§ 261.5 - [Reserved]

§ 261.5 Special requirements for hazardous waste generated by conditionally exempt small quantity generators.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 81 FR 85806, November 28, 2016.

(a) A generator is a conditionally exempt small quantity generator in a calendar month if he generates no more than 100 kilograms of hazardous waste in that month.

(b) Except for those wastes identified in paragraphs (e), (f), (g), and (j) of this section, a conditionally exempt small quantity generator's hazardous wastes are not subject to regulation under parts 262 through 268, and parts 270 and 124 of this chapter, and the notification requirements of section 3010 of RCRA, provided the generator complies with the requirements of paragraphs (f), (g), and (j) of this section.

(c) When making the quantity determinations of this part and 40 CFR part 262, the generator must include all hazardous waste that it generates, except hazardous waste that:

(1) Is exempt from regulation under 40 CFR 261.4(c) through (f), 261.6(a)(3), 261.7(a)(1), or 261.8; or

(2) Is managed immediately upon generation only in on-site elementary neutralization units, wastewater treatment units, or totally enclosed treatment facilities as defined in 40 CFR 260.10; or

(3) Is recycled, without prior storage or accumulation, only in an on-site process subject to regulation under 40 CFR 261.6(c)(2); or

(4) Is used oil managed under the requirements of 40 CFR 261.6(a)(4) and 40 CFR part 279; or

(5) Is spent lead-acid batteries managed under the requirements of 40 CFR part 266, subpart G; or

(6) Is universal waste managed under 40 CFR 261.9 and 40 CFR part 273;

(7) Is a hazardous waste that is an unused commercial chemical product (listed in 40 CFR part 261, subpart D or exhibiting one or more characteristics in 40 CFR part 261, subpart C) that is generated solely as a result of a laboratory clean-out conducted at an eligible academic entity pursuant to § 262.213. For purposes of this provision, the term eligible academic entity shall have the meaning as defined in § 262.200 of Part 262.

(d) In determining the quantity of hazardous waste generated, a generator need not include:

(1) Hazardous waste when it is removed from on-site storage; or

(2) Hazardous waste produced by on-site treatment (including reclamation) of his hazardous waste, so long as the hazardous waste that is treated was counted once; or

(3) Spent materials that are generated, reclaimed, and subsequently reused on-site, so long as such spent materials have been counted once.

(e) If a generator generates acute hazardous waste in a calendar month in quantities greater than set forth below, all quantities of that acute hazardous waste are subject to full regulation under parts 262 through 268, and parts 270 and 124 of this chapter, and the notification requirements of section 3010 of RCRA:

(1) A total of one kilogram of acute hazardous wastes listed in §§ 261.31 or 261.33(e).

(2) A total of 100 kilograms of any residue or contaminated soil, waste, or other debris resulting from the clean-up of a spill, into or on any land or water, of any acute hazardous wastes listed in §§ 261.31, or 261.33(e).

Note to paragraph (e):

“Full regulation” means those regulations applicable to generators of 1,000 kg or greater of hazardous waste in a calendar month.

(f) In order for acute hazardous wastes generated by a generator of acute hazardous wastes in quantities equal to or less than those set forth in paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this section to be excluded from full regulation under this section, the generator must comply with the following requirements:

(1) Section 262.11 of this chapter;

(2) The generator may accumulate acute hazardous waste on-site. If he accumulates at any time acute hazardous wastes in quantities greater than those set forth in paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this section, all of those accumulated wastes are subject to regulation under parts 262 through 268, and parts 270 and 124 of this chapter, and the applicable notification requirements of section 3010 of RCRA. The time period of § 262.34(a) of this chapter, for accumulation of wastes on-site, begins when the accumulated wastes exceed the applicable exclusion limit;

(3) A conditionally exempt small quantity generator may either treat or dispose of his acute hazardous waste in an on-site facility or ensure delivery to an off-site treatment, storage, or disposal facility, either of which, if located in the U.S., is:

(i) Permitted under part 270 of this chapter;

(ii) In interim status under parts 270 and 265 of this chapter;

(iii) Authorized to manage hazardous waste by a State with a hazardous waste management program approved under part 271 of this chapter;

(iv) Permitted, licensed, or registered by a State to manage municipal solid waste and, if managed in a municipal solid waste landfill is subject to Part 258 of this chapter;

(v) Permitted, licensed, or registered by a State to manage non-municipal non-hazardous waste and, if managed in a non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit after January 1, 1998, is subject to the requirements in §§ 257.5 through 257.30 of this chapter; or

(vi) A facility which:

(A) Beneficially uses or reuses, or legitimately recycles or reclaims its waste; or

(B) Treats its waste prior to beneficial use or reuse, or legitimate recycling or reclamation; or

(vii) For universal waste managed under part 273 of this chapter, a universal waste handler or destination facility subject to the requirements of part 273 of this chapter.

(g) In order for hazardous waste generated by a conditionally exempt small quantity generator in quantities of 100 kilograms or less of hazardous waste during a calendar month to be excluded from full regulation under this section, the generator must comply with the following requirements:

(1) Section 262.11 of this chapter;

(2) The conditionally exempt small quantity generator may accumulate hazardous waste on-site. If he accumulates at any time 1,000 kilograms or greater of his hazardous wastes, all of those accumulated wastes are subject to regulation under the special provisions of part 262 applicable to generators of greater than 100 kg and less than 1000 kg of hazardous waste in a calendar month as well as the requirements of parts 263 through 268, and parts 270 and 124 of this chapter, and the applicable notification requirements of section 3010 of RCRA. The time period of § 262.34(d) for accumulation of wastes on-site begins for a conditionally exempt small quantity generator when the accumulated wastes equal or exceed 1000 kilograms;

(3) A conditionally exempt small quantity generator may either treat or dispose of his hazardous waste in an on-site facility or ensure delivery to an off-site treatment, storage or disposal facility, either of which, if located in the U.S., is:

(i) Permitted under part 270 of this chapter;

(ii) In interim status under parts 270 and 265 of this chapter;

(iii) Authorized to manage hazardous waste by a State with a hazardous waste management program approved under part 271 of this chapter;

(iv) Permitted, licensed, or registered by a State to manage municipal solid waste and, if managed in a municipal solid waste landfill is subject to Part 258 of this chapter;

(v) Permitted, licensed, or registered by a State to manage non-municipal non-hazardous waste and, if managed in a non-municipal non-hazardous waste disposal unit after January 1, 1998, is subject to the requirements in §§ 257.5 through 257.30 of this chapter; or

(vi) A facility which:

(A) Beneficially uses or reuses, or legitimately recycles or reclaims its waste; or

(B) Treats its waste prior to beneficial use or reuse, or legitimate recycling or reclamation; or

(vii) For universal waste managed under part 273 of this chapter, a universal waste handler or destination facility subject to the requirements of part 273 of this chapter.

(h) Hazardous waste subject to the reduced requirements of this section may be mixed with non-hazardous waste and remain subject to these reduced requirements even though the resultant mixture exceeds the quantity limitations identified in this section, unless the mixture meets any of the characteristics of hazardous waste identified in subpart C.

(i) If any person mixes a solid waste with a hazardous waste that exceeds a quantity exclusion level of this section, the mixture is subject to full regulation.

(j) If a conditionally exempt small quantity generator's wastes are mixed with used oil, the mixture is subject to part 279 of this chapter. Any material produced from such a mixture by processing, blending, or other treatment is also so regulated.

[51 FR 10174, Mar. 24, 1986, as amended at 51 FR 28682, Aug. 8, 1986; 51 FR 40637, Nov. 7, 1986; 53 FR 27163, July 19, 1988; 58 FR 26424, May 3, 1993; 60 FR 25541, May 11, 1995; 61 FR 34278, July 1, 1996; 63 FR 24968, May 6, 1998; 63 FR 37782, July 14, 1998; 68 FR 44665, July 30, 2003; 73 FR 72954, Dec. 1, 2008; 75 FR 13001, Mar. 18, 2010

[Reserved]