Every business in Idaho is required to track the volume of wastes generated, determine whether or not each is hazardous, and ensure that all wastes are properly disposed of according to federal, state and local requirements.

Waste is any material (solid, liquid or contained gas) that is...

Waste includes anything that needs to be reclaimed or reprocessed prior to reuse. Examples of waste are water poured down a drain, an empty pop-can, and spent chemicals or solvents.

Some wastes can be reprocessed or recycled into useable products. Some can be treated prior to disposal to make them less hazardous. Some must simply be landfilled.

Hazardous wastes are wastes that can pose a substantial or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly managed. Wastes that you have always handled may be classified as hazardous.

There are two types of hazardous waste:

Characteristic. Hazardous wastes that exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:

• Flammable/explosive. These wastes easily catch fire or explode when exposed to heat or sudden shock. If the waste has a flash point below 140°F, it must be managed as a hazardous waste. This information is available on Material Safety Data Sheets and from product suppliers.

• Corrosive/caustic. These waste products can burn or damage living tissue on contact. Corrosivity is determined by properties outlined in 40 CFR.261.22. Testing methods are explained in EPA publication SW-846, entitled Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods.

• Toxic/poisonous. Such wastes can cause injury or death if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin or eyes. If the material contains any organic or inorganic chemicals in excess of the concentrations listed under 40 CFR 261.24, it must be managed as a hazardous waste.

• Reactive. Reactive wastes are wastes taht are unstable, react violently or explode, and/or give off toxic gases.

Listed: Hazardous wastes that appear on any of four specific lists issued by the U.S. EPA. Some of these wastes, such as some pesticides that can be fatal to humans in small doses, are so dangerous that they are called acute hazardous wastes.

Some hazardous wastes are so common, they are practically universal. These wastes are referred to as "universal wastes" and include batteries, some pesticides, thermostats, and spent lamps.

The Universal Waste Rule permits universal wastes to be managed under streamlined requirements. The rule is designed to encourage recycling and proper disposal of some common hazardous wastes and to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses that generate these wastes. more

No matter how little hazardous waste your business generates, you need to comply with certain regulations. Which regulations you must comply with depends on how much waste you produce or store. Click here to find out how to determine your generator status.