Step two: Is it exempt or excluded?
When managed under specific requirements, some dangerous wastes are exempt or conditionally excluded from the regulations.
- Exempt wastes are not considered solid wastes, as long as they are used or managed under the requirements of WAC 137-303-016 or WAC 173-303-017.
- Excluded wastes remain solid wastes, but are not subject to most of the dangerous waste rules, including counting and Dangerous Waste Annual Reporting requirements.
Exempt or conditionally excluded wastes
- Some materials are not considered solid waste or are exempted from solid waste.
For example: Reclaimed commercial chemical products. (see WAC 173-303-016). - Some materials are exempted from being solid waste because the material is being recycled and can be used in place of virgin materials without carrying extra chemicals.
For example: Pulping liquors reused for pulping. (see WAC 173-303-017). - Materials that are solid waste may be excluded from being designated as dangerous waste based on what they are or how they are used.
For example: Scrap metal being recycled or irrigation return flows. (see WAC 173-303-071).
Exclusions
These dangerous wastes are excluded from part or all of the requirements. Often the waste must meet specific conditions to qualify for the exclusion (see WAC 173-303-071(3)).
Recycling wastes
Some wastes can be recycled easily. If you follow the requirements for recycling the wastes listed below, they are excluded from all other dangerous waste requirements:
- Used oil.
- Spent antifreeze.
- Spent lead-acid batteries
- Universal waste.
- Waste containing precious metals.
- Some refrigerants.
- Some wastes applied to land.
- Some wastes burned for energy recovery.
Learn more about recycling requirements for state-only dangerous waste.
Continue to Step three: Is it listed?
Related links
Contact information
Need help?
Contact a dangerous waste inspector in your region.