The Basics of Hazardous Waste Container Management

A hazardous waste container is a portable devicehave 90 days to ship the waste offsite.
used to collect, store, treat, and transport hazardous- If you are a Small Quantity Generator (SQG), you
waste. These containers can be any size but theyhave 180 days or up to 270 days if you ship the
should be easy to move. According to 40 CFRwaste more than 200 miles away.
260.10, some common examples are:The time limit begins when the first bit of waste is
- A five gallon safety canplaced in the container. If the waste is collected in
- 55 gallon drumsatellite accumulation containers, the time starts after
- 30 cubic yard roll-offsthe containers are filled (40 CFR 262.34).
Hazardous waste containers must be managed inSatellite Containers
accordance with a multitude of regulations:A satellite container is one that is placed at or near
- The EPA outlines requirements through thethe process that generates the waste. It is used for
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)routine, repetitive collection of waste from a specific
which is contained in Title 40 of the Code Of Federalprocess, such as a production spray paint booth
Regulations (CFR) part 264.where thinners and waste paint are constantly
- The 2006 Uniform Fire Code (UFC) addressesgenerated and are subject to reduced requirements.
requirements in Standard 60.3.2.8.3.Requirements For Reduced Satellite Containers
- The 2006 International Fire Code (IFC) alsoThese containers must be located where the waste
addresses these requirements.is generated and is under the control of the process
The EPA refers to secondary containment in twooperator. Each container must be labeled "Hazardous
different areas:Waste" with a description of the waste, i.e. the name
Subpart I Use and Management of Containers (40of the chemical. The containers must be kept closed
CFR 264.175)and their size can not exceed 55 gallons or one quart
This covers portable storage containers, such as 55of extremely hazardous waste as listed in 40 CFR
gallon drums for hazardous waste.261.33 (e). Once a container is full, it must be moved
Subpart J, Tank Systems (40 CFR 264.193)to a container storage area within 72 hours. The full
This covers large stationary containers, such as tankcontainers are subject to all of the container
systems, for hazardous waste.management requirements. If the hazardous waste is
Facilities that store hazardous materials may also beto be shipped in the same accumulation container,
required to meet either the UFC or IFC, dependingyou must comply with the Pre-Transport
upon what the locality has adopted.Requirements. These requirements include those of
Storage Limitsthe US Department of Transportation (DOT) and are
There are storage limits which depend upon theincluded in 40 CFR 262.30-33.
category of waste generation.If there are questions about compliance, the local fire
- If you are a Large Quantity Generator (LQG), youmarshal should be consulted.