solvent-contaminated wipes

Solvent Contaminated Wipes Rule in Maine

Since March 24, 2011 the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP) policy has offered an option for management of solvent-contaminated wipes (wipers in ME DEP policy) for generators of hazardous waste.  In the absence of a comparable exclusion in USEPA regulations, this state policy held the force of regulations for ME businesses.  That changed with the USEPA’s announcement July 23, 2013 of a conditional exclusion for both disposable and reusable solvent-contaminated wipes effective January 31, 2014 (read about the Federal Rule).

Logo for Maine DEP

The DEP regulates environmental protection in Maine

These Federal regulations force ME DEP (and all other states without an authorized hazardous waste program) to choose between adopting the new regulations as is or to create its own – possibly more stringent – state regulations.  Continuing the management of solvent contaminated wipes as a state “policy” is no longer acceptable for Maine businesses.  I was informed by Michael Hudson of ME DEP on March 24, 2014 that Maine is expected to adopt the new Federal rule – as is – into its state regulations some time before July 2015, possibly in 2014.  Until then, per Michael Hudson, Maine businesses have two options:

  • Comply with the new Federal Rule.
  • Continue to comply with the ME DEP policy until the Federal Rule is adopted into state regulations.

Read on for a summary of the ME DEP Policy for Solvent Contaminated Wipers. (more…)

RCRA Conditional Exclusion for Solvent-Contaminated Wipes

In a press release dated July 23, 2013 the USEPA announced a modification of the RCRA regulations to conditionally exclude solvent-contaminated wipes from certain hazardous waste requirements.  This long-awaited final rule makes the following changes to the USEPA’s hazardous waste regulations:

RCRA exclusion for solvent contaminated wipes

A new conditional exclusion in the RCRA regulations is available for solvent contaminated wipes

  • Creates the following new terms and definitions at 40 CFR 260.10:
    • No free liquids
    • Solvent-contaminated wipes
    • Wipe
  • Creates a new conditional exclusion from definition as a solid waste at 40 CFR 261.4(a)(26):  Solvent-Contaminated Wipes Sent for Cleaning and Reuse
  • Creates a new conditional exclusion from definition as a hazardous waste at 40 CFR 261.4(b)(18):  Solvent-Contaminated Wipes, Except Wipes with Trichloroethylene, Sent for Disposal
The effective date for this regulation – ie. the date it becomes an enforceable USEPA regulation – is set as six (6) months from the date of its publication in the Federal Register.  It was published in the FR today (July 31, 2013) making it effective on January 31, 2014.

The exclusion is expected to be used by and be a significant cost-savings for thousands of US businesses.  To ensure you are one of them, carefully review the regulatory requirements and modify your operations accordingly. (more…)