids containing chlorinated paraffins, if they are processed, through 
a tolling agreement, to reclaim metalworking oils/fluids. The 
presumption does apply to metalworking oils/fluids if such oils/fluids 
are recycled in any other manner, or disposed.
    (B) The rebuttable presumption does not apply to used oils 
contaminated with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) removed from refrigeration 
units where the CFCs are destined for reclamation. The rebuttable 
presumption does apply to used oils contaminated with CFCs that have 
been mixed with used oil from sources other than refrigeration units.
    (b) A solid waste which is not excluded from regulation under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section becomes a hazardous waste when any of 
the following events occur:
    (1) In the case of a waste listed in subpart D of this part, when 
the waste first meets the listing description set forth in subpart D of 
this part.
    (2) In the case of a mixture of solid waste and one or more listed 
hazardous wastes, when a hazardous waste listed in subpart D is first 
added to the solid waste.
    (3) In the case of any other waste (including a waste mixture), when 
the waste exhibits any of the characteristics identified in subpart C of 
this part.
    (c) Unless and until it meets the criteria of paragraph (d) of this 
section:
    (1) A hazardous waste will remain a hazardous waste.
    (2)(i) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this 
section, any solid waste generated from the treatment, storage, or 
disposal of a hazardous waste, including any sludge, spill residue, ash, 
emission control dust, or leachate (but not including precipitation run-
off) is a hazardous waste. (However, materials that are reclaimed from 
solid wastes and that are used beneficially are not solid wastes and 
hence are not hazardous wastes under this provision unless the reclaimed 
material is burned for energy recovery or used in a manner constituting 
disposal.)
    (ii) The following solid wastes are not hazardous even though they 
are generated from the treatment, storage, or disposal of a hazardous 
waste, unless they exhibit one or more of the characteristics of 
hazardous waste:
    (A) Waste pickle liquor sludge generated by lime stabilization of 
spent pickle liquor from the iron and steel industry (SIC Codes 331 and 
332).
    (B) Waste from burning any of the materials exempted from regulation 
by Sec. 261.6(a)(3)(iv) through (vi).
    (C)(1) Nonwastewater residues, such as slag, resulting from high 
temperature metals recovery (HTMR) processing of K061, K062 or F006 
waste, in units identified as rotary kilns, flame reactors, electric 
furnaces, plasma arc furnaces, slag reactors, rotary hearth furnace/
electric furnace combinations or industrial furnaces (as defined in 
paragraphs (6), (7), and (13) of the definition for ``Industrial 
furnace'' in 40 CFR 260.10), that are disposed in subtitle D units, 
provided that these residues meet the generic exclusion levels 
identified in the tables in this paragraph for all constituents, and 
exhibit no characteristics of hazardous waste. Testing requirements must 
be incorporated in a facility's waste analysis plan or a generator's 
self-implementing waste analysis plan; at a minimum, composite samples 
of residues must be collected and analyzed quarterly and/or when the 
process or operation generating the waste changes. Persons claiming this 
exclusion in an enforcement action will have the burden of proving by 
clear and convincing evidence that

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the material meets all of the exclusion requirements.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Maximum for any
                                                              single    
                      Constituent                           composite   
                                                           sample--TCLP 
                                                              (mg/l)    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Generic exclusion levels for K061 and K062 nonwastewater HTMR residues 
                                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antimony...............................................            0.10 
Arsenic................................................            0.50 
Barium.................................................            7.6  
Beryllium..............................................            0.010
Cadmium................................................            0.050
Chromium (total).......................................            0.33 
Lead...................................................            0.15 
Mercury................................................            0.009
Nickel.................................................            1.0  
Selenium...............................................            0.16 
Silver.................................................            0.30 
Thallium...............................................            0.020
Zinc...................................................           70    
                                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Generic exclusion levels for F006 nonwastewater HTMR residues     
                                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antimony...............................................            0.10 
Arsenic................................................            0.50 
Barium.................................................            7.6  
Beryllium..............................................            0.010
Cadmium................................................            0.050
Chromium (total).......................................            0.33 
Cyanide (total) (mg/kg)................................            1.8  
Lead...................................................            0.15 
Mercury................................................            0.009
Nickel.................................................            1.0  
Selenium...............................................            0.16 
Silver.................................................            0.30 
Thallium...............................................            0.020
Zinc...................................................           70    
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) A one-time notification and certification must be placed in the 
facility's files and sent to the EPA region or authorized state for 
K061, K062 or F006 HTMR residues that meet the generic exclusion levels 
for all constituents and do not exhibit any characteristics that are 
sent to subtitle D units. The notification and certification that is 
placed in the generators or treaters files must be updated if the 
process or operation generating the waste changes and/or if the subtitle 
D unit receiving the waste changes. However, the generator or treater 
need only notify the EPA region or an authorized state on an annual 
basis if such changes occur. Such notification and certification should 
be sent to the EPA region or authorized state by the end of the calendar 
year, but no later than December 31. The notification must include the 
following information: The name and address of the subtitle D unit 
receiving the waste shipments; the EPA Hazardous Waste Number(s) and 
treatability group(s) at the initial point of generation; and, the 
treatment standards applicable to the waste at the initial point of 
generation. The certification must be signed by an authorized 
representative and must state as follows: ``I certify under penalty of 
law that the generic exclusion levels for all constituents have been met 
without impermissible dilution and that no characteristic of hazardous 
waste is exhibited. I am aware that there are significant penalties for 
submitting a false certification, including the possibility of fine and 
imprisonment.''
    (D) Biological treatment sludge from the treatment of one of the 
following wastes listed in Sec. 261.32--organic waste (including heavy 
ends, still bottoms, light ends, spent solvents, filtrates, and 
decantates) from the production of carbamates and carbamoyl oximes (EPA 
Hazardous Waste No. K156), and wastewaters from the production of 
carbamates and carbamoyl oximes (EPA Hazardous Waste No. K157).
    (d) Any solid waste described in paragraph (c) of this section is 
not a hazardous waste if it meets the following criteria:
    (1) In the case of any solid waste, it does not exhibit any of the 
characteristics of hazardous waste identified in subpart C of this part. 
(However, wastes that exhibit a characteristic at the point of 
generation may still be subject to the requirements of part 268, even if 
they no longer exhibit a characteristic at the point of land disposal.)
    (2) In the case of a waste which is a listed waste under subpart D 
of this part, contains a waste listed under subpart D of this part or is 
derived from a waste listed in subpart D of this part, it also has been 
excluded from paragraph (c) of this section under Secs. 260.20 and 
260.22 of this chapter.
    (e)  [Reserved]
    (f) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section and 
provided the debris as defined in part 268 of this chapter does not 
exhibit a characteristic identified at subpart C of this part, the 
following materials are not subject to regulation under 40 CFR parts 
260, 261 to 266, 268, or 270:
    (1) Hazardous debris as defined in part 268 of this chapter that has 
been

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treated using one of the required extraction or destruction technologies 
specified in Table 1 of Sec. 268.45 of this chapter; persons claiming 
this exclusion in an enforcement action will have the burden of proving 
by clear and convincing evidence that the material meets all of the 
exclusion requirements; or
    (2) Debris as defined in part 268 of this chapter that the Regional 
Administrator, considering the extent of contamination, has determined 
is no longer contaminated with hazardous waste.

[57 FR 7632, Mar. 3, 1992; 57 FR 23063, June 1, 1992, as amended at 57 
FR 37263, Aug. 18, 1992; 57 FR 41611, Sept. 10, 1992; 57 FR 49279, Oct. 
30, 1992; 59 FR 38545, July 28, 1994; 60 FR 7848, Feb. 9, 1995]