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Definitions

Disclaimer: The definitions provided here are simplified and are provided to help understand terms used in the website. These are not regulatory definitions as are found in subsection WAC 173-303-040 of the Dangerous Waste Regulations.

Conditionally Exempt Recycling Facility

Conditionally exempt recyclers are companies that are allowed to receive and recycle hazardous waste without acquiring a hazardous waste TSD facility permit. These recyclers are expected to follow all the requirements of a large quantity generator. For example contingency plans, training plans, and record retention are required. Conditionally exempt recyclers are also required to begin the recycling process within 72 hours of receiving the hazardous waste, and therefore are not allowed long-term storage. The 72-hour limit is Ecology’s outside time limit for beginning the recycling process. Conditionally exempt recyclers are required to sign off as the receiving facility on manifested hazardous waste shipments as soon as it arrives within the boundary of the facility.

Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator

If the quantity of dangerous waste generated per month does not equal or exceed the quantity exclusion limit for that waste, a generator may qualify for conditional exemption from most of the regulatory requirements. For most wastes the quantity exclusion limit is 220 pounds. If a generator has an acute hazardous waste the quantity exclusion limit is 2.2 pounds. Other conditions for exemption include limiting accumulation on-site of dangerous waste to under 2,200 pounds (2.2 pounds for acute hazardous waste), safe management, proper disposal to a dangerous waste facility allowed to take dangerous waste, or proper treatment and discharge to a publicly owned treatment works facility under a discharge permit.

Cradle to Grave

The cradle to grave system is the concept of accounting for hazardous waste from the point of generation until it is no longer hazardous (for example, treatment), it is destroyed, (for example, incineration), or it is disposed of (for example, placed in a landfill). The federal Resource, Conservation, and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Washington’s Dangerous Waste Regulations (Chapter 173-303 WAC) are based on this concept.

Designation process

The process of waste designation is the responsibility of the generator. Designation is the identification of the hazards and risks posed by a solid waste. (Solid waste is a regulatory term that can mean waste with a variety of physical states, from liquid to semi-solid (sludge) to solids.)

Financial assurance

Financial requirements placed on dangerous waste facilities to provide for closure costs and liabilities from waste management activities. Financial assurance can include trust funds, surety bonds, letters of credit, insurance, or financial test and corporate guarantees.

Large quantity generator

Generators of dangerous waste that produce greater than 2,200 pounds per calendar month, or greater than 2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous wastes.

Medium quantity generator

Generators of dangerous waste that produce greater than 220 pounds per calendar month but less than 2,200 pounds per calendar month, and do not accumulate more than the upper limit on-site.

On-site recycling

Generators are allowed to recycle their dangerous waste at the site of generation as long as it is properly managed and quantities are appropriately counted toward generator status and annual reporting.

Significant Non-Complier

A Significant Non-complier (SNC) according to Ecology’s enforcement policy is a violator that 1) has caused actual exposure, or a substantial likelihood of exposure, of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents to humans or the environment, 2) is a chronic or recalcitrant violator, or 3) substantially deviates from the conditions of a permit, order, agreement, or hazardous waste statutory or regulatory requirement. EPA sometimes refers to SNC status as “High-Priority Violator” or HPV.

Secondary Violators

Secondary violators are those facilities with violations that do not meet the criteria listed for significant non-compliers. Secondary violators pose no actual threat, or a low potential threat, of human or environmental exposure to hazardous waste or constituents. A facility classified as a secondary violator should not have a history of recalcitrant or non-compliant conduct.

Serious violations

Ecology considers violations that threaten, or have potential to threaten human health or the environment to be “high priority” and serious. Some examples of serious violations include unreported spills, drums or containers without secure lids, and mistakes about waste identification.

State/EPA ID number

A State EPA ID number in Washington is geographically assigned, and begins with the letters “WA” followed by another letter or number, and a string of 9 numerical digits.

Treatment, Storage, and/or Disposal Facility (TSDF)

A dangerous waste management facility permitted under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or Washington’s Dangerous Waste Regulations. Examples of dangerous waste management includes recycling, rendering non-hazardous or less-hazardous through treatment, storage, hazardous waste fuel blending, incineration, and land disposal.

Used Oil Processor

Used oil processors accept and manage a variety of petroleum-based materials that can be treated and recycled into fuels or lubricating stocks. The processing typically involves phase filtering, separation through settling (phase separation), or heat. Processing may also involve the mixing of acids or bases and flocculants, or the use of a centrifuge to further separate oils from water or other contaminants. Used oil processing may be found as a stand alone operation, or as part of other waste management activities at a multi-purpose facility.

Used oil processors are facilities that receive used oil and oily wastes to recycle, refine, and/or recover oil under WAC 173-303-515 and 40 CFR Part 279, subpart F. These regulations allow used oil that would otherwise be considered a hazardous waste to be managed under less stringent standards.