[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 28, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45297-45306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21568]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[SWH-FRL-7044-1]


Recovered Materials Advisory Notice IV

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of Draft Document for Review.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) today 
is providing notice of the issuance of a draft Recovered Materials 
Advisory Notice (RMAN IV). The RMAN provides guidance to procuring 
agencies for purchasing certain items containing recovered materials. 
Under section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 
1976, EPA designates items that are or can be made with recovered 
materials and provides recommendations for the procurement of these 
items. Elsewhere in today's Federal Register, EPA is proposing to 
designate 11 items under RCRA Section 6002. EPA is proposing to 
designate the following: bike racks, blasting grit, cement and concrete 
containing cenospheres, cement and concrete containing silica fume, 
modular threshold ramps, nonpressure pipe, nylon carpet and nylon 
carpet backing, office furniture, rebuilt vehicular parts, roofing 
materials, and tires. Today's draft RMAN IV contains recommended 
recovered materials content levels for these items.
    Today's draft RMAN IV also includes revisions to EPA's previous 
recommendations for polyester carpet issued in RMAN I (60 FR 21386, May 
1, 1995). Previously, EPA designated polyester carpet for use in low- 
and medium-wear applications and referenced those applications in the 
RMAN. Since the issuance of EPA's designation and recommendations for 
polyester carpet, the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has issued new 
carpet use classifications. Under CRI's new classifications, certain 
applications that EPA has considered to be low- and medium-wear are now 
classified as moderate- and heavy-wear applications. Therefore, today's 
draft RMAN revises the recommendations for polyester carpet to 
recommend its use in certain moderate- and heavy-wear applications, 
such as those found in single family housing units, private offices, 
and similar applications. Today's draft RMAN IV also recommends that 
when procuring agencies purchase new carpet, they also consider making 
arrangements to have their old carpet collected and recycled or 
otherwise reused to make new carpeting.
    Today's draft RMAN IV proposes revisions to EPA's previous 
recommendations for railroad grade crossing surfaces by adding 
recommended recovered materials content levels for railroad grade 
crossing surfaces containing recovered wood and plastic. In addition, 
today's draft RMAN proposes to revise EPA's previous recommendations 
for consolidated and reprocessed latex paint issued in RMAN II (62 FR 
60975, November 13, 1997). In RMAN II, EPA recommended that procuring 
agencies refer to federal specification TT-P-2846 when purchasing 
recycled paint. (See Section C-7-Latex Paint.) EPA has recently learned 
that the General Services Administration (GSA) has cancelled this 
specification and will replace it with commercial item description 
(CID) A-A-3185. A copy of this CID will be placed in the RCRA public 
docket for today's notice when it becomes available. In the final RMAN 
IV, EPA intends to revise Section C-7 of the RMAN to delete reference 
to federal specification TT-P-2846 and replace it with reference to CID 
A-A-3185.

DATES: EPA will accept public comments on the recommendations contained 
in the draft RMAN IV until October 29, 2001.

ADDRESSES: To comment on this notice, please send an original and two 
copies of comments to: RCRA Information Center (5305W), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please place the docket number F-
2001-CP4P-FFFFF on your comments.
    If any information is confidential, it should be identified as 
such. An original and two copies of Confidential Business Information 
(CBI) must be submitted under separate cover to: Document Control 
Officer (5305), Office of Solid Waste, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,Washington, 
DC 20460.
    Documents related to today's notice are available for viewing at 
the RCRA Information Center (RIC), located at: U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Ground Floor, Crystal 
Gateway One, Arlington, VA 22202. The RIC is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays. The public must 
make an appointment to review docket materials. Call (703) 603-9230 for 
appointments. Copies cost $.15 per page.

[[Page 45298]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact the 
RCRA Call Center at (800) 424-9346 or TDD (800) 553-7672 (hearing 
impaired). In the Washington, DC metropolitan area, call (703) 412-9810 
or TDD (703) 412-3323. For technical information on individual item 
recommendations, contact Terry Grist at (703) 308-7257.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. What Is the Statutory Authority for This Proposed Action?

    The draft Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN IV) is issued 
under the authority of sections 2002(a) and 6002 of the Solid Waste 
Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 
of 1976 (RCRA), as amended; and 42 U.S.C. 6912(a) and 2962. EPA is also 
issuing RMAN IV to comply with section 502 of Executive Order 13101, 
``Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and 
Federal Acquisition (63 FR 49643, September 14, 1998).

II. What Is the Background for this Proposed Action?

    Section 6002 of RCRA establishes a federal buy-recycled program. 
RCRA section 6002(e) requires EPA to (1) designate items that are or 
can be made with recovered materials and (2) prepare guidelines to 
assist procuring agencies in complying with affirmative procurement 
requirements set forth in paragraphs (c), (d), and (i) of section 6002. 
Once EPA has designated items, section 6002 requires that any procuring 
agency using appropriated federal funds to procure those items must 
purchase them composed of the highest percentage of recovered materials 
practicable. For the purposes of RCRA section 6002, procuring agencies 
include the following: (1) any federal agency; (2) any state or local 
agencies using appropriated federal funds for a procurement, or (3) any 
contractors with these agencies (with respect to work performed under 
the contract). The requirements of RCRA section 6002 apply to such 
procuring agencies only when procuring designated items where the price 
of the item exceeds $10,000 or the quantity of the item purchased in 
the previous year exceeded $10,000.
    Executive Order 13101 directs EPA to designate items in a 
Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) and publish guidance that 
contains EPA's recommended recovered content levels for the designated 
items in the RMANs. The Executive Order further directs EPA to update 
the CPG every 2 years and the RMANs periodically to reflect changes in 
market conditions. EPA codifies the CPG designations in the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR), but because the recommendations are 
guidance, the RMANs are not codified in the CFR. This process enables 
EPA to revise its recommendations in response to changes in a product's 
availability or recovered materials content so as to provide timely 
assistance to procuring agencies in fulfilling their RCRA section 6002 
responsibilities.
    The original CPG (CPG I) was published on May 1, 1995 (60 FR 
21370). It established eight product categories, designated 19 new 
items, and consolidated five earlier item designations. At the same 
time, EPA published the first RMAN (RMAN I) (60 FR 21386). On November 
13, 1997, EPA published CPG II (62 FR 60962), which designated an 
additional 12 items. At the same time, EPA published an RMAN II (62 FR 
60975). Paper Products RMANs were issued on May 29, 1996 (61 FR 26985) 
and June 8, 1998 (63 FR 31214). On January 19, 2000, EPA published CPG 
III (65 FR 3070), which designated an additional 18 items. At the same 
time, EPA published an RMAN III (65 FR 3082).
    Today, in CPG IV, EPA is proposing to designate the following 11 
additional items: bike racks, blasting grit, cement and concrete 
containing cenospheres, cement and concrete containing silica fume, 
modular threshold ramps, nonpressure pipe, nylon carpet and nylon 
carpet backing, office furniture, rebuilt vehicular parts, roofing 
materials, and tires. Once finalized, today's RMAN will serve as 
companion guidance to the previous RMANs.
    EPA, once again, wants to stress that the recommendations in RMAN 
IV are just that--recommendations and guidance to procuring agencies in 
fulfilling their obligations under RCRA section 6002. The designation 
of an item as one that is or can be produced with recovered materials 
and the inclusion of recommended content levels for an item in the RMAN 
does not compel the procurement of an item when the item is not 
suitable for its intended purpose. RCRA section 6002 is explicit in 
this regard when it authorizes a procuring agency not to procure a 
designated item which ``fails to meet the performance standards set 
forth in the applicable specification or fails to meet the reasonable 
performance standards of the procuring agencies.'' Section 6002(1)(B), 
42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(B).
    Thus, for example, in the proposal section of today's Federal 
Register, EPA has proposed to designate bike racks as items that are or 
can be made with recovered materials. The Agency's research shows that 
these items can be made with steel or plastic containing recovered 
materials. If EPA adopts the proposed designation and recommendations 
for bike racks, however, the mere fact that they are available 
containing recovered materials does not require the use of steel or 
plastic bike racks in every circumstance. The choice of appropriate 
materials may depend on state or local codes. The effect of designation 
(and RCRA section 6002) is simply to require the purchase of items 
containing recovered materials when consistent with the purpose for 
which the item is to be used. Procuring agencies remain free to procure 
designated items made from other materials where the design 
specifications call for other materials. However, agencies must 
affirmatively determine whether items containing recovered materials 
meet their performance needs.

A. What Is the Methodology for Recommending Recovered Materials 
Content Levels?

    In providing guidance in the RMANs, the Executive Order directs EPA 
to present ``the range of recovered materials content levels within 
which the designated recycled items are currently available.'' Based on 
the information available to the Agency, EPA recommends ranges that 
encourage manufacturers to incorporate the maximum amount of recovered 
materials into their products without compromising competition or 
product performance and availability. EPA recommends that procuring 
agencies use these ranges, in conjunction with their own research, to 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing the 
designated items. EPA recommends ranges rather than minimum standards 
for several reasons:
    First, the Executive Order directs EPA to develop ranges, not 
minimum content standards or specific recovered materials levels.
    Second, EPA has only limited information on recovered materials 
content levels for the new items proposed for designation. It would not 
be appropriate to establish minimum content standards without more 
detailed information because the standards may be treated as maximum 
targets by manufacturers and may stifle innovative approaches for 
increasing recovered material use. EPA's expectation is that the use of 
ranges will encourage manufacturers producing at the low end of the 
recovered materials range to seek ways of increasing their recovered 
materials usage. Minimum content standards are less likely to encourage 
such innovation.

[[Page 45299]]

    Third, many items are purchased locally rather than centrally. As a 
result, the recovered materials content of the items are likely to vary 
from region to region depending on local cost and availability of 
recovered materials. Minimum content standards are unlikely to be 
effective given the regional variance in recovered materials content 
because minimum content levels that are appropriate for one region, may 
be excessively high or low for other regions. A recovered materials 
content range gives regional procuring agencies the flexibility to 
establish their own recovered materials content standards and to make 
them as high as possible, consistent with the statute, given local 
product availability and market conditions.
    EPA reviewed publicly-available information, information obtained 
from product manufacturers, and information provided by other 
government agencies regarding the percentages of recovered materials 
available in the items proposed for designation in CPG IV. Based on 
this information, EPA established ranges of recovered materials content 
for the proposed designated items. In some instances, EPA recommends a 
specific content level (e.g., 100 percent recovered materials), rather 
than a range, because the item is universally available at that 
recommended level, the item contains 100 percent recovered materials, 
or that level is the maximum content currently used in that item.
    In establishing the ranges, EPA's objective was to ensure the 
availability of the item, while challenging manufacturers to increase 
their use of recovered materials. By recommending ranges, EPA believes 
that sufficient information will be provided to enable procuring 
agencies to set appropriate procurement specifications when purchasing 
the newly designated items.
    It is EPA's intention to provide procuring agencies with the best 
and most current information available to assist them in fulfilling 
their statutory obligations under RCRA section 6002. To do this, EPA 
will monitor the progress made by procuring agencies in purchasing 
designated items with the highest practical recovered materials content 
levels and will adjust the recommended content ranges as appropriate. 
EPA anticipates that the recommended ranges will narrow over time as 
other items become more available, although for technical reasons, many 
may never be available with 100 percent recovered materials content 
levels.
    Under RCRA section 6002(i), it is each procuring agency's 
responsibility to establish minimum content standards, while EPA 
provides recommendations regarding the levels of recovered materials in 
the designated items. To make it clear that EPA does not establish 
minimum content standards for other agencies, EPA refers to its 
recommendations as ``recovered materials content levels,'' consistent 
with RCRA section 6002(e) and the Executive Order.
    More information on EPA's methodology for recommending recovered 
materials content levels for designated items is contained in 
``Background Document for Proposed CPG IV and Draft RMAN IV,'' located 
in the RCRA public docket for this notice and on EPA's CPG Web site at 
www.epa.gov/cpg.

B. What Are the Definitions of Terms Used in This Proposed Action?

    Today's draft RMAN IV contains recommendations on the recovered 
materials content levels and postconsumer materials content levels at 
which the designated items are generally available. For several items 
being proposed for designation, this RMAN recommends two-part content 
levels--a postconsumer recovered materials content component and a 
total recovered materials component. In these instances, EPA found that 
both types of materials were being used to manufacture a product. 
Recommending only postconsumer content levels would fail to acknowledge 
the contribution to solid waste management made when manufacturers use, 
as feedstock, the byproducts of other manufacturing processes that 
would otherwise be destined for disposal as solid waste. The terms 
``recovered materials'' and ``postconsumer materials'' are defined in 
40 CFR Sec. 247.3. These definitions are repeated here as a reference 
for the convenience of the reader. The Agency is not proposing to 
change these definitions and will not consider any comments submitted 
on these terms.

    Postconsumer materials means a material or finished product that 
has served its intended end use and has been diverted or recovered 
from waste destined for disposal, having completed its life as a 
consumer item. Postconsumer material is part of the broader category 
of recovered materials.
    Recovered materials means waste materials and byproducts which 
have been recovered or diverted from solid waste, but such term does 
not include those materials and byproducts generated from, and 
commonly used within an original manufacturing process.

    Definitions for the 11 new items covered in this RMAN IV are 
included in proposed CPG IV published in the proposed rule section of 
today's Federal Register.

C. What Comments Is EPA Requesting?

    EPA requests comments, including additional supporting 
documentation and information, on the types of recovered materials 
identified in the item recommendations, the recommended recovered and 
postconsumer materials content levels, and other recommendations, 
including specifications, for purchasing the designated items 
containing recovered materials. EPA requests specific comments and 
information on the following issues:
    (1) Recently, as explained in the preamble to proposed CPG IV, the 
Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) issued new carpet-use classifications 
that provide a listing of the types of end-use applications recommended 
for carpet and reclassifies the applications into three new categories: 
moderate-, 
heavy-, and severe-wear applications. Most of the applications 
specified by EPA in the initial polyester carpet designation in CPG I 
referred to private homes that, under the new CRI classifications, 
would be included in the category of ``single family housing.'' CRI's 
classifications include both moderate- and heavy-use applications under 
the single family housing category. Therefore, EPA, as explained in the 
CPG IV, is proposing to revise the polyester carpet designation to 
reference the new CRI classifications and specify that the designation 
be limited to moderate- and heavy-wear applications such as those found 
in single-family housing units, private offices, and similar 
applications. EPA is requesting comments on this proposed revision to 
the designation for polyester carpet. Today's RMAN revises EPA's 
previous recommendations for polyester carpet and adds recommendations 
for nylon carpet and nylon carpet backing. The RMAN also recommends 
that procuring agencies make provisions to recycle old carpet that is 
being replaced.
    (2) Whether any specifications exist or are appropriate for 
passenger tires containing recovered rubber, wood or plastic railroad 
grade crossing surfaces, office furniture, bike racks, or blasting 
grit.
    (3) EPA is aware that modular threshold ramps can be made with 
recovered copper. However, it does not have any information relating to 
the amount of recovered copper used in these ramps and therefore, has 
not included ramps containing recovered copper in today's proposed 
designation. EPA requests information on the use of

[[Page 45300]]

recovered copper in the manufacture of modular threshold ramps.
    (4) EPA is aware that nonpressure pipe can be made from aluminum 
that can contain recovered materials, but does not have any information 
regarding the recovered content percentages. EPA requests information 
on the amount of recovered aluminum that is being used in aluminum 
pipe.
    (5) EPA's research indicates that wood shakes and shingles, as well 
as asphalt/plastic composite roofing materials can be made from 
recovered materials, but it was unable to identify recovered content 
percentages in these products. The Agency requests comments or 
information on the use of recovered materials in wood, fiberglass, and 
asphalt/plastic composite roofing materials.

III. Supporting Information and Accessing Internet

    The index of supporting materials for today's draft RMAN IV is 
available in the RCRA Information Center (RIC) and on EPA's CPG Web 
site at www.epa.gov/cpg>. The address and telephone number of the RIC 
are provided in ADDRESSES above. The index and the following supporting 
materials are available on the Internet:

``Background Document for Proposed CPG IV and Draft RMAN IV,'' U.S. 
EPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, EPA530-R-01-006, 
April 2001.

    Copies of the following supporting materials are available for 
viewing at the RIC only:

``Recovered Materials Product Research for the Comprehensive 
Procurement Guideline IV,'' Draft Report, August 2000.

    To access information electronically, go to EPA's CPG Web site at 
www.epa.gov/cpg.

    Dated: August 21, 2001.
Christine Todd Whitman,
Administrator.

Recovered Materials Advisory Notice IV

    The following represents EPA's recommendations to procuring 
agencies for purchasing the items designated by EPA in the 
Comprehensive Procurement Guideline IV (CPG IV), in compliance with 
section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and 
Executive Order 13101. These recommendations are intended to be used in 
conjunction with RMAN I (60 FR 21386, May 1, 1995), the Paper Products 
RMAN (61 FR 26985, May 29, 1996), the Paper Products RMAN II (63 FR 
31214, June 8, 1998), RMAN II (62 FR 60975, November 13, 1997), and 
RMAN III (65 FR 3082, January 19, 2000). Refer to the previous RMANs or 
the Code of Federal Regulations at 40 CFR Part 247 for definitions, 
general recommendations for affirmative procurement programs, and 
recommendations for previously designated items.

Contents

I. General Recommendations
II. Specific Recommendations for Procurement of Designated Items
    Part B. Vehicular Products
      Section B-2. (Revised) Add--Tires Containing Recovered Rubber.
      Section B-4. Rebuilt Vehicular Parts.
    Part C. Construction Products
      Section C-3. (Revised) Add--Cement and Concrete Containing 
Cenospheres and Silica Fume from Silicon or Ferrosilicon Metal 
Production.
      Section C-4. (Revised) Add--Nylon Carpet Facing and Nylon 
Carpet Backing Containing Recovered Materials and Revised 
Recommendations for Polyester Carpet.
      Section C-10. (Revised) Add--Railroad Grade Crossing Surfaces 
Made From Recovered Wood and Plastic.
      Section C-11. Modular Threshold Ramps Containing Recovered 
Steel, Aluminum, or Rubber.
      Section C-12. Nonpressure Pipe Containing Recovered Steel, 
Plastic, or Concrete.
      Section C-14. Roofing Materials Containing Recovered Steel, 
Aluminum, Fiber, Rubber, Plastic or Plastic Composites, or Cement.
    Part G. Nonpaper Office Products
      Section G-9. Office Furniture Containing Recovered Steel, 
Aluminum, Wood, or Plastic.
    Part H. Miscellaneous Products
      Section H-8. Bike Racks Containing Recovered Steel or Plastic.
      Section H-9. Blasting Grit Containing Recovered Steel, Coal 
and Metal Slag, Glass, Plastic, or Walnut Shells.

I. General Recommendations

    General recommendations for definitions, specifications, and 
affirmative procurement programs can be found in the May 1, 1995 RMAN 
(60 FR 21386).

II. Specific Recommendations for Procurement of Designated Items

    Recommendations for purchasing previously-designated items can be 
found in RMAN I (May 1, 1995); RMAN II (November 13, 1997); RMAN III 
(January 19, 2000); and the Paper Products RMANs (May 29, 1996, and 
June 8, 1998).

Part B--Vehicular Products

Section B-2. (Revised) Add--Tires Containing Recovered Rubber

    Note: EPA previously designated retread tires in CPG I and 
recommended that procuring agencies procure retread tires or 
retreading services in RMAN I (60 FR 21386, May 1, 1995). EPA has 
amended the original designation to include tires containing 
recovered rubber.

    Preference Program for Tires Containing Recovered Rubber: EPA 
recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels stated 
below, procuring agencies revise their preference program to establish 
minimum content standards for use in purchasing passenger tires 
containing recovered rubber.
     EPA recommends that procuring agencies purchase passenger 
tires containing 5-10% postconsumer recovered rubber.

    Note: EPA's recommendations incorporate the recommended 
recovered materials content ranges in Sec. 403(b) of Executive Order 
13149, ``Greening the Government Through Federal Fleet and 
Transportation Efficiency'' (April 21, 2000). EPA recognizes that 
tires containing recovered rubber at levels toward the high end of 
this range may not be readily available, but encourages procuring 
agencies to purchase tires with the highest level of recovered 
rubber possible.


    Specifications: EPA did not identify any specifications that would 
preclude the production or procurement of passenger tires with 
recovered content.
Section B-4. Rebuilt Vehicular Parts

    Note: Based on EPA's research, rebuilt vehicular parts generally 
contain between 60 and 95% postconsumer material. However, this 
level of detail might not be readily available from distributors to 
procurement officials. Therefore, EPA is not recommending a range of 
recovered content.


    Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies whose 
vehicles (passenger vehicles as well as medium- and heavy-duty 
equipment, including trucks, cranes, off-road vehicles, and military 
vehicles) are serviced by a motor pool or vehicle maintenance facility 
establish a program for vehicular parts rebuilding and reuse consisting 
of either recovering a used vehicular part and rebuilding it, replacing 
it with a rebuilt part, or contracting to have the part replaced with a 
rebuilt part.
    Specifications: To be labeled ``rebuilt'' or ``remanufactured,'' a 
part must be processed in accordance with the FTC's ``Guides for the 
Rebuilt, Reconditioned and Other Used Automotive Parts Industry,'' 16 
CFR Part 20. Rebuilders must test each part for compliance with FTC 
specifications and correct defects

[[Page 45301]]

as necessary. A copy of the FTC guides have been placed in the RCRA 
docket for this RMAN.

Part C--Construction Products

Section C-3. (Revised) Add--Cement and Concrete Containing Cenospheres 
and Silica Fume from Silicon or Ferrosilicon Metal Production

    Note: EPA previously designated cement and concrete containing 
coal fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBF) in CPG 
I and recommended recovered material content ranges in RMAN I (60 FR 
21386, May 1, 1995). EPA has amended the designation to add 
cenospheres and silica fume from silicon or ferrosilicon metal 
production as other recovered materials for use as cement and 
concrete additives.

    Preference Program for Cement and Concrete Containing Cenospheres 
and Silica Fume from Silicon or Ferrosilicon Metal Production: EPA 
recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels stated 
below, procuring agencies revise their preference program to establish 
minimum content standards for use in purchasing cement and concrete 
containing cenospheres and silica fume from silicon or ferrosilicon 
metal production.
     EPA recommends that procuring agencies revise their 
procurement programs for cement and concrete or for construction 
projects involving cement and concrete to allow use of cement and 
concrete containing 10-15% cenospheres (by weight), as appropriate. EPA 
recommends that procuring agencies specifically include provisions in 
all construction contracts to allow for the use, as optional or 
alternate materials, on cement or concrete that contains cenospheres, 
as appropriate.
     EPA recommends that procuring agencies revise their 
procurement programs for cement and concrete or for construction 
projects involving cement and concrete to allow use of cement and 
concrete containing 5-20% silica fume (by weight), as appropriate. EPA 
recommends that procuring agencies specifically include provisions in 
all construction contracts to allow for the use, as optional or 
alternate materials, on cement or concrete that contains silica fume, 
as appropriate.
    Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies refer to 
ASTM C-618, which covers concrete additives and enables procuring 
agencies to buy concrete containing cenospheres of a standard quality.
    EPA recommends that procuring agencies refer to the following 
national specifications and guidelines, which enable procuring agencies 
to buy high-performance concrete containing silica fume of a standard 
quality, when purchasing cement and concrete with silica fume: ASTM 
C1240, AASHTO M840, and ACI 234R-96. ACI 234R-96 describes the 
properties of silica fume; how silica fume interacts with cement; the 
effects of silica fume on the properties of fresh and cured concrete; 
typical applications of silica fume concrete; recommendations on 
proportions, specifications, and handling of silica fume in the field. 
A copy of these specifications have been placed in the RCRA public 
docket for this RMAN.
Section C-4. (Revised) Add--Nylon Carpet Facing and Nylon Carpet 
Backing Containing Recovered Materials and Recommendations for 
Polyester Carpet

    Note: On May 1, 1995, EPA issued a final designation for 
polyester carpet containing recovered materials in CPG I (60 FR 
21370). EPA has amended the designation to revise the polyester 
carpet designation to reference the new Carpet and Rug Institute 
classifications and specify that the designation be limited to 
moderate- and heavy-wear applications such as those found in single-
family housing units, private offices, and similar applications.


    Today's RMAN revises EPA's previous recommendations for polyester 
carpet and adds recommendations for nylon carpet and nylon carpet 
backing. The RMAN also recommends that procuring agencies make 
provisions to recycle old carpet that is being replaced.
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table C-4 (Revised), procuring 
agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing 
polyester carpet for moderate- and heavy-wear applications such as 
those found in single-family housing units, private offices, and 
similar applications and for nylon carpet with recovered material fiber 
facing and/or nylon carpet backing. For polyester carpet, this 
recommendation does not include polyester carpet for severe-wear or 
commercial-type applications.
    For nylon carpet, the recommended recovered materials content 
levels would also include fiber facing that has been recycled or 
otherwise renewed through processes that remove, retexture, and recolor 
the carpeting. EPA also recommends that when procuring agencies 
purchase new carpeting, they make provisions to have their old 
carpeting collected, removed, and recycled or otherwise reused to make 
a new carpet product.

  Table C-4 (Revised).--Recommendations for Polyester Carpet and Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels
                                for Nylon Carpet Facing and Nylon Carpet Backing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Total
                                                                                   Postconsumer      recovered
                    Product                                 Material                content (%)      materials
                                                                                                    content (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Polyester carpet face fiber...................  PET.............................          25-100          25-100
Nylon carpet face fiber.......................  Old carpets.....................           1-100          25-100
Nylon carpet backing..........................  Vinyl...........................           35-70            100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing carpet made from other materials
  such as acrylic or wool. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing nylon carpet, purchase
  it with recovered materials in either the fiber facing or the backing, or both, when it meets applicable
  specifications and performance requirements and when purchasing polyester carpet, purchase it with recovered
  materials in the fiber facing when it meets applicable specifications and performance requirements.

    The nylon carpet recommendations would also include ``renewed'' 
nylon carpet, which is cleaned, retextured, recolored, or otherwise 
reused to produce a new nylon carpet product.
    Specifications: Procuring agencies should refer to the Carpet and 
Rug Institute's table entitled ``Use Classification by End-Use 
Application'' for a complete listing of CRI's recommended carpet 
applications. A copy of this table has been placed in the public docket 
for this RMAN.
    While numerous carpet specifications exist, the members of the 
carpet industry do not utilize any universal standards. Specifications 
vary and are

[[Page 45302]]

determined based on the particular factors of the installation. The 
project's designer, architect, general contractor, and/or facility 
manager typically decide the specifications. Some procuring agencies, 
such as the Department of the Army and the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, have developed their own specifications for end-use 
carpet applications. These specifications should be readily available 
to procurement officials in those agencies.
Section C-10. (Revised) Add--Railroad Grade Crossing Surfaces 
Containing Recovered Wood and Plastic

    Note: EPA previously designated railroad grade crossing surfaces 
containing recovered content concrete, rubber, and steel (65 FR 
3070).


    Preference Program for Railroad Grade Crossing Surfaces Containing 
Recovered Wood and Plastic: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table C-10a (Revised), procuring 
agencies revise their procurement programs for railroad grade crossing 
surfaces to allow the use of recovered wood and plastic railroad grade 
crossing surfaces.

   Table C-10a (Revised).--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Wood and Plastic Railroad Grade
                                                Crossing Surfaces
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Total
                                                                                   Postconsumer      recovered
               Surface material                        Recovered material           content (%)      materials
                                                                                                    content (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wood..........................................  Wood or wood composite..........           90-97           90-97
Plastic.......................................  Plastic or plastic composite....           85-95            100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: Railroad grade crossing surfaces made from recovered wood may also contain other recovered materials such
  as plastics. The percentages of these materials contained in the product would also count toward the recovered
  materials content level of the item.
Railroad grade crossing surfaces made from recovered plastics may also contain other recovered materials such as
  auto shredder residue, which contains a mix of materials. The percentages of these materials contained in the
  product would also count toward the recovered materials content level of the item.

    Specifications: EPA has not identified any industry specifications 
or standards for wood or plastic railroad grade crossing surfaces.
Section C-11. Modular Threshold Ramps Containing Recovered Steel, 
Aluminum, or Rubber
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table C-11, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing modular 
threshold ramps containing recovered materials.

 Table C-11.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Modular
    Threshold Ramps Containing Recovered Steel, Aluminum, and Rubber
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Total
                                           Postconsumer      recovered
                Material                    content (%)      material
                                                            content (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steel...................................           16-67          25-100
Aluminum................................  ..............              10
Rubber..................................             100            100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: A final designation would not preclude a procuring agency from
  purchasing threshold ramps made from another material. It simply
  requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing steel, aluminum, or
  rubber threshold ramps, purchase these items made with recovered
  materials when they meet applicable specifications and performance
  requirements.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
  table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from
  steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an
  Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-
  30% total recovered steel, of which, 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel
  from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of
  which, 67% is postconsumer steel. In addition, threshold ramps can be
  made from a combination of BOF and EAF steel which, according to
  industry sources, would result in a steel with 25%-85% total recovered
  steel content, of which 16%-67% would be postconsumer steel.

    Specifications: Although the federal government is not governed by 
ADA, the Access Board's ADA standards are more current than the UFAS 
and are therefore generally used by federal facilities. According to 
the ``Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for 
Buildings and Facilities' (28 CFR Part 36), published in the Federal 
Register, July 26, 1991, ground and floor surfaces along accessible 
routes and in accessible rooms and spaces including floors, walks, 
ramps, stairs, and curbramps, must be stable, firm, and slip-resistant. 
The guidelines do not define what is meant by ``stable, firm, and slip-
resistant,'' but the Access Board recommends static coefficient of 
friction values of 0.8 for ramps and 0.6 for accessible routes.
Section C-12. Nonpressure Pipe Containing Recovered Steel, Plastic, or 
Concrete
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table C-12a, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing nonpressure 
pipe containing recovered materials.

[[Page 45303]]



    Table C-12a.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for
   Nonpressure Pipe Containing Recovered Steel, Plastic, and Concrete
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Total  recovered
           Material                Postconsumer       materials  content
                                    content (%)              (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steel........................  16                    25-30
                               67                    100
HDPE.........................  100                   100
PVC..........................  5-15                  25-100
Cement.......................         Refer to cement and concrete
                                  recommendations in C-3 of the RMAN.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: A final designation would not preclude a procuring agency from
  purchasing nonpressure pipe made from other materials. It simply
  requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing steel, plastic, or
  concrete nonpressure pipe, purchase the item containing recovered
  materials when they meet applicable specifications and performance
  requirements.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
  table reflect the fact that the designated item can be made from steel
  manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc
  Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-30% total
  recovered steel, of which, 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel from the
  EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which, 67% is
  postconsumer steel.

    Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies refer to the 
following tables C-12b, C-12c, C-12d, and C-12e when purchasing 
nonpressure pipe containing recovered materials. For additional 
guidelines see the ``Background Document for Proposed CPG IV and Draft 
RMAN IV,'' which can be found in the RCRA public docket.

             Table C-12b.--ASTM Plastic Pipe Specifications
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
F1960, Standard Specification for Co-extruded Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)
 Non-Pressure Plastic Pipe Having Reprocessed Recycled Content.
F1732, Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Sewer and
 Drain Pipe Containing Recycled PVC Material.
D1248, Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and
 Extrusion Materials.
F810, Smooth wall Polyethylene (PE) Pipe for Use in Drainage and Waste
 Absorption Fields.
F405, Standard Specification for Corrugated Polyethylene (PE) Tubing and
 Fittings.
F512, Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Conduit and
 Fittings for Underground Installation.
F667, Standard Specification for Large Diameter Corrugated Polyethylene
 Tubing and Fittings.
F949, Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Corrugated
 Sewer Pipe With a Smooth Interior and Fittings.
D2665, Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic
 Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe and Fittings.
D3034, Standard Specification for Type PSM Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)
 Sewer Pipe and Fittings.
D2239, Standard Specifications for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe (SIDR-
 PR) Based on Controlled Inside Diameter.
D2447, Standard Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe
 Schedules 40 and 80, Based on Controlled Outside Diameters.
D2729-96a, Standard Specification for Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Sewer
 Pipe and Fittings.
D3035, Standard Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe (DR-PR)
 Based on Controlled Outside Diameter.
D4976, Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastic Molding and
 Extrusion Materials.
D3350, Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastic Pipe and Fitting
 Materials.
D4396, Standard Specification for Rigid Poly(Vinyl) (PVC) and
 Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Compounds for Plastic Pipe and
 Fittings Used in Nonpressure Applications.
F810, Standard Specification for Smooth wall Polyethylene (PE) Pipe for
 Use in Drainage and Waste Disposal Absorption Fields.
F405, Standard Specification for Corrugated Polyethylene (PE) Tubing and
 Fittings.
F1970, Standard Specification for Special Engineered Fittings or
 Appurtenances for Use in Poly Vinyl (Chloride) (PVC) or Chlorinated
 Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Systems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: ASTM Committee C13 on Concrete Pipe is responsible for the
  formulation and review of specifications, test methods and definitions
  for concrete pipe and develops and reviews practices and guides
  covering design, installation, testing, economic evaluation, and
  performance of concrete pipe systems. While the previous ceiling on
  fly ash content had been set at 25 percent, in 1999, ASTM Committee
  C13 removed all limitations on fly ash content in pipe.


             Table C-12c.--ASTM Concrete Pipe Specifications
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
C14-99, Standard Specification for Concrete Sewer, Storm Drain, and
 Culvert Pipe.
C118-99, Standard Specification for Concrete Pipe for Irrigation or
 Drainage.
C412-99, Standard Specification for Concrete Drain Tile.
C444-95, Standard Specification for Perforated Concrete Pipe.
C505-99a, Standard Specification for Nonreinforced Concrete Irrigation
 Pipe With Rubber Gasket Joints.
C654-99, Standard Specification for Porous Concrete Pipe.
C76-99, Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm
 Drain, and Sewer Pipe.
C506-99, Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete Arch Culvert,
 Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe.
C507-99, Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete Elliptical
 Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe.
C478-97, Standard Specification for Precast Reinforced Concrete Manhole
 Sections.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                           Table C-12d.--ASTM and AASHTO Specifications for Steel Pipe
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Material                       Description          AASHTO  specifications    ASTM  specifications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zinc Coated Sheets and Coils......  Steel base metal* with 610  M-218                    A929M
                                     g/m2 (2 oz/ft2) zinc
                                     coating.

[[Page 45304]]

 
Polymer Coated Sheets and Coils...  Polymer coatings applied    M-246                    A742M
                                     to sheets* and coils*
                                     9.25 mm (0.010 in.)
                                     thickness each side.
Fiber Bonded Coated Coils.........  Steel base metal with zinc  .......................  A885
                                     coating and fibers
                                     pressed into the zinc
                                     while molten to form
                                     fiber bonded coating.
Aluminum Coated...................  Steel base metal* coated    M-274                    A929M
                                     with 305 g/m2 (1 oz/ft2)
                                     of pure aluminum.
Sewer and Drainage Pipe...........  Corrugated pipe fabricated  .......................  .......................
                                     from any of the above
                                     sheets or coils. Pipe is
                                     fabricated by corrugating
                                     continuous coils into
                                     helical ``from with
                                     lockseam or welded seam,
                                     or by'' rolling annular
                                     corrugated mill sheets
                                     and riveting seams:
                                    Galvanized corrugated       M-36                     A760M
                                     steel pipe.
                                    Polymeric pre-coated sewer  M-245                    A762M
                                     and drainage pipe.
                                    Fiber bonded impregnated    .......................  A760M
                                     corrugated steel pipe.
                                    Aluminized corrugated       M-36                     A760M
                                     steel pipe.
                                    Structural plate pipe.....  M-167                    A761M
Asphalt Coated Steel Sewer Pipe...  Corrugated steel pipe of    M-190                    A849
                                     any of the types shown                              A862
                                     above with a 1.3 mm
                                     (0.0050 in.) high purity
                                     asphalt cover.
Invert Paved Steel Sewer Pipe.....  Corrugated steel pipe of    M-190                    A849
                                     any one for the types                               A862
                                     shown above with an
                                     asphalt pavement poured
                                     in the invert to cover
                                     the corrugation by 3.2 mm
                                     (1/8 in.).
Fully Lined Steel.................  With an internal asphalt    M-190                    A849
                                     lining centrifugally spun                           A862
                                     in place.
                                    Corrugated steel pipe with  M-36                     A760M
                                     a single thickness of
                                     smooth sheet fabricated
                                     with helical ribs
                                     projected outward.
                                    With an internal concrete   M-36                     A760M
                                     lining in place.
                                    Corrugated steel pipe with  M-36                     A760M
                                     a smooth steel linter
                                     integrally formed with
                                     the corrugated shell.
Cold Applied Bituminous Coatings..  Fibrated mastic or coat     M-243                    A849
                                     tar base coatings of
                                     various viscosities for
                                     field or shop coating of
                                     corrugated pipe or
                                     structural plate.
Gaskets and Sealants..............  Standard O-ring gasket....  .......................  D1056
                                    Gasket strips, butyl or                              C361
                                     neoprene.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: * Yield point 0230Mpa (33ksi) min.; tensile strength --310Mpa (45 ksi) min.; Elongation (50 mm/2 in.)--
  20% min.
 AASHTO pipe specifications restrict the use of recycled plastic through the reference to ``rework'' material.
  Specifications referenced by those who commented in 1994 are listed in Table C-12e. AASHTO's specifications
  are updated annually.


 Table C-12e.--American Association of State Highway and Transportation
                  Officials Pipe Specifications (1994)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
M252-93, Corrugated Polyethylene Drainage Tubing.
M294-93, Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe.
M278, Class PS 46 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pipe.
Section 18, Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section C-14. Roofing Materials Containing Recovered Steel, Aluminum, 
Fiber, Rubber, Plastic or Plastic Composites, or Cement
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table C-14, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing or procuring 
roofing materials or services. EPA's research indicates that wood 
shakes and shingles as well as asphalt/plastic composite roofing 
materials can be made from recovered materials, but we were unable to 
identify recycled-content percentages in these products.

 Table C-14.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Roofing
 Materials Containing Steel, Aluminum, Fiber, Rubber, Plastic or Plastic
                          Composites, or Cement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Total  recovered
           Material                Postconsumer       materials  content
                                    content (%)              (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steel........................  16                    25--30
                               67                    100
Aluminum.....................  20-95                 20-95
Fiber (felt).................  66-100                100
Rubber.......................  12-100                100
Plastic or Plastic/Rubber      100                   100
 Composite.
Wood/Plastic Composite.......  ....................  100
Cement.......................         Refer to cement and concrete
                                  recommendations in C-3 of the RMAN.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: A final designation would not preclude a procuring agency from
  purchasing roofing materials manufactured from another material. It
  simply requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing steel,
  aluminum, fiber, rubber, plastic, wood, or cement roofing materials,
  purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items
  meet applicable specifications and performance requirements.

[[Page 45305]]

 
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
  table reflect the fact that the designated item can be made from steel
  manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc
  Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%-30% total
  recovered steel, of which, 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel from the
  EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which, 67% is
  postconsumer steel.

    Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies refer to the 
186 standards for roofing products maintained by ASTM's Committee D08 
on Roofing, Waterproofing, and Bituminous Materials. The 
specifications, however, do not discuss use of recovered materials, nor 
do they preclude the use of recovered materials.

Part G. Nonpaper Office Products

Section G-9. Office Furniture Containing Recovered Steel, Aluminum, 
Wood, Agricultural Fiber, and Plastic
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table G-9, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing office 
furniture with recovered materials, including remanufactured or 
refurbished office furniture.

                 Table G-9.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Office Furniture
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Total
                                                                                   Postconsumer      recovered
                    Product                                 Material                content (%)      materials
                                                                                                    content (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Furniture structure...........................  Steel...........................              16           25-30
Furniture structure...........................  Aluminum........................  ..............          75-100
Particleboard/Fiberboard component............  Wood composite..................            1-50          80-100
                                                Agricultural fiber..............                             100
Fabric........................................  PET.............................             100             100
Plastic furniture component...................  HDPE............................           70-75              95
Remanufactured or Refurbished Furniture.......  Various.........................           25-75          25-75
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: A final designation would not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing office furniture manufactured
  from another material. It simply requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing office furniture made from
  steel, aluminum, wood, agricultural fiber, or plastic, purchase these items made with recovered materials when
  these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements, or procure office furniture that has
  been remanufactured or refurbished.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated
  item is generally made from steel manufactured in a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF). Steel from the BOF process
  contains 25%-30% total recovered steel, of which, 16% is postconsumer steel.
Particleboard and fiberboard used in the wood components of office furniture may also contain other recovered
  cellulosic materials, including, but not limited to, paper, wheat straw, and bagasse. The percentages of these
  materials contained in the product would also count toward the recovered materials content level of the item.

    Specifications: EPA did not identify any standards or 
specifications that would preclude government agencies from purchasing 
office furniture with recovered materials content or remanufactured or 
refurbished office furniture. GSA requires that remanufactured 
furniture meet the same Underwriters Laboratories, ASTM, and Business 
and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association standards and 
fire codes (Boston and California) as new furniture.

Part H. Miscellaneous Products

Section H-8. Bike Racks Containing Recovered Steel or Plastic
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table H-8, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing bike racks.

   Table H-8.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Bike
                                  Racks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Total
                                           Postconsumer      recovered
                Material                    content (%)      materials
                                                            content (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steel...................................              16           25-30
HDPE....................................             100            100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: A final designation would not preclude a procuring agency from
  purchasing bike racks manufactured from another material. It simply
  requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing steel or plastic
  bike racks, purchase them containing recovered materials when they
  meet applicable specifications and performance requirements.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
  table reflect the fact that the designated item is generally made from
  steel manufactured in a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF). Steel from the BOF
  process contains 25%-30% total recovered steel, of which, 16% is
  postconsumer steel.

    Specifications: EPA did not identify any industry standards or 
specifications that would preclude the use of recovered materials in 
bike racks.
Section H-9. Blasting Grit Containing Recovered Steel, Coal and Metal 
Slag, Glass, Plastic, and Walnut Shells
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table H-9, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing blasting grit 
containing recovered materials.

[[Page 45306]]



 Table H-3.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Blasting
                                  Grit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Total
                                           Postconsumer      recovered
                Material                    content (%)      materials
                                                            content (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steel...................................          16--67         25--100
Coal Slag...............................  ..............             100
Copper and Nickel Slag..................  ..............             100
Glass...................................             100             100
Glass/Plastic...........................              20             100
Walnut Shells...........................  ..............            100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: A final designation would not preclude a procuring agency from
  purchasing blasting grit manufactured from another material. It simply
  requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing blasting grit made
  from steel, coal and metal slag, glass, plastic, or walnut shells,
  purchase this item made with recovered materials when it meets
  applicable specifications and performance requirements.
The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this
  table reflect the fact that the designated item can contain steel
  manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc
  Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25%--30% total
  recovered steel, of which, 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel from the
  EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which, 67% is
  postconsumer steel. In addition, blasting grit can be made from a
  combination of BOF and EAF steel which, according to industry sources,
  would result in a steel with 25%--85% total recovered steel content,
  of which 16%--67% would be postconsumer steel.

    Specifications: EPA did not find any specifications that would 
preclude the use of recovered materials in blasting grit. EPA 
recommends that procuring agencies exercise OSHA or other required 
standard safety practices when using blasting grit, particularly when 
using blasting grit containing slag materials.

[FR Doc. 01-21568 Filed 8-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P