Hazardous Waste Management

Hazardous waste is generated by all sectors of Irish society, from large industry, healthcare to
small businesses, households and farms. It is for the most part managed by a professional
hazardous waste industry and is treated appropriately and in accordance with legal requirements.
Large quantities of hazardous waste are generated, and there is scope to reduce this generation of
waste through waste prevention programs. Around half of Irish hazardous waste is exported for
treatment. There are some problems with so-called 'unreported' hazardous waste in Ireland,
where small amounts of consumer hazardous waste are produced in households and small
businesses and can be inappropriately managed.
A used or discarded material that can damage the environment and beharmful to health. Hazardo
us wastes include heavy metals and toxicchemicals used in industrial products and processes as
well as infectiousmedical wastes and radioactive materials such as spent nuclear fuel rods.

RCRA The Federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C.A. 6901-6986)

Federal Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) Hazardous Waste Management 40 CFR

Parts 260 279 and

PA Department of Environmental Protection, (PA DEP) 25 Pa. Code Article VII:

Hazardous Waste Management, Chapters 260a 270a

Listed Wastes
By definition, EPA determined that some specific wastes are hazardous. These wastes are incorporated
into lists published by the Agency. These lists are organized into three categories:
1. The F-list (non-specific source wastes). This list identifies wastes from common
manufacturing and industrial processes, such as solvents that have been used in cleaning or
degreasing operations. Because the processes producing these wastes can occur in different
sectors of industry, the F-listed wastes are known as wastes from non-specific sources.
Wastes included on the F-list can be found in the regulations at 40 CFR 261.31.
2. The K-list (source-specific wastes). This list includes certain wastes from specific industries,
such as petroleum refining or pesticide manufacturing. Certain sludges and wastewaters
from treatment and production processes in these industries are examples of source-specific
wastes. Wastes included on the K-list can be found in the regulations at 40 CFR 261.32.
3. The P-list and the U-list (discarded commercial chemical products). These lists include
specific commercial chemical products in an unused form. Some pesticides and some
pharmaceutical products become hazardous waste when discarded. Wastes included on the
P- and U-lists can be found in the regulations at 40 CFR 261.33.