Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive (Wastewater Treatment)

by Mike McGinness, Reducing COD in wastewater
April, 2003

Hazardous Materials and Waste Rules

Q. Can anyone tell me where I can get a copy of EPA regulations for what amount and hazardous material can a plating company keep on hand. And, how much hazardous waste can a plating company dispose of each month.

A. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to your question. The first question (you or I need to ask) is what state are your in, then the next question is does that state have EPA approval or Primacy over the hazardous waste enforcement in your state. If they do, then that states DEQ is making and enforcing the regulations in that state. If not they still may have tougher rules than EPAs and you will need to comply with both the states and the EPAs rules.

Many states will use and refer to EPAs regulations verbatim, but I have seen situations where the states rules vary widely from state to state with many having tougher rules. You will find that the hazardous waste rules pertaining to storage and shipping of hazardous waste for generators are generic in that they do not look at the actual business (plating) that you are in. However, being a plater does affect your generator status since some wastes are automatically considered hazardous. You will need to distinguish between generating, storing, and shipping in reading the rules. Generator status (size) affects generator storage amount and time limits.

With all that said, here is a good start for the federal portion of your question and if you are in Indiana, this is the Indiana state site as well. The web site below currently has an excellent introduction and one of the most comprehensive set of links and references I have seen on the subject of hazardous waste regulations:

http://www.in.gov/idem/guides/permit/waste/generating.html