When using organic solvents containing hazardous chemical compounds in a degreasing operation, a facility is required to track the amount of spent product accumulated each month and dispose of it as hazardous waste:
- 1,1,1 Trichloroethane
- Acetone
- Benzene
- Carbon Tetrachloride
- Chlorinated Fluorocarbons
- Isobutanol
- Low flash point mineral spirits
- Methanol
- Methylene Chloride
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone
- Methyl Isobutyl Ketone
- Ortho-Dichlorobenzene
- Tetrachloroethylene
- Toluene
- Trichlorofluoromethane
- Xylene
Hazardous waste requires special handling and proper disposal if it is:
- A listed hazardous waste
As an example, a F001 hazardous waste are spent halogenated solvents used in degreasing: Tetrachloroethylene, Trichlorethylene, Methylene chloride, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, Carbon Tetrachloride and chlorinated fluorocarbons; all spent solvent mixtures/blends used in degreasing containing, before use, a total of ten percent or more (by volume) of one or more of the above halogenated solvents or those solvents listed in F002, F004, and F005; and still bottoms from the recovery of these spent solvents and spent solvent mixtures.
Similar to a F001 hazardous waste, a F003 hazardous waste are spent non-halogenated solvents such as Xylene and Acetone.
Additionally, a F005 hazardous waste are spent non-halogenated solvents such as Toluene and Methyl Ethyl Ketone. As an example, spent lacquer thinner includes the ingredient Toluene at or above ten percent by volume prior to usage.
- A characteristic hazardous waste (i.e., ignitable, toxic, reactive, or corrosive)
- Ignitable (U.S. EPA Hazardous Waste No. D001) wastes can create fires under certain conditions, are spontaneously combustible, or have a flash point less than 60 °C (140 °F).
- Corrosive (U.S. EPA Hazardous Waste No. D002) wastes are aqueous-based acids or bases (pH less than or equal to 2, or greater than or equal to 12.5)
- Reactive (U.S. EPA Hazardous Waste No. D003) wastes are normally unstable and readily undergo violent change without detonating. They react violently or form potentially explosive mixtures with water.
- Toxic (U.S. EPA Hazardous Waste Nos. D004–D043) wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed. Examples include eight metals (D004–D011); cancelled pesticides (D012–D017); and toxic organics (D018– D043), including 12 with solvent applications.